Frazzle

Taylor being hooked at half time is telling. Santon will start IMO.

The best we can probably hope for is keeping the players we've got. One or two first team standard players would give everyone a massive boost - showing ambition and giving some much needed competition.

Our replacing of Jose and Carroll (in terms of money spent) shows why we shouldn't be 'cashing in' on Tiote.

It always sounds like a kneejerk hoying someone like Ferguson in but he coped OK in Jose's absence last season didn't he? He had shaky moments but on the whole he was alright wasn't he?

It obviously is. Doesn't really make sense in the context as sarcasm. So you really think that Bellamy is a "world class dead-ball specialist" ? No lol, ignore my comment because this could drag on for ages otherwise.

Fortunately, his inability to articulate a sentence should help us.

It obviously is. Doesn't really make sense in the context as sarcasm.

World class dead ball specialist? That sarcasm?

Said this at the time, can't remember if I posted on here ( ) but he had opportunities to bed players in.

What's Guthrie's prognosis? Can we expect him to be back before Cheick goes away? Haven't got a clue but hopefully because he stepped up well last time. Up front is going to be more of a mystery.

Will be very interesting to see what he does in January like, Ba and Tiote are massive players to replace, big test for him.

He obviously shouldn't be replaced and needs time (he's only had the job 12 months ffs and half of that was him keeping things steady after Hughton went), he does however need to make some fairly obvious changes IMO though.

Tavernier will probably have his spot in about 12 months time.

Our fullbacks still don't drop deep enough to receive the ball from Krul anyway, its mostly a tricky pass for him to play.

So, your point is what? And fwiw I think he was impressive for what little involvement he had. Ben Arfa seems immune from criticism (in general) from certain people on here its either 1. It's Pardews tactics 2. He's not fit 3. It's x players' fault 4. He should have started instead of being a sub Ben Arfa should get praised when he played well and criticised when he plays poor, just like everyone else in the squad, but sometimes as soon as you say something against him some posters leap to his defence cause he can't do anything wrong. This is not aimed at anyone in particular btw He's done OK since his injury, not brilliant, not rubbish just OK, the jury is still out on whether he will be a success for NUFC. He'll always be a special case though because of what he's done for us so far (i.e. Everton) and his reputation back in France. The jury is still technically out on Santon but we all want him in the team still.

He could've bedded both players in a lot earlier like. Even when HBA and Santon come into the team they'll need a bit of time to build up partnerships, we keep chopping and changing for no reason at the moment.

How was Cabaye an improvement on Tiote?

Sorry aye, it's Krul isn't it. One of those who you can't criticise. He was s**** tonight, and was in the last two games n'all. Who you gonna replace him with?

Tbf to Pardew, in terms of PL experience they're on quiet the same level. Maybe, still I'd feel a lot more comfortable with Ben Arfa than Vuckic playing in this game. Absolutely, but Pardew has his reasons for not playing HBA from the start. Should have played Best or even Shola then, though. To play a kid against Liverpool at Anfield was a little bit stupid. Maybe Best should have started, I know he's been s*** lately but if we keep hoofing it up long like we do, at least he can hold the ball up reasonably well. We've done that as well and it didn't work though

He's got no athleticism and generally terrible technique.

Tiote was bringing the ball out of defence and Jonas, Obertan and Cabaye (to a much lesser extent) we're either motionless or couldn't control the ball. He put himself on the firing line by constantly showing for the ball. He wasn't the problem today even if he was involved in their goals. Need to look at the bigger picture.

Our off the ball movement is woeful like. One of the reasons Vuckic/HBA weren't getting space in the middle, we are incapable of moving the ball around and creating space.

Tiote showed fight and kept showing for the ball all the game, he wasn't the friggin problem.

He still just needs a run of games, if Pardew keeps giving him 20-30 mins he's gonna take years to get back to his best.