Hughesy

Nothing lucky about it. Just common sense.

A one dimensional striker who could score goals from inside the box. Hmmm... Did Van Nistelrooy ever score from outside the box?

Has there ever been a more pathetic ongoing exchange between 2 more mediocre players than these 2 clowns? They should both just shut up.

Heard a lot of Villa fans slating him no end after the match on Saturday. Said he's been awful in all their matches so far this season.

Agree with the above.

How doesn't he deserve a 10 for goalscoring like? I'd be intrigued to know as well.

Yes - he was shit.

Ha ha.

The defeat under Hughton to WBA definitely deserves a mention.

People seriously overlook Shearer's technical ability. Had an exceptional first touch and control of the ball.

Miy biggest concern is not with the football that we are playing as I am convinced that that will improve. What concerns me more is trying to work out where the goals will actually come from. Assuming our best front six will line up like this: Marveaux/Obertan Cabaye Tiote Jonas Ben Arfa Ba/Best You are really relying on Ba/Best getting at least 15 league goals in the season and hoping that the rest of the midfield chip in with at least 20 goals between them. And though that midfield might be a pretty good one, it is not known for being prolific. Disclaimer - I would like to point out that in no way is this post intended to bemoan the loss of Nolan and/or Barton in any way, shape or form. I don't think they would make any difference.

In time we'll see Ba, Marveaux and Santon start. For the time being we've gone with tried and tested players and bedding the new players in slowly. It's quite a sensible approach, especially if fitness is an issue and it has clealy been with Ba and Marv. How are we bedding them in slowly, if they're (Santon) not even playing? He should start today - Raylor proved that. Why in the world Santon didn't even get some minutes with Raylor being so s***, is beyond me. Santon needs to play, he's fit, in good form - no excuses what so ever. The sensible approach is rubbish - loads of managers and players have shown that. You are aware that Santon has been at the club for a week? You are aware that our players train together in order to bed in? Perhaps - just perhaps - Pardew thinks it makes more sense to give Santon a week extra of getting to know the players, training with them etc before throwing him in?

In time we'll see Ba, Marveaux and Santon start. For the time being we've gone with tried and tested players and bedding the new players in slowly. It's quite a sensible approach, especially if fitness is an issue and it has clealy been with Ba and Marv. Spot on - there is clearly reasoning as to why Pardew chose the team he did.

The manager can change players if they are playing poorly, you don't need football manager of FIFA to do that. He can change 3 of the personnel. He can't change how they are playing on the night.

He picked the wrong team, he was part of the problem. Ryan Taylor and Shola shouldn't have come out for the 2nd half as they were both as bad as they can get. Part of the problem - yes. He got things wrong today obviously. But I do wonder how much control people think managers have over individual players' performances. It isn't Football Manager or FIFA out there.

Are you happy with that performance and style of play? Nope, but I can see why we played like that. I think less resilient sides would have lost. Are you suggesting our gameplan was to play that s*** and keep giving the ball away? Are you suggesting that it is Pardew's fault that the players kept giving the ball away? When it's players like Ryan Taylor and Shola Ameobi, yes. What about the other 9? I think their performances could very well have improved considerably if the aforementioned two weren't on the pitch. Hmmm.

Are you happy with that performance and style of play? Nope, but I can see why we played like that. I think less resilient sides would have lost. Are you suggesting our gameplan was to play that s*** and keep giving the ball away? Are you suggesting that it is Pardew's fault that the players kept giving the ball away? When it's players like Ryan Taylor and Shola Ameobi, yes. What about the other 9?

Are you happy with that performance and style of play? Nope, but I can see why we played like that. I think less resilient sides would have lost. Are you suggesting our gameplan was to play that s*** and keep giving the ball away? Are you suggesting that it is Pardew's fault that the players kept giving the ball away?

Unbelievably short-sighted. Yeah we played badly. In fact we were awful. But - we got a point away from home against a team that will clearly be midtable or thereabouts come the end of the season. Decent result even if it was a crap performance. But - we are unbeaten. We deserved a point vs Arsenal and our wins against Sunderland and Fulham. This is the only game so far where we have got more than our play merited. Yep, that's what most (all?) are saying. I don't even know what your post means. Your second post IMO reflects why people are frustrated despite the results, that's why I thought your first was daft. To summarise - I think people are going massively overboard on our performances this season. You can't just overlook that we are unbeaten and 4th in the league. It has to be taken into consideration that we have deserved at least 7 points this season. Yes - we clearly have problems. We need to improve going forward, but all the Pardew bashing is ridiculous sometimes.

Unbelievably short-sighted. Yeah we played badly. In fact we were awful. But - we got a point away from home against a team that will clearly be midtable or thereabouts come the end of the season. Decent result even if it was a crap performance. But - we are unbeaten. We deserved a point vs Arsenal and our wins against Sunderland and Fulham. This is the only game so far where we have got more than our play merited. Yep, that's what most (all?) are saying. I don't even know what your post means.

23/09/2007 - 5th place after beating West Ham 3-2. What happened after that again? It's alright - we are 4th this time.

Yeh, because if we keep playing like that and with no flexibility to change...we're going to stay fourth It's a good point away from home but that doesn't mean it's a performance to applaud. Because that is what I said?? That we would stay fourth?

Unbelievably short-sighted. Yeah we played badly. In fact we were awful. But - we got a point away from home against a team that will clearly be midtable or thereabouts come the end of the season. Decent result even if it was a crap performance. But - we are unbeaten. We deserved a point vs Arsenal and our wins against Sunderland and Fulham. This is the only game so far where we have got more than our play merited.

Yeah - fourth in the league and unbeaten. What a crap job Pardew is doing.

That just isn't even close to true.