Hughesy

Just out of interest - how many clubs have a particular style of play/philosophy? I agree that Pardew's lack of work on attacking play and tactical awareness is being shown up at the moment, but I do feel that the whole philosophy is a bit woolly and possibly being overplayed. I fully expect to be torn apart for this by the way.

Everything internally at the football club - currently anyway - revolves around finishing 8th as "par" How much do you know about NUFC/Pardew that you aren't able to divulge on this forum?

If we finish the season in decent form I don't think many will be calling for him to be sacked tbf. I think there's a small group that dislike him regardless, but nowhere near the majority. What has he ever done in his past career that gives people confidence that he is going to be a top manager with the same club over a period of more than 2 years ? Why does anyone think it is going to be different here..? Just as well Ipswich gave Robson a chance after his previous track record was to get Fulham relegated and then gave him time after a few rubbish seasons. Managers can improve. Pardew may not, but it is possible that he might come back a better manager for it.

You could be describing Sammy there. I maintain that Sammy would have nearly as many caps for NI as Ferguson does if he was eligible. You'd think he'd be able to displace Will Grigg of Walsall or Billy McKay of Inverness.

While I agree with the idea that Ferguson is further on in his development than Ameobi - his international caps have been for Northern Ireland, currently the 96th best team in the world and he has 6 caps. I dare say that if Ameobi was from Northern Ireland he might have the squad a few times.

Got talent, but get him out on loan as soon as possible to a Championship club.

Interested in M'Vila apparently: Ben Lyttleton ‏@benlyt L'Equipe: #QPR to table €8m bid for Yann #M'Vila, but Rennes want more. #NUFC also interested & want Florian Thauvin, 19, Bastia fwd

He was a solitary number 9 who offered no threat towards the Everton goal all game. His only use is bringing down long balls and shielding it from defenders high up the pitch, a trait that is completely useless when our other striker is on the wing. Not quite sure what you were expecting from him to be honest.. I am not Shola's biggest fan and I certainly think that Pardew made a huge error in starting him, but I thought he played ok. He held the ball up well and brought other players into the game. He created that chance for himself when he brought the ball down and flicked the ball just wide of the post. Our goal was created directly as a result of his physical presence and he defended well from Everton's set plays. Yeah, he wasn't brilliant (he never is), but his performance was nowhere near as bad as people are making out.

Shola didn't actually play half as badly as people on here make out.

I thought it was an odd decision by Krul to take that step to his left before the ball was hit as you can tell what Baines is going to do from his body position during his run up. There was no way he got have approached the ball in that fashion and then curled one over the wall to Krul's left. I think that was an error from Krul to be honest.

Static on your arse would be a very odd experience.

Just a quick tactical question - if we line up a in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as people seem to want (I want this as well, may I hasten to add) and it looks something like this: Krul Debuchy Taylor Colo Santon Tiote Anita HBA Cabaye Marveaux Cisse Where does the cover for the full backs come in? At the moment Santon and Simpson look horribly exposed. Do we expect Tiote and Anita to shift over (and then leave the centre backs open) or are we expecting HBA and Marveaux to track back (something which people have openly stated they shouldn't be wasting their time doing)?

I don't care how this goes down - I would go out and ask Man City how much they want for Lescott and pay it (or his wages if it is a loan deal).

Just get him to keep running at Jagielka.

Looks like we are signing Laurent Blanc as well from that photo.

Seems to remove any doubt re Ba's lack of commitment to us. Sooner he pisses off the better.

If a defender is told to be on the line, I don't regard it as a great achievement that he manages to clear the ball. defenders are sometimes told to be on the line for corners but from open play clearing off the line is just good positional play. just because you don't think he's good enough doesn't mean you need to find try and find fault with every facet of his play even when he's done something good. Not really trying to find fault with everything he does - I just don't regard his clearances off the line as being a particular strength of his game or something that he needs special praise for. Especially from a corner.

If a defender is told to be on the line, I don't regard it as a great achievement that he manages to clear the ball.

Dunno like. I'd never start the Shearer turned you down chant, but I think it's a worth an airing when they're singing about him. They're obsessed with the man and clearly never gotten over his rejection - they seem unable to comprehend anyone not wanting to play for the greatest club in the world and not able to handle even that kind of failure. Exactly this.

For a recently turned 19 year old kid, he is some player. Can't wait to see how much better he will get.

Just call the glory hunting c***s for what they are. No point getting wound up by a bunch of table top supporters. They are all my soon to be inlaws...so that might be frowned upon.

Going to be watching this with various man utd fans out in Singapore. Going to be a nightmare.

Aye, the obvious difference in quality and quantity between their squads and ours has nothing to do with it.. Odd that was overlooked..

Yeah - would be a fucking nightmare if he scored the goal to win us 3 points again.

Taylor's got more to his game than you have indicated above. Not suggesting he is the next Beckenbauer, but you are making sound like some league 2 clogger. He is far better on the ball thab you are giving him credit for.