Spudil

It's genuinely shocking I thought this season might have been a kick in the teeth for those with their heads firmly in the sand but they have just buried deeper

This the Gareth Bale who stopped a goal against Spurs yesterday in the last few minutes? The one who pulled out a fantastic block in his own box? source: http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/tacticsandanalysis/id/868?ghghg&cc=5739 Read more here: http://footballspeak.com/post/2011/12/09/The-secret-to-Gareth-Bales-recent-success.aspx

Fools Cajun and Ian have predicted this defeat and declared this a pointless match. It's a good loss really as expected and no injuries. There is not a single bad thing that can be said about Pardew as we knew we would not get anything from this. What chance did we have? I mean think of all the excuses- endless they are.

First half was tame, we were all over them second half. Had 10% more possession, more shots and more shots on target. Yes we struggled with the final ball but we certainly weren't just sitting back hoping for a break. Please try and keep your delusion at least slightly in check

There are a good amount of studies on the 'dangers' of artificial pitches vs natural grass and there has been nothing remotely significant found. Slight increase in the chance of ankle injuries and even that requires more study before anything conclusive can be said.

Willian out for them or?

My thoughts exactly.

Class manager tbh What an inspired decision to bring Marveaux on too.

Quality.

In fairness, in the right set-up Marveaux would do just fine in this league. Swansea would be a good fit.

If Willian is out for the 2nd leg then I rekon we'll have this lot.

Well since I stopped posting this thread has really gone to s*** Adding to what Dave has said: Everyone knows deep down that Pardew is a fairly s*** manager. But not many believe his position is under any threat or that he is under any pressure to preform. So the choice that that leaves certain individuals who are so emotionally invested in football is either a) be depressed or b) rationalize Pardew into a good manager who has had bad luck. Me personally I'm am not that emotionally invested in football and loathe to lose my objectiveness. Fact is that if fans felt that Pardew could easily lose his job and we could attract a competent manager these delusions would not exist to anywhere near the extent that they do and the fans would be on his back non-stop.

Al-Habsi Boyce Caldwell Alcaraz Figueroa Maloney McCarthy MaCarthur Beausejour Kone Di Santo 4-4-2 hoofball. Is the best he could put out providing all 1st team players stay fit all the time. Can't see it myself. Maybe by the skin of his teeth and with a lot of luck. Certinly he couldn't do it consistently.

Aye he did a good job. Now, does anyone think Pardew would keep Wigan up?

Does anyone think Pardew would keep Wigan up like?

Winning the Waffa cup should do it like. Oh, I see Ian and others have "left" this thread again. If only.

How many goal scorers you have can be influenced by the manager ffs (and not in terms of signings) it is not a constant .

Push for Europa league spot is PAR at best.

Perhaps if I find myself woefully bored during the week I'll dig up quotes for you. You know well what you said anyway.

It reminds me of the threads defending Souness. Were people bringing up him selling a player most didn't rate years ago as a reason to criticise him, saying that wins against good sides were only because players decided "f*** it, I'm gonna do my own thing!" and that teams who have just won a cup should be beaten because they don't care any more? If so people were just as mental back then. I don't think many (the odd nutjob) have said Pardew hasn't performed badly this season, however the sensible majority are able to accept that you can play well and still lose. Some just see loss = he did s***. It's normally the same people every week mind Oh man could you possibly be any more hypocritical? This THIS after the fifth. FIFTH "we finished fifth and so any criticism is not valid" tripe?

Such nonsense It is a fact that to be successful you must always be on the front foot willing to take action and risks and not rest on your laurels. Reactionary people will always be less successful and so too will reactionary managers.