LFEE

Zenit looking to loan Arshavin... Can't see the benefit for Arsenal at this stage of the season despite his poor form...

The Union Rooms (Wetherspoons) is handy for the train station...

Think Wolves were taken aback a bit when they learnt of his £2m release clause...

Yep... I'd be surprised if he didn't see the job through so he's got a promotion on his CV...

Quite impressed with the job McDermott has done so far... Apparently Jones fancies a return and has threw his hat in the ring also...

Not sure if that is directed at my post or not, I felt the need to put the last line in as a qualification because of people over reacting. The Pardew out/isn't a good manager mob are pathetic, but the people that respond to any minor criticism with "we're 6th, we're having a great season, how dare you moan" style posts are nearly as bad. Do you think fans never complain, criticise or analyse managers? Are we really worse than other fans in that sense? Even the likes of Man U and City will have fans that question the manager and certain decisions. Start of the season, two Spurs ST holders I know wanted Harry to go for various reasons plenty of people whinging about Fergie after the 1-6 and the 3-0 against us. Ba, Krul and Colo have been superb this season, does that mean when they f*** up or have bad games we don't speak about it, or highlight any flaws in their game? Should Pardew be exempt from criticism or something? I would love nothing more than stability, AP should get at least 2 full seasons to see where he takes us, but there are certainly areas that fans (including myself) think he can improve on. I can certainly see us progressing further under him, if he's backed by the board that is. I agree with your post but lets give Pardew some more time before we decide if he's a good manager. Certainly his career up to now is not enough to suggest he is. Just out of curiosity of all the teams in the PL which managers do you think have done enough to suggest they are good managers?...

Was in The Corner. Went turnstile to turnstile from the Gallowgate and finally got in at the Leazes end... Just a question... Was Cole playing for them that year?

I agree... If someone wants to replace a manager/player I'm a big believer in coming up with an alternative manager/player... I think AP is doing a great job in what has been difficult off-field circumstances... Your'e entitled to your belief, but if someone has a different view why shouldn't they be allowed to express it? It's not like HTT hasn't given fairly comprehensive reasoning why he isn't a Pardew fan. Even if he is wrong (in some people's opinion) what's the harm in expressing his views? Isn't that what these forums are about? Have I missed where HTT (or anyone else wanting to replace AP) has named who he wants in as manager?... I asked the question earlier in the thread?..

I agree... If someone wants to replace a manager/player I'm a big believer in coming up with an alternative manager/player... I think AP is doing a great job in what has been difficult off-field circumstances...

A good journalist would of asked further specific names... Would like to of seen his response then... Gets away with far to much...

Arsenal used to use the same method of paying players Search google for Ray Parlours divorce hearing. Lays out all Arsenals 'shady' methods of tax avoidance. Whether they have been caught up with or are still doing it we'll find out in the months ahead. Arsenal saw this all coming and agreed a settlement so they are in the clear now...

"Use your other foot"... He likes to hammer the point home... Was the same when commentating on our home game v Fulham...

They should lower the price if they do it yearly, I'd even subscribe to new shirts if they did that Yeh it's all about money I suppose! It's a shame because it often means I wont buy one now as a new one is out too soon, I used to buy every home shirt, often getting names and numbers and then get the away shirt when a nice one was out. I don't feel like spending £60 on something that is barely 'in' for a calendar year. Same here... Used to always buy a home shirt to cover 2 seasons but since we went yearly I've stopped and purchased a retro top for longevity...

doesn't that go for most every decision ? With varying degrees of certainty...

We'll never know one way or another now if its the right decision...

That was the FA Cup not the PL... And surely it was left so Suarez took the opportunity to do the sensible thing so a line could be drawn... But he blew it...

Was that the Man Utd players singing whilst Rooney being interviewed?!!

Blanc is quiting after 2012 isn't he?..

VDV out... Lennon and Defoe have trained this week...

It is indeed...

Was at that game... Valdes made 2 big saves and thought Real played well and with a little more belief could of knicked something... Any chance you can explain why the ground was only half full?... Surely not the poor weather? It was the coldest night in Barcelona since records are kept. Yes, I know, you northerners laugh at what we soft latinos think as "cold". But since the game was on free TV, it was easier to keep warm at home. I take it weather has the biggest effect on your attendances or was it the Free View? Got a surprise with the fluctuation of your attendances this season after just checking them... 30k down is a lot... is Real Madrid the same?..

Easily achievable, just follow the Tottenham model. Jack up admission and season ticket prices to ridiculously high levels and have a fanbase mug enough to keep on filling the stadium. Out of curiosity what's your average ticket/ST price? It be more relevant surely if the figures were minus wage bill/outgoings... Always thought Valencia for example were skint...

Was at that game... Valdes made 2 big saves and thought Real played well and with a little more belief could of knicked something... Any chance you can explain why the ground was only half full?... Surely not the poor weather?

Its about the football for me. Under Pardew we produce poor football on a consistent basis and I just know that will f*** us up sooner rather than later. This season, all though unexpected and pretty good in terms of where we are, I feel we are there by other fortune, that this is a fluke in parts. I look at our players and faceplam when I see such a poor perfomance as against too many sides this season. I will make a comparision of sorts here. Although we finished 5th under Sir Bobby in his final full season in charge, we all knew we were s*** that season and unlikely to porgress much further unless drastic changes were made, perhaps replacing the great man himself. Well I was one of those who advocated that perhaps we needed to replace him. Of course we only went and replaced him with f***ing Souness... worst mistake ever, but if we had of replaced him with someone different, someone better (in certain areas), who knows. For me this season is similar. We are 5th but my the football we have served up has been s*** and although Pardew does deserve credit and is obviously doing wonders of some sort, I feel we are 5th in general in spite of him rather than because of him. Now I get your point about what more do you want. I aknowledge that my points and reasoning seem churlish and extreme but I really believe given our players, the new financial fair play stuff and our scouting and setup that we are perhaps a good tactician and advocate of good football away from something special, not for the now, but long-term. That's my beief anyway and I stand by it. For me our football or rather lack of speaks huge volumes given the talent we have. We should be putting away sides comfortably as we did under KK back when we first came up in the early 90s or under Sir Bobby. Because we have the players. I was in London last week and a Chelsea fan couldn't believe just how good a spine we had and how we accunmulated such a spine under the radar. Krul he said was the best 'keeper in the league on form, Colo one of the best defenders. Tiote and Cabaye a fearsom twosome. Ba the league's deadliest striker and now Cisse, a real goalscorer. Add Ben Arfa, Jonas, Santon, Guthrie, all good footballers, and we have the players yet our football takes us back to Big Sam's day in ways. Playing Ryan Taylor ahead of Ben Arfa at home to QPR and Villa, much lesser sides. Playing for a narrow 1-0 win at home to QPR with 50 minutes to go. The constant long ball. Brighton in the Cup. Stevenage. Playing Joey Barton wide left. a right footed player. These may seem minor issues in the grande scheme of things but they are or should act as massive alarm bells ringing away. Pardew talked about good football, passing football and slick moves, yet we see none of it. We are 5th and well done to all but whenever I watch us play, all bias aside, I look on in wonder just how we are so high in the table when lesser sides outplay us and out perform us. From QPR to Villa most recently. If we want top 10-8 footy, or mid-table steadyness, Pardew is your man. Foreget this season, its a fluke in the way Everton finishing 4th was, but if you want more, then we seriously need ro consider replacing Pardew in the same way we need to seriously consider replacing Simpson at RB if we are to improve, or to accomodate Ben Arfa etc. You still haven't said who you would replace AP with?..

Obviously the Barnsley goal was a one off... Glad to hear he's ok... Remember meeting him at SJP the day he signed...