Ghandis Flip-Flop

No I mean 7 or 8, it was commented on repeatedly towards the end of the Europa campaign, I recall him wrongly having 2 ruled out in one single game.

If we don't sign another forward this January I agree we should give him another chance in the second half of the season, because I would still rather play him than Shola. That said, he was an integral part of last season's failure, not (just) a victim of it. It could be argued we didn't play to his strengths (not sure which ones really, but there you go), but the fact we were treathened by relegation for much of the season was as much to do with not having a striker putting the ball in the net (especially second half of the season after Ba left) as anything else tbh. For him to refind his early form, it's not just a matter of Pardew giving him that chance, but also him taking whatever chances come his way and proving that he's on the way back, making himself undroppable. From what we've seen so far this season you have to wonder if he's even interested. If we're going to crucify him for last season, can we at least have the linesmen that ruled off something like 7 or 8 perfectly good goals incorrectly, crucified up there with him too? They stand his confidence doesn't collapse and we don't have the Cisse we have now IMO

And what pray tell where Morecambe?

so you're saying newcastle need to get relegated to league 1 level?

Probably bollox but interesting never the less http://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2013/08/blogs/newcastle-line-up-10m-replacement-for-cabaye?

I'm really not liking the parallel that it could end up being bloody Villa sending us down again (Admittedly by virtue of them getting more points rather than playing us)

This A bit out of left field but we're we not linked with Powell before he went to Charlton? Someone like him might be an option, he's young, highly regarded as forward thinking in the game and probably hungry for a bite at the premier league

yup played well on his debut. He tired a little in the second half understandably. Will be immense once he's fully up to the pace of the PL

Yeah I think the players personal preference to remain in France has more to do with this. We'll be back in for him, in a few years I reckon

What people forget is the margins of our victories last season were always slim with only WBA away and Stoke at home being anything close to comfortable... Doesn't take many injuries and other teams strengthing for that slight balance to change... Just because we finished 5th a lot of people on here go on as if we smashed a load of teams... Yup thats been my argument regarding Pardew to alot of people. I genuinely can't remember the time we've played well in both halves under him. We are abject or downright abysmal in at least one half of every match. Its why we didn't hammer any teams last year unlike under Hughton, despite having generally better players.

Considering where most of our recruitment has occurred and the kind of player we're rumoured to be looking for i'm surprised we've not been linked to Jermaine Lens. Looks the kind of pacy technical player that can play wide or centrally and would cost less that the players we've been linked with too

Watched their game vs Ethiopia and think those tipping Alain Traore for big things might be right

Well if thats the case then we might be finished in this window, as we tend to stick to our targets rather than buy someone who doesn't fit. I think we'll see us push hard for Thauvin and Aubameyang in the summer. We might get another striker but I think it's be a youngster rather than someone to bolster the first team.

I see that Sportings manager has come out and officially confirmed that he might have to sell Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. I know Lee Ryder claims we're not interested but I think we might be dependent on price

Nah Andy O'Brien whilst limited at least had heart and would put his body on the line. I'm not sure if the same can be said of Mike

Fact is, had Keegan not resigned, we would almost certainly been one of the big 4. he resigned because we didn't have the money for him to carry on the way he wanted. Being in the champions league every season would have funded his spending

I also think it was taking off a creative outlet for a holding player that did it, as much as he isn't exactly liked I can't imagine the same reaction would have occurred if it had been Obertan, Sammy or Ranger coming on.

Considering how quick they were to push the button on Hughton I'm amazed Pardew has lasted this long if I'm being honest

Can i change it to a ten? If he stays we are doomed, I'm just glad we already have 21 points otherwise we could have been challenging Derby for lowest points total. Totally incompetent management

Have to say I agree, The guy must realise that playing for a 1-0 at home from 60 minutes onwards is suicide.

Absolutely terrible substitutions and clueless tactics from Pardew again. We are going down if he remains in charge, have we ever played well in both halves of a game under this buffoon?

Think £45 a pop for away at Norwich is taking the piss too to be honest. Should be a cap at £30 IMO

I see Marc Walton is claiming to be ITK on Twitter again. Apparently we are looking at getting Danny Graham. Pretty sure he was all over the Andy Carroll stuff to whci turned out to be bollocks. Would be funny if we let Sunderland cover anther strikers travel costs though lol

Both? surely that should be all three throwing Shola into the mix too

To be fair it's the manager who should be aware after watching the lad for two years now that he can be effective for 20 minutes against tiring legs. However he cannot play 90 minutes of football. Shola doesn't pick himself the blame for the fact he's started our last two games has to lie with Pardew.