ExiledGeordie

I think it's totally fair to question some of Pardew's tactics and formation especially in recent games. However he's gone a long way to sorting out the backline something nobody has done in years. We haven't seen this "free flowing" football he kept banging on about before the season started but if he'd got that going and sorted the back line we'd probably still be in the top four. With much more movement up front with Ba and Cisse I think we'll see things open up a bit again. I'm glad he's built from the back and the team is still evolving. Considering where we thought we might be and where we are I think people are getting ahead of themselves. I also agree with the "who else could we get" But yes yesterday was a complete shower of shit.............

Pardew got it wrong yesterday but christ there's some massive overreaction about him imo. Look at the bigger picture.

Why change a formation thats essentially been working? Jonas in that "free" role was a complete and utter farce. Waddle was right about how much space there was between Best and Ameobi up front too. It was all very awkward and smelt of caution with a "lets just get this game out the way and then get em back to St James with our big guns to put em away". Major cock up that we didn't simply go for it. Alright we were unlucky with the deflected goal and should've had a penalty but the fact we just didn't put their defence under pressure at all is pathetic really. In fairness though Best had a great chance in teh first half with that header, a top draw striker would've buried that we'd probably have won 1-0 and nobody would've said anymore about a quite frankly awful game.

He's a decent lad but average at "Best"

100%, I couldn't deal with losing to them cunts in the final

Absolute shower, I hope we go for them like mad dogs at St James in the league like we did against Man U.

I'd like to give these another bash with Ba and Cisse up front.

I don't see why if he gets a decent run out against Blackburn or most likely Villa that Ba and Cisse couldn't start together at Spurs.

With the money Liverpool have spent winning the league cup is papering over the cracks. Sure its what we'd all want but finishing out the top four again and playing in the europa league is hardly what you'd want after spending over 100m.

Hope to fucking god Shola doesn't start. Best up front, Ben Arfa behind and Raylor or Obertan wide right (preferably Raylor with Obertan maybe coming on 2nd half). Feels like the classic type of game we lose

Williamson is a good defender but he got exposed by that high line badly. To be fair I think the whole defence had a shocker today, we just seemed to crumble. Willo has done well recently, some ridiculous overreactions going on. He like pretty much the whole team had a shocker second half. Move on, next game.

Exactly, it's a total waste of a position. Play Ben Arfa behind Best or something. Shola can do something with a 20 min cameo but should never be starting, its embarrassing man.

Seems like a classic case of "well we're sorted and on for 3 points here" at half time. The pen stunned us and we never woke up after that. Agree with what people are saying about the high line, was akin to West Brom at home.

pathetic the way they've fallen to bits this half, embarrassing. Always happens at Fulham

awful

Absolutely nailed on to fall out with Hughes and end up going to a promoted team in the summer.

I'd start with Raylor on the right and bring Obertan on 2nd half with 20-25 mins to go to throw some pace at them (even if it amounts to nothing )

ohmelads was bang on we said in this thread there's no point in picking Shola "just because he's a big lad". I'd much rather see Ben Arfa behind Best and Ryan Taylor or Obertan wide right.

I think there's some massive over statements of Spurs' financial "plight" on here. |However it iust makes no financial sense to sell Krul. Even if you make a profit you have to replace him and besides the lad seems happy at the club and as we're heading in the right direction with ambition shown with the Cisse signing. Hope to god I'm not proved wrong but what would be the point in selling Krul for a fairly smallish profit when you consider what you stand to lose without him between the sticks. Sure in a few years say 3-4 if someone right at the top comes in for him but right now the club fits for him and he fits for us

I'm back up in the Toon staying with my Dad midweek the week of the Blackburn away match. Where's best to catch the match as it'll probs be on foreign tv I imagine? Remember someone mentioned that Shark Bar opposite St James but anywhere else decent, pubs and that in the centre? Still visit the Toon fairly regularly but haven't watched a match in a boozer there for a long while. I remember fondly the Inventions/Bar Oz days (no idea what it's called now)

Whats the latest on Cabaye?

Cisse is 6ft and good in the air. I can see them alternating in terms of knock ons etc up front. As a defender it will be nigh on impossible to pick them up. From what I've seen on youtube too Cisse looks quicker than Ba too so you can really see Pardew getting his whole idea of "we need more pace in the side" across. Outrageous prospect to be honest.

One thing I don't understand is this idea that if someone comes up with 15m (Spurs basically) we'll just sell straight away. Good keepers are hard to come by especially those with light years ahead in their career. Consider the fact with our latest signing Cisse and why would you strengthen so well in one area only to weaken yourself massively by selling your starting keeper who is happy at the club?? Krul has proved himself, is key to the success with Colo at the back so what would be the point in selling him for 15m when you'd have to a) find and pay for a replacement and b) probably lose money in terms of the points we would lose not having him between the sticks directly affecting our place in the league. I just don't see how selling him even for a profit would be of any benefit looking at the bigger picture. He's top drawer, has proved himself, loves the club, is probably excited just as we are at the latest signing so why would the club even think of selling? Goal keeper is a crucial position and hard to replace. Just paper nonense???

Craig the weasel has just said on sky it's in the region of 9m (euros)