ExiledGeordie

Exactly thankfully we're not languishing at the bottom of the table unable to score goals and desperately throwing in a player who has been out for a ridiculous amount of time. Plus the mere fact that the likes of Ben Arfa, Marveaux and Santon are waiting in the wings is forcing the players in their positions in the first 11 to play at a high level because they know as soon as they don't they'll be out of the team. It's a win win really and we haven't really had any injury issues yet either (touches wood) which might take the decision making out of Pardew's hands. Some people as Ian Wright says have just had a coffee and got a little over excited about all this and just need to calm down

Spot on, there's some absolute fucking nonsense being posted about this. The lad is being handled properly and to boot we're on an unbeaten run so haven't had to force the issue.

If we do get beaten on sunday fair and square or spurs are simply too strong for us people will need to put it in perspective instead of the classic moaning and griping you see with football fans. We are going to lose at some point and we will sadly go through a bad patch but we've done fantastically so far. If however we win......................all hell will break loose among the press,

Adebayor rated 50/50 in todays reports..... he'll probably play though I reckon.

He'll start Raylor because the lad has done alright (one particularly good bit of defending last week against Wolves) and has been part of an unbeaten team. I think he'll reward him on that basis and also because no matter how good Santon is he needs to be treated carefully. In a game like this one big mistake could really dent his confidence especially with some of the mongs in the crowd. I think as people have said he'll be brought on at some stage and then there are the Wigan and Blackburn games to bed him in and eventually make the position his own. Ofcourse if its' obvious we're all over the shop he'll be on sooner. Agree with this too.

Pardew is going to kop flack whatever he does. If he changes it and we lose people will question his judgement but if he doesn't make any changes and we lose people will also question him. It's a pretty difficult decision to be in but I think he'll start with the same team that has effectively gone unbeaten so far this season. Best and Ba have caused defences problems so far this season and seem to link up well. Ba in particular is on a hot streak. Even Ryan Taylor defended pretty well at times against Wolves last week (one in particular) so maybe he'll reward those players as opposed to removing them and keep the consistency going. The one big plus to bringing Santon in is it would free Jonas up in attack more whereas at the moment he's obviously been told to help Raylor out but even now he seems to be doing both jobs admirably. It's a very delicate tinkering situation but I think the team will naturally sort itself over the coming weeks anyway. Santon will obviously come in very soon maybe starting against Wigan (maybe earlier than expected if Raylor is in real trouble against Spurs and that situ will alreayd be resolved), Best will have to keep playing top of his game or Ben Arfa will be in and Obertan will have to be on his game otherwise Marveaux will come in. I'd eventually like to see and think we will see fairly soon: Krul Simo Taylor Colo Santon Marveaux Cabaye Tiote Jonas Ben Arfa Ba

Everyone talks about the weakness up front or atleast they did and while we could do with signing a solid striker the central defence really has no depth whatsoever. Even when Williamson gets back to fitness we could really do with going out and signing another good centre half.

Assuming Ba doesn't make it I think Pardew will keep the same side apart from switching Ben Arfa behind Best. I wouldn't have too many complaints if Raylor starts but I'd be more concerned if he opts for Lovenkrands or Ameobi instead of Ben Arfa.

Good luck to him but glad the circus has left

Well it's a huge plus if as it looks Cabaye is going to be fit for this one.

Get the fuck in!

If Ba is out he really should start with Ben Arfa behind Best. Will do my nut in of Lovenkrands starts in Ba's absence "if" he doesn't recover.

I like the fact we've got the players to get in their faces. They never like coming to St James Park and if they're going to leave with 3 points they're going to have to bloody well work for it. Be interested to see what their mettle is made of in this one, can't wait.

I'm starting to like the idea of Marveaux starting this match now, he can add some real craft and guile to the midfield. Obertan can always be used as an impact sub 2nd half with his pace. Either way it's great to have those options.

God there's some shite spouted in this thread :lol:

Lad is very close to the first 11, really liked the look of him in that first match against Suncthorpe. Cool, calm under pressure, a turn of pace, can beat a man, cross and clearly has a goal in him.

Ridiculous someone writing that King is poor He's absolutely colossal when he plays and he makes those playing around him better, namely Kaboul. That said with the players we have we can expose Kaboul. Spurs are a side full of confidence coming off the back of a derby win but no reason we should be fearing them especially at home. If we get beaten on the day then fair doos but lets just pile into them and see what we get out of it. One thing the pundits seem to be missing is that we are still improving as a side and have more dangerous players to come into the team. In that respect we haven't even got close to what we might be able to do offensively and for that reason we are a dangerous outfit.

Yeah thats what we should go for against Spurs, defo. Bring Ben Arfa in to cause some shite but keep the two up front who are working well together. In fact Best/Ba alone can cause their defence problems, I don't rate Kaboul or the left back.

Wouldn't be surprised if Ben Arfa played in a reserve match between now and then. Personally I'd like to see him play against Spurs, their defence isn't water tight to say the least and he's got the ability to cause major damage. At the very least I'd like to see Santon start the match even if that means shifting Raylor to right back at the expense of Simmo. Raylor has done admirably but he's going to get done eventually and a team like Spurs will be capable of doing that.

Got to respect Spurs but in no way should we fear them and traditionally we tend to do well against them at home. As pointed out when the stadium is rocking and we properly go for them they've shat it before and bottled it. They're central defence is still suspect and the left back isn't a world beater. I'd fancy Tiote against Parker but there are wicked match ups all over the park and it should be a quality match. I'd be tempted to start Ben Arfa instead of Obertan if he decides that Best/Ba have been playing too well together to drop. Obertan is the only one you could say deserves to have a rest. Be tempted to bring Santon in if he comes through his U21 matches as he has that extra quality that we'll need against sides like Spurs. I'd be much more confident with Santon in at left back.

Review of any of out decent play was non-existant on MOTD.

He kept losing possession 2nd half and the first goal came from him losing the ball. He gives us a great outlet with his pace but he's the only player not warranting a starting place right now. He strikes me as being much more of an impact sub right now whereas someone like Marveaux is a lot more stable, can create but also very good good on the ball.

Ba should've buried that chance to make it 3-0. Obertan was far too costly losing the ball second half as were others and those subs were atrocious, game should've been killed off before that nonsense at the end. Hate old Mick though so even greater to get 3 points, lol An away win is an away win too

There first shout for a pen was a pen, 2nd wasn't. Well played, they have to come at us now and we've got the pace to hit them on the break as long as we can weather a probable all guns blazing first 10-15 mins from them. Tailor made for Ben Arfa/Marveaux to come on and cause some shit with their pace at the right time.

Away in Corfu for a week from tomorrow but I know the hotel has satelite tv so hoping to catch some highlights/coverage somewhere.