pi_D

It's all about the bigger picture and getting bogged down in semantics and throwing dirt at the manager because of a few poor performances is really annoying and childish and something which we criticise others for. A holistic approach...something we have needed for years....

The problem isn't the view that we could play better football, it's the disparity between praise and criticism when a good or bad result occurs, and the overwhelming feeling in this thread that some are watching Pardew's every single move and jumping on every minor thing they don't like.

Or.. he tried every trick in the book to get HBA's recovery and integration into the team right, so that he'd come back as strong if not stronger from one hell of a lay off. Not knowing what goes on behind the scenes day in, day out, I'll stick with the latter. To seriously believe the line that Pardew just didn't rate him, had an agenda not to play him, or didn't know how big a player he could be for us is absolutely laughable. Helmet on though bud

and Best who was the worst striker ever!!11 before Carroll left. He has gone from 'that's it, we are relegated' when we replaced Hughton with him to 'that's it we are definitely relegated now we have sold Carroll' to 'that's it we are relegated now we have lost Barton, Nolan and Enrique' to 'that's it I am unhappy with the hoofball despite sitting 8 points above Liverpool and level with Chelsea after 30 games'. Excellent

Pardew deserves a lot of credit for instilling confidence in him tbf

Brilliant

Good. We can now close the thread Great post though

Mentally he was not in the right place. He has said this himself....only recently (coinciding with the return of his old self at Sunderland) has his love for the game returned. This is again paralleled with Pardew's comment about his recent increased effort in training. Which coincides with his staring last week I dono it seems to make sense to me, and is definitely easier to believe than most of what has been soupted for the last couple of hundred pages in this thread and the old one

I have. I disagree. But my quarrel is not with mrm's post. It is with the elaborate (and intricate) arguments that more or less presuppose that Pardew has purposefully stopped Hatem Ben Arfa from playing for NUFC. Basically because he doesn't like him

none of this is because of his double leg fracture? and the amount of time it takes to return 100% physically and mentally after such an injury? no, no, Pardew hates Hatem. Hates him. That and he is the worst manager going.

some of these are top quality

Good stuff. He definitely looked more like his old self against Sunderland. Long may it continue! Here's hoping a flowing Ben Arfa can revitalise our season!

Did certain sources not claim he was sold last summer? and again leading up to January (that disappeared when we signed Cisse, however) We are ging to loose some of our big players eventually, like. As long as we only sell when it cannot be avoided and the money made is reinvested in the club... then

But this is Ashley's M.O. Cut rate discounts. Fire sales. Everything must go. We've heard it for five years so it has to be happening soon. "Asset-Stripping" Remember that one? That was a good one.

Fire away :gm's dummy:

FWIW that was my initial respone to your last post

People were saying that we were touting Tiote the January after we signed him so because we don't know of any bid...it has not happened and why would you believe them if they were 'mouthing off' about knocking back a Tiote bid, if (by your own admission) everything they say are lies? Or do you believe what you want to believe and ignore what goes against your mantra? This touting through the media idea, I find a f***ing hilarious. I mean, frankly, there are so many other more efficient ways to find out whether other clubs are interested in your player. The only reason anything is said in the media is to communicate with fan bases....there is no other point! You can stir s*** either, I suppose, but ultimately it doesnt really serve any useful purpose to an owner/chairmen trying to maximise profit on one of their players. If DL or MA want to tout our players to other clubs, they have absolutely no need to tell the fans through the media!! what is the f***ing point? To gauge fan opinion? Oh right, they are interested in the opinions of the fans that that hate and despise so much.... Fantastic response We may not be playing the most attractive football, but we can beat anyone in the league on our day. Every match I am excited to watch, the football may not be great at times but in general we have a good team and a watchable team.

He was supposed to be sold last summer, then January (when instead we BOUGHT a player), and now it's summer again! Until be can regularly challenge for/play CL football we are always going to loose our better players to better teams.... Also since when do people believe what DL says in the media....i thought it was all lies. And since when do chairmen use the media as their primary means for touting players....it's fucking ridiculous. Personally I fucking ignore 95% of the media, it's bulshit! What managers say, chairmen...most of it is bullshit! It's used to appease fans, coerce the masses Orwell, man! But seriously, the club looks in excellent health both on and off the pitch.... why people see the need to blow up this shite and turnit into more conspiracy theories, I don't know I look forward to seeing the team play every week, I'm optimistic about the future of the club. FFS, things are actually being done right around here for once (most things, bar Stadium name changing)

It's been my main argument as to his limited appearances since his comeback. He hasn't looked the player he was before de Jong, for most of this season...and people have put it down to match fitness and not being allowed a run of games in the team. I'd be more inclined to attribute it to his leg break along with a lacking in match fitness....these serious injuries take time. Anyway, he seemed much sharper on Sunday. his acceleration looked back to normall, but he is still not, imo, 100% physically, and probably not there mentally either. I hope he gets plenty of playing time form now until the end of the season to become 100% comfortable on the pitch again.