Lush Vlad

Faster, better touch, more skillful and as Ronaldo says, he's younger with the potential to be a far better player than Routledge. Similar to Routledge though, confidence seems an issue, although he has started taking his man on a bit more, consistency is also an issue, although in his premier league games for us Routledge was consistent, just consistently awful.

Well I've never seen them in a race like After seeing Colo keep pace with Agbonlahor on more than one occassion I would say he is as quick if not quicker than Tiote. Don't let Tiote's high knee action fool you, I think he looks quite one paced TBH, not saying he's slow either BTW. If it was a 60m sprint I reckon it would be Colo, Tiote, Simpson in that order!

I really think people go a bit overboard on here, some of the comments, tongue in cheek or not are RTG'esque, pathetic really. Granted he was poor against Wolves, second half in particular. But he's been far better than I and probably most (total assumption BTW ) expected him to be and there is so much potential with him, I just find some of the comments ridiculous, each to their own though I suppose. He seems to be a bit inconsistent with his tracking back and workrate, perhaps benching him might be the kick up the arse he needs. At the minute, he is in danger of becoming a luxury player or an impact sub. Although there are promising signs, and he has pace to burn, if he carries on the way he did in the second half, I can see him being used sparingly. We can't afford to have passengers against the top 8 or in tricky away games.

I thought that too... Pleasantly surprised... Obertan was interviewed through the week and was asked if he was the fastest at the club and he surprised me when he mention Leon Best was up there alongside him... Thought he was joking TBH... Jonas is also deceptively quick once he gets into his stride... We've actually got pace all through our side now. Santon, Obertan, Jonas, HBA, Colo all look really quick. You've then got the likes of Simpson, Best and Ba who all have the odd burst of speed, plus players like Cabaye and Tiote who aren't necessarily the quickest, but really mobile and cover a lot of ground. Not seen much of him, but Marv hardly looks slow! Going down to the younger lads, Fergie and Sammy are both quick on the ball as well. Pretty much The Entertainers MkII to be honest

Why? He likes to drift about the pitch and pretty much switch flanks at times anyway. Marveaux could come in at some point and make himself undroppable (doubt that's a word TBH ) his performances so far have certainly been promising and I can see him being in the regular starting XI by the turn of the year. I seem to remember Jonas has been quite poor on the right for us and has rarely played there. But he's improved so much since he's been with us, and I would say having a left footer and right footer on the flanks being able to interchange would be quality. Certainly don't see how there is 'no chance Jonas will be played on the right'

If we play the same XI, we will lose. Don't need drastic changes, just 1 or 2, 3 at the very most. Santon is a must for me, would be really tempted to start HBA as well though, if we did need a goal, then Best could come on and play 2 up top. Thinking maybe Obertan will be dropped because of Bale, doesn't help Simpson out all that much at the back, not sure who will come in for him though? Jonas to right wing, Marveaux in for Obertan? I wouldn't be too disappointed if the only change was Santon for R.Taylor, but if it's the same team as Saturday we will get sod all.

I think that is the case until Santon comes in at left back.

Looked quiet on Football First's highlights, unlike the dreadful Birtles though who seems despise all things NUFC, Trevor Francis was quite keen on him. Think he is also a big fan of the Dreamboat, was constantly singing his praises. Really looking forward to the Spurs match, going to be a class midfield battle, Cheik looks back to his best as well.

I thought this as well, he gets a bit of a pat on his shiny head off Cabaye and that's about it. It's bloody terrible TBH, stop being so bloody religious Demba lad

Probably being massively paranoid and it is just general manager talk, but: “There’ll be other games for Ben Arfa to come on, for sure, and Santon.” Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/10/03/pardew-still-has-hatem-ben-arfa-at-the-ready-72703-29526946/#ixzz1ZiRgUerH Think Obertan might be dropped due to his inconsistency and poor defensive qualities. But apart from that, I have a horrible feeling at the minute AP is just going to wait until it's too late and we lose before making any changes. Santon should definitely start at left back against Spurs, I would be tempted to throw HBA in as well to try and control the midfield, but Best has been great this season and I like the look of him and Ba. Nice to have options for a change I suppose!

One thing I really like about him, is his honesty in post match interviews. After QPR he acknowledged he'd got it wrong, we were poor, lucky to get a point etc. On Saturday, he again spoke about both contreversial decisions, said Wolves deserved at least a point and we didn't control the game like we normally do. Quite refreshing when you compare it to some of the shite spouted by some others. Bruce just uses every excuse under the sun, whilst trying to make himself out to be a great manager. Dalglish changes the subject and doesn't answer the questions properly, also gets petty and angry over fuck all, did it at the weekend and after Brighton. Wenger never sees it, and Fergie is also stupidly biased. Maybe it's easier to say these things when you get something from the game, but I also think it's class from him as he seems to be noticing where we've gone wrong and doesn't just burry his head in the sand and keep hiding behind a wall of bullshit. About the game at least, when he's talking about transfers, money to spend etc, I think he's about as clueless as the rest of us.

Think HBA will start against Spurs. However good HBA is, it's going to be hard to drop Best if he puts in another performance and/or scores tomorrow. As TRon says, Best and Ba are looking like a good front pairing, potential to get even better as well. Can see Pardew citing tactical reasons for starting Hatem against Spurs though and it would be a good call to play him. Might be totally wrong as well, but HBA has never been much of a scorer has he? See him more as the assist man that will weigh in with about 6 or 7 a season. Either way though, buzzing to see him back playing again. Going to the Spurs game so hopefully he does start.

Was it Woodman crawling about on the floor? The man seems crackers TBH, funny though!

On the radio this morning when asked about 'Tevez' . "every manager has this sort of problem, I've got two at the moment, I won't mention names but everyone knows who" Wonder who he can possibly be on about ? id hazard a guess at.maybe harper and ranger? Kid who told me about Harper is suggesting it's not Ranger but is actually Smith. Shouldn't be anywhere near the first 11, 18, or 25 players anyway TBH. Hopefully he has this apparent hamstring injury until June. Wouldn't give a toss if this waster never pulled on our shirt again.

Pretty much my thoughts on the issue. Yakubu will get goals now and then, while contributing fuck all else. Samba and Dann could potentially become a half decent centre back pairing, Hoilett is decent and that Rochina looks canny. 15th at best I reckon.

That it was an disgraceful, petty thing to do at the time, and I sincerely hope he's put such actions behind him. Nothing else more we can say to your loaded question really is there?

Hope he gets some game time, even if it's because we're cruising (wishful thinking) and he comes on for the last 10-15 minutes or so. Got two games with Italy U21's before the Spurs match, he would then hopefully start that game. Pardew saying in the Journal he "100% won't play, but he will travel and will be in the squad" hope he's got his words wrong again and just means he won't start

WOOOOOOOOOO

More like a paint RPG

I don't get it, we managed to 'get the ball into the box' quite often, thought he'd be pleased

“On Tuesday we all went paint-balling up at Slaley Hall. All the players and coaching staff went, and for some of us it was a brand new experience. And it was a super day, too. Cheick (Tioté) was the star, he was great, but it was just one of those days that everyone enjoyed. Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2011/09/29/our-spirit-s-better-than-ever-jonas-gutierrez-61634-29505899/#ixzz1ZLeIgs7W

Can't stand Birtles, such a bell end.

Sums up my thoughts on that comment TBH