Lush Vlad

As others have said it could be a blessing in disguise. Would miss the two Manchester games, which is probably a good thing as Marveaux seems more comfortbale on the ball and wouldn't surrender possession so cheaply. That said, he's just coming off the back of his best game for us and did really well with that counter attacking role, perhaps could have been deployed in a similar role against City and Man U. If he didn't wear those hi-vis slippers and got himself some proper boots I bet he wouldn't have got this injury! Should only miss 3-4 games though, not theend of the world. Although he seems a confidence player, so that might affect him.

Any news on his injury, gone a bit quiet. I suppose we'll find out after AP's press conference later. That story

Wouldn't be surprised if it was Andy Woodman, seems to be the joker out of the coaching staff. Yip, his reaction to Ba's hat trick made me chuckle, everyone was smiling, hugging, high fiving. Woody just waks up to him and bursts out laughing :lol:

Agreed. Yeah, it was a great finish. The position on the pitch made it look easy, but it was a really nice cushioned header in exactly the spot the keeper couldn't get to. Yep, the old footballing cliche, head it back in the direction it came, or something like that. The keeper's momentum was going the other way and it was a clever finish I thought

I thought he came off as he was noticably more fucked than usual, probably due to him being ill. As I said in another post, AP seemed to signal to Besty to 'give me ten more minutes, keep going' when he looked really fucked after chasing a ball down in the corner then giving away a free kick, think he lasted about 15 more after that, althought there was stoppages for the two penalties.

Not being a bender, alright maybe I am but he's more muscular than I thought. Always looked really rangey and gangly I thought but he's starting to boss players a bit more now. I guess when he was settling in and also fasting it obviously affected his game and I thought he looked a bit weak for his size. He was a man on a mission against Stoke, was charging about like a bull, hopefully he keeps it up, as if he says there is still more to come

Couldn't give a fuck really mate, a lot of other teams seem to be doing it, the English market is hugely inflated and you can get far superior, more techincal players, with a better playing style from abroad for less money. I sort of get what you mean, as it was sort of a nice feeling having Harper, Simpson, Taylor, Barton, Nolan, Ameobi and Carroll in the team. But if they get replaced with better players, or more effective for our gameplan at least then who cares?

Lots of fans wrote off Enrique and Coloccini early on as well, while others insisted the quality was there and it would show through. Who was right in the end? I wrote off Colo, have no problem holding my hands up, that was after quite a few games mind. Me old man is an Arsenal fan, likes his old school defenders, always thought he was a bit prehistoric in that sense, but he told me I was mental and Colo was class, fair play to the old bastad Always said Enrique would be quality though, mismanaged and kept out of the team by N'Zogbia. Got one right at least! My point about HBA is, he played about what a total of around 160-170 minutes last season. Came back from a massive injury, got injured again in pre season and has played about 200 odd minutes after a year out. Still trying to adapt to the English game and still trying to get his sharpness back after a horrific leg break. I've heard/seen comments like 'he's a liability, he'll cost us points' 'what's the obssession with Ben Arfa, he's a luxury player' 'he's like a young Dyer, will never make it here' 'won't adapt to our game' etc So despite being touted as one of the best young prospects in Europe, showing glimpses of class for us and doing the business at the top level from a very early age, fans are happy to write him after about 4 or 5 games of playing time. Fucking clueless.

Made another good cross on his left, to go with the beautiful ball to Marveaux on his left peg against Wigan. I thought against Wigan and Spurs he started to show a bit more on the ball and almost looked comfortable with the ball at feet. My only gripe with him, and I didn't notice this last night, is he sometimes gets a bit gung ho. He just overlaps Jonas and bombs on about 50 yards, without offering much of an option, we're fucked if we lose it. So far he's been great though, only player he's struggled with was SWP. Still concerned about the prospect of him against someone like Silva or Nani though, but better players have been torn apart by them TBF.

Sounds like a beast of a goal as well, 20 yards, bar and in. Likes a long distance shot does Abeid

Some people still let that WBA game cloud their judgement about Guthrie. My mate says that he can't really forgive Guthrie for that slip because it essentially cost Hughton his job. I still rate the lad and his performance last night just shows that he is pretty reliable. What a naive, narrow minded view from your mate, his days were clearly numbered anyway and we deserved a pasting that day, the entire team were embarrassing.

Seems a lot of fans on here, on my FB and at the matches have written off HBA. Pretty fucking laughable like.

Was never a game for someone like him to shine, it's a right bitch playing in matches where you don't get many touches and you're bypassed 90% of the time. Still showed the odd glimpse though and put a real shift in, not afraid to get stuck in either. Feisty little f***er as well, cheeky sod is learning English ok, told the linesman to f*** off/you're f***ing joking or something similar His two worst games have come for us, on small pitches in games where we have sat deep and played a lot of long balls, coincidence? I think not.

Could see he was fucked near the end. After about 65 minutes you could see Pards saying to him, "Leon, give me 10 minutes more" and signalled 10 with his hands before giving him a little motavational clap. Could have released the ball earlier a few times, but worked his socks off and had a hand in all 3 goals, fair play Besty.

I love how according to them we're still just lucky, hard working, well organised and we fight for each other and Pardew is just a great motivator, nothing more. They go on as if we're Wimbledon or Hull City, they can't even admit they've fetched in a load of one paced, mediocre cloggers and we've got some class players.

He'll play in some capacity, Everton will outnumber us in midfield just like Wigan did. We were a much better side in the second half against Wigan when HBA came on and we kept it on the deck a lot more and gave Watson something to think about. I love Besty and Ba, but they do encourage hoof ball at times, and Everton have some decent centre backs, would rather we tried to pass it about and get players 'in between the lines' as Pards would say. Think he'll get at least 20 minutes on Saturday.

Always liked the lad, but saw a different side to him last night. Never knew he had that sort of fight and workrate in him. Covered the full backs, tracked his runners, pressed all over the pitch and wasn't afraid to put a foot in. The tidy passing and odd 40 yard ping is standard for him, he's always had that in his locker. Covered the most amount of ground out of all the players on the pitch, not surprised to read that either, he was superb last night. Good squad player and I hope we keep him. Not meaning to piss on his chips, he's going to find it much harder against Everton. They'll play 5 in the middle, so we might struggle like we did against Wigan and they don't have Delap and Whelan as hey're centre midfielders!

I see we've only took the small allocation for Man U and Man City, both sold out already. Incompotence (sp) from the box office again or not getting as many tickets because of persistent standing?

Yeah, I'm not sure I should be at work right now, I'm totally out of it

Said yesterday that he's ready to play today. Ah must have missed that, good stuff. Been really out the loop this weekend, bloody alcohol!

Read somewhere he turned down Anzhi Mashakakhan or whatever they're called, with quotes as well, quality stuff. If I find the link will post it, been a long weekend!

Not going to play tonight because of tonsilitis then. HBA to start?

Where did you read/hear this? Need him more for the Everton game I reckon, Whelan and Delap are pretty mediocre. Just a shame, as if Guthrie plays, Cabaye will probably end up sitting a bit deeper and won't dare to push on as much.

Was staying Seaham with the missus at here grandparents house. Was supposed to be back at for tea at about 5, got in at about 9 pissed as a fart with a big grin on me face. Oh forget to mention, they're mackems, doesn't get much sweeter than that When the opening music started up for MOTD, her grandad finally speaks to me "I'm off to bed mate, night"

It's just watching his rat features when he talks that winds me up. Add to the fact he talks utter shite and just lies all the time I dislike him even more.