SiLvOR

I think it's a bit of a win-win for Shearer. Does well and he'll be (rightly) hailed as doing a brilliant job, what a brilliant prospect for a manager etc. If he flops then well it's hard for anybody to manage there with that board.. Still don't think he'll take it mind, he's got it sweet at the moment.

Dembele reminds me more of Ben Arfa than Cabaye if we're doing comparisons. Anyway I hope Yo can impose himself a lot more in the coming games, needs to really get a grip on the game so we can try and keep the ball for longer than 1 minute.

Wow, stitch that. Game on now

They weren't a great partnership but as a side we created tons of chances and they filled their boots. In terms of partnerships, nothing I've seen has topped Cole and Beardsley. Do you think we could replicate that with maybe Ben Arfa and Ba? Or Ben Arfa and Cisse? I'd quite like to see that tbh.

Genuine question, when we had Shearer and Ferdinand how did we make that work? I was too young to really remember it.

Really feel he should have stopped the first one in particular, was a miss-hit nothing shot.

Exactly what I think. This approach is what he reverts to when he has no idea. I think it's down to not having the players he wants for his system. Like people have said, we have the likes of Marveaux, Vuckic and Sammy who I don't think quite know what their roles are going to be, I think Marveaux in particular doesn't seem to quite know where he's supposed to be. Pardew needs to think how he can get the best out of our players, not how he can shoehorn these players into his preferred formation.

It's pretty depressing how we're all saying the same thing with regards to formations and personnel changes needed. I was trying to cut Pardew some slack earlier and give him the benefit of the doubt, but my God I wish he would just be more brave. Setting up not to lose against teams is just ridiculous imo, let them worry about what we have. Be brave.

I think a team is always a reflection of the manager, he dictates the play. Agree, I'm just willing to give him a bit of time with this. He basically needs to stop being worried about what other teams can do and just focus on our strengths, which clearly isn't long ball. Having everybody fit is my hope to rectifying this, so basically if that fails then I'll be at a bit concerned long term about Pardew's ideologies.

Krul will make no difference, Harper has done well with his distribution. I think Krul was looking for the short pass a bit more often at the start of the season for me, but yeah fair enough Harper has been pretty good in the main with throwing it out etc I just can't see why Pardew would come out with this "control the midfield and you control the game" line, then instruct our players to kick it long. Seems completely mad to me, maybe it's down to players not offering enough movement in the middle of the pitch? Whenever Ben Arfa has the ball it seems as though everyone stops

Williamson isn't to blame for how our midfield and forwards play. Well, you say that but it can't help our midfield having the ball sail over their heads all the time. Similarly the two up front aren't great at hold up play, so playing to their weaknesses isn't going to help. I'm singling Williamson out here and that's harsh, because I think goal kicks should be taken short as well. Bottom line for me, is that as soon as you get the ball in the air you're needlessly increasing the chance of losing possession. Williamson doesn't hit it long any more than anyone else does tbh. Cabaye, Tiote, Bigirimana, always try to hit it long and early. I can't accept that they've not been instructed to do that. I don't think those 3 always try and go for it tbh, if it's on then sure because sometimes it may well be on. I still think we'll see a marked improvement once we get Colo back and possibly Krul as well

Williamson isn't to blame for how our midfield and forwards play. Well, you say that but it can't help our midfield having the ball sail over their heads all the time. Similarly the two up front aren't great at hold up play, so playing to their weaknesses isn't going to help. I'm singling Williamson out here and that's harsh, because I think goal kicks should be taken short as well. Bottom line for me, is that as soon as you get the ball in the air you're needlessly increasing the chance of losing possession.

I'm giving him a bit of leeway because having Williamson at the back isn't going to help when starting attacks. Colo and Taylor at the back means we can keep it on the deck more imo and hopefully start to control games a bit better, like Pardew keeps saying how important that is to do. If we're still like this in a month or two, then I think we've got a big problem. For now it's just a concern, to me.

That happens so often tbh. Everyone seems glued to the floor and just happy to watch him do something, that simply has to change. Ironically, when Obertan came on the other week against Norwich, he offered some good movement with Hatem, a couple of nice one twos etc. We need people to start getting on his wavelength tbh.

I think he really needs an attacking coach to come in as part of the back room staff to give him a hand, like Dontooner said he seems to not have many ideas about how to get us going in an attacking sense.

Has to begin starting games in Europa now and hopefully can push for a first team spot at either LB or LW. If we're sticking with 4-4-2, this guy needs to start for me.

He's better in the middle and that's obvious. If Pardew is going to make him an automatic starter then it needs to be in the centre and now I'm going to bang the 4-3-3 drum again. Stick him in the middle with Cabaye and Tiote, like we did at the back end of last season and we'll see far better performances imo.

:lol: Well, at least we're not losing these games. Still early days guys I know it's turgid but there's plenty of time to get this right.

this has been the story of my match too

Fergie LW has to happen, either that or stick him LB, switch Santon over to RB to keep captain Jonas on, I guess.

That's sensational from Perch, quality

FUCK SAKE. Williamson just always punting it

For fuck sake what a save

Don't agree with that mate, think Perch looks pretty comfy with the ball at this feet. Exactly. He knows his limitations, sure, but he doesn't flap. It's actually quite refreshing. I don't deny that Anita is the better right-back, by the by. Probably gone over the top with the 'flap' comment. btw I do agree Anita is the better choice for RB

Don't agree with that mate, think Perch looks pretty comfy with the ball at this feet.