Smal

AMBITION

Colo Might as well have had a shot

what the fuck is Quinn talking about?

Gerrard desperate to score today. Self important cunt

dunno, but we should consider sticking Ben Arfa on his side.

Wish we'd signed Granero. Such a good player

I've kind of come to appreciate Nolan in his absence. He brought a lot to the team, and would have been useful in a lot of games we play. Shame he wanted such a long contract here, really.

yes

so inconsistent

nah, he was great.

Think it was Everton (?) at the back end of last season where he came on at HT and looked class. His passing was immaculate and really put them under pressure.

aye, but at least he made the bench

I can only think there's an issue between this guy and management. Not getting a look in at all after that poor 45 minutes.

I'm pretty sure Beardsley is perfectly capable of coaching players to pass and move like. As if they'd need coaching something as daft as that this age though, you learn it when you're 7.

I hope he's not giving these bullshit excuses to the players.

No, it was 4-5-1 because to be effective in a 4-3-3 you need players on the opposite flanks to their strongest foot. To play 4-4-2, you need players on the same flank as their strongest foot. this is not true Really? Give me some examples of teams that have made it work with players on the wrong flanks in a 4-4-2 or the right flanks (so to speak) in a 4-3-3. I'm perfectly willing to be proven wrong, but all the evidence I've seen so far (Not just at Newcastle) indicates that some things work and some simply don't. I don't disagree with your opinions on 4-4-2. It makes more sense to have people on their right side. Obviously they're not entirely comparable to us, but when Barcelona played their best football, Pedro was on the right of a 4-3-3. Sánchez is better for them on the right than he is on the left too. It's a lot more complex than that though and it depends on the player. With a 4-3-3 I personally would prefer to have two players of the same footedness (not a word, I know) on the wings, so one can go outside and the other inside. It makes for a much more balanced attack imo.

No, it was 4-5-1 because to be effective in a 4-3-3 you need players on the opposite flanks to their strongest foot. To play 4-4-2, you need players on the same flank as their strongest foot. this is not true

The decision to play Ameobi on the wing was a disgrace like. I wouldn't event expect Pulis to do such a thing

I hope this doesn't paper over the cracks. Radical changes are needed

honestly, what do we do in training? Do we just play practice matches and run about a bit and have a laugh? evidently I'm a bit behind

No tactics, no philosophy. Like the majority of last season, we continue to rely on moments of individual brilliance.

makes you wonder what we actually work on in training.

You sound surprised

least surprising goal evaaar

It is partially true though. As good as Pardew's record has been, the 4-4-2 as it is now is pretty shit and we seem to be persisting with it for some reason.