Smal

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.

Yeah, we should get Guthrie back as well

we've conceded far too many chances tonight

Really want to see Anita get a bit more involved. Seems to have a lack of confidence at the moment which is leading to him hiding from the ball a little, which is a shame because he's been decent when he's actually had it.

clear penalty

Definitely needs to. Hopefully we see some sort of creativity from him and Bigi, because on paper it looks like we're lacking in that area

Marv not on the bench again

oh, I see. Must've confused him with Yanga-Mbwia

He's out of contract at the end of the season isn't he? Just get him for free then...

It's quite a difficult technical skill, so I doubt he'd be capable

Being at uni, the only people I ever see wearing them are the twats who wear chinos and are LADs who love BANTA. I hate those guys

19 today I believe. Happy birthday. Hope he gets a game midweek

wouldn't go that far like

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I'd play something like Krul Tav Taylor Perch Ferguson Tioté Bigi HBA Marv Amalfitano Cissé