Tiresias

Yaya Toure is either a classic box to box midfielder or a very ill disciplined anchorman, I actually think he's one of the more interesting players in league tactically, as he is often seemingly placed deep to help defend but rampages through, sort of like a more convincing Song at Arsenal, and what Phil Jones is being touted to be, defensive but liable to carry ball forward themselves and often score, as an alternative to a central playmaker like Modric or Cabaye, someone who keeps possession but is more direct, City seem to prefer to have him in centre and free up playmakers to go wide instead.

I'd also say Leon Britton and his 100% pass completion rate statistics are rather lovely

The guardian has all their favourites of their photoshop contests up, and this is great http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/3/3/1299162342026/The-Gallery-Xavi-003.jpg

Fenton! Oh Jesus Christ, FENTON!

Krul Richards Kompany Colo Enrique Yaya Toure Modric Arteta Mata Van Persie Silva

Arshavin if he wants to play again and be considered great needs to do a Joe Cole and run off to a slightly worse league where he'd probably be brilliant again It's a shame as he was a lovely player for a while, dunno if it's all in his head

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6202/offside.jpg Clearly offside!

He looks too gangly to be nimble, too slight to be strong so he's going to have to rely on speed and such. I reckon he has the ethic to make the most of any talent and with patience he will only improve. If he isn't really good enough in the end oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained, but no way we'll really know for a while

Hate to say it but they didn't look too bad on Motd and O'Neil playing the players Bruce was sidelining liek Vaughn etc will help them. Suspect they'll have a decent second half to the season

suarez it's probably Silva, just annoying he's at Man City, beautiful player

Yeah but I think we got Obertan as second choice to Gervinho, we'd have had Ba anyway.

To be fair Arsenal got Gervinho ahead of us so it's more 1 - 1

lol If we somehow signed Tevez Pardew will just bench him anyway

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/12/18/yohan-cabaye-s-pass-pact-with-newcastle-boss-79310-29971585/ lol

I'd be surprised though, considering think Tottenham Chelsea and Arsenal are probably interested, could well be agent trying to up the price for one of those clubs by saying he'd go here.

Do we need another midfielder? Rather give Guthrie / Abeid / Gosling and Vuckic their chances to break through

There's a difference between having a few criticisms of a manager and calling for his head...the trouble is not sure Ashley understands that... Overall he's been great, got a few niggles, I don't think there's a manager alive without some problems one could pick with their tactics etc.

I don't think I've said it outloud enough for it to sink in lol

Bleh why must we rank, Zidane and Messi are both magnificent and elegant players on the eye, splitting hairs anyway.

My spelling sucks I know.

I doubt Pardew is going to deviate from the 'double pivot' of Tiote and another midfielder both with defensive central duties, the question is whether he puts another attacking midfielder ahead (HBA) or sticks in another striker. If Vucknic is good enough to be challenging properly for first team in attacking midfield position, and Abeid a decent enough player I'd like to see (but won't) standard backline HBA Abeid Tiote Jonas Vucknic Ba (edit) it will be Obertan on right, and best or HBA in front (either alongside or in Vucknic's place there if it's HBA).

I don't think that'd end well, Obertan and Jonas wouldn't stick in middle and we'd have essentally a 1 man midfield and we'd resort to hoofing it up. 4-3-1-2's tend to sacrifice width, can't afford wide players. for getting 3 upfront I'd go with a classic 4-3-3 with usual backline Tiote Abeid Jonas (think he'd be disciplined enough to a new position actually) HBA Ba Best (front 3 interchangable, with Ba and HBA asked to go out wide more than Best who would hold up play) Relies on Abeid being up to it, but I do not fancy only having 1 proper central midfielder.

Do they really need him? Soldado and Llorente surely knocking on the door harder