Jagten

Think he looks increasingly competent at LB, and he's more capable defensively than some are suggesting.

Shola will probably start. We'll inevitably go with a 4-4-2, and Shola with Ba is more suited to our direct approach that inevitably comes with that formation. Plus, it worked last time.

Man Utd did not play 4-4-2. In the second half they did which is when they was on top. No, I don't believe they did. They took Giggs off, moved Kagawa to the left and Rooney played in the hole.

Man Utd did not play 4-4-2.

http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2012/10/01/shane-ferguson-pushing-for-big-game-spot-61634-31938850/#ixzz282Fwh8LG

The sad thing is there's plenty more like you at SJP. Yeh, I'm a rubbish fan. Sorry.

I don't think distribution from the back has been our issue, our inability to perform any sustained build-up play from midfield is a greater concern. The options for our midfielders (other than the defence) are so limited.

Krul Santon - Taylor - Coloccini - Ferguson Anita - Tiote Cabaye Ben Arfa - Cisse - Ba/Marveaux

Yeh, Benitez, who has won La Liga and The Champions League, is not a better manager than Alan Pardew. It's a pointless debate, anyway, the board clearly have a huge amount in faith in Pardew, and a change of management is not something that is likely to happen.

I didn't really want to do this, but off the top of my head (there's probably more): Martinez, Jol, Benitez, and Frank de Boer. Frank de Boer would probably turn us down but he'd be my preferred choice.

I think we could improve on him relatively easily. Not to say I think he's a bad manager, I just don't think he's as brilliant as some would like to think.

We massively improved our team for little outlay, replacing players like Kevin Nolan with Yohan Cabaye. It is no coincidence that our league position drastically improved.

Good point.

You said he's put "a lot" of things right. You've named one, which I don't believe he was key to.

Like what? the f***ing league position for a start. I think he has been massively aided by our competent scouting network and the tremendous team morale developed in the Championship season.

Like what?

If we don't start playing Anita in his proper position here, I don't know when we will.

its not the system thats at fault, we've tried 4-3-3 and had the same problems, there is just so little urgency, movement and ideas when we get into that final third, we seem to slow down to walking pace the moment we get near the oppositions goal unless Hatem is in charge. We've only played 4-3-3 once, which was the second half against Spurs. The games you refer to were fairly negative and defensive 4-2-3-1s, where the emphasis was on not losing the game.

4-4-2, man.

I think the majority of us did at the time, TBF.

We may as well give this a good go, there's no chance of us getting into the Champions League.

Elliot (Krul?) Santon - Perch - Williamson - Ferguson Anita Cabaye - Jonas Ben Arfa - Cisse - Marevaux

His exclusion today was disappointing. Not once have we played him in the position where he was so successful at Ajax.

http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/Smileys/Newcastle-Online/anguish.gif