Jagten

He's already said he doesn't see Ben Arfa as a winger. Though the fact he's played Shola RW, really shows that Pardew is not tactically all cut out. I know. He has even tried simpson there. I suppose there had to be a reason he has spent the majority of his managerial career in the lower leagues.

His stubbornness in his refusal to play ben arfa on the wing is infuriating. I would prefer if pardew could be more transparent, and give us some form of reasoning for his refusal to play him in the position. Whether it be a request on behalf of the lad, or a 'tactical ploy'...

Not if Sammy played well and we won/drew. You suggesting we are fickle? .... Never. Then he would be lucky.

I would probably play shola ahead of best, his recent performances have been poor.

Sadly though I think Sammy could well start instead of switching Jonas to RW and giving Ben Arfa a start at LW I agree, hope he doesn't. When will pardew learn, ben arfa's best game for us (Vs everton) came when he was LM.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/01/02/gerrard-confident-nufc-will-be-in-fight-for-euro-spot-72703-30045443/ ... Not once does gerrard say, as the article suggests, we will be in the mixer for Europe. Buffoon.

He is getting worse... http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/01/02/possible-manchester-united-start-for-sammy-ameobi-72703-30045441/ 'Possibly might start' Well lee, he might possibly start perch on the wing, doesn't mean it is going to fucking happen.

So do i, would love to see the lad given his chance.

Or Vuckic away at Anfield. Oh wait.. Fair point. I conclude i dont have a clue what pards will do, and i am a fool for second guessing him. Pretty much the only thing that's guaranteed is that whatever he does, we won't be happy with it That was the thinking behind my lovenkrands guess. He could opt for simpson like he did the end of last season. Simpson as a winger....

Or Vuckic away at Anfield. Oh wait.. Fair point. I conclude i dont have a clue what pards will do, and i am a fool for second guessing him.

He started Sammy against City I know, and he hasn't started him again...

I reckon he will go for lovenkrands. Doubt he would start sammy Vs manure.

I guess you haven't seen him on the wing. I though he played well against bolton last year.... Before getting sent off that is

Hope he doesn't stray too close to titus with that firm bottom of his.

Fair point. I suppose they have an experience of english football, if that counts for anything. But i admit it does invalidate that argument. Tomkins was poor last year by all accounts.

We dont have time. The idea would surely be to throw him into the mixer from the off. So who do we sign then? Not sure who is out there would be guarenteed to settle straight away, apart from maybe Samba. Go with that strand of thinking we'd probably end up signing somebody like James Collins or Roger Johnson, who people will champion as 'Prem ready' players but who are actually just s****. Or as dekka would prefer, no one. I must admit the prospect of Ridgewell or Collins fills me with dread.

West ham want us to pay top dollar by all accounts. The young lad at sheffield united would seem much more likely. But i agree with your general point though.

If i were to target anyone it would be a LB. Still maintain we dont have one at the club. Which is astonishing.

We dont have time. The idea would surely be to throw him into the mixer from the off.

To be honest i don't anticipate any January movement in. That way i wont be left disappointed. I am the eternal optismist....

When we do I wonder how many will actually go and buy it. Probably still a few but the hit in shirt sales will be nowt compared to exposure it gives the brand. Whether they'd sacrifice the money though I'm not so sure. Apparently shirt sales give them 'next to nothing'. Whether that is tactical positioning knowing what they are about to do i dont know.

I know what constitutes a chance. What decides if it is a good one or a bad one? Entirely subjective, that doesn't translate into numbers.

That includes chances created for the opposition.

I suppose that's stats for you. What they reveal is suggestive but what they conceal is vital. I.e. He is shit.

he wasn't always like that though was he? he got a lot of praise when i read on here quite rightly last year for a lot of his displays going forward and attacking. definitely misses enrique though, not sure whether the raylor effect has left him jaded and in that defensive mindset as he doesn't want to commit even when going forward No doubt he misses jose. They complimented each other well, and their work both offensively and defensively was very good. But without jose he seems somewhat lost, and struggles to make his mark on a large proportion of our games. I could be being harsh in suggesting he has lost a yard of pace...