Varadi

Assuming Colo stays that'll probably be it, but with Jonas instead of Obertan - Pards loves his workrate, especially away from home.

Looks like Villa have gone full strength tonight and Good starts for Bradford: Aston Villa: Given, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, Ireland, Delph, Bannan, N'Zogbia, Benteke, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Bent, Holman, Weimann, Stevens, Lichaj, Carruthers. Bradford: Duke, Darby, McHugh, McArdle, Good, Hines, Gary Jones, Doyle, Atkinson, Hanson, Wells. Subs: McLaughlin, Ravenhill, Reid, Thompson, Connell, Nelson, Turgott.

Well there's known knowns and known unknowns, but the ones you've really got to watch our for are the unknown knowns.

They had to back him or sack him - looks like they've gone for the backing option, he has no more excuses now.

Haven't seen much of this lad but the clips are certainly very encouraging - reminds me a little of Desailly.

Hope he makes a good cup of tea.

The Chronicle have an interview with him today: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2013/01/22/ashley-still-backing-my-plans-for-the-team-pardew-72703-32650153/? http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2013/01/22/alan-pardew-i-will-win-over-toon-army-boo-boys-exclusive-72703-32650154/?

As if there was any way I could love wor Yohan any more.

If we sign Mbiwa and Colo stays would people still have Taylor straight back in the team?

You haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games, conceding 31 goals in the process. I agree a draw is most likely, but with our respective defences it should at least be a score draw!

It looks like Ashley's chosen to back rather than sack if the latest signings go through as expected. No more excuses after this. I think I can actually understand this decision from Ashley's point of view - he sacks Pardew and we go down anyway then he would be absolutely ripped for ditching the current Manager of the year for his first difficult run. He knows from last time that a new manager in no way means survival. I'm guessing he's hearing from inside the club that the players are broadly still behind the manager so thinks investing a bit to give him some new players is the best option. Time will tell....

I think he fucked up the subs, and he knows it. The circumstances mean the mistake was highlighted even more, but there was a lot more behind us losing this game than Perch coming on for Marv.

Fair enough.

I think this is more likely linked to the Colo situation, in that even if he doesn't leave now it looks like he probably will in the summer.

http://gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=3412752&t=o

I think he might well offer cash for 3 players - whether it's enough and we actually sign them is another matter entirely.

Eh - I thought he was valued at something like 6 million?

Really looking forward to having Steven Taylor back, someone who will actually attack the ball in the air.

As long as you promise to go first.

Sky Bet have him odds on in the sack race: http://www.skybet.com/football/specials/manager-specials

We desperately need this kid back - Physioroom have his return date as the 21st Feb, which would have him back for Southampton match - we have a few "winnable" matches around then, would be great to have him back for them.

Well if you're just going to focus on the negatives! And what positives are there? He's got a lovely smile?

Well if you're just going to focus on the negatives!

And the accompanying: "we've got Kenny Wharton, he's not from Argentina, he's from Cowgate, he's f***ing great!" Loved Mira, but he really was like the ball-greedy kid in the playground, would try take on everyone rather than make a simple pass.