Johny1982

If he's putting in extra gym sessions I would think his position here will be cm but has been told he's not ready yet! He needs to be given a chance at some stage tho now tiote is banned.

Worst read ever. Factually wrong in every point and contradicted themselves in most. Has to be a wind up surely

I don't normally mind the bloke but his story 'crunch time' today is dogshit! Talking about us winning when we'r not playing well this season, and today's game is crunch time to turn us into contenders? One league game played and a reserve team in Europa league! He's Colin with a diploma in today's paper

I thought obertan was absolutely terrible in the first half, couldn't pass the ball 5 yards or trap a bag of sand. As the second half wore on he was less useless and looked more a threat last 15 mins. Marveaux played bit like it was pre season and hard to judge considering heat was stifling. Judge marv after a few games particularly at home.

I personally would have Carroll back tomorrow. He was unplayable at times for us and i could imagine him coming back would make him have an edge with trying to win over fans and having a point to prove to Liverpool and Rodgers. Not to mention because he already had his big move he'd hopefully be more settled in that the press wouldn't have him linked to a big move every time he has a good game, he'd just be allowed to play football. As for playing style it's not as if we've played like Barca last season. When Ben Arfa came in after the Sunderland game and we changed to a 4-3-3 then we played a more fluid game but more the majority of the season we were set up 4-4-2 and in some of the stand-out games like Man utd we were direct and bullied them. Pardew is the type of guy who adjusts his formation depending on the opposition so I'd be confident he'd get them all playing together!

I'd be surprised if we got kalou! He's still a decent age and been an decent player for Chelsea (back up/rotation) for years now, if he did come here it'd be to play and not back up anyone. Not saying he's my choice but judging on some posts ud think he was as shit as heskey or gok won at Sunderland

I gave up after getting burnt with my 'Pistone #23' attempt

Nah, I didn't feel that. It was basically the notion of alot of players being so much quicker than Verthongen, which I don't really agree on. The discussion on ball playing and whatnot is OK, I can agree to a certain degree. However, without really knowing how it would play out I just can't seem to not want Verthongen while he's still available. Arsenal plays ball playing players all over the pitch basically, well besides Mertesacker and we all know how that worked out. Colo doesn't really run that much up the much compared to say Vermaelen, which I think would be what Verthongen might do. What annoyed me was really the fact that it sounded like Verthongen was the last guy on this pic: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/28/article-2031042-0D9B04AC00000578-230_634x296.jpg compared to m'Biwa, Douglas, Williamson (as it didn't seem that you thought we would upgrade buying Verthongen - might have misunderstood). Another comparison could well go to say Man Utd defence, playing Rio and Vidic. None of which are ball playing, none of which are quick. Worked well now, didn't it? But yeah, we would all appreciate someone with decent tactical positioning and some speed, although not that easy to come by. Kompany isn't really quick either, but it ofc. all depends on where you put your ruler. Part of arsenal's problem was they had too many ball players and not enough people who dominate and would put their foot through it, hence buying Mertersacker when they should have bought Samba IMO. think point is balance, when some1 is saying a player is like Colo, theyr paying them a huge compliment but partnerships especially at CB need to bring best out in eachother - Williamson heading ability and colo's composure and positioning. If it was a choice going into next season with Williamson I reckon most people would bring vertonghen in but saying as he'd prob spunk away alot of the budget I think Douglas would be a better fit as a player and cost, my opinion tho of course! Also at Man U I think Rio was the ball player and Vidic the ball winner. rio had class balance and was excellent with the ball up until injuries took their toll a few years back, he has since bulked up to charge his game. He was the complete defender back in the day and the reason he cost 30m...he of course now turns like a bus on a side street!

Not just average players, Ben Arfa is a far more effective player too. Ben arfa has played nowhere near the standard he was today, bar a excellent performance V everton pre injury! I have wanted Ben arfa to play all season but this for ages But I dnt believe he wudv been near this standard earlier in the season and this is what we need goin forward not some show pony who scored a wonder goal 2/3 times a season! This is a player who if keeps working hard could have a huge influence for us over next few years and drive us on Not that Pardew will be given any credit mind. We would be winning the league by now if that bottling c*** Pardew played him earlier. I don't understand you in this thread, Jon. Who you annoyed with? Just call them out because posts like that are getting annoying. I do think Ben Arfa should have had more time on the pitch this season but am glad we're seeing the best of him now. Goalscoring record's looking very decent as well. Looks like we need to ensure Ba, Cisse and HBA are on the pitch and furthest forward and not hoof the ball and we'll cause any team problems. If Pardew understands that then fantastic, today was immensely encouraging and I'd love to see us push on. Not just average players, Ben Arfa is a far more effective player too. Not that Pardew will be given any credit mind. We would be winning the league by now if that bottling c*** Pardew played him earlier. Dear me. At the end of the day Pardew has been beaten with a stick every single time he hasn't played Ben Arfa/subbed Ben Arfa/ commented on Ben Arfa so I along with some others are not expecting any real credit for how he has treated the lad. I just fully expect comments about how the lad should have been played earlier and how it was obvious (and as simple as) playing him instead of Obertan or Raylor would have better. He doesn't deserve any credit for how he's treated him because he treated him badly, fantastic performances in the position Pardew tried to tell us Ben Arfa 'doesn't have the relish for' doesn't change that.

Little bit over the top - I suspect there are at least a few Premiership footballers with worse technique, let alone professional footballers. Simpson is a average perm rb, nothing more. Why does every one constantly hammer the guy? We signed him for 500k and he's been a regular in our team and has been steady, definitely not spectacular! People have short memories, when he came back into the team we had perch there who looked absolute out of his depth and when Simpson replaced him v west ham away he was a huge improvement. he does get stuck in and I respect the guy for playing with a injury in our promotion season (reason he lost him place to perch due to ankle op) He has proved himself to be capable at this level in probably a bottom half of table team, something were were and was fine. Going forward he does need replacing but in doing that you buy a better playerfor more money, pay him a bigger wage and that's something the club may do in summer with European football. Why we expect every player of Newcastle to be world class, they aren't or they wouldn't want to buy here! There is no benefit from hammering the guy when we can't replace him, there isnt even anyone in reserves considering we played a striker there v Sunderland. Why not get behind him then when he probably gets moved on in summer show the guy bit respect by appreciating he helped get the team promoted and established in the premier league!

Colo is our most important player (or Krul?) Not saying tiote is not important. But I think Colo is more important. Agreed, the midfield without Tiote can still be pretty good, the defence without Colo... I think it's more our cover! If we had another specialist CB then we'd miss him less. It's like not having guthrie to slot in there, if we only has perch to cover tiote he'd be the most crucial player! For us as a team tiote is key, he allows us to mix it with the big teams, dominate the lesser teams- helps protect defence and build our attacks! Absolutely crucial player for us, especially as they say games are won and lost in midfield & I'd agree!!

Mcleish can't complain, his decision to sub Charlie gave us a massive lift!