Stuy_O

Its our lack of attacking verve that is putting more pressure on our defenders imo. They are under more pressure to keep a clean sheet and inevitably they cant. Of course being more organised is a platform, but we look toothless in attack, testing an awful keeper just twice isn't good enough. If its possible more focus on defensive shape will make us even more inept. Its hardly like we're going gung ho and leaving the defenders exposed either. Getting lost in both Pardew threads here, had to move this.

He's one of the few that looks up for the fight at the mo.

Well its either that what you say, or the players are so low on confidence and are scared to express themselves on the field. I'm still struggling to get my head round the fact that staff instructions are making us THIS rubbish. If so then we're in a bit of bother.

I agree, was a baffling choice and the manager is to blame for that. Still another 10 players out there though. Pardew can't bring them all off.

Encouraging that he could sense what was going on and was alone in trying to rectify it. Had an element of 'scruff of the neck' about it. Crazy for Pardew to bring him off when Jonas was totally out the game.

But we know from watching us last season (and this) that Pardew teams aren't about movement, they're about staying in position (ie the opposite of moving) keeping it tight and hoping for a front man to produce a bit of magic. We've seen it with our own eyes and we've heard it from coaching staff and players as well, you shouldn't blame the players for following the managers instructions. I don't mean deviating from position, free roles etc. I'm talking about pockets of space between opponents that all players look for and get into before getting the ball. 4 or 5 yards. Not exactly going against the managers words that, its just natural. The only players doing this yesterday were Santon and Anita. Everyone else just stood still.

It's a terrible combination of elements going on. The fact we didn't strengthen in the summer gave the impression that the club thinks it could tick along in similar fashion to last season, and while they may have been irked to begin with, the mentality has rubbed off on the players, their, absolutely zip competition for places. Its not solely to blame of course, but a bigger squad is used for runs like this, as you can try something fresh and different and drop players out of form. Not really an option for us currently. Players playing poorly and shot on confidence are starting every game. Pardew's tactics are questionable, but the players are making the basics look impossible. Stuff like movement, we're so static at the moment yet their is space to run into quite often, yet the players seem incapable of doing it. I cant for the life of me think Pardew is advising them this. They are professional footballers, and in my view you can only blame so much on tactics and formations if players are refusing to get the absolute fundamentals right.

Wise

If that's the case, I wonder when it happened. How early was it that he came out with the comment about one or two having their heads turned during the summer ? Was it pre-season ? Think these days players have to believe in the 'whole project', especially good players who can easily move to other clubs. The window was a very negative signal to the players imo as well as them probably beginning to see through what Pards has been selling them to this point. No doubt in my mind one or two were dissapointed they didn't get a move in the summer. Two things largely out of the managers control that though. If the players are playing this badly because they didn't move away in the summer then that's f***ing pathetic. However I can go with the fact they may feel aggrieved by our (or lack off) ambition in the transfer window. Sent out all the wrong signals.

Mixture of both for me. I do think Pardew can be tactically naive but sometimes players need to step up on the field. They don't believe it it any more. Remember when we scored a goal last year? The whole team came together and it was a proper 'team' celebration. We played for each other and chased, supported and encouraged each other for 90 mins a game. It was fantastic to see how close the players were and how united the whole team was on the park. I've seen none of that this season. The players have seen through him and they know he's a bullshitter. He's lost them. If thats the case, then it wouldn't hurt for them to try something different on the field. They are grown ups, not kids playing 5-a-side.

Mixture of both for me. I do think Pardew can be tactically naive but sometimes players need to step up on the field.

http://chzmemebase.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/seor-gif-when-bread-cat-learns-about-your-gluten-intolerance.gif that is quality

Judging by that interview he's expecting defeat midweek, that will rub off on his players aswell. I do agree with the fans backing though. Pretty much our only option.

He deserves the chance to get us out this mess for me. Obviously things have to improve though and improve very fast.

That's entirely the point though with that starting XI, is that that's basically it. What have we got to bring on that can shift the balance of a game? We had a tiny squad to begin with, and this season injuries and bans have meant a real lack of consistency with starting line ups. Now its not fully to blame, no one is saying that, but it has not helped in the slightest and to say it hasn't had an effect is a bit inaccurate imo. I'm not saying injuries aren't a problem but the clear problems with the way we play have been evident all season, and most of last season too. It's only now Ben Arfa is injured that people are moaning about injuries, and he's played every game so far that we've been awful in - most of the players who've been injured, Cabaye, Jonas, Cisse, have been getting slagged off left, right and centre on here and I've seen calls to drop all of them! I think its fair to say the two have coincided to terrible affect. I'd have had far more confidence to get out this rot with our key players available though, but thats obvious of course.

That's entirely the point though with that starting XI, is that that's basically it. What have we got to bring on that can shift the balance of a game? We had a tiny squad to begin with, and this season injuries and bans have meant a real lack of consistency with starting line ups. Now its not fully to blame, no one is saying that, but it has not helped in the slightest and to say it hasn't had an effect is a bit inaccurate imo.

Its an obscene idea tbh, presume these folk want Kinnear back.

I agree it is a pointless discussion, but some fans are wanting it to happen.

Not the point I'm trying to make. Our rise from that position has been pretty meteoric and we need a little perspective when we go on a poor run of form rather than throwing the toys out of the pram. All of this is has been brought about because we've lost two games on the spin and drew against a European side little of us know about but think we still should be beating anyway. In the context of what we've sat through in previous years this shouldn't really register. I understand and agree with concerns over performances and tactics but all this chatter of sacking the manager is simply bizarre and reminds me that there is a section of our fanbase who do their utmost to justify the media's obsession with deluded Geordies. Gotta agree with this. I'm very concerned at the moment but Pardew earned my trust last season, just got to hope he's competent enough to deal with this pressure and sort the team out. I think those yearning for a manager change need to be cautious in what they wish for. If Pardew goes who realistically will want to work for Ashley? I'm not sure working for Ashley isn't exactly that bad. According to Pardew - he has next to no communication with him. We have a decent team with good players. Aye, so he doesn't make a load of money available for the players we need, but I'm pretty sure 90% of football clubs are guilty of that. Aye but you have to think that Pardew probably benefits (or did) from being in or close to Ashley's clique. History shows us he's awkward, with Hughton and Keegan saga's. I also think the general bad feeling surrounding him can be off putting. If Pardew did go I could not envisage a positive appointment, put it that way.

Not the point I'm trying to make. Our rise from that position has been pretty meteoric and we need a little perspective when we go on a poor run of form rather than throwing the toys out of the pram. All of this is has been brought about because we've lost two games on the spin and drew against a European side little of us know about but think we still should be beating anyway. In the context of what we've sat through in previous years this shouldn't really register. I understand and agree with concerns over performances and tactics but all this chatter of sacking the manager is simply bizarre and reminds me that there is a section of our fanbase who do their utmost to justify the media's obsession with deluded Geordies. Gotta agree with this. I'm very concerned at the moment but Pardew earned my trust last season, just got to hope he's competent enough to deal with this pressure and sort the team out. I think those yearning for a manager change need to be cautious in what they wish for. If Pardew goes who realistically will want to work for Ashley?

Heart rate increasing by the day now. Hate this fixture. They have nothing to lose the mackems, get beat and it's something they're used to, win and its the moment of a lifetime. The thought of getting beat by these makes my skin crawl.

Thought he looked absolutely brilliant at right back and his game is very assured at the minute. If he stays at right back absolutely no complaints, think we'll see more willingness to shoot and cross if their aswell.

I said I wouldn't post again on the site and as a general rule, I won't. However, this posting from Shak deserves comment, because it sums up exactly what is happening at the club now. It is hard not to have some sympathy for Pardew because in many people's opinion, including mine, he has been sold a bum steer by Ashley and Llambias during the close season; we badly needed defensive reinforcements and they failed to deliver - end of. That has bitten us on the ar-e several times this season, but especially on Sunday, where the game was effectively over after 15 mins. The big BUT is that Pardew is beginning to look as if he is hostage to his own tactics as well as the lack of depth in the squad. As Shak says, if we lose to the Mackems in the Derby, the discontent which has been festering below the surface with many fans(about lack of reinforcements as well as the dire football being played)will start to show itself. You can't ignore the fact that Pardew has shown a similar track record at other clubs - early success and then a tail-off in performances and results as well as controversy about some of his selections(or lack of them at West Ham)...lets be honest, if that hadn't happened Pardew would not be at NUFC. As some have said, he talks a good game and nobody can argue with what he got the team to achieve LAST season...but it was LAST season - in football, you are only as good as your results now as a manager. Fans won't accept his platitudes forever though, even though they know he has a tough job with the board - they want entertainment, but failing that, a winning side - he delivered the latter last season, but the fans know the team looks a shadow of what it was then - even with Colo and Taylor in it, although we missed those 2 badly on Sunday. Williamson is NOT a PL defender and Perch is better in M/F. The side looked over-awed by Man U and they made us look like a Non-League team until they got a comfortable lead...fans can forgive defeat if the team gives as good as it gets, but not if they act like awestruck statues, as when Evans and Evra got 2 goals from corners. Everyone can speculate on what is wrong - but clearly, something is...Tiote was lucky not to be sent off in the early minutes and Cabaye is, in my opinion, disillusioned about the events surrounding Debuchy and lack of reinforcements. He may not be the only one either. As for the forwards, you have to wonder what is going on...only HBA looks as if he really wants to do the business and he is not getting much support by others running into space for a pass. The game at the SOS has now assumed even more importance than usual - and the performance of the team will matter almost as much as the result - Pardew is lucky that Ashley has given him an 8 year contract ; he will need it if things don't pick up soon and you have to wonder why Ashley did this when he clearly doesn't like parting with money unless it suits him. Time will tell...... I think that's an excellent post. How we start games is the most concerning aspect of everything we've seen this season. Everyone bleat's on about formations which is understandable, but any debating of it is superfluous when the players are starting the games asleep and effectivly costing themselves points doing so. Everton away is a good example of this. We played 4-4-2 in that period and its the best we've produced by a long way, all down to the players showing some urgency and willingness to get forward. When we do play like that, we look an excellent side and had we done it more often this season we would have more points. Now its open to discussion why the team is beginning slowly, but both the managment and players need to shoulder some of the blame. Whatever Pardew says is having no effect but equally none of the players currently look like taking responsibility going into matches. Its early days, but make no mistake the next match is massive for us. We've hade runs where we have looked awful under Pards, and he found a solution, one way or another. Apologies for this but again I'm going to have to refer to Ferguson. When you say that the players should shoulder some of the blame for starting so many games slowly, how long can we trot that one out? If Man U started so many games slowly wouldn't you think their manager was missing a trick? The fact is they don't - and that's because Ferguson would either give them the famous hairdryer treatment or get them out of the team (and probably the club). I don't agree with you, I put the blame squarely with the manager and I do believe it's his formations which are responsible for the sluggish starts. If you set your team up to defend deep then it might sometimes come across as if the team is sluggish, when in fact they are just following instructions. Except its not fact though is it? Unless you have personally spoke to Pardew. I would personally be pretty suprised if Pardew has told the players to invite pressure in the opening period v Man Utd, when it was the exact opposite approach that got us the points in the same fixture last season. Im not leaving Pardew blameless here either, the buck always stops with the manager in the end, but surely the players could find it within themselves to look a bit more intrested at the start of games. Ferguson is the pinnacle of managers in terms of what he's achieved and how his players play for him, its quite a high benchmark to look up to. Obviously I agree that only so much can be persisted with a system if its not getting wins on the board, but I don't think formations are the total of our issues at the moment.

I said I wouldn't post again on the site and as a general rule, I won't. However, this posting from Shak deserves comment, because it sums up exactly what is happening at the club now. It is hard not to have some sympathy for Pardew because in many people's opinion, including mine, he has been sold a bum steer by Ashley and Llambias during the close season; we badly needed defensive reinforcements and they failed to deliver - end of. That has bitten us on the ar-e several times this season, but especially on Sunday, where the game was effectively over after 15 mins. The big BUT is that Pardew is beginning to look as if he is hostage to his own tactics as well as the lack of depth in the squad. As Shak says, if we lose to the Mackems in the Derby, the discontent which has been festering below the surface with many fans(about lack of reinforcements as well as the dire football being played)will start to show itself. You can't ignore the fact that Pardew has shown a similar track record at other clubs - early success and then a tail-off in performances and results as well as controversy about some of his selections(or lack of them at West Ham)...lets be honest, if that hadn't happened Pardew would not be at NUFC. As some have said, he talks a good game and nobody can argue with what he got the team to achieve LAST season...but it was LAST season - in football, you are only as good as your results now as a manager. Fans won't accept his platitudes forever though, even though they know he has a tough job with the board - they want entertainment, but failing that, a winning side - he delivered the latter last season, but the fans know the team looks a shadow of what it was then - even with Colo and Taylor in it, although we missed those 2 badly on Sunday. Williamson is NOT a PL defender and Perch is better in M/F. The side looked over-awed by Man U and they made us look like a Non-League team until they got a comfortable lead...fans can forgive defeat if the team gives as good as it gets, but not if they act like awestruck statues, as when Evans and Evra got 2 goals from corners. Everyone can speculate on what is wrong - but clearly, something is...Tiote was lucky not to be sent off in the early minutes and Cabaye is, in my opinion, disillusioned about the events surrounding Debuchy and lack of reinforcements. He may not be the only one either. As for the forwards, you have to wonder what is going on...only HBA looks as if he really wants to do the business and he is not getting much support by others running into space for a pass. The game at the SOS has now assumed even more importance than usual - and the performance of the team will matter almost as much as the result - Pardew is lucky that Ashley has given him an 8 year contract ; he will need it if things don't pick up soon and you have to wonder why Ashley did this when he clearly doesn't like parting with money unless it suits him. Time will tell...... I think that's an excellent post. How we start games is the most concerning aspect of everything we've seen this season. Everyone bleat's on about formations which is understandable, but any debating of it is superfluous when the players are starting the games asleep and effectivly costing themselves points doing so. Everton away is a good example of this. We played 4-4-2 in that period and its the best we've produced by a long way, all down to the players showing some urgency and willingness to get forward. When we do play like that, we look an excellent side and had we done it more often this season we would have more points. Now its open to discussion why the team is beginning slowly, but both the managment and players need to shoulder some of the blame. Whatever Pardew says is having no effect but equally none of the players currently look like taking responsibility going into matches. Its early days, but make no mistake the next match is massive for us. We've hade runs where we have looked awful under Pards, and he found a solution, one way or another.

Take no offence by this but i'v been on this board a few months and you say that after every match, even when we win. Hate to break this to you but we are not title contenders.