toontenacity

They are a big club there- along with AEK they are the second biggest in terms of following and coverage. 4 or 5 years ago they were neck and neck with Olympiakos. So certainly more attractive than our reserves, or even our bench I would suggest. Plus it's not a bad part of the world!

He's embarrassing

So frustrating not knowing what outcome to want from our matches. Of course when we win I celebrated and am happy, but on reflection those victories just provide Pardew with a buffer following defeats like last night. Can't fully enjoy a victory but neither am I comfortable with us losing all our games from here to the end of the season. Argh this club!

To be honest their situation is similar to ours last season, what with being in Europe and struggling in the league, and we all anted Pardew out. Granted the standard of football isn't comparable, but they are genuinely at risk of relegation, having spent a fair bit of money (something Pardew wasn't allowed to do).

The album of him that's just gone up on the club Flickr page is really saddening

So is officially a winger now then?

Calm down Who's better? Messi and Ronaldo are still one and two and nobody is changing that just yet. This season he's done better than Messi and is matching Ronaldo

Calm down To be fair he probably is. Can't think of anyone better

And Wanyama for a fair bit too

Disgusting if true as it means we're going direct rather than looking to keep possession. Hardly 'disgusting', Southampton average 57% possession this season- we won't beat them at their game, especially without Cabaye, our most comfortable player with the ball. We've looked good recently going direct, their defence is dodgy, particularly without Clyne and Boruc

Loved his reaction to that Vidic crunching tackle. Got up, dusted himself off and got on with it, flying into another tackle minutes later. Classy player

Was apathetic before this games, really starting to lose any interest now

My fear exactly- pretty certain he's done it before, talking up a player to console him when he's dropped (Marveaux, Elliot etc.)

Pretty embarrassing to read people being happy or relieved that he's injured (more so on twitter than here). He's a very competent back up centre back whom we should be pleased to have on the bench. Just because hes not as good as Colo or MYM doesn't mean he isn't important. Talk about a small club mentality- we should be glad to have something resembling a squad for once and not celebrating him not being available.

JFK don't you dare sell this guy.

In all seriousness PEA is pretty unrealistic, really hope the club haven't got all their eggs in his basket

In which case I agree with all aside from Anita.

Not sure how you can be so dogmatic about the first two. Haidara is young and IMO has looked good whenever he has played, whilst Anita has talent for sure, and now that he's had a year to adapt may well prove to be an accomplished top 10 PL player. Also Bigi can't be written off yet surely?

Considering his earlier tweets about how excited he was about it, it must have been pretty significant. Shame really, knowing our luck it was good news!

Any chance of a transfers sticky thread like in previous summers? Is very useful for a quick summary while on holiday!

To think we weren't looking forward to the new season a few days ago just because of Pardew...

I thought Mike Ashley was a good businessman? He can't even keep his closest advisers happy

Before I was shocked. Now Im fucking angry, he can't even pronounce Hatem's name, how's he going to persuade him to stay? He can't even remember which players he brought to the club, and yet we're trusting his 'broad' footballing knowledge? Fuck fuck fuck. Uheshisuhfliuehclieslhi

Superb and utterly depressing article by Caulkin is free on the times at the moment. The Nepal anecdote is a particular slap in the face.

An imperfect start to the summer has just turned awful. Although I wonder if this is a sign the board don't trust Pardew fully?