Tiotes Witch Doctor

We haven't even been playing that much long ball stuff recently, tbh. Far too convenient to suggest that, we're just often playing crap for a variety of reasons. Funnily enough we actually played more 'hoofball' when we were less suited to it - ie playing 4-4-2 with nobody to make the runs from midfield that Sissoko does. Point taken but still very frequently every game we resort to long ball football when we inevitably run out of ideas, not to mention theres more chance of our set pieces and corners coming off with someone like Carroll lurking in the box.

If Ashley is unwilling to do the right thing and get rid of Pardew I still say we might aswell attempt to bring Carroll back, if we're playing shite long ball football it might aswell be with a player who would work well in the system.

I was hugely impressed with Di Canio's interview after the game, he was talking about how he told his team to press high and get bodies in our half whenever possible and basically just telling them to go all out for the win. Even urging them forward for a fourth when they went 3-0 up. I'm not saying every single game should be approached in Keegan style all out attacking, but this is what Pardew needs to realise, we have quality in abundance in midfield and a striker, who will score if given enough service. There are absolutely no signs of this improving because in his mind I don't think there is a problem, his ego is so big that he just deflects the blame onto everything else and it can't possibly be him...Linesman, ref, fatigue, youth players, you name it, he won't take a shred of the blame, and here lies the problem as far as I'm concerned, hes both unwilling and incapable of changing for the better.

Crazy how little we do to support him when hes on the ball, its literally like they expect (or are told) to let him do everything by himself.

I want to kick this man in his testicles. I find that surprising, because he's implying he'll have no excuses if we don't pick up points. Aye, but hes got a full week to think up more

Normally don't want to see him anywhere near the starting 11 our subs apart from against the mackems, which up until now has been his only purpose, he is now officially hopeless so I never want to see him play in our colours ever again, has always been, and will always be a horrific player and its absolutely criminal that hes managed to stay in and around the first team for this amount of time.

His excuses in the post- match interview made me want to smash up my computer, unforgivable, and once again doesn't take a single shred of the blame. I don't want this stupid fucker in my club anymore. Haven't for months to be fair.

Shouldn't have been anywhere near the starting lineup today.

Tiote can win the ball well don't get me wrong, but what good is that if hes just going to give it straight back? The man has been a total liability in almost every game hes played this season and we are actually lucky not to have conceded more goals from some of his dawdling on the ball. Not worth the risk, and I truly believe hes been found out in this league, would have no qualms with us cashing in on him if the price was right.

I've mentioned it before, but I think it's really important to change the strength and conditioning staff to decrease injuries. This change has worked for other clubs and many successful managers have reliable S&C coaches they religiously take with them to every club. I actually agree with Pardew when he blames the lack of results this season compared to the last on injuries. Pardew hasn't changed as a manager but key players like Coloccini, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tioté, Saylor have either been injured or in poor physical shape for most of the season. These injuries have exposed the cracks in Pardew's rudimentary style of play that had previously been tidily papered-over by good form. I however would like a manager who transmits the required concepts during training to ensure a cohesive, constant and easily identifiable system of play regardless of the personnel on the pitch, and whose team's effectiveness isn't completely reliant on individual player form and therefore completely destroyed by a few key injuries. This is the only way to ensure consistent long-term success. Great post

----------------Krul Debuch--Tayls----Mapou----Haidara ----------Cabs-----Sisso---------- ----Hatem------Marv--------Jonas ---------------Cisse for me like. Tiote doesn't deserve to be anywhere near our starting lineup after countless abject performances this season.

Is there a chance he hasn't been fully fit or had a crisis of confidence or something earlier in the season, because his last 5-6 games hes looked more and more like the James of old, nothing short of excellent defensively and even getting past his man and putting in a cross (shite cross like) but still, chuffed that we seem to be seeing the best of him again.

Would play him over Santon until Santon learns how to defend.

The one caught napping in the box for their goal was Sissoko not Mbiwa.

Dreadful defending as has been the case all season.

Did he just call him Dennis Gutierrez?

Mbiwa intent on losing us the game it seems.

Bricking it already, my seat for the game is directly below the away fans, they better not fucking hoy anything down like last year or I'll chin the fuckers.

Would like to see him higher up the pitch.

Today was a prime example of us not playing to his strengths and painted a clear picture of why his form has suffered at times this season, everything put forward were long balls and Cisse just isn't that kind of striker, if you get him the ball to his feet with a few decent deliveries he will put it away more often than not. Whether it be Pardew or whether it be a new manager I just hope we can play to his strengths and I really think we would see him flourish once again.

Anyone got any clue how they will line up? Gardner was their biggest threat to us IMO with his free kicks and long shots but hes suspended that should ease a lot of the pressure. I think if we can handle Sessegnon it should be a fairly comfortable afternoon. On paper we are streets ahead but the Pards' factor can always change this considerably.

:lol:

Exactly, as happy as Iam to get 3 points today a 93rd minute winner doesn't change anything in the slightest for me, we are massively underachieving in a lot of aspects with Pardew at the helm and his position needs to be considered.

Just to clarify, not even "Love what Pardew has done to the toon"? Which was the main part of the post, I of course didn't facepalm at Papiss giving his shirt to a young'un