r0cafella

Defo penalty, clear as day push. aye two handed push at that, how that wasn't given I don't know. Ben Arfa of course stole the show and reminded me why don't get mad when he loses it because he's capable of anything. And how much better is Hatem when he isn't playing RM in a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1, less defensive duties and the amount of times he got the ball one on one against Luna. Villas defending was suicidal at times Hatem one on one so often mind. Yes sir, I think he benefitted in a couple of ways. 1: He clearly had more energy due to the lack of pressing he did, He looked a threat and full of energy every time he had the ball. 2: The fact he was playing further up the pitch meant Villa had a harder time doubling up on him, this was compounded by the fact they also play a 4-4-3 and their 3 attackers didn't track back at all.

Anita did ok, but personally i want us to play through him as his decision making is sold imo, I also don't want to see him move forward just sit and cover the players moving in front of him ala Carrick

Defo penalty, clear as day push. aye two handed push at that, how that wasn't given I don't know. Ben Arfa of course stole the show and reminded me why don't get mad when he loses it because he's capable of anything.

Have to agree with this. Dare i say i Tiote also looked good when he came on too

We will still sit back and throw it away mind ><

Aye we're reverted to hoof ball again. We still don't press well IMO, either everyone needs to press or noone simple as that. Tiote on

I also agree with the Cisse doubters he just doesn't pose enough of a threat at the moment. I'd like to see Remy moved centrally and Gouff put out wide left. It's also good to see our scouting of opposition is having a clear effect on the game. It's obvious we are targeting Lowton and his lack of pace and it's worked well for the most part. I'd like to see us Isolate him more one and one with Remy instead of having the likes of Cabaye drifting into that space.

Think it's quite obvious Villa are better suited to those quick passing moves on the counter-attack - which is what we've ended up doing. Good work so far. Yea this would explain their poor home record to be honest. They prefer to play counter attacking football to utilise the pace of their front three.

Cabaye is working hard, It's interesting how much freedom he's got, he's roaming all over the pitch Pardew must have a lot of faith in him.

That would kill my high.

I think this is an opinion (where people differ quite a lot) of the quality of the players rather than the squad numbers. We defintely needed another Striker and Left sided player, well depending on your opinion of how 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 affects who we should have bought. Yes but personally speaking I Feel even with those gaps we have enough to be finishing in the top 10.

I also think the squad isn't as weak as some people would have us believe.

Get in! He picked the correct team Seeing that I'm optimistic we may see some football played on the floor I hope this good feeling lasts!

I would also go with this but with Anita holding

I think he'd be perfect in this sort of role to be honest. He always waxes lyrical about us he'd really help put us put there

The game has moved on since Keegan's managerial prime. I don't think getting him back in would be the answer to be honest.

Cisse is a hit and miss poacher imo, scores astonishing goals but also can't be relied on week in week out. Bent is also a poacher, won't score the spectacular goals but is perhaps more clinical. He is also less likely to get caught offside I think. I would have been happy to have them both as competition for that role. Great points personally I'd rather us either get a different type of forward or focus on getting a left sided winger in. I know the window is closed and all but I'm personally not upset we missed out on bent ala Douglas piece

Funny thing is they actually should have. I went to the Emirates cup and it was great, almost a full house on both days the club might have actually made some money instead of our 2bit pre season against none entities

On bent does anyone believe he can play up front with Cisse? If you don't would you rather play bent up front instead of Cisse?

I don't know how good gouff is because he's never had a run in the team leading the line, even when Cisse has been off form he's still be preferred

Our commercial performance is pitiful to be honest. I wonder how much the free advertising we give SD would be worth if the club was run properly.

Must equal Otherwise we're risking financial ruin. By omission, we're told to forget forget: Wages saved on players sold, merchandising, sponsorship, prize money, gate receipts, TV money and f*** knows what else. It's not "smoke and mirrors" as r0cafella so generously put it, its horseshit. Good old-fashioned horseshit. And it's being forced down our mouths at every turn, yet some still seem keen to say that it doesn't really taste that bad, and since Uncle Mike is cooking dinner he can cook whatever he wants because he's paying for it, and on that basis they'd like another serving. There really is no helping some people. Agree Chris they will wheel out the mike saved us from run quote soon enough

Yea they take into account wages added but not wages removed via player sales... Smoke and mirrors indeed

Alan's name is on it so he gets the flak as simple as that. If this hasn't come from him i expect him to come out and say it isn't. As he's said previously no more excuses.

You've got great form for this kind of thing, so colour me excited. Its finding a buyer I think it's clear he wants out