Guest firetotheworks Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 For once I was all for just knocking it about and conserving energy. It was all over once that second went in and they never caused any problems at all. A nice confidence boosting haul of goals might have been nice, but there was no need to go into another gear when we already had 2 and then 3 players go off injured, were 2 goals up and a man up. The circumstances were right. It's when Pardew does it when we're drawing/behind with a full strength team against teams we should be ripping apart that I have a problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 We did alright tonight, but one thing that I've noticed with Pardew is that we're always happy with a 2/3 goal lead. Noticed it again tonight when we were 3-0 up, had the chance to counter from a corner, but nobody was pushing forward and the ball went back to Wigan. The 1-3 at West Brom last season the same kind of thing happened, we played some amazing stuff first half, but we just seemed to be content with having a decent lead with chances coming here and there. My memory isn't the best but I think the last time we scored 4 goals in a game was Wolves at home in 2010-11? Don't get me wrong i'm over the moon with the win,but we could of raped Wigan tonight and we just went a bit flat after we were comfortable. Does my head in that we've not gave anybody a thrashing for ages. Good post. We almost exclusively look to sit back and defend a lead. We just lack the players for it to work effectively and it's horrible to watch. Wigan looked dangerous for a spell at the start of the second half. We were all over the shop and invited too much pressure. We end up looking nervy, the crowd get edgy and it's just a vicious circle. The game against Maritimo was a perfect example and we were guilty of it to a point against Stoke. I'm not saying we should be gung ho, but we certainly need to be more positive. The 2 or 3 hammerings we had last season didn't help the goal dif, but neither did the negative, sit back on a slender lead mentality. There have been lots of games where the opposition are there for the taking, we have a chance to boost the goals for column, pass the ball about nicely and get a bit of confidence up. We just plonk everyone behind the ball! Would be foolish to get too carried away, bit hard to judge the performance really. But there were a lot of positives to take at least. Did we actually sit back, or did Wigan not come out for the second half in desperate need for an early goal? We contained them fairly well and then got back into our stride. Bit of both clearly, but I think we sat back for quite a lot of the second half. We were comfortable for the majority, but if Kone didn't play in blind alleys like Martins and Di Santo looked to pass instead of shank it from 30 yards, they might have posed more problems. We lack any composure at the back. Even Colo seems to have caught the Williamson bug. We looked a bit rushed for 5-10 minutes and kept giving the ball back to them to start another attack. But once Bigi settled, we started playing well again in fairness. I'm not basing this just on last night, as for the most part, it was enjoyable to watch and we were much improved. But it's been a feature of Pardew's time in charge. Sorry to bring it up again, but the 4 days defensive work, 1 day attacking quote might be a factor!? You're right, we have really struggled to get a grip defensively this season which I think has a fair bit to do with the lack of a settled side through injuries etc, Tiote's loss of form, and a lack of decent movement in front of them. We just can't take much pressure without panicking and lumping it forward which is driving us all nuts. I would love to know though whether this 4 days defensive work one day attacking was as rigid as people hold it. I think when Pardew first arrived, like most managers, he focused primarily on getting the defensive side right. I t may still be the case, but I doubt it. Besides we struggle to get even two days of intensive training in these days what with our European jaunt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Last time we played Wigan we got beat by 5 right? And people wonder why he tried to close the game out when we were on top? I just find it amazing that anyone can dispute that it actually happened. We try to close every game out ages before the last 20 minutes, you'd think it would have sunk in by now that this is what we do. But no, we were just trying to contain Wigan, it's just a coincidence. I'm not even saying I have a problem with it this time, we needed to win and we won well. But it definitely happened ffs. Can't believe anyone is even annoyed by it, we were desperate for a win and we played to make sure we got it. That's good management. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Last time we played Wigan we got beat by 5 right? And people wonder why he tried to close the game out when we were on top? I just find it amazing that anyone can dispute that it actually happened. We try to close every game out ages before the last 20 minutes, you'd think it would have sunk in by now that this is what we do. But no, we were just trying to contain Wigan, it's just a coincidence. I'm not even saying I have a problem with it this time, we needed to win and we won well. But it definitely happened ffs. Can't believe anyone is even annoyed by it, we were desperate for a win and we played to make sure we got it. That's good management. No problem with us closing out the game, that is actually good management. It's just a shame it took so long to pick a side which looked almost balanced. Marveaux and Anita were revelations when we set out to play the ball on the deck. Where's Otter gone btw? I imagine his incredulous jaw must have been hitting the floor last night? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliottman Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Last time we played Wigan we got beat by 5 right? And people wonder why he tried to close the game out when we were on top? I just find it amazing that anyone can dispute that it actually happened. We try to close every game out ages before the last 20 minutes, you'd think it would have sunk in by now that this is what we do. But no, we were just trying to contain Wigan, it's just a coincidence. I'm not even saying I have a problem with it this time, we needed to win and we won well. But it definitely happened ffs. Can't believe anyone is even annoyed by it, we were desperate for a win and we played to make sure we got it. That's good management. Not just that, but the team we had out in the second half meant it was always going to be a bit disjointed. Three kids on the pitch, needing the three points. I've no problem with how the 2nd half went. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palnese Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Crazy fucker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Another wretched display to add to the list. I have no idea what we do in training. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Another wretched display to add to the list. I have no idea what we do in training. We have two teams, one has Anita and Perch at centre back, the other has Shola and Ba is centre forwards. Just can't work out how we can't transfer this play onto match days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I've got absolutely no hope for him at all and I don't look forwards to many of our games, if any. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malandro Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 HBA back soon leaves two first choice players on the injury list. No EL games for a couple of months. Is AP now out of excuses? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 We have two teams, one has Anita and Perch at centre back, the other has Shola and Ba is centre forwards. Just can't work out how we can't transfer this play onto match days. That's all that is wrong, you're right Mr Wonder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Another wretched display to add to the list. I have no idea what we do in training. He probably spends the time drafting his excuses for the week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 We have two teams, one has Anita and Perch at centre back, the other has Shola and Ba is centre forwards. Just can't work out how we can't transfer this play onto match days. That's all that is wrong, you're right Mr Wonder. Cheer up ffs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Tonight was fucking dire. Everything about it was pure grim, and it doesn't matter if we were through or not, a second win in a row would have went a good way to helping morale. Also looking back, the group stages were a poor effort, we should have been winning that group. Now we've to face either a group winner or CL drop out in February while also playing the first leg at home. Not good. I understand he couldn't risk certain players tonight, but the fringe players we had should be capable of going out there and doing a job against a Bordeaux side which also dropped a lot of big players. The team tonight looked void of any game plan or clue, it was literally just a case of showing up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Cheer up ffs I wish I could. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlelunchbox Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I've got absolutely no hope for him at all and I don't look forwards to many of our games, if any. I feel the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 What is that anyway, 1 win in our last 9 games, 5 of them being defeats? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 He's the only thing that angered me today. The revert back to 442 and start hoofing is fucking depressing. It solves nothing. It's horrible to watch. It undermines all but two of our outfield players, in this case Ranger and Shola. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Another wretched display to add to the list. I have no idea what we do in training. He probably spends the time drafting his excuses for the week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliassenfredrik Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Awful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loki679 Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I think he uses a magic 8 ball to decide his substitutions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Another wretched display to add to the list. I have no idea what we do in training. He probably spends the time drafting his excuses for the week. It is laughable, he uses the same ones anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I think he uses a magic 8 ball to decide his substitutions. Think Wireside was in charge of his subs tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon25 Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Tonight just underlined how much he relies on our best players to click to get the results. Doesn't have a fucking clue tactically. Not at all worried by the result, btw, just majorly pissed at this 442 nonsense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoot Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Tonight was f***ing dire. Everything about it was pure grim, and it doesn't matter if we were through or not, a second win in a row would have went a good way to helping morale. Also looking back, the group stages were a poor effort, we should have been winning that group. Now we've to face either a group winner or CL drop out in February while also playing the first leg at home. Not good. I understand he couldn't risk certain players tonight, but the fringe players we had should be capable of going out there and doing a job against a Bordeaux side which also dropped a lot of big players. The team tonight looked void of any game plan or clue, it was literally just a case of showing up. We may still have had to face a CL drop out even if we won the group! 1st place in the group faces runner up from other group or 1 of 4 CL drop outs, 2nd place in group faces either winner of other group or one of the other 4 CL drop outs! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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