Newcastle Must Continue To Win In The Transfer Market

7:01 pm, Monday, March 26th, 2012 by Ed Harrison · 189 Comments

Alan Pardew has given a good interview in the Independent where he says the Newcastle rebuilding will never be complete.

Alan Pardew with Roy Hodgson yesterday
Alan looked worried – we mustn’t have scored for 5 minutes

Newcastle have made some excellent deals in the transfer market lately, picking up the likes of Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote, Gabby Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux for peanuts, compared with what the other top sides pay for their players.

Those five players cost Newcastle around £15M – and of course we did pay out around £9M for a certain Papiss Cisse, who has now scored 5 goals in just 6 appearances for the Magpies.

He looks a good buy, and just wait until he can speak English.

Newcastle have done brilliantly since they were promoted in May of 2010, and we didn’t do too bad before that either, when we walked away with the Championship with a massive 102 points in our promotion season.

Thanks to Chris Hughton for that, and for getting us off to a good starts least season, his contributions at Newcastle will never be forgotten.

We hope to see Chris at St. James Park soon with his new club, Birmingham City.

Alan Pardew talked about the rebuilding which will always be going on:

“Is the rebuilding complete? It is never complete, we have to try and move forward,” “We are trying to compete with teams that have got twice our budget, twice our wage bill, have huge investment in their teams.”

“For us, we’ve got to try and bridge that gap with sometimes looking a little left field in terms of the transfer market.” “Myself and my staff have managed to pull a few gems but you’ve got to back it up and this summer.”

“We’ve got to make sure we get it right again otherwise we will never bridge the gap.” “It is important we bring in the players that will take us forward. We are making sure we don’t miss a Cabaye or a Demba Ba.”

“People say we have won with grit and now flair and you don’t amass 50 points by this stage of the season without having all those qualities,”

“All those little things are important and, when you’ve got players like we have at the top of the pitch, you are going to score goals.”

Alan Pardew has come in for some stick from Newcastle fans in the 16 months he’s been on Tyneside, but quite truthfully we’ve been amazed at how good he’s been, in many different areas.

And we were the ones who assured everybody when he came to Newcastle, that he would be hopeless.

But we’re so glad he has proved us absolutely and diabolically wrong – good for Alan.

But Newcastle cannot live on our laurels, and we cannot get carried away by two wins in a row, after going four games with only two points.

The only thing that matters now is to beat Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, that’s the next game, and winning it is all that matters.

If we win that one we can celebrate wildly again for a few days, and then we have a game at Swansea, which will again be very tough.

50 points and counting - Howay The Lads!!

Tags: Coaching · Newcastle News · Transfer News and Rumours

189 responses so far ↓

1 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:08 PM

@Jail
Well, maybe i should word myself differently. It’s not that i dislike Simmo himself, i just am a bit sick of not seeing anyone else getting a chance to claim the position.
If Tav is so good and Santon is also good, why is it like neither is pushing Simmo for the spot?
I want to see Tav or Santon there. Tav is out atm, so be it, but he could’ve stayed and gotten the position.
Santon tho, he’ll perform better at RB from the little we’ll seen imo.
2 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:09 PM

__________ krul__________
____simmo____ willo____ perch________guti
________________ tiote____________
___________cabaye___ guthrie_________
hba____________________________ ba
_________________cisse_______________
3 BOOM BOOM THE 1ST // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:09 PM

why is everyone changing their names? i think ill call myself PUT THAT DOG BACK ON HIS LEASH wheres me 120 mill gone good auld kenny winnin the toon over at last ha ha ha
4 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:14 PM

Danyo
Like check said its the lack of a quality LB that’s keeping Simmo as an undisputed regular I think of Pieters had of been bought Santon would be right back,but then again would Santon have been bought had we of gotten the Dutchman.
5 BOOM BOOM THE 1ST // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:16 PM

lads what the fcuk is gary neville on about cups of tea currys holy jesus hes goin off the loaf.
6 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:16 PM

Good positive words from Pardew he talks a gud game i must say, good at the old PR. However below is a little story slagging of his handling of Benny , in response to Ruddy’s continual backing of how the manager has turned our super talent into a world beater.

Ruddy – remind me, when did Benny win that penalty to get a draw at old trafford, who was our most dangerous player at Man City, when did he score that unbelievable goal against Blackburn that stopped us going out the cup in a MOM performance, months ago,

To think that pardew is the reason Ben Arfa is worth a place in our side is insane, he has won many trophies in france is a full international and is thought of as the best talent to come out of france of his generation, if anything Pardew has potentially gave Ben Arfa an excuse to get sick and f#ck off.

If anybody seen Benny’s debut at Everton were he ran the show and pretty much was responsible for gaining 3 points knows that the boy has always had the game to be a permanent starter for us, the fact pardew enjoys playing full backs in front of full backs and was for months having a luv affair with Shola even though he was playing absolute sh1t was the reason he wasnt being picked.

It is an arrogance to think that Pardew has carefully cultivated a gud player, my god the boy is potentially the biggest talent we hav ever had in our history up their with Gazza, and he couldnt get a game for Ryan Taylor, yep great management skills. phew that just blows my mind.
7 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:17 PM

Boom
Never thought I would admire Dogleash but what he’s doing to Lpool at the minute I’m brimming with pride
8 BOOM BOOM THE 1ST // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:17 PM

santon cant nail down a place and were still slammin simmo why is that?
9 BOOM BOOM THE 1ST // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:20 PM

wont be long b4 ur changing that name to key of the city for ashley m8 the way things are goin then again im sure youll be only too happy to do it if the toon are back in europe
10 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:23 PM

Toastie I responded to that post in the last thread. If you know me you will know that I am an ardent Pardite, the silver haired lothario can do no wrong in my mind. I also put results in front of performances in the hope that we will see both in the long run. I also put the needs of NUFC before the needs of HBA. Now you know my manifesto, what is important to you?
11 LGFUAD21 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:23 PM

I’d like to sit and watch a game with Simmo and Santon both playing. With all the Simmo neggers and Santon lovers and let them point out exactly why Santon should replace Simmo at RB this season. Because at this point in time, I will never understand that.
12 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:27 PM

Ha ha Boom,
Na he’s not getting off that easy,maybe probation for Ashley or community service for Ashley.:-D
13 magpie6699 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:29 PM

I said yesterday, I am just thrilled to reach 50 points – especially with 8 games to go.
Level points with Chelsea – paid £50 million for Mr Tower (Torres) and 8 points ahead of Liverpool – £35 million for Carroll, £15 million for the racist, how much for Downing? Fantastic!
14 magpie6699 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:30 PM

PS – a point against Liverpool would be a much better result for us than them!
15 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:30 PM

Was it not something more like 23 mill for the racist? 20mill for Downing and Hendo…they are literally pissing money in the wind!
16 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:33 PM

@BoomBoom
Good to see u back
I suppose i’ll never manage to say it right, but i’ll say it anyway. Santon looks to be a bit more comfy on the RB, and given Simmos long and average run in the side, without any breaks. I think he was subbed off once in a cup after he got his baby. Santon deserves a shot, and Fergy deserves a start, despite all his injuries.

It’s about getting in fresh legs and giving the team a slightly new and fresher feel.
17 LGFUAD21 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:36 PM

6check the toastie

Dont think anybody is saying that about Pardew.

Ok HBA should’ve been played earlier and not kept out of the side but I think you have to credit Pards a bit with his handling and how he has developed HBA into more of a team player here.

He’s always had that skill. But he did need to learn that He cant get away with it as much as he was able to in France.

Just wait and I guarantee there will be a few games you will be pulling your hair out over him because he will be at fault for goals also.

Pards made a decision call and he clearly felt at that time, with Saylor having been injured and defensive issues, that Raylor was a safer option to play.

Now you can debate all you want about Pards being gutless in that situation, but at the end of the day he’ll get stick if he makes the wrong decision, you wont. Pards clearly felt it was better to play an experienced player he trusts over an unpredictable and new to EPL HBA. He had a great debut, but there was no guarantee HBA would come into the form he has recently.

Hindsight is a wonderful gift isnt it. And one I feel you are not appreciating in your statement.

Also, like the patient few have been saying all season. Pardew’s team and tactics are a work in progress. To be in this position is a fantastic achievement considering its a new, inexperienced (EPL) squad.

You have to accept that Pardew needed that time to figure out what works best with this club. He insisted on 4-4-2 probably because it worked so well against Manure. He continued with it probably being smart enough to realise that just because it doesnt work 1 week does not mean that it is never going to.

The team is in the process of developing. That unfortunately involves making the mistakes in order to learn from them.

This is why I have always questioned Chelski’s persistent firing of managers. And in fact we saw the same thing in the past. You need to give them time and allow for mistakes and blips to get to the end point.

Thomas Eddison wouldnt have invented the light bulb had he not found 99 ways not to make a light bulb my friend
18 magpie6699 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:38 PM

GHOSD – forgot about Henderson – but then that’s hardly surprising as most people have! When he comes on the field it feels as though someone’s just been taken off!
19 toonarmydownsouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:39 PM

Boom boom just got in and turned sky sports 1 on have they talked about the toon game? Neville always seems to talk about us in high regard
20 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:39 PM

A point would keep most people happy but a win I think would pretty much guarantee us 6th at least I couldn’t see us losing three without Lpool dropping any points at the same time.
21 magpie6699 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:43 PM

LGFUAD21 – sensible post. We are not yet CL material, in my opinion. Funny how we suddenly are after a “good” win over WBA but were near-relegation fodder after a “poor” win against Norwich last week!
When you think how many players are in their first season in England or in the PL (or both), our results have been astonishing this season and let’s hope that the team will improve and gel even more when they have their first season under their belts.
22 LGFUAD21 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:48 PM

magpie6699

Indeed.

I think I was one of the few people that did actually see a lot of positives in the Norwich game though and put the fragility down to the new formation that was in place with players in unusual positions.

If you look back a week you will find my comment about how the same formation with a weeks training to iron out faults and refine would work against WBA
23 JP...from The Rock // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:51 PM

Well said as usual Ed. I had serious doubts about Pardew as we all had. But as I looked closely at how the team was performing under his leadership at the beginning I predicted a top 8 finish keeping in mind that we narrowly missed top 10 last season by only 2 points lost at the death. Therefore I knew it was a realistic target. I also placed a slightly ambitious bet on us finishing on 6th. Now although I thought it was possible I knew it was ambitious and an injury to Ba for example would have ruined that completely. The Cisse signing has allayed those fears but the Colo injury is a huge blow to us and for going after Cisse we now have no proper defensive cover in Colo’s place. I can’t complain as I never thought we would go after Cisse after all the strong Maiga rumours running round. We signed him and I was buzzing as not only was he my dream striker, but he also proved to me that Ashely IS serious about this club and it’s not just a hobby. I am really ecstatic at the tremendous effort the lads, Pardew and the board have done these couple of seasons to put us in such a strong position to seriously challenge the top 6 and clinch that Euro spot that has been so elusive for the past 6 years and exceed everyone’s expectations of this season even mine.

Pardew deserves immense credit for all that he has achieved in the blink of an eye. What Hoots started, Pardew took over and during the disruption he made matters worse for himself by selling Carroll. To think it has all worked out to our huge benefit and we’re now level on 5th with Chelsea is nothing short of remarkable.

Just wait till next season when Cabaye, Obertan, Marveaux, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba, Krul have a proper grip on our league and perform to their best as it’s very easy to forget they are all still adapting to a new league or position.

I am buzzing about out position, our powerful team and the future. It’s all looking so positive it beggars belief to see some blind idiots moaning like a bitch.

Onwards and Upwards from here and long may it continue.

Pardew is even being bandied about as a future England manager!-a measure of the amazing job this honest man has done at this great club.

HWTL
24 alip123 // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:00 PM

I have to say, at the end of August if you told me that we’d be 6th, 8 points ahead of Liverpool, level with Chelsea and 5 points behind Champ’s League, with Willo, Guthrie, Perch, Ryan Taylor playing a huge part, with Demba Ba scoring for fun and Ben Arfa looking quality with a £9m striker signed in January (and flight paid for by the mackems!) hitting the gas and Pardew proving to be a genuine candidate for the England job, I would have smiled in a patronising manner and dismissed you as mentally deranged.

This season has been memorable for the right reasons. Except for the renaming thing, which has died down a lot and our small centre back crisis everything has gone right. Really proud to be a Newcastle fan, and a lot of the credit has to go to Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias. Despite their flaws they have restructured the club into one that could potentially finally fulful its potential.

Just hope we can win a trophy soon (!)
25 supatoonkid // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:00 PM

@nufc786 i agree with that line up, cos i don’t think Santon is defensively ready yet but he’ll definately be much better next season also Jonas looked quality vs Norwich at LB also i don’t want to dislodge Guthrie just because Tiote has returned but believe Tiote should come in to man mark Suarez or Gerrard as if we keep them & Bellamy (if he starts) quiet we should win quite comfatably as they seem to be Liverpool’s only viable threat.
26 MacToon // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:08 PM

LGFUAD21 // Mar 26, 2012 at 7:36 PM 17

6check the toastie

Dont think anybody is saying that about Pardew.

——————————–

I think you’ll find someone did and that was why check the toastie replied and imo he’s been best contributor today, sorry votes are counted, decision is final
27 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:10 PM

Ruddy – You ask what is important to me? i would have just liked pardew to have tried and got his side to play like they did at the weekdend 3 months ago, could hav if he had took the handbrake off.
28 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:15 PM

Dempseys a gud player eh, hard working technical and scores goals, bit too old for us though, old codger.
29 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:18 PM

Thanks mactoon, thats 2 votes for me then, in Eds pole that would be 100%. get in first time ive won anything.
30 JP...from The Rock // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:28 PM

Slowly but Surely springs to mind every time I think about NUFC. If we keep this great progress up and continue to build correctly in the summer we will eventually become the latest team to enter the Top 4 in recent times and claim a Champion’s league spot.

I tend to compare us to Tottenham as we are very similar-team wise.

Spurs were on a downward spiral before Saggy Faced Redknapp came in to sort them out. When he came in he immediately improved results and signed quality players in Van der Vaart etc and now look at them.

We have done similar, we signed quality signings in HBA, Cisse, Cabaye, Tiote, Santon and Ba and now look at us. We have to keep it up though so we don’t fall behind after our tremendous start.

If we sign like we have been doing for the last 3 windows we will have a very, VERY good chance of qualifying for Champions League even NEXT season, and that’s not being unrealistic. We do have to sign a quality winger and quality defenders at least though.

If we do sign well I am confident we can push Liverpool and Spurs all the way for that final Champions League spot. Then we will have strength in depth, something which we are now missing greatly in Colo’s absence.

We are just a handful of players short of being constantly pushing them two teams for a Champions League berth, and one quite frankly we deserve after years of painful inconsistency and from our drop in division to our incredible rise.

It can be done and PARDEW IS THE MAN for the job.

Imagine we get another manager in, then he will obviously pick HIS team, not meaning he will pick out favourites but his. The rebuilding process will have to start nearly from the beginning again as he might not favour Cisse nor Colo and sell them both and replace them with crap to average at best – it’s happened to us countless times, it could easily happen again- there would once again be disruption we would lose our team spirit and the manager might play dull football or not be good as all the hype proposed he will be, like Gullit remember that clown?

I am a Pro Pardew fan after being nothing but impressed with the man since he took on the job that if you remember- no one dared take.

Credit where credits due and Pardew, the players and the board deserve bucket loads.

Only slight disappointments of the season have been the annoying name change ( it will always be known as St James’ for true fans) and the fact we didn’t sign a much needed defender in January.

sorry for the long post guys

Onwards and Upwards
HWTL
31 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:30 PM

Just like to put on record that i think pardew has and is still doing a gud job, and the club is destined to go far if they continue to improve at the current rate, the scouting team and the sale of Andy Carroll is mainly responsible for that, and the backing of our much maligned owner cannot be played down IMO.

I was a staunch critic of Pardews handling of Ben Arfa months ago and because now he is getting more game time doesnt make me forget all the times he was stuck on the bench. Pardew is allowed to be questioned and will continue to be so by supporters who want to continually move the club forward. However very appreciative of what he has already achieved.
32 JP...from The Rock // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:37 PM

check the toastie –

Pardew knows the players inside out, and if he thought this was the best way to manage and handle the team, after this amazing showing this season- I will not stand in his way and question his judgement.

I too wanted to see what we did against WBA ages ago but those things take time and when we have a chance to reclaim a Europa spot in years I don’t mind playing it safe for now and next season try and play like we did against WBA every game.

I am desperate to see more of HBA every time and I am always gutted to see him get subbed or not starting. But Pardew has proved to me he knows exactly what he’s doing and he knew Ben Arfa had some issues and a slight attitude.

He has now turned him into a team player eager to impress but not only with his undoubted talent but also with his work-rate and team spirit.

Pardew has turned an incredibly talented and cocky Frenchman into an Incredibly talented and flawless attacker.

We now have OUR Modric in Ben Arfa, our slice of magic on the pitch and a game changer.

HBA has to keep this standard up now and always try and play like he for the last two games.
33 NewEnglandGeordie // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:38 PM

(First Time Posting)
I think pardew’s doing a great job, my only criticism is that we don’t push for goals late game. Over the summer I think we need a cheap, young striker with work rate enough to chase down the ball in the opposing end late in the game, that pardew can sub in to finish our games stronger (especially against teams lower in the table so we don’t drop so many points). We had that in Ranger but aside from putting him under house arrest after every match I don’t think he’ll be sticking around. Anyone agree?
34 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:44 PM

Oh my dear fellow countryman Riise, what are u doing….
35 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:49 PM

JP – you might have a bit of a point, but even a lazy Ben Arfa(IMO he never has been) was better than an unfit Shola or a one paced Raylor, but yes rumours are he p1ssed about in training and even before matches when the lads all go thru their team warmups and stretches he seems to mess about, with Oberloon most of the time.

Seems like currently Pardew has given up on his little obertoon project, think hes fell out with him after his non turnup verse arsenal. Defo think Benny is fitter and is clearly giving pards the stats and figures he wants, but earlier in the season he was still our biggest creative threat (when not missed out by Krul hoofs).
36 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:49 PM

I warmed to Pardew almost straight away, I think it was after the Arsenal match when he said “balls” in his MOTD interview. Crackin’ stuff.
37 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:57 PM

Marathon not a sprint lads, love Pards and the job he’s done.

Didn’t realise we were operating on the notion that there are better posters and worse posters, I was always of the belief that this is a public forum where we can air our opinions regardless if they conflict or differ with each other.

In my opinion it is down to Pards’ man management skills that have got the best out of HBA. He has got the best out of players like Perch, Raylor, Shola and will get the best out of the technical maestros like Cabaye and HBA and it is all down to him!

Pardew is the man to lead us into a golden era of NUFC and some of you are too stubborn to appreciate the job he has done.

Some fans cheered when SBR was sacked because we missed out on 4th, please do not dismiss the input of our greatest manager since the late great Bobby because it could be another decade of mediocrity before another glimpse of the good life eh?
38 seantoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 8:59 PM

Haven’t been on in a while. I never thought I’d say this but since Christmas I have been absolutely gobsmacked by how much Shola has improved he has been playing brilliantly in his limited appearances! Holding the ball up, passing, dribbling defending and I think people need to take note. Just a shame we have a fantastic strike force at the moment because I think shola has just about reached his best! Keep up the good work lad
39 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:03 PM

Btw check the toastie I wasn’t referring to you as one of the stubborn fans because I know you have appreciated the job Pards has done, but I just find it baffling how people can question him considering where we are in the league and how we are moving forward as a club

He might make mistakes with regards tactics at times and might make certain subs too early or too late but the one flawless facet of his management is his ability to get the best out of player, to get that extra 10/15% out of each and every one of them.
40 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:03 PM

I still remember the day Bobby was sacked, proper shocking it was, that Sheppard. It was back when I didn’t speak to many supporters so I am disappointed to find out that some folk were calling for his head. Shameful. For christ sake he rescued us from Gullit, and we went on to appoint roeder. Where was the plan in that? At least when they sacked Chris they already had a planned replacement and a plan to move things forward. It seemed senseless at the time but as many people mention, it turned out to be quite the savvy move.
41 ellington09 // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:05 PM

The reason why Santon doesnt look so convincing at left back is because its not his natural position. I know in Italy he played there but the italian game is slower and you get more time and space so you can position yourself better to put a tackle in.
In the premier league you dont get that time so if you have a winger going on your outside ala Walcott it hard to set yourself and put a tackle in with your weaker foot. I believe once he starts playing on the right he will get more confident and find it easier to play.

Having two right footers on the left does not work as they both have to cut inside and cant put in an early cross. Thats why last season Jose and Jonas worked so well as Jose could go on the outside and whip a ball in.
With Cisse being so clinical inside the box getting a good attacking left back will be important so crosses can be whipped in. My choice would be Baines but he’d cost 10 mill plus so id take Chissoko from Lyon for around 7 million as he’s more attacking than Peiters and better on the ball.
If we could get hoilett on a free he would be fantastic if we play 443 next season and then sign Gudetti as the young back up striker to replace Lovenkrands. Pay Montpellier 5 million for Mwimba and 5 million for Corgnet then send abied, sammy, and fergie out on loan for 6 months. Sign a few good youngsters for the development squad and with no departures that would be a perfect summer for me.
42 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:06 PM

@seantoon
Aye, very true, his hold up play in particular has been immaculate. I’d go as far as to say that i’ve not seen a player in the PL, after christmas, being as individually good holding up the ball as him.
He’s an Ox for us now in that form, and so extremely helpful seeing matches out and keeping hold of the ball.
43 MacToon // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:07 PM

awww don’t be upset you didn’t make the top 5 today

There’s always tomorrow lol
44 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:13 PM

Wouldnt take much to be the best manager we have had since sir bobby and actually we hav had special k since then who actually had fat sams sh1tty team playing some gud stuff and if backed properly would have had us in a champions league spot by now for sure,

however fatty didnt fancy answering to keegens every demand so thought it would be better to run the club under a different model, that model is now starting to reap the rewards, do you think keegan would have had us in 6th with this group of players? I think he might of, and one things for sure benny would have played in every game, and it would hav been more entertaining this year.
45 Spuggy // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:14 PM

Are we really still having the HBA debate – even though he’s a regular starter now? Mute point springs to mind.
46 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:18 PM

Doesn’t sound very mute to me.

Toastie, you make a fair point, if they had have waited to appoint him when the model was refined it woulda been some good times, although it’s best not to relive the past, eh?
47 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Vask,
I was at what I think was his last home game in charge a 2-2 draw with Norwich a rare Shay Given error cost us the game,I’d just for back from living in Oz so hadn’t been going up there much under SBR,couldn’t believe my ears the amount of people calling for his head,they should be ashamed of themselves and I hope FFS hangs his head in shame everytime he hears the great mans name mentioned.
48 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:20 PM

seantoon, agree, enjoy Shola coming on for last 20 minutes, he is a class sub, has found his niche, however hope people dont get tricked into thinking he could do that from the start, he has always been a gud sub, great option for pardew, dont know why hes replacing benny mind you, just pardew sticking a few more needles into the boy,

im waiting for pardew to take benny off when hes on a hatrick or maybe on sunday at half time because were 2-0 down and not ‘at our best’. more of his careful man management of our creative maestro to come me feels.
49 Spuggy // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:21 PM

Oh and the pards slagging

Yeah he a rubbish manager – hoof ball.

Sack pardew he’s done nothing this season. We would have won the champions league by now under KK (who walked, AGAIN)
50 seantoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:21 PM

Dannyo
At least I know it’s not my eyes playing games with me! I’m really impressed with him. And I can imagine how helpful in the dressing room he will be !
51 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:22 PM

if keegan was in charge we’d never have this set of players
52 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:24 PM

@48 agreed spuggy
53 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:27 PM

What the f is wrong with some people?

Wow.
54 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:28 PM

Jail,
Sheppard was a reet crook like, got out of the chairman’s chair smelling of roses. He was happy just to dazzle the fans with unsustainable trophy signing (except without the trophies) that’s what kept his popularity up. I prefer Ashley even though he’s made some reet clangers and never held his hands up he is letting the success of the team talk for him.
55 check the toastie // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:28 PM

Jail – you know what i was at that very same game, Norwich at home, think David Bentley scored an equaliser and the crowd just seemed to go a bit mental, expectations were high in those days and the crowd may have been in the same state that chelsea and arsenal are in now, think we were only about 3 games into the season.

You know what though the club at that point had so many bad characters playing it was unbelievable, in the papers every week and it was a total soap opera, think freddie wanted souness to come in and cleanse the staff, Sir Bobby was just to nice a chap and the new breed of superstar footballers did seem to be taking the p1ss out of him, it was more for Bobbies benefit than the clubs.

I think the fans were concerned that the players were having the rip and Bobby was not confronting them, sad moment in the Toons history though, he should never have been sacked, disgraceful.
56 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:28 PM

What the hell is wrong with some people??? WOW.

So so so determined to be negative about the club, the manager, the players.

You don’t deserve to support Newcastle United.
57 fray bentos // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:29 PM

@toastie how do you know whats been going on behind the scenes? there will be a host of mental, fitness, injury, formation issues that you will not be aware of for reasons HBA did not play much a few months back, the only thing you can be certain of and thats our postiion in the league and where we were not long ago, have some bloody trust in Pardew and stop looking through your Keegan tinted glasses,.them times are over, football has changed, get over it
58 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:31 PM

if you are talking about me tds i was joking because i was pretty sure spuggys ott post was sarcastic
59 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:33 PM

I lost a lot of respect for KK after what he done with us, England and then to M City but I don’t think you can point the finger at him for the circumstances of his walking last time round.
60 Oleg G // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:33 PM

How the hell did we loose to Fulham? And 5-2? They are a weak team.
61 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:33 PM

Lol, no of course I didn’t mean you!
62 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:34 PM

I don’t the the toast man was saying he’d prefer KK, just that it’s an interesting hypothetical situation to consider.
63 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:36 PM

@TDS
Who’s writing crap now?
All these posts are too lengthy, and it’s too late where i am to keep my concentration up to read all of em
64 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:36 PM

@oleg combination of us underperforming and them overperforming
65 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:36 PM

I think Pardew handled Ben Arfa well, got him to take a more serious approach to training and games…which is important to show the other players that you must work hard to gte picked.

Also Ben Arfa said himself just 3 weeks ago that he felt his left leg was only back to 90%….which is probably why he never got too much game time early on…nobody will have wanted to risk further and more serious injury to him.

@oleg…fulham played some very nice stuff in spells, the difference between today and our game is that they managed to play that decent stuff for the whole of the second half.
66 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:37 PM

TDS,
Bit of a rant there mate who was that aimed at ,blogs been pretty up beat of late.
67 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:39 PM

Man Utd has been poor in the final 3rd today, they have a thing or two to learn from us
68 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:40 PM

good tds because i was about to bust a cap in yo ass….. sorry just been on Nile rangers twitter.
anyway lads you think man u will finish strong as usual?
69 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:40 PM

Just sly comments about Pardew not playing Ben Arfa etc.

I’d say the fact that he’s got better and better as the seasons gone on is evidence that he handled him pretty well. Maybe I’m just crazily optimistic though ey
70 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:41 PM

HOVIS

I can’t see them dropping a single point, except possibly the City game – in which a draw will be enough.

Currently they don’t even look like conceding a single goal!
71 fray bentos // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:41 PM

aye untill we lose a game then it will be negative again, some people have nop patience or see the big picture at all
72 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:42 PM

I thought we agreed to scupper the optimism for cold hard realism.
73 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:42 PM

Hi dannyo

Never thought you’d admit to an attention deficit disorder
74 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:42 PM

@TDS how dare you come on here and enjoy the success of the club you support……if you were a true fan you would hate the players, manager and owner…

Lets sell the club to Qatar, bring in Mourinho and sign messi and ronaldo and play 1-1-8 formation to show we aren’t too negative.

OR maybe we could just keep things as they are and enjoy it haha
75 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:46 PM

Manchester United are absolutely dominating, and Fulham are just rolling over and having their bellies tickled.

I wish teams would stop trying against us
76 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:46 PM

Rich
I liked your first plan
77 fray bentos // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:47 PM

atleast we now know who Sky Sports are interviewing when they speak to fans outside the ground, some of the negative muppets on this blog
78 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:47 PM

@jail

well if you have the number of any members of Qatari royal family pass them on to big Mike haha
79 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:47 PM

tds i agree. i believe Ben arfa is performing so well because of pardews treatment of him. i bet his attitude has improved massively under pards
80 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:48 PM

@MFH
Hahaha, i don’t have a condition, lol.
I can’t come up with a comeback, i’m laughing too hard.
81 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:48 PM

ToonDownSouth- we dont have that status of we are the top dogs that man u have thats why teams try against us
82 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:49 PM

My word, that was a blatant penalty!

Ref absolutely bottled it! Typical.
83 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:50 PM

Hindsight is 20/20 but maybe HBA wasn’t ready to play every game start to finish. Even on Sunday there were a couple of times when he looked half a yard slower than we know he can be. I think Pards has been cautious in how he has played him and nurtured him back into the team. Just loved him hovering on the edge of our penalty area ready to go and with some great interplay with the midfield. . Debatable whether AP has been over cautious though. Benny is pretty much getting back to his best now and we’ll need him on top for for the run in as he is capable of getting us an extra win or two.
It’s obvious we are getting near a great attacking 4-3-3- with a variety of players good enough to start. That is real progress.
84 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:50 PM

Rich,
Do you know why they watch the Flintstones so much in Qatar ?
85 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:51 PM

nufc786

Yeah, it’s just a little stupid. Manchester United are so so vunerable if you go at them, but only a couple of teams have done it all season.

We’ll almost certainly be the only team to take 4 points from them all season.
86 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:51 PM

I have no idea Jail….enlighten me haha
87 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:52 PM

@75 they pick the interviews out of all the ones they do. they pick the ones which best illustrate whatever point they are trying to make.
so they pick rashly hates when they are running a story about ashley being a bad lad
88 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:52 PM

@75 they pick the interviews out of all the ones they do. they pick the ones which best illustrate whatever point they are trying to make.
so they pick ashley haters when they are running a story about ashley being a bad lad
89 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:52 PM

lol the 12th man in affect for man u
90 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:54 PM

ToonDownSouth
good times……. good times…………..
still remember as if it was like yesterday 3-0 ba cabaye and an og happy days
91 Dannyo // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:54 PM

U lot wanna know why HBA is coming good now, cause i have the answer.
HBA is coming good due to APs ability to keep him reigned in, and keep his feet on the ground.
At the same time HBA wants to play in the Euros, so now the season is coming to and end and HBA realises that he has to do what the gaffer says or there’s no chance for him going to the Euros.
So HBA decides to up his game and listen to AP, cause it’s the only way he’ll have a chance to go to the Euros.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s a balance here between HBAs love for football, APs stubborness and the carrott that dangles infront of them both.
They’ve found common ground, HBA is loving it, so is AP. Win, win.
92 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Because Abu dabi du !
93 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:54 PM

I thought when we started playing 433 during acon pards was getting the team ready for when the dembas got back and was surprised when we reverted to 442. Pardew mustn’t have thought we were ready for it, now we are ready for it.
94 davybtoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:55 PM

Got to admit feeling so smug ryt now after having out with ppl all summer the club is moving in the ryt direction n doing the ryt deals, me n a few others on here looked at the bigger picture but there are always few numptys who always have knee jerk reactions 99% of the time there always proved wrong
95 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:56 PM

JfA

Brilliant mate, hahah.
96 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:57 PM

At least we didn’t have to have another 10 mins of Fergy time for them to get another goal after the Fulham penalty.

Why do so many refs bottle it at Manure ?
97 Oleg G // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:58 PM

Fulham cannot play under pressure. The moment Man U stopped pressuring them and running behind them, Fulham started to look like a team again.

We should really take notes from Barca’s defensive game of pressuring. I think it is easier than the attacking part and suits us maybe less with the quality and style of our players, but defensive wise, Barca are playing great pressure that any team with spirit and will can produce.
98 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:59 PM

MagpiesFlyHigh
mate each referree is man u’s 12th man everytime they play.
99 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 9:59 PM

@Davy 99% of the time they’re always proved wrong
and those of us looking at the bigger picture? 85% of the time we’re right every time…..
100 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:00 PM

Vask

Problem is, you need the two wide strikers to be able to contribute goals – and Jonas & Best just can’t offer that.

Maybe Pardew got a little worried when we scraped a couple of wins and bottled it.

We were clearly fantastic yesterday. But we can’t counter attack at home, so I wonder what the plan is. Hopefully it involves our CB’s not touching the ball!
101 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:00 PM

MacToon I wait in anticipation to make your coveted top 5…when the poster who currently occupies 1st place believes we would be in CL with this set of players…delusional doesn’t even come close to describing him.

Toastie mate I thought we were on the cusp of an intelligent discussion about Pards and HBA but you’ve lost me mate with the KK rubbish.
102 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:02 PM

Oleg

Near the start of the season we were playing a really high line, pressuring high up the pitch, and hunting the ball down in packs.

I think there’s just a few players who are absolutely knackered, which is probably why we’ve tailed off massively.
103 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:02 PM

@HOVIS

…that doesn’t make sense

don’t worry I got your reference haha
104 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:02 PM

ToonDownSouth //98 thats why we shud play this line up

__________ krul__________
____simmo____ willo____ perch________guti
________________ tiote____________
___________cabaye___ guthrie_________
hba____________________________ ba
_________________cisse_______________
105 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:04 PM

TDS

or Willo tugging jerseys
106 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:05 PM

Why GHOSD ?
107 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:05 PM

“when the poster who occupies 1st place thinks we would be in CL with this set of players under KK…” is what that is meant to say
108 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:06 PM

@ghosd some people just wouldn’t get it lol
109 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:07 PM

General Head Officer of the Smiling Daffodilers, it is a title referring to my role as Head of the Army of Optimism Valley.

Detested by the neggars but we will fight the good fight

(For all those who don’t like OV smile a little, we’re just having the craic)
110 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:07 PM

Why HOVIS?
111 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Hey HOVIS….where did you get those clothes? At the…toilet…store?
112 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:08 PM

8 games left to go, equal on points with Chelsea, holding on to 6th having built up a good lead, having most of our top players on long contracts and being linked with loads of ‘prospects’ to build for the future from our reserves and youth squads….its getting to the point where I am not expecting us to ‘Newcastle’ it up
113 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:09 PM

I was a real smiling daffodiler when Wales beat France for the 6 nations….
114 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:10 PM

@WWJBD

You mean spectacularly self destruct?? Yeah I know…it’s a weird feeling isn’t it?
115 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:10 PM

I love lamp…..I mean I love Pardew.
116 MagpiesFlyHigh // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:11 PM

What is the worst self destruct we could do…. lose all eight remaining matches ?
117 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:12 PM

I wonder what Pardew meant this weekend when he said that we were looking at a big signing (or something refering to a big player).

Hazard? 1% likely i that but i genuinely wonder who he meant.
118 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:13 PM

I’m Ruddy Marveaux-lous. People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an I.Q. of 148 and am what some people call a huge fan of Alan Pardew….
119 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:14 PM

GHOSD/Ruddy
Exactly I truely dont know how to feel anymore
120 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:14 PM

Head of Optimism Valley Intelligence Sector.
@ghosd i would like to extend to you an invitation to the pants party
121 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:15 PM

MagpiesFlyHigh
errrrrrrrrrrr no lose all 8 matches 5-0 consistently thats what i consider self destruct. defender marauding in the striking postion cisse and ba tussling and both getting sent off someone breaking the legs of cabaye and hba
perch scoring own goals errrrrrrrrrrr thats selfdestruction
122 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:15 PM

148 Eh? not bad can you calculate pi to 500 Asheley faces?
123 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:16 PM

If Carlsberg did self destruction, eh?
124 Toon Tang // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:17 PM

24 points left to play for , man united 23 ahead of us . all teams above us could loose all there remaining games and we could win all of ours to claim the title and sir alex’s head on a kebab spit. now thats optimism ya bastards
125 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:17 PM

@rich. Carlton Cole
126 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:17 PM

You forgot to include the relegation of the Mackems
127 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:18 PM

rich
Still holding on to my tout of Martin and/or Ryad
128 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:19 PM

@WWJBD
Things were going swimmingly then the SJP renaming crisis hit the fan, now things are going well again it is forgiveable to be in a state of waiting for the next disaster to strike. Why don’t you hop on over to O.V where I will be giving a lecture on “Learn to love Mike Ashley” and reading extracts from Pardew’s latest book, “Removing the puppet strings- The journey so far”

@HOVIS

You know how to cut to the core of me HOVIS, you’re so wise, like a miniature Buddha covered in hair
129 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:20 PM

@HOVIS

I would prefer to see Llambias in a toon shirt that carlton cole
130 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:20 PM

Vask,
Not possible that many pi’s wouldn’t cover Mashleys face.
131 nufc786 // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:21 PM

rich_toonfan
heskey or carlton cole if u had no choice? i’ll throw in carroll too
132 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:21 PM

Hahaha Mashley, I just got it.
133 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:23 PM

@Ghosd

I saw that. Tiote killed a guy. Did you throw a trident?

Yeah, there were horses, and a man on fire, and I killed a guy with a trident.
134 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:24 PM

@nufc786

Heskey…he is older so will retire sooner
135 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:24 PM

Ruddy
Its a worry when the next break in games comes but hopefully we have had our share of explosions for this season and we will end strongly of the next 8 games I am half expecting a good haul of points.

As for the O.V thing I was confuse but then u had “Removing the puppet strings- The journey so far” and I laughed so hard it hurt haha christ I hope Pards beings that book out for real
136 619nufc // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:25 PM

Alright lads
Just seen this article, pretty decent, it asks the question; who is Newcastle’s biggest goal threat
Pretty good read
http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/matthew.tobin/21111/who-is-the-top-dog-at-newcastle

PERCHY FOR ENGLAND
137 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:25 PM

I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that Cheick, you should probably find a safehouse or a relative close by, lay low for a while because you are probably wanted by Chelsea…
138 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:25 PM

WWJBD

I always expect us to Newcastle it up, and to be honest I always will.

I’m just hoping we didn’t Newcastle it up back in January when we didn’t sign a CB, and we’re going to find out in these last 8 games.

If Colo was fit I’d fully expect us to win every one of our next 5.
139 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:25 PM

@GHOSD you ate a whole wheel of cheese?…… and you pooped in the refrigerator? im not even mad. im impressed.
so lads serious finishing place predictions please. top 5
140 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:27 PM

@WWJBD
Thanks mate, I knew the OV thing wouldn’t hook ye in, I’m glad I pulled it out of the mire for ya mate! I would buy that book in a heartbeat!! haha
141 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:29 PM

Think if we get top 5 it might not be due to our brilliance but because Spuds and Chelski are so bad that we can’t NOT get it haha
142 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:29 PM

tds I still expect us to win our next 5. I’m looking forward to teaching Man City that you can’t buy the title.
143 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:29 PM

@hovis

I think we will go into the man city and everton games in 4th place then, depending on how them two are doing and if they have anything to play for either stay 4th or drop to 5th
144 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:30 PM

Vask

Ditto mate. At the start of the season I really wanted City to knock Manchester United off the top. But now I think it would be very refreshing to prove that money doesn’t win the Premier League.
145 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:31 PM

that book name is classic. i think well get 5th. sealed by beating chelski
146 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:31 PM

@TDS

if you look t man utds and man citys most expensive 11 players…the difference in cost is 5m….both cost over 220mil
147 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:33 PM

TDS
Aye same here I dont think I will ever lose the expectation for us to royally balls stuff up but half of why I love the club really stupid as it is.

I dont think (maybe more likely blind hope) Colo is as badly hurt as was being stated after WBA game seems to be more optomistic words coming out today but I agree if we lose him I can see a downwards spiral hitting us hard and one that could of been avoided in Jan with a decent bid for Douglas and probably would of helped Willo a whole lot as well but done now so if its Perchy and a confidence shot Willo up against Liverpool bring them on

Sneaky feeling we will have a fully English back 4 against them with Simmo, Willo, Perch and Raylor starting
148 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:33 PM

rich

But Manchester United earnt that money themselves through success and marketing their brand.

Manchester City made a loss of about £300m.
149 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:34 PM

1. man u
2. man c
3. arsenal
4. tottenham
5. TOON
6. chelski
12. Liverpool
150 Tsunki // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:34 PM

Be careful with that cold hard reality stuff, it can go wrong on you quick and easily set doubt in.

Re Santon v Simmo there’s no debate they are both as good and at times frustrating as each other, neither is the other’s natural replacement, they are virtually mirror images in play.

Re HBA he is still not 100% in my opinion but even at 85% he scares the hell out of opponents. I think we need to credit Pardew with the behind-the-scenes knowledge of the players mind set, physical and disciplinary progress. Even the best players need to be attuned in different ways to this league, and I think the better you are, you may seem to settle in quick, but the honeymoon period ends and the hash reality of the long haul takes it’s toll, many good players have found this out and you can take Torres as one of those. With a raw and conceited talent like HBA more than the usual care is necessary, especially in view of what could have been a destructive injury. Credit where its due for nurturing this, and we should have patience, seeing as we can now view the wisdom in it. I have thought for some time that AP viewed next year as HBA’s real debut season.

Despite the understandable confusion of the Optimist Valley joke/protest saga, I have read just about every post in the last day ( a bit of a marathon) and the banter has been of a consistently high standard. I also agree that you can’t go nominating people as ‘one of the better bloggers’ that’s just saying they agree with you. Especially as in fact it is I who am one of the better bloggers And I agree with me.

What? ……… WHAT?
151 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:35 PM

Ruddy
No worries haha if I ever bump into the silver fox I may have to mention that to him
152 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:38 PM

you’re the best blogger tsunki
*proceeds to give tsunki a head massage*
153 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:38 PM

How would youse line up against Chelsea, should be the difference between 5th and 6th it’d be tempting to go 433 and play counter attacking like against WBA but obviously the aren’t WBA so perhaps packing out the midfield would be a good option. Suppose it all falls down to each others form at the time really.
154 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:41 PM

I might write it myself as a pretend GHOSD writer…that was a terrible joke/pun I do apologise

But yeah I dream of the day I bump into the silver fox…(insert homosexual reference here)
155 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:43 PM

when pardew is grinning i want to tweak his cheek like an overzealous untie
156 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:43 PM

Vask

We lined up 4-3-3 against them in November, and although they won 3-0 it was a really even game. If I remember correctly Shola and Ba both hit the bar?

We only conceded the 2nd and 3rd when we had 10 men because Saylor went off.

And that was when the 3 were Best, Ba & a poor HBA.

Now it’ll be Ba, Cisse & in-form HBA.
157 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:44 PM

@TDS

they did earn that money but thats just by default in a way….they were top dogs in the league when the premier league money and champs league money came in and they have always had that advantage to sign the best players and further cement there place at the top.

If prem league money came in 10 years before it would be liverpool who were the top english side.

Can’t knock what they do but they do spend a fortune to get it. City make make a big loss now but if they can stay near the top of the league for years money will come in and they will eventually start to generate a lot of their own income.

i like the city plan for the academy….looks really good and develops the area
158 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:45 PM

WWJBD,
Here’s hoping we don’t miss Collo to much,would be a real shame if we let it go now after such a great season,I’ve been really upbeat lately even after some sh*te performances,but it’ll really fu*k me off if we end up slipping because a gamble never paid off.
159 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:46 PM

@tds. we can’t be afraid to attack the big teams. 4-3-3 against chelski with the form the way it is could result in what the London press would call an upset
160 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:47 PM

@Jail

Mariappa was our only CB target available….and lets face it…he was just a stop gap until the summer.

We couldn’t spend too much on his as we need the fee and wages available to sign one of our better targets in the summer. It is a gamble but I think its the right call.
161 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:47 PM

tds When you put it like that, we could really prove that our season is nothing to do with luck. I’d really like to beat Chelsea, but Stamford Bridge has never really been a happy place for us, I think, though, that if we can keep our pivotal players fit, that we have a good chance this time round.
162 Tsunki // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:48 PM

@ 148 I think, well I KNOW I said ‘cold “hash” reality’. Hmm . That’s a contradiction in terms isn’t it?
163 GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:48 PM

@JfA
I don’t want to put words in your mouth but does that mean you’d rather take a more cautious approach with regards our remaining fixtures and resist the urge to play very free flowing attacking football?
164 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:50 PM

JfA
Very true mate but Colo is made of some alien metal imo so I dont believe he will be out for long…plus I reckon he would play with a broken leg as long as that arm band had his name on it

Perch will do a job though am confident of that (still stuns me to say ‘confident’ and ‘Perch’ in the same sentence without ‘own goal’ in there)
165 davybtoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:52 PM

Perchinho will do us proud man he’s been brilliant last two games he’s really got to grips with the pl this season n is now looking a very solid player
166 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:54 PM

perch is solid in the tackle. I’ve total confidence. perch is our most improved player this season imo
167 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:54 PM

Ruddy in a bit shell,no.
168 rich_toonfan // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:54 PM

Well thats me done for the night lads….

Hopefully we will hear some good news on Ba’s contract during the week. Remember to keep tweeting him to show your support.
169 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:58 PM

WWJBD

Haha, it’s mental that Willo is – in my opinion anyway – a bigger liability than Perch.

I think Williamson is a better defender, and he can be so so dominant in the air in both boxes, but he’s so prone to giving away sloppy goals and penalties.

Against Norwich when he tried to emulate HBA and dribble out of defence, then lost the ball and we almost conceded, I gave up on him then!
170 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 10:59 PM

night rich. look how civil we all are tonight
171 davybtoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:00 PM

I it’s between perch n rtaylor for most improved player this season n perch is jus ahead for me
172 gorgonzola // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Lads, must be honest I am gutted for Colo. We could be in a bit of trouble and that CB we should have gotten over the line should have happened….

we could very well pay the price…. hope colo gets a surprising early return in two games…

One massive positive thing we are playing good football hope Pardew keeps the 433 vs Scumpool
173 MacToon // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Tsunki @ 148, I’m happy someone understood my “best blogger” post lol, I’d have thought others, with high IQ’s maybe, might have understood too though lol and even top posters will rarely be 100% right 100% of the time……….. imho.
174 davybtoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Well the cb we were after was mariappa but wud he really do a better job than perch I doubt he would in all honesty
175 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Luckily Perch has come good at the right time and hearing him on the radio saying CB was one of his favoured positions has given me a bit more confidence going into the game on Sunday,hopefully AC will be too mentally distracted to put on a good display and with Tiote back I think we’ll look a bit more solid than we did in the second half yesterday.
176 gorgonzola // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:07 PM

All in due time…

We must give AC a hard time….the fans must be on his back from minute one…. I think we can win but we must want the win first and foremost as the display at Liverpool was just poor, one of those we dont care type of games we tend to do. Like Fulham too…

But having HBA come good now and Cisse looking the part we have some new options….

The golden question is what do we do with OBERTAN?
177 WWJBD // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:08 PM

TDS
I still like Mike tbh confidence is his issue currently and coming back stright from a long injury straight into the first team squad was never going to be a great thing but last season he was very solid

Anyway am off lads have a good un
178 Vask // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:09 PM

I’d say give Obertan the HBA treatment or even the Perch treatment, if it works then oh my he could set the world alight.
179 davybtoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:10 PM

Ppl keep saying we shud of got a cb in jan well as far as I can tell mariappa was the only one we were after, n pardew clearly stated we won’t go for him in the summer which means we gonna go for better targets like mbwia Douglas I’d rather wait till summer like we have yes it’s a risk but it’s one worth taking if it means bringing in better quality
180 Jail for Ashley // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:11 PM

The best way to get to AC will be by getting on his back and I think they will,doesn’t deserve it imo,but I won’t lose any sleep if he plays sh*te.
181 MacToon // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:11 PM

gorgonzola, cheers for the reminder, Carroll returning, Enrique too and their useless manager all and I’m not much of a fan of their diving, cheating and possibly racist centre forward and oh gawd forgot about Bellemy too………

Gonna be a big game this weekend!

Hope Gerrard has an off day…………….
182 ToonDownSouth // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:11 PM

gorgonzola

If we get into Europe, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about what to do with players like Obertan.

To be fair though, surely he’s happy to play the impact sub role for us? We’re the biggest club he’s going to get, realistically.

Having Strolla & Obertan on the bench gives us a couple of nice attacking options. Not as nice as Marveaux would be though!
183 davybtoon // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:13 PM

Ppl give our players to much of a hard time u must remember this is only williamsons second season at this level, n obertan is only playing his first full season in the premier league n I personally don’t think he’s done that bad
184 LGFUAD21 // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:13 PM

Vask

Re: Chelski

I’d probably go for 4-3-3 actually. It’ll match what they play. It was potentially a risk against a 5 man mid field at WBA. But I think if us and Chelski were both to perform like at the weekend, it’ll be a good game for the neutrals.

Tsunki.

Agree with Pards. You could tell he clearly had a different idea to the fans in terms of when HBA’s time was to come. And the injury couldve played some serious psychological damage.

Also look at the fire HBA has. The waiting game must have had some part in that.

With HBA we must consider that he was not a Pardew signing. Pards may have sealed the deal but I think the deal was in place before Pardew came. Not really sure how much he knew about HBA and what to do with him at first.

If we finish 6th though Pards has to be manager of the season. And at this rate HBA could easily take on RVP for player of the season.

Adel Taraabt should be watching HBA closely. Thats how you make the step up
185 HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris) // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:14 PM

@Davy im super excited for the summer transfers
186 tdt // Mar 26, 2012 at 11:18 PM

This is the team I’d like to see on Sunday:

—————–Krul——————
Simpson-Perch-Williamson-Santon
—————–Tiote—————–
—-Cabaye—————Jonas—-
———-HBA———Ba————
—————–Cisse—————–

Then bring on Ferguson, Guthrie and R.Taylor later in the 2nd half.

Got high hopes for Sunday, would really show we mean business if we get a win. 12th man could play a big part.

Which reserve/youth CB’s do we have after perch?
187 toonbrother // Mar 27, 2012 at 7:15 AM

Simpson is pure class. Only a certifiable moron would fail to recognize this
188 Rotonda heights // Mar 27, 2012 at 8:32 AM

well not the first time i’ve been called that before !!

Simpson is a very average footballer and a quick athlete. He offers absolutely nothing going forward and his backing off at times has been fatal with several deflections and own goals, including jumping in front of Krul at a free kick.

santon or Tav would be better in that position.
189 Rotonda heights // Mar 27, 2012 at 8:34 AM

Really glad the penny finally dropped and we played a 433 with benny , Cisse and Ba up top. Then again would Raylor have played ahead of benny if he had been fit.