Corporate Q&A at SJP

Copied from the private N-0 area.

My mate was at a corporate Q&A at St James, with Pardew, Llambias and the coaching team, tonight. Few little bits of interest:

Pardew said he's sick of answering questions from the press about Hatem. Said that no matter what he says, it's always printed with a negative spin. He swore on his son's life that he hasn't had a single bit of bother with him this season. In fact, he went as far as to say he's an absolute model professional. He always speak to Pardew, asking what he needs to do to improve. He also said that his stats are now where they need to be, and they're working with him to be more consistent in an attacking sense.

He was asked who he was most worried about leaving, and said, up until two weeks ago, it was Colo. Now, it's Tiote. Said that he won't leave unless they receive a stupidly big bid, or Cheik comes to him asking to leave. Which is what happened with Carroll. They're switched on this time, and won't let him go until a replacement is through the door.

Santon was signed as a right back, but is playing left back because they couldn't get one in on their terms. Says he has no doubts that he'll come good, even as a left back, but teams are now switched on to him cutting inside. Also said he could possibly see him emerging as a winger, like Bale.

Expects 2-3 major signings in the summer, along with a number of squad players. Named Ferguson as the player he is most excited about this season, and he'll have a part to play in the run in. Also said, of the academy prospects, Streete is his pick and he's gutted that he got injured.

 

Looks pretty good to me.

 

Everything I've read about that Streete kid has been positive. Shame he got injured.

 

like the bit about Santon at right back.....

tells me two things....

1- Pieters incoming at left back?
2- Simmo not Pardew's favourite for Right back

 

No mention of Vuckic tho, I like the guy as well so am a bit disappointed.

 

Can't mention them all. Vukic, Abeid, Sammy, JJ Hooper - - there are a number of young players who are lookign promising

 

I like the mention of 2-3 major signings.

These have to be mainly defensive.

All in all, the recent press coming out of the club has been very positive. Makes me wonder if we'll ever get the fabulous Friday announcements back again

 

I demand an apology from all thsoe who baulked when I said Santon was a right back. Come and kiss my feet. Seriously though that is good news. It means we'll almost certainly add a left back aswell as a centre back over the summer. Young Streete is the guy all the lads I know who go to the reserves/youth games rave about. They reckon he just has that assurity, basically looks like he knows hes good.

I don't expect anything silly. I'd be surprised if we signed more than 3 but you never know if European money arrives......