Pardew...

Pardew just got it all wrong today. With the amount of work and ground covered by Sissoko and Gouffran every game they simply can't play three games in seven days and for Pardew to think they can is embarrassing.

It's the same for Colo. It's no coincidence he's injured after playing so many games in a short space of time. I know it wasn't a great tackle but when do you see Terry, Vidic, Ferdinand etc play three times in a week? Answer is they don't, they're all the wrong side of 30 just like Colo is. Mbiwa should have started against one of Stoke or Arsenal.

You then have Cisse and Remy. One who hasn't played in months and another who looks like he's burnt out and it's only January. I know Cisse has been off the boil for a while, but freezing him out isn't going to help him and Remy can't play every minute of every game.

Our squad has been mis-managed over the Christmas period. If you take away the first red card against Stoke there's a good chance we'd have lost that game.

Pardew's done a lot of good things this season but for Stoke, Arsenal and West Brom he's got it wrong three games on the bounce.

It's unrealistic to expect Ben Arfa to come on for thirty minutes and turn it on like a tap to win you a game when he's barely featured for two months. We have plenty of strength in depth in midfield and at centre back and Pardew needs to start using it.

Let's hope Cisse, Ben Arfa, Anita and Haidara all start against Cardiff. These players need game time to find form and rhythm.

 

Well said, had a feeling we would lose today and I have to agree Pardew in at least one of the last two games had an opportunity to bring in some fresh faces but he has been sucked into playing a winning formula if you like. Its no wonder these players are tired the first 11have featured in almost every game we have played in and for me certainly Anita would have made a big difference today but no pardew opts for strola, now that tells you everything you need to know about our strength in depth. Don't get me wrong we have had a fab season so far but I do think we have a potential slide on the horizon, I hope I am proved wrong mind. However maybe this is the reality check that is needed perhaps the side is not as good as we all might believe it to be. Happy new year toon 606ers

 

Jordans musli twice a day. I agree with you entirely.

 

So we lost a game.
On we go.

 

Most definitely.

It's not a disaster and we're still nicely placed. However we shouldn't just accept a defeat when in truth it could have been avoided. Let's hope Pardew learns from this so we can move forward and not repeat the same mistake again.

 

Have to agree. I don't necessarily agree with the notion that without a sending off we'd have lost at Stoke. We started poorly but were working our way into the game. I think we'd have won personally.

However i'd go a step further on when we should have used the squad. It was bloody obvious to me. Arsenal was a game screaming out for 3-5 changes. We'd have went into today a lot fresher. We have to be realistic and forget this notion of challenging at the top table. It ain't gonna happen with our resources, it just tells over a season. So you have to be creative to make the best of what you have. Risk a few squad players against Arsenal, its a big incentive for those lads anyway and the freshness may have seen you through. It was a game we were up against it anyway, and one we have a shocking return of points from historically. I stand by my team selection in that match thread with Willo or Colo, Santon, Remy, Sissoko, Gouffran being the regulars to miss out.

I think Pardew is doing a cracker of a job, its silly to suggest otherwise with where we are and the improvement of our football. But this "same xi" mentality is frustrating. I get he doesn't trust our back up, and he's right because we lack depth of quality. However a cute manager selects the games to rest to ensure you have fresh players for games you have a higher percentage chance of winning.

I can't blame Colo's injury on games played though, its just a knock that can happen at any time.

 

Agree totally. It's blatantly obvious that rotations were required. The players aren't robots. Even Obertan would've helped against West Brom....now that's a stretch

 

I think debuchy's red forced his hand a little on subs but the decision to keep Ameobi on for so long when he is evidently back to form normality was a bit bloody silly!

 

It is my one complaint about Pardew, squad rotation, we have several players who can come in from reserve, Saylor, Mbiwa, Anita, Ben-Arfa, Cisse even Marveux and Haidara to make a difference. They all need a few more starts to show what they are worth and I hope Pardew has the sense to rotate the majority of the team for the cup game.

 

Also just a quick question I could probably start a thread on but can't really be bothered, so if anyone wants to feel free...

BUT

Shola vs Cisse? I know Papiss is off form but my question is this, who has scored more goals at the club since Cisse arrived? Surely Cisse deserves to be starting a head of Shola. Granted Shola's been doing a job for team but Strikers are judged on goals and Cisse scored more even out of form. Last seasons stats anyone?

 

Rumours are that you're signing Heitinga from us.

Great work from Kinnear there

 

What else would you expect from such a great person?

Feeling ill now, need a lay down.

 

This is true but hey he is golden bollocks due to a few wins this season
With most

 

Factually incorrect. It's Leighton Baines, £3m apparently...

Reasonable.

 

Thanks Tobes.
How's up there at the top these days?
Dizzy yet hanging onto the coat tails of LFC ?