RobinRobin

Professionalism or self-respect perhaps

I just wish he would trap a ball more often. He traps it further than I can kick on occasions! Having said that, we would be in all sorts of trouble without him. He does seem to get the Hollywood goals and miss the sitters though this year, bit like Cisse last year

Still won't be able to get his players to deal with it

That's what I thought.

"Kendo Nagasaki" - always a favourite of mine

Although this was a close second. This season has certainly given us quite a few!

Always been mine

I think I would prefer it if they lost in the semi-final - preferably 6-0

Thank God for that. I thought I must have had a dodgy signal in Australia going by the plaudits being handed out. I know I am not his biggest fan, but apart from one tackle back, which he did because he had given the ball away needlessly, I thought he was terrible. The usual flicks and tricks which, apart from not going where they were intended, were simply completely inappropriate to the circumstances. It seems he has reverted to type, now that he has earned his pay for the season by scoring last week

I wish Willo could head the ball forward, not up in the air. That is the major difference between him and Saylor, to my mind, and makes the latter more of a threat in the opposition box

No - but would have Carroll back

New number 9?

I would have him back, no doubt whatsoever. He is a proven scorer in the Premier League (or at least he was until he went to Pool). He may have to lose some of his wages, though. He will not get Pool wages with us. Does he want to play more than he wants to be paid?

I understand the comments made here, but he is apparently the captain of the reserves. I know that does not have a bearing on his ability, necessarily, but it seems a strange honour for someone in whom the Manager has no confidence. I have not seen him play, so can't judge whether he would have made a difference. However, it just beggars belief that when Williamson got a long term injury before the end of the transfer window, proper back-up plans were not put in place - and I don't mean last minute unsuccessful bids.

I don't want to be picky, but would it not have been better to pick out one of his own players? Sod it, Kevin beat me to it

I was thinking more about Docklands, Subiaco, but I take the point about Suncorp

Is it not the case that it will always be St James' Park, whatever someone else chooses to call it? Obviously, this has been done now for the reasons given (international break, away games, cheap season tickets sold), but the reality is that no fan will ever call it SDA or even Nike/Puma/Bank of England etc Arena. Frankly, I doubt many commentators/journalists will either. There have been many occasions in Australia where this happens, seemingly every season, and it just gets called by its correct name. I totally agree with the history issue, but history is not something you can change by renaming it (some totalitarian countries excepted, of course). History simply is and always will be what it is! I cannot see how this is going to help NUFC, though. My only thought therefore is that this is not a means of getting sponsorship (and therefore money) for NUFC. It is a means of getting sponsorship for SD at no cost. As MA is not spending any money on NUFC, he is looking to benefit his other investments by cheap exposure on television every week. As a result, we may well see SD on the shirts next year. While fans will not be paying for them, the brand is being pushed on the subconscious constantly. Just in case there is any doubt though, he is a complete and utter arsehole!

Interestingly, there seemed to be a lot of suggestions that with Nolan and Barton going the spirit in the team would disappear. In fact, the opposite seems to be the case. Instead of an us and them situation, which seems to have been the case, it is now just "us". That certainly seems to have been the nature of the interviews given by players who would perhaps not have been in the gang in the last couple of years (Colo, Guti, Saylor etc)

Think its just you. Guti did a great job defensively. But most of the attacking wing play went throught obertan. He covered loads of ground making himself available. Best attitude he's shown since signing. Not just you. I agree that the attacking wing play went through Obertan, but that was because Guti was defending, whereas Obertan still went missing defensively. Don't get me wrong, good cross and good chasing, but I still think the defensive side of his game and the courage to attack the ball when there is someone else within 10 yards is missing. Glass half full, as far as I am concerned

He is there for his speed and ability to cross the ball (I assume, as a winger). However, his speed seems to disappear when there is another player within 10 yards, he bottles 50/50s and he cannot cross (except with the outside of his wrong foot, it seems). He fails to close down in defence (compare with Jonas who does that constantly and still gets up the pitch to score). He just shows no interest in defending, even when he has given the ball away and then shows no real interest in attack if there is an opposition player around. Irrespective of who should have been put on the pitch in his place, the fact that he remained on the whole 90 minutes is a (IMHO) a real issue with Pardew's management. Frankly, I would rather have Routledge and 2/3m in Fatty's pockets for all the use he is. And he can leave his flicks and showboating to some time when it is appropriate - like at training when everyone else has left! In answer to the OP - yes

I rather liked the way he ghosted on to the header from Shola (I think) late on against the scum. Rather like Nolan and just a shame he did not score. Did it last year as well, didn't he?

Agreed but it does not half p*ss me off to see a professional footballer who cannot use his left foot in those circumstances!

I wonder if Sammy is getting more credit than he is entitled to so far, on the similar basis to Nile Ranger at times last year when it was assumed he was better than those before him precisely because he was not playing enough to show that he was not the answer. Not sure one way or the other, but certainly he has considerably more pace and attitude than his brother - hardly a ringing endorsement though

My view of watching on TV from afar is that his first touch is often phenomenal, but his second touch is more often abysmal. If he could avoid the second touch, he will do fine

Surely the Fiorentina game is the most appropriate for such a mass non-attendance - not competitive and therefore does not hit the team but still sends a huge message. Won't ever happen though.