OTF

I need to correct myself, they didn't make it look easy - it was easy.

And at the other end they make it look easy.

Good positive direct play from Obertan. Missed though.

If he wanted to relegate the club why buy any players? Pardew hasn't been sacked because Ashley believes he'll keep us up which is all he's concerned with as it affects the bottom line so severely. Only a fool would intentionally devalue the club to sell it. Ashley is a lot of things but a fool isn't one if them.

They've outsourced most of their media; it's now routinely issued on the ground at dairy farms with reduced costs and superior accuracy so everyone wins.

Williamson can't be dropped no matter how many goals we concede. How depressing.

And mine was that the same rings true for most of the side so I'm unsure why he's being singled out.

I never said he should be played in that position, but even still he's doing slightly more than fuck all. Obviously changes need to be made.

He did more than just that in that game. He always looks to go to centre of the field which he should not do so often as a wide player. He should be played in behind a striker. He's one of the few players we have who can run with the ball with pace and also get a shot off. According to ESPN in 6 league games he's taken a total of 8 shots with 3 on target 0 goals and the 1 aforementioned assist. For comparison also in 6 games our other "wide" man Sissoko has taken 8 shots with only 1 on target for 0 assists and 0 goals.

I'd say Dummett is a competent player, probably a good trainer and willing to play a role. I like that he always tries to maintain possession first with short passes rather than reverting to hoofing it. Against top quality opposition I'd venture that he'd be left wanting defensively with a significant part of that down to his relative lack of pace. That same factor will limit his ability to be an attachment attacking threat which is where Haidara in comparison excellent. The hope is that as he develops Haidara will improve his defensive attributes.

Not entirely sure why it's so popular to hate on this guy but he was one of our best against Hull and got the (very good) assist for the equalising goal. He's clearly being played out of position and has had some weak performances partially as a result of that (stoke being a prime example).

"the defeat was as bad as a draw" What?

What remains a mystery to me is why Ashley attends games. His other actions indicate he has little interest in the performance of the team.

Great description. That does sound rather hilarious. Hope there's no lasting damage to pride or body.

I really do think that our coaching staff are off the pace (certainly for our first team). Despite having a poorly balanced squad we do have more quality than is shown with our displays. Players here seem to stagnate at best. We seldom look to play to our strengths preferring instead to force players into an outdated and ugly style of football with absolutely no plan b.

Colback off Pardew's Christmas card list.

Pardew: "You're my last hope Obertan"

Play Gouffran behind Riviere and leave Cisse on the bench to start.

I'm ashamed to say that's Sydney, Australia.

I'm not happy with my podcast option at the moment. They download ok but the resume of podcasts is horrible as it doesn't seem to integrate well with the OS and as a result it's difficult to keep track of what I'm up to. I'm using the Sony Podcast 'app' which is nestled inside Walkman music player (I added a shortcut direct to the podcast section). What are you using?

CunT

"I'd like to fank Mike for ees support and fank me for taking on the radical extremists at the front line to produce what was a wonderful result in very tough conditions. We was worried that it might get out of hand but at the end of the day we was here to do a job and we done it. "

Assuming that's actually what that is, there's no reason to think it sincere or meaningful. For Ashley the clear indication he has given is that the only objective is survival in the league. There's a very real and patently obvious financial foundation for this, both in terms of revenue to the club and further growth of sports direct through their gratis advertising exposure. If a the club can plod along under the relatively low paid (for the league) Pardew then it's in his best financial interest to let that happen. He would be very foolish if he hasn't at least looked into alternative options to manage stemming back to last season at the very least. It hasn't been played upon much at all, but the team spirit that was present on the weekend was likely fostered as a result of Jonas' announcement. They were all wearing his number in the warm up and no doubt plenty would have had the undershirt as displayed by Cisse. On the subject of Cisse, Pardew owes him big time. Credit to Gouffran for the superb knock down for the second.

It was well played by the club in that respect, but hopefully it results in the sackpardew.com people becoming a little more shrewd in their approach. At the end of the day Ashley will make the decision based on numbers, the odiousness or apparent tactical failings of Pardew do not figure until the financial reality is staring him in the face. That reality is relegation, or the threat of it. Even still if he feels he can avoid it with a few January purchases that will be the option he pursues. From what I have gleaned here and there Pardew is one of the lowest paid managers in the league, perhaps part of securing that was the length of the deal which could mean that there isn't a particularly financially prudent way for Ashley to axe him. Being the risk taker that he is he might see how long Pardew can take the growing vitriol in the hope that he makes the decision himself. I'd say Pardew is too delusional to ever make that decision.