OTF

Aye, that's a rather wordy way of saying that Pardew fills out the team sheet. Which in turn is a very basic way of saying 'i havent got a fucking scooby about what management actually means'. Might as well read the eulogy for humour while you're there champ

Read the book today (on Kindle) and watched the movie tonight. I agree with your analysis of the book. The movie was disappointing, poor character development, shitty special effects, lack of suitable gore, over use of the incredibly dodgy intentional shaky cam to substitute for special effects etc.

Aye, that's a rather wordy way of saying that Pardew fills out the team sheet.

Crossing/long passes are his weakest attributes so taking them away would Improve him on the whole. Have always said that I think he's at his best when he can make short passes, with more space to operate his dribbling should also be even more effective.

Santon should be competing with Simpson for right back next season, either could then be cover for a new left back. Santon's defensive positioning and tackling has been suspect, but he had his best performance for us last start so is hopefully beginning to settle in the faster paced league. He's vastly superior getting forward, but the problem with that is he's not particularly hard working or tireless and so takes a while to get back into position. If Guthrie goes it will be for more money to a lower ranked club where he'll need to prove himself again. He may well do that but as others have said I think we'll be the biggest club he'll play for (liverwho?). Ashley won't pay overs for him or reward him for his 'loyalty' particularly with some promising youngsters coming through and with our record of signing continental players. Forster will go, no sense for him in coming back to deputise for Krul as he has no chance of unseating him. It will only hurt us if whatsisname has to play due to injury as he's been poor from the extremely limited amount I have seen.

...or somehow contributed to his current level of play. Also please excuse my autocorrection horrors that keep getting me.

My contention is that the performances that he was giving were consistent with what was to be expected from someone who has been out for so long and hadn't had a chance to adjust to the league. I also believe that his in reading defensive contribution is a result of not only gaining proper match fitness, but also confidence is his legs after his injuries. On top of that I think having been a more central player in the team will naturally lead someone to want to put more effort into the other parts of their game - just as a defender will get forward on occassion an attacking player will give more attention to defensive duties. As I said earlier I'm just ecstatic that we're getting these sort of performances out of Ben Arfa. I pipe up because people incorrectly point to the performances as evidence that Pardew choosing not to play Ben Arfa earlier in the piece was justified.

Err, that's a fact how exactly? What we know is that Ben Arfa's ability has brought spectacular results. All that was required for that was to give him sufficient time on the pitch to regain fitness, sharpness, touch and to form combinations with his team mates. Look at Pardew's treatment of Obertan? Why do you think that has so starkly constrained the treatment of Ben Arfa? For me it comes down to two things - Obertan was Pardew's choice and so the pressure was on him for Obertan to perform, and two, Ben Arfa is not the type of person to be wholly compliant to the demands of a manager. Pardew clearly favors those sort of players (eg. Perch). Ben Arfa was played sporadically and it was only when there was no other options that he began to see regular time on the pitch (not just pressure filled cameos). With that time on the pitch he has produced in spades and is now happy, fit and at the top of his game. When he's in that state it won't really matter who the manager is, he'd be a dream to have in the side. I like Pardew but I don't think he has handled Ben Arfa particularly well. At least, I think, he has treated him on par with others in the side only in the way that attitude and application is given a higher regard than skill and creativity. Best is another example of this.

Can keep Ben Arfa company.

He's enthusiastic and fit and has injected that enthusiasm when he has come on. Custom fit as a late sub at this stage of his career, but still should be getting full games under his belt in the reserves.

I think Jones was spared a red by the proximity of other Liverpool players when he committed the foul. Can't understand how he didn't hold onto that ball in the first place. He was at one stage a pretty good keeper, hope he's at his best on the weekend.

In 2007 Emerton would have been a decent signing.

We'd be mad to let him go without at least throwing our hat into the ring particularly on the eve of European football. Villa had a crack at having ambition, failed, and have subsequently pulled their heads in. Guthrie's a handy player but struggles with motivation at times. At the peak of his fitness at the moment it makes a huge difference to his contribution.

Jamie 'the Don' Carragher is an absolute cock though, deserves the poor treatment. Openly admitted to intentionally injuring a teammate in training and tried to justify it. Not much in football is more smugly satisfying than a Jamie Carragher own goal.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even those that are wrong. At least everyone can enjoy the exceptional performances and play we're getting from him now that he's match fit, match sharp and has his touch.

Think he's used to smoke being blown up his arse 24/7 explains why he gets shirty in an instant when things aren't going his way and also the ridiculous smiles he pulls after a liverpool goal whilst turning around as though he's expecting some sort of ovation - at an away match no less! Long may he stay - they've got no meaningful tactics, goals are scored on the basis of player talent alone. Given that the talent isn't particularly good (ordinary on a pound for pound basis) that's great for everyone else.

Worth noting the defensive effort that he's been putting in as well. He's actually made some good tackles in the last couple of games.

Embarrassing for those thinking that Ben Arfa wouldn't need some time on the pitch after returning from an horrific injury at the hands of foul play only to be reinjured again at the hands of foul play all before he's even had he chance to settle in a completely new league. Not going to regain any confidence sitting on the bench.

Was in a courtesy car 928 SII the other week. Such a long nose and definitely not quick but still fast - slow to rev but felt like it built speed exponentially. Overall though not fun to drive because of the size and weight of it.

You have a tendency to spout some shit, but this is on the money though the word 'think' would need to be replaced with something more concrete. Whatever happens from here it has been an amazing season.

Should have been given more time earlier in the season. All the cameo appearances just lumped pressure on him to perform with limited opportunities and this prevented him from building any cohesion with his team mates. It's no surprise that when he is now played more regularly he has shone both individually and as a creator.

He came on and added some enthusiasm and attacking impetus. Nothing more nothing less. Didn't change the game but was a step in the right direction.

At this time of the year playing teams battling for their lives in or around the drop zone isn't the easiest. Sure they're down there because they're ultimately shite but with so much on the line anything is possible.

2-0 touch of a rapist

Birminghughton 1 West Sam 0