OTF

Can't quite make out who it is accosting Hordak, it look like it could be two bad at the front, with an eternian good-guy behind. Can anyone confirm or deny?

A great read, shows that despite some of the ridiculous things that have been done there is some very good fiscal controls being implemented. Oddly enough the problems that Ashley has created would have been the easier ones to prevent, as opposed to reigning in the financial side whilst improvving the clubs standing on the table (post relegation obviously).

Finishing the season in sixth place would be such an excellent achievement that I wouldn't be too bothered about not getting a European spot. Given the indication by the club that will be looking to improve the quality of our bench (and presumably first team) by reducing the overall size of the squad I don't feel that we'll necessarily have the depth to add Europe to our scheudle without advesely affecting us in the League and domestic cups. With that said, it really would be excellent to be back in Europe.

In times like these people just want to let friends and family know that they're thinking of them, and at the same time may sway their comments to suit the feelings and beliefs of those who they are wishing the best for. Reading way too much into this, let people think and believe what they want.

Other games indeed.

Yeah. Would be handy to hang onto Simpson also. He's not great, but he tries hard and would be excellent cover. Can't see it happening though as he'd start without a trouble in many premier league sides.

I wouldn't mind so much if he just went like for like and hoyed Perch in there like at Arsenal. It just seemed to be a total hodge podge though. Move Guti LB, move Cabaye LW, move Perch into the middle....and we didn't seem to maintain any shape. What I liked about Pardew early in the season was his rigid system where he seemed to have a position decided for every player and they were only fighting one or two others to take up that position. As the season goes on it's difficult to maintain that disciplined approach, but to mix it all up so much out of choice seemed strange, especially after we defended so well as a team and kept our shape against arsenal....for 94 minutes. I can understand not wanting to play Perch at fullback, but Cabaye, Guthrie and Perch trying to play together was a real hodge podge, and saw Perch (the least talented) be the most effective of the three. This plainly isn't getting the most out of our players. Most likely that Erik Pieter's name still being mentioned is just another case of lazy journalism. The press have no idea about the majority off our signings of late.

Personally I don't thInk Jonas is a viable option at fullback. The ability and the effort is there but the instinct isn't. I hope that Santon wasn't started because he's not fully fit and Pardew didn't feel that he could play the entire game. I like him as a player, he has good attacking intent but I'm far from convinced on the defensive front both in terms of positoning and tackling ability. Part of that I feel is down to being on the wrong side to tackle with his preferred foot when players head down the wing. Likewise when he gets the ball to clear. Purchasing a specialist left back should still be on the agenda.

Does a job in midfield, was very good at breaking up play against Norwich, and when he won the ball or received a pass he made the safe option, looking up when he had time to be aware of his options. That's exactly what you want from a player like that. His weakness is his positional solitude and his marking ability. He is useless at defending set pieces. I get nervous whenever he's played in defense but in a closing down midfielder role he's won me over as a viable team member. But again I must stress, only in the capacity.

Then it's no wonder he didn't perform any of them particularly well, odd decision.

In terms of the formation I don't think that Ben Arfa was an issue. The problem was that Cabaye doesn't seem to have a clearly defined role and as such he was just floating about all over the place making little impact defensively or in attack. I can only assume that part of this was having Guthrie and Perch occupying the middle of the pitch with him, further exacerbated by Ba dropping deep. I think the choice should have been two out of the three (Guthrie, Cabaye and Perch). After the game it was clear that Cabaye had the least influence, though he is clearly the most talented of the bunch. Maybe a week out will help to rejuvenate him. We really lack depth in the fullback positions and I think Pardew didn't have any confidence in Santon lasting the full match and so that's why he started with Jonas there. As much as Jonas is full of effort, in the premier league he does not a good fullback make, it leaves him lying too deep to assist in our counter attacks where he is quite good, and his first instinct to go to the ground under any contact can prove very costly at the wrong end of the pitch.

Good result, decent performance. Their keeper did very well. It's worrying that we can't put a game away. Yet again Cabaye looked lost out there, not really sure where he's playing and so resorts to just closing them down. Conversely Perch was impressive in the defensive midfield closer role, broke up play nicely and always looked for the safe passing option, but please don't rely on him to mark anyone on set pieces! Guthrie was a bit mixed 8 or 9 touches out of 10 were good ones, but the others were less than ordinary. Ben Arfa was a good option on the deck, would have preferred we kept him out there. Ba did quite well and came mighty close to scoring. Cisse's goal was a fantastic finish from a good early cross from Jonas, who also slid in a brilliant ball for Papiss, that unfortunately Ruddy was the equal of. As a fullback Jonas is a bit too comfortable going to ground, could get rid of it from his game if he was to play there more often, but I don't see that as a viable move. Simpson did ok. Krul was his usual very good self as was Coloccini. In the end it's 3 points and a very important win.

Would be cheaper to keep him though. He had a good run in the championship but hasn't done anything to warrant a big increase.

Thinking of him most definitely, but there's no way the game should be called off - our game that is.

Pretty crappy that we've let his contract run down. He'd command a decent fee if he had some time to run on his contract. Can see why he'd want to go somewhere where he will be able to hold a starting place.

I'd definitely start Guthrie ahead of Perch in midfield if Tiote isn't fit. Guthrie had a poor match last time out, but prior to that had been quite impressive.

Williamson has his weaknesses but a pairing of him and Coloccini is so much better than Simpson and Perch that it doesn't bear comparison. We were also missing Tiote. The goals conceded against Norwich were embarrassing. This should be a completely different match, if they play with the same tactics Williamson and Colo should more than hold their own, and we should dominate possession.

Hope you have an awesome day mate. Stadium tour capped with a win will be a great experience for them. Very jealous.

Fulham 1-0 Swansea Wigan 1-2 West Brom Wolves 0-2 Man Utd Newcastle 2-1 Norwich Aston Villa 1-0 Bolton Blackburn 0-1 Sunderland Man City 2-2 Chelsea Tottenham 1-0 Stoke Everton 0-1 Arsenal QPR 1-2 Liverpool

I've never heard the 'media' refer to Manchester United as manure. I only refer to them as that online, mix between that and ManU. Likewise call Arsenal arse online only. Really that springs from my resentment at the fixation by people at those particular clubs over here. Liverfool is shite, would never use that. Don't give two hoots if anyone else finds them cringeworthy, in fact it's probably more incentive to use them just to annoy the knob ends who get upset about something so utterly trivial.

The media are so ridiculously biased towards the usual suspects that the name with which they refer to Manure is the least of my worries with them. Most commentators want taking out to some distant paddock and shot. One eyed morons would believe half the shite they spout, which makes it worse as they should have a responsibility to inform those who know less about the game and the associated rules. I've taken exception before to people referring to manure as 'United' by questioning them as to whether they were talking about Sheffield, West Ham, Newcastle etc despite obviously knowing who they were talking about. The problem is that with the media spouting it constantly those whose primary exposure to the game is through them don't know any better. In the end though there's no intentional malice towards Newcastle United, so I've let it go. It does annoy me if a Newcastle United supporter (or player) does it mind you. For me when I think of United, it's all about Newcastle.

I don't care. The other contributing factor is the two teams in Manchester. We can be called Newcastle and need no further description. With ManU the united part needs to be added to separate them from man City. Likewise now you seen Man City just referred to as City.

Ultimately he's paid a lot more, to do a lot less.

My boots arrived, they look a little space age. Think I'm going to either have to re-invent myself as a creative midfielder or find a muddy pitch to play on to cover the specially designed doo-dahs so they just look like normal boots.

Bravo sir.