OTF

This match really threatens to highlight just how lacking in depth our squad is. We should still be looking for all three points here, but with such an unsettled inexperienced and undersized defensive unit compounded further by no Tiote it's going to be hard going. Krul again is likely to be a huge influence.

That's a distinct possibility, but it's hard to be certain as he's also continually had injury problems crop up just as he's returning to full fitness. He might well be shit, but my point is we know Perch and Simpson will make a shit centre half pairing so why not have a crack with Kadar? I'd say it's a posioned chalice anyway as it's like;y that whoever plays with such an unsettled and new back four it's going to be hard going.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/7298401/Taylor-keen-to-ditch-reputation "I want to shake off that 'Mr Versatile' tag and be known as a left-back," Taylor told the Daily Star.

Santon* - Perch** - Simpson*** - R. Taylor**** * 6'2" 77kg - Has played less than 20 minutes in the league since arriving. ** 5'11" 72kg - Biggest achievement is holding the Premier League record for most consecutive yellows in first games in the league (5). In his sixth game, he avoided yellow scoring the match winning goal - for Stoke. *** 5'10" 74kg - Well known for his back off and hope they pass the ball approach to defending. **** 5'8" 75kg - Nice guy, but isn't fooling anyone by claiming he's a left back. Running out of time before his defensive errors outweigh his positive contributions, which granted have been above expectations. That's an incredibly small defensive unit. Colo isn't huge at 6'0" and 78kg but what he lacks in size he makes up in defensive intelligence something Perch, Simpson and Ryan Taylor are known to lack. That judgement cannot yet be made on Santon, but it would be unfair to expect him to settle quickly into the task having come from a completely different less physical league. Kadar at least has played in England for long enough to know what to expect. At 6'2" and 85kg he's a virtual colossus when compared to Perch and Simpson. I feel there's literally nothing to lose in playing Kadar as an alternative to Perch or Simpson out of position in the middle of defense.

I didn't think he was anywhere near as bad as people are making out here. Not good mind you.

Willaimson is not back for another 10 days apparently, and then it will only be to get some reserve games under his belt. Praying for no Simpson/Perch centre half pairing.

I'd sooner give Kadar a chance rather than rush Williamson straight back into the side after his injury. He's not going to be match fit, and even when he is he's not particularly good. Kadar we don't know, and I doubt we'll have a better opportunity to find out.

Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1 Blackburn 2 Swansea 2 Man City 3 Norwich 0 QPR 1 West Brom 1 Spurs 2 Bolton 0 Wigan 0 Arsenal 2 Villa 1 Man Utd 2 Everton 2 Stoke 1 Wolves 0 Sunderland 1 Fulham 1 Liverpool 3

Actually...on a serious note, I would agree that your starting 11 are superior however I would say ours has far more depth. If any of your key players are injured, you would be struggling to replace them from the bench: cabaye and tiote for example. If they get injured, you're left really thin on the ground. Tiote hasnt played for 3 games. Won one, drawn one, lost one. Canny enough, considering the opposition. Pardew is a bit like Sir Bobby in the way you can actually see how he has improved certain players, Danny Guthrie being the most improved. Was watching the telly while doing some work last night and the Newcastle vs Chelsea match @ St James' from last season came on - the one where Carroll poached the early goal from their misplaced back-pass, final score 1-1 - and Danny Guthrie looked a completely different player. He was slow, lazy and not involved, looked to be carrying a lot more pudge as well. He's really surprised me with his application over the past few games, long may it continue. I think his contract may be up with us next year, so hopefully he just hasn't turned it on for that. He's only 24 so has quite a few years left and a new contract for him I think would be a decent option. Reminds me a little Milner in the way that he's playing now in that he's not particularly great at anything but gets stuck in, covers plenty of ground and plays the percentages for the most part. Probably on 1/6th of Milner's wage as well.

We all know that any money saved goes into thin air, it's only new costs that are apparent. In other words Smith leaving nothing won't free up and money for other wages.

Tragic news.

Great result. Going to be plenty of talk about that decision.

Nerves there. FFS. Come on lads.

Well done Simpson. This is going to feel like 20 minutes.

Ashley Young is an odious looking little twat.

No surprises that we're down to 10. Wouldn't have expected Jonas though. Great save Krul.

I'd love to see a count of how often Jonas is on the deck per game. You'd have to double it in this one I reckon.

How is that not a free kick he got absolutely masacred. You can't suddenly just go through a player to get to the ball just because it's in the air. Guthrie off is probably a good idea, but Perch on is a nerve inducer.

Sir Alex livid. Rightfully so, but still entertaining to watch. Always manages to see decisions that go against them, if it was the other way he wouldn't have seen it.

Never good to see a good tackle result in a penalty decision. Who am I kidding? GET IN!!!!!!!!

Turns out fake hair is quite reboundy.

If we're going to concede our usual deflection goals old trafford is probably a pretty good place to do it.

Obertan playing with some enthusiasm, still never properly goes in for tackles needs to take a Yohan Cabaye proton pil. As always they're just a moment of quality away from scoring, hope we can keep taking it to them an nick one of our own. Defensiveley they're nothing special.

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

Watching Lescott there is quite funny. Coming across to block the shot then when he gets wrong footed by Ben Arfa's pass his first instinct is to appeal for offside despite two Man City defenders (and Joe Hart) being behind him. Definitely saw the difference that a player like Ben Arfa can make in this game.