OTF

I hope all the speculation dies down then, don't think it's good for Carroll to have so much talk about him, could see him getting an overinflated value of himself and losing the graft, determination and brutishness that makes him such a vital player for us.

8 million for Routledge.. they're having a laugh. I like Wayne, but at that price (or even half of it?) he'd be sold in a heartbeat.

That's fair enough. He's largely clueless, but if he can employ enough people that have at least some idea and have or develop a passion for the club then they could nullify to some extent his ignorance. The signings of Tiote and Ben Arfa show that at least someone around the club has some idea about what's required to have us heading the right way up the table. I do feel that we have a solid platform for making a push now, with a good core of a team with Enrique, Tiote, Barton and Carroll. Tiote provides a lot of protection for our central defense, taking the pressure off them. Couple with Enrique's pace, strength and recovery it's a pretty solid defense. They all play pretty well together which is a massive bonus that would make it easier to bring in complimentary players (as compared to Man City with their buy all mercenary players, whack them in a team together and hope they perform). Unfortunately I can't see the continual effort being put into that push from Ashley and Llambias.

Can't see how he won't go now, even with no-one lined up.

It's hard to fathom so quickly after the unjustified sacking of Chris Hughton, but my question is what would it take to end the cynicism that the majority of us have for fat Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias? It would be great if we could celebrate the positives without the burning thoughts in the back of our minds regarding the overall motives of our owner. For example; Hatem Ben Arfa signs on a permanent deal; we all think who will be going. The manager comes out and says that Andy Carroll will not be sold; nobody really believes it. Leon best scores a hat-trick on his first PL start for us; we wonder if FMA will use it to justify selling AC. For me I'd have to say it would take a consistent run of responsible decisions that show some ambition. The signing off Ben Arfa is certainly one, but it needs to be accompanied by a window and off-season where we don't sell any of our best players, and instead strengthen our squad with additional signings. What do others want to see before they lose the cynicism (apart from the back of FMA and DL)?

Damn straight definitely deserves it, along with a massive fucking upgrade to his stats in FIFA.

Pardew has done well, but the fact that he has doesn't take anything away from Chris, nor does it justify the decision to get rid of him in the manner that they did. On the Tiote injury it definitely looked precautionary, or at worst very minor - he seemed to be walking fine down the tunnel. Harper made a quality save in the closing part of the game, important for us to keep the clean sheet. Playing with 10 men for the last 10 minutes or so we were getting a little overrun because we were pushing quite high and Ranger was having a shocker. For his horrible touches early on Lovenkrands responded well and his swag of 2 assists and a goal was justified. I still think that hanging around Carroll (or apparently Best) will be a good spot for him as he makes different runs and usually gets in pretty good positions. Leon best, well what can you say, his touch look excellent from the start the only thing you can be a little upset about is the headed chance that he wasted. In the context of his game though, that is quickly forgotten. Important now that he starts for us in the FA Cup and plays well again. I'd be putting out just about our best side in the FA Cup, spare anyone with minor injury complaints.

Hahahah the look on Nolan's face after Ranger missed the sitter.

Ranger oh dear!!! Harder to miss from there I reckon. Could have moved it across to Lovenkrands for the tap in.

Lovenkrands good finish from an equally good Barton cross that came as the result of a well placed head on from Best. Loven it! Best is off for Nile Ranger, had a slight injury I think, possibly his knee from the wigan match. Ferguson will be coming on as well. Christmas Tree about to get his first look

Best hat-trick!!! Wow. Great ball from Enrique to Nolan, excellent first touch knock on from Nolan to the perhaps slightly off-side Best. Good finish.

Yeah he's on 8. Hasn't done enough to warrant extra attention from the ref so far, let's hope it stays like that.

Was a Jonas cross that their defender cleared along the ground straight to Nolan who had just finished whinging to the ref about a handball decision.

Kevin Nolan!!! Interrupted whilst cracking th shits about a handball when a clearance goas straight to him. Slots it across the keeper and into the corner. Hope we keep our feet on the gas.

Nolan could have played Best in there for the hat-trick. Our passing and movement is looking very good, West Ham not at the races.

Best at the double!!! Well worked free kick from Barton, Lovenkrands across the goal, beat cleaning up scraps.

Barton having a great game, passing has been pin-point accurate.

Enrique just skinned two defenders and forced a save out of Green with a chip. Enrique really pushing on. Leon Best!!!!!! From a Lovenkrands pass. Composed finish.

Lovenkrands touch has been woeful.

Best has looked ok so far despite wasting a good headed chance from a Barton cross.

That's a valid question. I'd have him play off Carroll as we've not got any other viable options up front. Has the skill and pace to beat a man, and should find plenty of space to run into off Carroll. Out wide we may not see enough ball go through him to fully utilise his ability.

With what they've said about signing Ban Arfa they can't turn around now and sell Carroll without looking like bullshit merchants. Whether or not they care is what we'll find out. Signing Ben Arfa to a permanent deal is a good move and a good sign that there is intent to improve the team. I'm still worried that everything they do is down with the intention of being able to sell down the track. A couple of good seasons from Ben Arfa and I could see him being sold on for a profit.

Good luck getting Mike to pay the wages of those three! If he sells it will be for fat amount of cash.

I doubt we were ever even in talks with him. Reckon Ashley wanted to make the most of the talk so told Pardew to be non committal about out 'interest'. Would make a difference to us, but for the wages we'd pay and the short period there's no way it would represent good value. If it clears the way for us to make a permanent move for Bentley it could be good, though I have a feeling that they'll be stubborn and won't move much on his price.

Christmas is over, can someone take the tree down and throw it out, please? It's stinking the place up and dropping shit everywhere.