Park Life

The bottom one of this lot......... This is one hell of a player apparently.

I had good info last week from a friend that we were talking to 5 players. If that inc Remy and poss this bloke then that's down to three already (unless backups have been triggered). Getting a bit worried. Need to up our game reg negotiating with more awareness...The gazumping can't go on like.

This is getting ridiculous. Can't we keep a deal quiet?? Need to teach these cunts a lesson, make a big bid and get into a bidding war and then pull out and sign someone else. West Ham left holding a 6m bid for Hadeira.

Reading around a little bit, it seems like he's a bit of a taskmaster and was at one point considered a highly talented coach. Interesting to see how this plays out.

This is a massive turning point in the relegation stakes. Mark my words.

Think them, Reading and Qpr are in the down slots. If Qpr climb then us and Villa will have to reply.

Good player this one. Will be a coup if it goes through (think it will). Has been watched by some big outfits.

Baffling descision. Thought he was getting a lot out of those players. Gave Chelsea the runaround for a good half an hour.

If we don't go down and we get our 42m ish next year that will be a quantum moment for the club. In all other fiancial areas we are now one of the soundest in the league.

Italy as well.

Momentum is such a big thing in the PL. You can see the difference even when the players come onto the park.

Our general play has been poor this season I don't think anyone is arguing that. What is up for debate is the reasons. Even at our peak last year we were nicking quite a few results by staying solid and strikers scoring one off chances and wonder goals. The stats show we are now categorically a long ball side. There is no crime in nicking results the top sides continue to do it (look at the guff defensive performances of ManU for instance). Like Tooj I want us to commit to a more passing and slower tempo game (we have shown in patches this is possible). Marveux especially has looked more comfortable on the ball and rarely loses it in tight spots often finding a pass. Obertan at long last looks a threat in his 10min or so a game when he is focussed. The more physical game that we deploy with longer passing and fighting for the second ball is counter to the make up of our side with its smaller and more nimble players all over the park (Cabaye, Anita, Marveux, Hatem, Santon). The type of hurried recycling of play Pards seems to prefer is better suited to the clodhoppers in the league: West ham, Reading, Stoke etc.. It was quite something the other night watching Soton hold their nerve and pass it around and out pass and out think Chelsea to the point. Their side is nowhere near ours with regard to quality. There was a point against Arsenal at 3-2 or summink when our passing and movement was as good as theirs. In the end we lost that game cause we were obvioulsy tired in the last 10-15min. We have to remind ourselves what a cogent side they. The PL is a very dangerous league as ManC, Arsenal and ManU have found out this year, smaller sides have little fear of the bigger teams quite unlike SerieA or LaLiga. All the blue chip defences have been misfiring - those sides have got through only with the aid of world class striker forces. Norwich and West ham are slowly falling off their peak now (WHam are clearly half a side without Diame) and WBA have probably had their good run. Jan onwards the weight of squad strength and mental strength comes into its own. Could there be a huge turnaround in our fortunes? I wouldn't discount it. I'm not in the Pardew camp by any means, but I am aware that he is far shrewder than I gave him credit for even last year.

True. I heard a story the Spanish royals pressured banks to give Real whatever they needed.

That's basically it. Think this season was also psychologically in new territory after the 5th place and for one reason or another (bad window), players not looking quite fit (Cabaye) and losing Hatem at a crucial period we've slipped down the table slowly but surely. Pardew has been asked these questions before at his other clubs (good start and then tailing off). We will see if he has the answers over the next few weeks. Hatem is the key. Looks like the promising left back will come in and they are hunting high and low for another striker (quality unknown).

You're still in the honeymoon period so your posts may safely be igonored till you get back in the cellar with your charts innit.

Barca supporter on NO just pointed out our turnover was bigger than their in 2003. Wow!

I don't really buy it.

Bavaria isn't really Germany.

He's made completely the wrong choice imo. He'll hate it here. Fussy Germans with a deep hatred for Southern Europeans etc...Give it one season before he's out. Even the brute Van Gaal couldn't control the hun menace and constant neurotic self-hatred and obsessions with detail to replace their unloving childhoods.

There's a touch of the Obertans about him iirc. Pacey but a bit clueless.

I can't remember what was wrong with him.

N'gog in the frame apparently.

It's alaways the same film he makes.