Toonpack

Aye, I'd much rather watch Blackburn and the Mackems tomorrow like. Aye, they don't dive in the Prem, do they Barcelona are a phenomenal football team, could watch them all day.

Probably, I did my MCL on holiday and then flew home. My own doc sent me immediately for scans because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis because of the internal injury. Flying not recommended.

Not many. But you're confusing not having a decent 4th choice centre back with not having a 4th choice centre back. We have a 4th choice CB, his name is James Perch. I accept he could be upgraded, but that still (in our current situation) leaves us with who can be 5th Choice. We cannot have 5 specialist CB's "on the books" without a half decent kid or two, and from team selection it would appear (in the managers opinion) we don't have that. Perch just happens to be on the fans "shit list" he alone never cost us the game yesterday.

If Stoke lost 3 of that four, who would the "other" replacement be, and would they be as succesfull, not that they've been very good this year so far anyway. (Huth wanted away btw, which is the other problem of having "quality" back-ups). I'm not disputing we should upgrade Perch, however, I am disputing we could realistically upgrade those ahead of him.

Again too simplistic, making the situation fit your argument. You have your two first choice CB's and your first reserve who would fill in for either in the case of injury, then if your unlucky enough to lose all 3 you are into 4th and 5th choice, they are NOT going to be as good as your 1-3. Simple common sense would see that. PLUS how do you balance your squad. Yeah let's have 5 good CB's, then what happens if your midfield gets wiped out, you play a CB in midfield and the cry goes up "our squad is paper thin" we should have more midfielders. It's nonsense. As for the "not particularly bad luck with injuries" haven't looked at the stats anywhere but if you are right, I would suggest even if we have not had a significant number of injuries in the squad (compared to others) we have had an very unusual concentration of injuries in a particularly key area of the squad. If you don't see that, and I am completely wrong, what's the answer then ?? you are completely wrong and the answer is more strength in depth. It's not a case of having internationals on the bench, but Taylor should be the back up for an international in our team. You can't go on like this is unprecedented bad luck in one position when many have feared exactly this and warned about it. One in 3 of Stevies posts since the season began have been about Perch being league 1 quality and that inevitably fucking us up. So now you're saying Taylor and Colo aren't good enough, the same Taylor and Colo who proved one of the best Cb partnerships we've had in yonks should be broken up to for some pursuit of "strength in depth". Hilarious. The concern previosuly expressed was if Colo get's injured we're fucked, not if Colo, Taylor and Willaimson are fucked. Perch did not cost us the game yesterday.

Again too simplistic, making the situation fit your argument. You have your two first choice CB's and your first reserve who would fill in for either in the case of injury, then if your unlucky enough to lose all 3 you are into 4th and 5th choice, they are NOT going to be as good as your 1-3. Simple common sense would see that. PLUS how do you balance your squad. Yeah let's have 5 good CB's, then what happens if your midfield gets wiped out, you play a CB in midfield and the cry goes up "our squad is paper thin" we should have more midfielders. It's nonsense. As for the "not particularly bad luck with injuries" haven't looked at the stats anywhere but if you are right, I would suggest even if we have not had a significant number of injuries in the squad (compared to others) we have had an very unusual concentration of injuries in a particularly key area of the squad. If you don't see that, and I am completely wrong, what's the answer then ??

Far too simplistic. It's 3 first team regulars PLUS their first choice replacements all concentrated in the most critical area of the team. plural? Who, in addition to Williamson? Williamson for the CB's, Guthrie is/has been Tiote's replacement. In most squads 4th Choice Cb (for example) would be a kid or a utility player (a'la Perch), in that we are no different to anyone else. Obviously, Pardew doesn't seem to rate any of our CB "kids". You don't expect and cannot plan for losing your top 3 at any position, not with equivalent "quality" anyway. Few have a real "quality" 4th choice CB, that's why they're 4th choice. Do you believe it is only we who would struggle if left with 4th and 5th choice CB's on the park and a 3rd choice centre midfielder ?? Really ?? If we do buy a CB in Jan, it will (and should) be a young "up and commer" to pressure Williamson for "first reserve", relegating Perch further down the pecking order. If you want to buy a "name", or in other words a new 1st/2nd choice, you are guaranteeing the need to sell whoever they replace (Taylor or Colo) because they or the new guy ain't going to want to be bench warmers. We will not, and should not, buy "quality" 4th and 5th choices (you would hope to have some half decent kids at that level) - you can't anyway given there's a 25 man squad limit, a reasonable quality first reserve at each position takes 22 of your 25, that leaves you 3 squad positions to play with, plus under 21's. How do you carry 5 good CB's without staying light somewhere else ???? (not even touching on how could you keep 5 good CB's happy) That is the reality.

Far too simplistic. It's 3 first team regulars PLUS their first choice replacements all concentrated in the most critical area of the team.

Fuck right off. Oooh that's constructive. What's he done to suggest he should have played today, other than the hype, because I must have missed it. He's a luxury player, the heart of the team at the back has been torn out by injury, we had no height. Shola had to play today, in those circumstances, the luxury doesn't cut it. If we'd been at full strength (or even just missing one CB) he likely would have played, otherwise Pardew is spot on.

Who "should" we buy ??? I'd go for Dann, I think we could lure him here and I think he'd be a ready made Taylor replacement. D'ya think he'd be happy to sit next season ??. I reckon best we can hope for is a young "up and comer" and Colo and Williamson fit.

He's done absolutely nowt to warrant playing. Shola was good again today.

Who "should" we buy ???

Who has a decent 4th (and 5th) choice CB in their squad ?? Serious question. How many teams could cope without their top 3 CB's (without even mentioning the loss of Tiote/Guthrie in front of said CB's)

Pardew thinks he is, I'll go with his opinion I reckon. Does he? I can't help but think he only prefers Perch because he's older and more experienced. And sorry but I'm questioning Pardew now - he starts Obertan every week after all. Play a player out of position in his place if you have to - guaranteed to be better than Obertan. Laughable. Best start for donkeys, played well against 3 of the top teams in the country, fucked by the ref against Chelsea and down to 4th and 5th choice CB's and 4th choice centre midfielder, and you question the manager

Pardew thinks he is, I'll go with his opinion I reckon.

Should be one game, only violent conduct gets 3 He's been gash anyway, midfield can't hold/keep the ball, defence always going to be exposed when that happens. Could be a good old fashioned humping now sadly.

There is no real evidence (as yet) of a blatant disregard for "team building". Spurs told Chelsea to fuck off because they could afford to, their history of turning profits means they don't/didn't need the cash to keep doing what they do. They believe they can get into the Champions League with what they've got, the silly money for Modric isn't so "silly" if they land the Champions League. In other words, spurn silly money and keep Modric and reap CL money (that's their gamble) and the CL may turn his head back again. That said, if Arry wants a few new players in, they will sell to buy at some point, they always have. Even if they hit the CL jackpot. That sale could yet be Modric as he still hasn't signed his new "bumper" contract offer, and the players hold all the cards. I compare us to Spurs because we are now doing what Spurs (and others) have been doing for years, we're still behind on the timeline though. However, because we are "big" the catching up should not be such a long road.

Pardew sees them all every day in training, he'll pick who works best in his "scheme". In Pardew we trust

Lad (not one of the zanies) on Skunkers

Smith playing alledgedly

We are not discussing "the merry go round" subject. It's actually a totally different topic on which I think I've made some valid points, which I haven't seen refuted yet. Although you know who can't help himself with the diatribe.

First bold - Was that because you couldn't answer it ??? (again) Second Bold - Ignoramus (again)

I hoped he would spend it, that said Ba for nowt (in transfer fee) and him reducing his exposure (if he has, as I suspect) as opposed to Ruiz for £10 Mill, for example, is perfectly fine, in fact it's even better. so what about the other 30m or whatever ? Where is that ? In view of the fact they picked up Ba for a good fee and he looks an extremely good buy and footballer, don't you agree that other positions could have been strengthened using this foolproof scouting system employed, which is what a progressive club would do, especially if they had confidence in their scouts ? See post #40 and try and comprehend what you are reading. BTW, Looking forward to your disection of Shinton's post. When some on here (me included) post similar to much of that you'd be over it like a rash answer the question. I did (post #40) Re strengthening, we strengthened immeasurably in the summer btw. The ONLY position people were bleating about was another striker, but BA has put that to bed to a point, although a better quality back up for him would be a nice addition in January. no you didn't. You said they bought Ba, what about the other 30m quid ? I'm not asking you again, my question is clear enough. We also did not strengthen immeasurably in the summer, and the ONLY position people were bleating about was not another striker. Again, if you are happy with that summer [that makes about 2 out of 10 transfer windows so far is it ?] it only shows your low expectations and demands. The injuries we have are now going to ram this point home, when James Perch has to come on, and we have 3 members of a back 4 consisting of Danny Simpson, James perch and Ryan Taylor, it only shows you are easily pleased and the transfer window was way short of what a progressive club would be looking to bring into their team. Fuck you are thick The Carroll money, post #40 in language you may understand: Mike Ashley sold Carroll for a geet big cake, he cut up the cake, some of the slices of cake he gave to to club to eat, the rest he kept himself (I believe, but not yet proven)to replace thenumerous catering packs of Mr Kiplings he'd previously given to the club. Striker/bleating - yes it fucking was. Injuries - when you're down to 4th/5th choice everyone would be plumbing the depths. No-one has "quality" 4th and 5th choice anything. The back four has included Simpson and Taylor all year and has performed better than just about every back four in the country, a good back four is a unit and is often greater than the sum of it's parts, it's down to coaching and discipline and a bit of class. I would suggest Colo is the class (or glue that holds it together, if you prefer). Who are these quality 4th and 5th choice CB's we should have bought ????? fuck. You are stupid, and a non-supporter to go with it. Stick to watching NUFC on TV chum, or playing darts in the pub while the match is on, its about your limit. Supporters who put their hard cash into the club can tell you how thick you are. because they will tell you that selling your best players and not backing your managers will never bring success in a thousand years. No answer to logical points, so drops into auto-rant mode

I hoped he would spend it, that said Ba for nowt (in transfer fee) and him reducing his exposure (if he has, as I suspect) as opposed to Ruiz for £10 Mill, for example, is perfectly fine, in fact it's even better. so what about the other 30m or whatever ? Where is that ? In view of the fact they picked up Ba for a good fee and he looks an extremely good buy and footballer, don't you agree that other positions could have been strengthened using this foolproof scouting system employed, which is what a progressive club would do, especially if they had confidence in their scouts ? See post #40 and try and comprehend what you are reading. BTW, Looking forward to your disection of Shinton's post. When some on here (me included) post similar to much of that you'd be over it like a rash answer the question. I did (post #40) Re strengthening, we strengthened immeasurably in the summer btw. The ONLY position people were bleating about was another striker, but BA has put that to bed to a point, although a better quality back up for him would be a nice addition in January. no you didn't. You said they bought Ba, what about the other 30m quid ? I'm not asking you again, my question is clear enough. We also did not strengthen immeasurably in the summer, and the ONLY position people were bleating about was not another striker. Again, if you are happy with that summer [that makes about 2 out of 10 transfer windows so far is it ?] it only shows your low expectations and demands. The injuries we have are now going to ram this point home, when James Perch has to come on, and we have 3 members of a back 4 consisting of Danny Simpson, James perch and Ryan Taylor, it only shows you are easily pleased and the transfer window was way short of what a progressive club would be looking to bring into their team. Fuck you are thick The Carroll money, post #40 in language you may understand: Mike Ashley sold Carroll for a geet big cake, he cut up the cake, some of the slices of cake he gave to to club to eat, the rest he kept himself (I believe, but not yet proven) to replace some (not all) of the numerous catering packs of Mr Kiplings he'd previously given to the club. Striker/bleating - yes it fucking was. Injuries - when you're down to 4th/5th choice everyone would be plumbing the depths. No-one has "quality" 4th and 5th choice anything. The back four has included Simpson and Taylor all year and has performed better than just about every back four in the country, a good back four is a unit and is often greater than the sum of it's parts, it's down to coaching and discipline and a bit of class. I would suggest Colo is the class (or glue that holds it together, if you prefer). Who are these quality 4th and 5th choice CB's we should have bought ?????

Absolutely the right attitude that, especially the bit in bold, irrespective of whether you like the owner or not, or think he's doing it the right way or not, it's something we should all be able to agree on (or most of us anyway). It's right though and I don't see the point in worrying about players leaving, in fact the way we've been scouting players over the past few years I feel confident that we could do a good job of replacing them anyway, I can remember people worried about Baye leaving but who gives him a second thought now? Or Given, or Nolan. Some players have left that have bothered me like Enrique but it happens with all clubs, others have gone and we've not only replaced them but improved too with their replacements. I feel similar about our scouting network as I did about Arsenal's a decade or so ago in that we've been able to sell what is considered our stars and replace them for less money while attempting to improve. That's the penny you won't get to drop in Leazes-world you and Baggio have another thing in common. Neither of you go to games, in the real world. You see, that's also irrelevant. In the days when the only way to see the game was to go, you would have had a point on the validity of comments. Actually not going but seeing all the games on a TV gives a much better perspective than "being there", it's also less time consuming, warm and convivial. No objectionable comments or inhaling of unwanted beer farts from some scruffy pissed twat, it's bliss man. everybody who goes to games is a scruffy pissed twat ? Now you are really showing your ignorance. And where did I say that exactly errrr....... Comprehension again Please show where I said "everyone who goes to the games is a scruffy pissed twat"