Timing of injuries a silver lining.

Imagine if yesterday was our 1st game of the season , or like the unwashed we were struggling for relegation?

Me? I'm unhappy at what step up in their respective games we're hoping for from Perch etc but the window is only weeks away and we're going to HAVE to buy .

Also, with Santon itching to come on , we've still got options in defence. This injury scare will make fat Mike hopefully appreciate that we've been lucky that we've come so far with limited cover.

Pardew needs to reassure fans that January will see more troops brought in for the campaign ahead.

Might seem a bit controversial but would anyone put Smithy in defence? He has no pace but at least has a decent brain and is decent header of a ball?? And the f**ker is on £50,000 a week. Make him earn his corn.

I think we all will be surprised at how December pans out........for the better.

HTL

 

Said it all along our biggest test would be injuries/suspensions not playing the top 4,one option we have is the Keegan option you score one we'll score two approach.
I can't wait till the Norwich game just to see who he plays and how we cope before I go into panic mode.

 

I have had time to think about the window in January and I am actually starting to think nobody will leave. Mainly because Sports Direct is making profit and Ashlwy's net worth seems to be increasing. He is a businessman but why would he sell his best players with a risk of us sliding down the table.

People still seem to forget he turned down 30 mil from Liverpool, he sold Nolan because he wanted more money at big age and Barton because of his abusive behaviour. I think if we bring in 2 CB's, LB and a striker then that would be a successful window.

 

Just don't sell anyone.

 

I agree (except for the Smith bit, the best thing he can do short of leaving the club is to volunteer to be reserves captain), Santon will finally play now and it forces us to bolster our squad.

 

No to Smith. He's hardly a good tackler is he?

 

People always say he's a ****e tackler but he's actually decent, only thing is he slides in every single time, when you need him to stay on his feet.

 

this

 

Supposing Mike's already sanctioned the move for Maiga and a centre back; players identified as needed in the summer (hence the bid for Ridgewell). What price on him saying we don't have the money for another centreback to fill the void left by Taylor so someone needs to be sold? Quickly followed by we didn't anticipate the injury to Taylor so didn't have enough time to scout the second centreback and people knew we needed one so tried to have our eyes out. I hope the business man in Mike sees the potential and value of a high finish and perhaps signs a makeshift with the view to a permanent deal ensuring a grafter who fights for the cause comes in. If we can get a permanent CB AND a CB in mould of the Gallagher's and Sibierski's of yesteryear without losing anyone I'll be happy.

 

Smith constantly gives away free kicks whenever he plays, imagine if he was CB? We'd concede about 5 penalties a game. Atrocious player.

 

If we're still to seriously push for Europe, it pretty much depends entirely on Perch's performances this month. If he and whoever is his defensive partner will be **** up the other teams will catch us.

 

The wheels don’t just come off at nufc, they catch fire then explode.

 

If Ashley runs an efficient business, as we all believe he does, there has to be a contingency
fund/allowance for this kind of situation and he's such a wily old fox I wouldn't be surprised
if there's not some kind of insurance cover to trigger some funds.

In the end it doesn't matter what Pardew wants or says to MA etc, if a player has had their
head turned and wants to leave, nothing will stop them as we saw with Enrique.

In fact, looking at the players there are concerns hanging over, Tiote and Krul have regularly
been quoted as saying they love the toon with Krul recommending to his fellow international
players to play for us as per HBA with his compatriots - I really can't see him leaving.

The player I would have concerns about is Collo - he seems very Enrique'esque quiet...

(wow - x3 'Q's in 2 words!!)

 

Cabaye for Captain!

 

It was actually heartening to hear Pardew say MA is really loving the football and the fact
the toon is at the successful end of the table along with the apparently veiled warning not
to screw about with the current squad - we know MA can do foolish things but is he that
much of a fool to jeopardize the potential that the team is currently demonstrating if it
fits with his business model to generate more funds to become even more self sufficient.

Smith isn't good enough to be left alone to wash the team bus...

 

not a bad job for 80k a week agree though even if we have a massive injury crisis i wouldn't pick him

 

.

 

i disagree

 

Simpson Perch Santon Raylor

Colo and Willo stepping in when they return.

I know Santon isn't a natural CB but he's got a good build, though I'd be worry it'd be a big ask for a newbie.


Tiote at CB anyone? We're pretty okay for CMs...

 

Don't think Smith is atrocious, more Championship standard.

But I agree that we'd concede about 10 penalties v Norwich with him at CB. We seem to like conceding penalties with good defenders in the side, so God only knows how many we'll go and concede now!