Pardew Staying?

[Warmir Pouchov]

I'm not sure that what Pardew says can be used as an accurate barometer of what he is really thinking. Hopefully he doesn't believe what he is saying regarding Ameobi and is rather maintaining a public show of support for all our players.

I'd really hope that if Pardew does stay he strengthens the areas we need - striker x2, winger, cm, cd... Then hopefully he will no longer rely on Ameobi or Jonas to the same extent.

If he does stay, I'll give him my support in the hope that he can ditch the overly defensive shambles of tactics and get us playing attractive attacking football like we did at our best last season.

Have to be honest and say I'm fed up of people saying Pardew didn't mean this or that when what he's said is plain for all to see. If he doesn't mean it then he shouldn't say it, simple. Also in this case I'm almost certain he means it, if he doesn't then why does Ameobi come on every game regardless of the score and the pattern of the game?

I think it's because there's often no pattern to the game. Pardew has it scribbled on a post it somewhere "Score 3 goals without reply in the first phase. Bring on Shola after 60 minutes (second phase). Win game. If phase one hasn't happened, go to second phase anyway. Win game."

People read way too much into what's said in the press. If there was one thing I'd wish our fans would wise up about, its the press and what's said in it. All managers make throw away comments and contradict themself. They use the press as they see fit and don't really care if they do contradict themself. They probably expect a bit of common sense from fans in what they read into it or have more important things to think about. Pardew will know Shola is getting pelters again, but he'll also know Mike may not back him in the summer again and he may be left with Shola as his 2nd choice striker. He isn't going to hang the lad out to dry.

Don't get me wrong if he continues to have Ameobi as his back up striker when we have other options then we have a major problem. Its a case of picking and choosing comments though. Pardew also said the other day we need 2 strikers in the summer. So that's two new strikers, plus Cisse, he likes Campbell. Shola errr...............So what he actually wants and what he will say pubically about his players are two very different things.

SAF said recently that Rooney was happy at the club and was going no where. A few weeks later he admits he's been to see him on a few occasions, he isn't happy about being subbed, a top form Rooney wouldn't get subbed and he wants to leave. They do as they please, its nothing to get excited about!

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Forget what he said, his actions alone show he rates Shola. Yes Campbell is young and raw, but surely just every now and then a game calls for his pace rather than Shola and his ambling, clumsy legs???

No matter what the score, no matter if we're on top trying to hang on or looking to get back in the game and grab a goal it's Shola every time, it's inexcusable! Why even have Campbell on the bench if you're never going to give him a chance??? It's like when Sven took Walcott to the world cup...don't include a player in your squad just for the "experience" because that's actually weakening your hand when it comes to altering the game. Not that Pardew could ever dream of altering a game, well at least not in a positive manner.

If you need a goal you don't even always need to bring on a striker, in the champions league final Liverpool were 3-0 down and had Cisse on the bench, Benitez brought on Didi Hammann and they scored 3 goals!!! It's his failure not to try ANYTHING new or different that is pathetic, quite frankly he should be embarrassed at his substitutions this season.

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

I'd use Campbell more but the kid is incredibly raw. Exposing him to the rigours of the PL dogfight and a demanding public is not risk free. I think the time to judge substitutions etc is when he has some proper options. The only thing I would say is the Anita situation and his lacks of starts and subs appearances were a mistake. His actions do not show he rates Shola at all, it shows he has two senior strikers he feels he can call upon, nothing more. If he rates him so highly why does he want to sign 2 strikers? It doesn't add up.

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

I'd use Campbell more but the kid is incredibly raw. Exposing him to the rigours of the PL dogfight and a demanding public is not risk free. I think the time to judge substitutions etc is when he has some proper options. The only thing I would say is the Anita situation and his lacks of starts and subs appearances were a mistake. His actions do not show he rates Shola at all, it shows he has two senior strikers he feels he can call upon, nothing more. If he rates him so highly why does he want to sign 2 strikers? It doesn't add up.

Since you're fond of comparisons how about Ferguson bringing on Macheda to get an assist and then go on to score the goal that basically won them the league against Villa when they were trailing 2-0 with 20 minutes to go??? I'd say that's about the same pressure, probably even greater pressure to be fair. Or Rooney when Everton finished 17th? Moyes blooded him that season.

Come on mate you can't excuse the under use of Campbell when Shola is the alternative. I'm not saying Campbell would have definitely been the answer, but to practically never use him and bring on Shola every game regardless of the score or game scenario is appalling.

 

[Agent Bruce]

Every time I've seen Campbell play, from his first outing at Chelsea I've been impressed with him.

 

[Busy Being Headhunted]

I would expect him to stay because of the stupid contract he was given .

I dont think you will but a good question for you all.

If you was to get relegated next season then who would you blame the most "the manager or the chairman" ?

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Every time I've seen Campbell play, from his first outing at Chelsea I've been impressed with him.

Me too, looks a real live wire, always wants the ball and scores goals for fun at youth level so must be a fairly natural finisher. He really does look like a young Michael Owen in my opinion.

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

Since you're fond of Comparisons how about Ferguson bringing on Macheda to get an assist and then go on to score the goal that basically won them the league against Villa when they were trailing 2-0 with 20 minutes to go??? I'd say that's about the same pressure, probably even greater pressure to be fair. Or Rooney when Everton finished 17th? Moyes blooded him that season.

Come on mate you can't excuse the under use of Campbell when Shola is the alternative. I'm not saying Campbell would have definitely been the answer, but to practically never use him and bring on Shola every game regardless of the score or game scenario is appalling.

You do realise Campbell was injured for 2 months of the season don't you? Rightly started off in the reserves but got a knee injury in November time and was out until January. I think he made a couple of efforts to come back but had set backs. Made one squad in the new year and then played a couple of reserve games and was again promoted once fit (start of March). Made 3 or 4 sub appearances but had problems along the way. He did get off the bench ahead of Shola too, and Pardew did change the game by doing so against Anji and Stoke. As I say could have used him slightly more but he hasn't always been available either.

 

[Agent Bruce]

Me too, looks a real live wire, always wants the ball and scores goals for fun at youth level so must be a fairly natural finisher. He really does look like a young Michael Owen in my opinion.

Scored a cracker from an almost impossible angle against Man Utd up here too.

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Campbell's been on the bench for about 8-10 games on the bounce towards the back end of the season (if my memory serves me correct, haven't looked that up) and has been used once in the league from what I can remember and that was Stoke (as you've already stated).

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

Campbell's been on the bench for about 8-10 games on the bounce towards the back end of the season (if my memory serves me correct, haven't looked that up) and has been used once in the league from what I can remember and that was Stoke (as you've already stated).

9 games including European fixtures. Featured twice. As I stated, not always available because of niggling injuries. Could have played a couple more times, not really a big deal to go overboard about. The knee problem was fairly serious, ligament I think.

Edit 3 times. Fulham too, another where Pards changed the game in our favour. Missed game with Liverpool and Wigan with problems.

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

All long balls from Wigan so far...............can't find a pass................. Just giving them the ball back for fun.

Woeful defending for the first goal. I've bet 6-1 to Arsenal.

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

All long balls from Wigan so far...............can't find a pass................. Just giving them the ball back for fun.

Woeful defending for the first goal. I've bet 6-1 to Arsenal.

Having played Saturday (in a cup final against the second best team in the country) I'd say that tiredness is a legitimate reason, especially as the first 11 is exactly the same

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

Having played Saturday (in a cup final against the second best team in the country) I'd say that tiredness is a legitimate reason, especially as the first 11 is exactly the same

Nah we (and Pards in particular) got slaughtered for using that excuse in our murderous run at Xmas. Were they our 6th game that month?

Lets hope they can find their game and make the mackems suffer

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

I'd say the only game for us that tiredness was an acceptable excuse/reason was the derby game at home...

Anyway I need Maloney to score at anytime to win me £25 so here's to hoping. Obviously the fact they can drop the mackems in the **** is just an added bonus

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Last 10 mins Wigan have had 61% possession

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

I'd say the only game for us that tiredness was an acceptable excuse/reason was the derby game at home...

Anyway I need Maloney to score at anytime to win me £25 so here's to hoping. Obviously the fact they can drop the mackems in the **** is just an added bonus

Couldn't agree with that. By the time we played Arsenal I'm sure I read they were our 29th game. That's 3/4 of a full PL season squeezed into half a season. By the time we've finished I'm sure its something like 55 games. That takes its toll at various stages on a squad like ours. The injuries are not a coincidence.

Maloney looks the one who is likely

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

Last 10 mins Wigan have had 61% possession

Had a little spell, plenty of misplaced passes though. Still punting long crosses and lack quality on the final ball.

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Couldn't agree with that. By the time we played Arsenal I'm sure I read they were our 29th game. That's 3/4 of a full PL season squeezed into half a season. By the time we've finished I'm sure its something like 55 games. That takes its toll at various stages on a squad like ours. The injuries are not a coincidence.

Maloney looks the one who is likely

I could argue why didn't Spurs tire??? And you'd probably reply that they've got a better squad than us with more depth (which I'd agree with) and then the same could/should be said of us and Wigan. We clearly have a stronger squad than them.

Anyhow they're growing in to this game a bit now and playing some half decent stuff in spells.

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Yes Maloney!!