NUFC in talks to sign Filip Djuricic

Oba Martins' older/younger cousin/uncle/nephew? <delete as appropriate>

 

Something on those lines Obi.

I think you and me are the only two genuine 23 year olds on here.

 

I think there's the superstar level (Messi, Bale, CRonaldo) then there's a vast majority of players who play in the 'good footballer' space. It's then the manager that makes them better. Aaron Ramsey types. That for me is the most condemning fact of Pards, if I owned the club - why are so many of my footballers' decreasing in value.

 

Because Pards is killing their natural flair, skills and ability.

 

Are they though? Cisse - yes he would be an example but strikers values will fluctuate massively depending on their goalscoring form. I couldn't really blame Pards for Cisse missing copious amounts of chances over the last 2 years.

Sissoko - Probably worth more than the 2m we paid for him
Goufran - Probably worth more than the 500k we paid for him
Willo - Probably worth more than the fee paid for him
Cabaye - Went for more than we paid for him
Santon - You'd still get your 5m back
Debuchy - Worth more than we paid for him
Remy - Worth more now than he was
Anita - Pretty sure you'd get your money back
Tiote - Worth more than we paid for him

Its only really HBA and Mbiwa who would have plummteted in value. Even then you might get somewhere near your money back on HBA. Mbiwa would be problematic but I think we overpaid by the looks of it to be honest.

Ok some of the players have maybe have higher price tags at various times (Tiote) but that is just normal in football. Not all players just continually improve regardless of manager. Pards has improved quite a few of the players. Debuchy and Cabaye are much better players for their spell at Newcastle. Williamson is a far better centre back now. Fair enough players like Santon have remained the same, Krul has not improved.

The most damning thing of Pards reign is his inability to turn round slumps in form and cope with pressure. The lack of a plan B and his scattered brain when under the pump are the traits I feel are most worrying.

 

I think Newcastle need feet more than faces

 

This!

The only bit I don't agree with is Pardew's 'lack of a plan B'. This is often said, yet I think he has an amazing ability that goes unnoticed. He always has a plan B. Whenever things go wrong, he always finds something new to blame it on. He's not a 'one blame pony', Sometimes he blames it on more than one thing at a time. Now that is clever and a great sign of adaptability and creativity. He not only has a plan B but also a plan C, D, E, F... so you have to at least admire those skills.