Where do we go from here?

After what I thought was a really sensational display from the lads yesterday at Villa, we move onto Forest, and more importantly, a massive game against Blackburn on Saturday.

We really played well yesterday. Started rough, a few individual mistakes that almost cost us but overall I was delighted. I remember thinking at one point, we were passing the ball around with pace, sharpness and accuracy, I thought I was watching the old Newcastle. We dominated, don't care what the reports say, I was there to see it with my own eyes. 13 attempts on target(still makes me angry that we didn't sign a striker) but Best popped up with another goal. Demba Ba played his part really well, Tiote was dodgy quite a few times, giving the ball away in silly areas, it seems he has been found out but I am confident we find another way to dominate the world again, but Cabaye, what a ****ing bargain! He is brilliant, the video of his best bits just prove that. Such a technically gifted player.

On we go to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. I would play a strong team, just a couple of changes. The keeper and full backs should stay the same, we may see a change in centre of defence but its not likely. I do think Cabaye will play. Marveaux will come in, as will Gosling, and I reckon Demba Ba and Lovenkrands(I wouldn't) upfront.

It will be a tough game, they will be well up for it and will have a point to prove after losing against rivals Derby. I can see another extra time win here.

As for Blackburn, huge game. I would say to play it again lads but I would drop Obertan. I just don't rate him, taking Gutierrez off instead of him yesterday was a joke. Marveaux has to play, clearly a better player.

Blackburn have won the last 5 up here, terrible record, they got their first win against Arsenal(some good fortune) and they played some good stuff. My head and heart are saying home win all the way but I will probably get less confident as the week goes on, and we will see how we do on Tuesday.

5 games in, unbeaten, never thought I'd be saying that at the start but I will take it.

Still not convinced that we will get anywhere near the top 10, but I love it when they prove me and other critics wrong.

Howay the Lads!

 

Agree with a lot of what you say. 2nd half display yesterday was very impressive.

I wouldn't leave Best out v Forest, we're not in a position to be able to leave our best striker out.

Top-10 is a realistic target. Look at the competition. Everton, Fulham and Stoke are the main ones, but even if we finish behind those three then we'd be 10th.

 

I would personally play Best, as this is his kind of opposition but I reckon he will want to try something out. I do expect him to come on though with HBA.

 

Best grows with confidence the more he plays, you can visibly see that in his performances. Whilst he's on it I say keep going with him. Fancy Ba to break his duck if he starts on Tuesday.

 

I would drop him on tues as the premiership is our key focus, we can't afford for him to get another injury as we would be screwed,
cayabe is looking like a star however obertan I don't get

 

This is very true, I've always backed Best for his effort but as time passes I'm becoming quite a fan of his, his confidence is letting him show of an ability I dont think any of us would have thought he had. Would any of us have thought this time last year that we'd eventually be sat here without Nolan, Barton, Carrol and Enrique but 4th in the league and with Leon Best as our top striker? Insane and exciting things are happening.

 

yh blackburn are abit of a stumbling block for us just like last season after coming off a 3 game winning streak we bottled it against them hopefully benny is fine to start but thats probably to optomistic
as for obertan i think he's been good just lacks a tiny bit of match sharpness at present and without sounding like dennis wise if you watch some of the stuff on youtube you can see the guy has some incredible skill

 

Agreed on Obertan, the guy did well to get the better of several Villa players on many occassions yesterday but he just hasn't got a clue what to do with it afterwards. I don't think its so much a case of no end product as it is more of a case of no end confidence. I think Pardew is sticking with him to boost his confidence and show him that he has faith in him, hoping that it will get the best out of the lad.

 

definatly he does seem like a confidence player who needs game time and thats probaly why he left man u

 

I expect us to attack Blackburn, play a 4-4-2 and carry on from our good performance vs Villa.

 

If we manage to keep the core of our team fit, and manage to play like we did consistently. Then we're in for one hell of a season.

Bring on Blackburn!

Predicting a 2-0 win. Hopefully Cabaye might score and take off his shirt

Would be worth the Yellow card.

 

Agree on most things Leazes, although I don't agree on playing Best on Tuesday because if he does get a injury then we all know Pardew will partner Shola with Demba on Saturday!

My personal team for Tuesday :

Eiliot
Simpson Perch Kadar Ferguson
Gosling Guthrie Abeid Marvo
Sammy Lovenkrands/Shola

 

This, except no Shola.

 

I think we would lose with that side to be honest, however I agree we need to give a few of our best a break.

 

top 5/6

 

We would get shat on with that team mate.

 

Krul

Simpson, Taylor, Colo, Kadar

Jonas, Raylor, Gosling, Ferguson
............Marv
............Sammy

 

This but I'd play Gutherie

 

...................Krul
Simpson Taylor Coloccini Taylor
Gosling Abeid Guthrie Ferguson
............Marveaux/HBA
.................Sammy