Pardew: '' We were actually carrying Shola for the rest of the game.''

More bollocks from the Pards

"Shola unfortunately hurt his knee almost the first shot he had," Pardew said. "So we were actually carrying Shola for the rest of the game.

"It was unfortunate we couldn't push for the goal. We knew the Wigan score so we were pushing where we could. I think for Hatem another week's work will get him closer. Hopefully Shola is okay.

"We wanted to show we are together. We have stayed focused on being safe and playing in the Premier League next season. That is the most important thing. We know we are going to play well if we are focused together and stay together."

We've been carrying that wretched bastard Shola for nearly 13 years.

He also commented on Ben Arfa's fitness:

"Goal scoring is what wins games," Pardew told the Journal. "We've got to improve that area for next week. Ben Arfa has been struggling. This hamstring, he has a slight weakness in there, and it won't even be strong I don't think for six, seven weeks. He was terrific on Saturday and he's a match-winner. We've been bringing him on in the second half but we missed him when we took him off. He gives us that little thrust."

I can't see Ben Arfa starting on this weekend, he will probably bring him on around the 50-60min mark. I don't know what the **** that means. Probably will mean Shola will make the dramatic recovery NO ONE wants for Sunday

 

That's Alan Pardew. If speeches aren't slightly patronizing they're flat out ridiculous.

 

I'm struggling to see anything wrong with what he says to be honest.

Yes we have been carrying Shola for 10 years, but at present in terms of strikers we have him and Campbell. He did injure himself when he came on so yes we were carrying him in that particular game. Nothing revolutionary or inflammatory there. Ameobi for all he is turd is all we have in terms of striking options. Goufran is a winger and a very unfit one. He dies a death every game. Granted Campbell should maybe be used a little more but I wouldn't go overboard just yet.

With HBA, I'm not sure what people want Pardew to say. Am I missing something as HBA is clearly unfit? He has 45mins in him. He was excellent for 45mins last Saturday and then anonymous before his departure. He was flagging at the end of the first half! His conditioning is poor. I do think the club should have worked him harder but then they are trying to manage this problem. I expect HBA will start again and they'll hope he can last a little longer. But 90mins? Never in a month of Sundays will thta lad manage that in that condition unless he goes half cocked for 90mins. I'd rather have 60 explosive minutes to be honest.

 

If that was the case, why didn't he take him off.

 

Exactly what I was going to say, he only made 2 substitutions at that point.

From this, anybody with an ounce of sense knows that Shola now has to have surgery again and that Alan Pardew is actually a hazard when in charge of a football team.

 

Yeah I can understand the reasoning in saying "take him off" but from a managers point of view, I can also see the value of asking someone to play through a knock. Lets not pretend Pardew is alone here, every manager does this. That is just football. It was unfortunate that he picked up the knock (I assume no one is disputing he did pick up a knock unless they didn't watch the game?).

He could possibly have replaced him with young Campbell but lets be honest he was ill suited to the physical and aerial approach that West Ham were engaging at that stage. Shola actually did ok on Saturday for all I dread seeing him in a black and white shirt. I think people are just over analysing everything because we're struggling. There is nothing wrong with what Pardew says, he has just been factual.

 

Would rather have Campbell on anyway, he's looked tidy on the ball, always wants it, always looking to find space and keeps play moving, shola does none of this

 

I'm with Pouchy, Pards has said nothing worth slagging off there. People are nit picking.

We get it, you don't like Pardew. Now support the team until the end of the season and then worry about the manager.

 

I think that's a bit harsh on Goofy. He runs his socks off, more than any other player, for 65 minutes. He might be as fit as anyone else, but I'd be willing to wager he comes off early because he gets through his workload too quick and knackers himself.

 

Probably is bit harsh as he does get through a lot of running and is still adjusting to our game. I just wish we had him for longer in games because he does stretch sides and get us on the front foot. Same with HBA.

 

I think Pards is a bit of a pussy when it comes to who he takes off. Too scared to upset the key players.
Can't manage their disappointment into making them play better next time, so players like Gouf, Anita and Ober are hooked time and again because they're not star players.
Then they think, whats the point in trying harder?

 

Gouf has to be hooked, he runs out of gas every game on 60min. Just disappears.

 

If we weren't so negative, he could probably be used less defensively and I think he could last a full-game. At the moment, he's back and forth like a demented badger while the rest of the team watch and sit back . Last game he burst back to help the full-back, then charged away with the ball after a clearance, nobody helped, yet he won a free-kick after a 30/40 yard run.

As far as I know, he was more of a striker at Bordeaux, not a bloody athletic wing-back. But seeing where we are with our defence, I'm not too pissed with Pardew on this. It means we bring on fresh legs at an important moment. Shame those fresh legs are usually controlled by a moron or someone completely inexperienced.

 

We can't find that natural balance between attack and defence. It does stretch players. I watched him a bit at Bordeaux and was more of winger. But then their football is a very different pace and a lot less taxing for wide players and attacking midfielders. They don't track back much and because it is very lethargic at times (very is an understatement), it is easy to just drift back into position when they really have too. Most operate 433 with two holding midfielders who will just pick up the slack.

 

so is that due to lack of support? other players see him as the only creative outlet so he gets the ball more, or is it purely lack of fitness?
Either way it should be rectified.
I see it with Ben Arfa. he's one of the few if not only player we have who can get away from a crowd, but most of our game play has been short passing with no movement off the ball.
No wonder he's ****ed so quick. Plays drowned out, get it to Ben Arfa or Gouffran.

 

Loads of issues. I think Cisse is decent but doesn't convince as a leader of the line. Ball doesn't stick long enough to move up as a team. We've been so disjointed and constantly swapping defenders, we now sit on the edge of our box creating huge chasms. Part of this currently is tactical as Gandalf says, the rest of the time its down to not knowing each others game well enough. Whether that is because of swapping players or reduced prep time it matters not.

You then have our lack of proper ball playing defenders at times. A lack of confidence meaning players ship it rather than play. A manager cracking and this transmitting to the players. Tiote and Cabaye, natural collectors of the ball in midfielder constantly missing games. Its been a multitude of things to be honest.

HBA I kind of understand I suppose. He is in pretty poor shape. I suppose they just want him on the field but its obvious they can't work him hard to get him sharp as his conditioning is terrible.