Legod Third Coming

Wotton was again in a WINNING team, sigh. Our home form over the past five games is this: 4 wins, 1 draw. Scoring 11 goals, conceding 3 sounds horribly negative to me that. over 2 goals per game scored... Just because the manager doesn't play your favourite players does not make him wrong does it? What damage is Wotton doing to you or the team? Did he play in our win over a Championship side? Did we concede after he went off? Despite what you say the form of our last 25 games is outstanding. The last five away games have not been great. But is that team selection or the failure of those selected to do their job? Was it a mistake to pick Barnard and watch him miss a sitter? Or shouldn't the manager make him feel welcome and build his confidence to do what's required for the remainder of the season? What was wrong with a team selection that won 2-0?? What if Waigo has started and we'd been beaten? I am all for questioning managers always. It's just a bit daft to question one whose record is better than any other in recent memory... I'm sure Arsenal fans would rather have beaten Manchester United 1-0 with a long punt to Arshavin today.

You would prefer player-scrabble Burley with his 41% win ratio over two years to a man who already has a 48% win ratio and has managed the team for just a little under 6 months? Blimey, pinch me... Despite your attitude towards Pardew, we are in in with a great chance of going to Wembley, at least once, remain in the FA Cup and could easily reach the play-offs. Were it not for the minus 10 we would probably be in the play-offs. (We are three points off them with a game in hand and better goal difference). And yet he's failing in your view? I think you have simply taken against him and his tactics and I have no idea why?

I agree!!!! However, there are forces at work who consider this negative... But have no fear, we will win our remaining games and make the play-offs. Our best players are now returning from injury/rested.

Oh, now another thing to slate the manager with... we haven't beaten the top ten... Shall we play them all home and away before we make an assessment?? How have MK Dons done against us? When did Charlton beat us? Or Norwich? I think you need to find a team to support who can live up to your ludicrous expectations. We're in League One, with League One players (even if they are some of the best League One players) some of whom have been with the club for three weeks. For the record Pardew is the most successful manager we have had in five years. By the end of the season he might be the most successful we've had since Lawrie McMenemy. Can you not cope with that?

If our new defenders had done their job at Millwall and Barnard could finish a ham sandwich we would have nine points from our last three games. So I can't blame Pardew for that. I agree with you that I feel if we continued to play with 5 in midfield, which is not remotely negative in my view, it plays to our strengths. I haven't seen a negative game though. I can't believe anyone felt MK Dons away was negative? And Brentford we should have been 3-0 by halftime (see above). I didn't think Saturday was negative either, just that we (and I include the fans) came out with some arrogant air of 'it's only Stockport' rather than coming out like Roger Federer and simply crushing them. Not only that, but where is the credit for a manager making one change which led to two goals within ten minutes of his change????? When we were winning 3-1 and 3-2, people whinged like buggery we couldn't keep a clean sheet. Now we keep it tight and people complain we're negative. What should the manager do??

We played rubbish in the first half on Saturday and in the second after Waigo came on we played fine. Some long and some good. All last season we played with it in midfield and look what fecking happened. All we need to do is win. How is totally immaterial. Manager gets slated for winning the wrong way. Feck me, when did we start playing at the Emirates??

Er, he's played 4-5-1 and been slated by people like you who now want him to play... wait for it... 4-5-1... And Mr Negative is still the manager of the 5th top scorers in the league. Just like he was last time I pointed this out and you ignored it.

Plastic.

I think what's more impressive is Leeds who started on minus 15. Look at them now? Why don't you aim to be them???

Play Papa up front. He has pace to burn, he twists and turns like a Labour spin doctor and his control is more than good enough to trouble the defences in this league. I would play Lambert off Papa.

I thought they both played well. Antonio was a real threat second half - less said about the first the better! Teams do not like pacy players with the ball at their feet running at them and but for some sloppy final balls and finishing, that game should have been 4-0.

I think it's important to understand that we are a work in progress on a five year plan. Undoubtedly Pardew has made some mistakes and some players have taken time to settle, etc. And in truth, the number of games is probably also hurting us - but I don't mind as long as we keep building and winning. Some people need to remember where we were and where we are. It's not accepting mediocrity to be happy that we exist and are winning. We came within minutes of oblivion. Now we're looking upwards. I expect us to reach the play-offs. But if we don't, I won't cry and wail like a baby like some. Because I am thankful to have a decent young team to support.

Norwich did not start on minus 8. What is wrong with you? If we had our minus ten back we would be 3 points off the play-offs with a game in hand. If we don't make the play-offs (but we will) we will win the league in a canter next season. Mate, just relax or get out more or something. Or failing that try Diazepam.

But they didn't have a minus 8 handicap did they? Very easy to say isn't it. There is no doubt Lambert is doing a great job. There is no evidence he would have done any better than Pardew here is there? You have no idea what scouting network, training set-up, coaches, fitness levels or whatever were available at Norwich or at Saints. We might have appointed Billy Davies, and after eight months at Forest he had achieved feck all. Now look at them. You would have had him gone after two months. We won today. We're doing ok. We'll end up in the playoffs. Can't see what your problem is.

Both are playing with the same squads but yes they're doing well. So what? We're three points off the play-offs without the -10 and which of Colchester and Norwich are still in the FA Cup and JPT? Oh, neither.

With the wrong players and a manager who couldn't train runner ferking beans! Hardly the same is it.

Discount the minus ten and with no preseason at all we are 3 points off the play-offs. If we make them (and I think we will) it is really a hell of an achievement.

Just as long as someone buys him some studs, maybe. And on that note, let's dispense with the red, yellow and white boots until we are playing Real Madrid, or like them. Right now, anyone not wearing black boots in this league just looks a total tool.

Spent most of the game on his arse... Will give him the benefit until he finds his feet but that was not a great performance. Two clear headers straight at the keeper and no link up play with lambo. Mind you they were all crap first 60 minutes.

I can't see a Chairman putting up with too many wins.

It is alleged they have now been issued with a second winding up order from Gaydarman. We will have a bye into the 6th round yet.

Stop complaining, that's what you pay for refreshing the parts other beers cannot reach...

I know, Petersfield is a lovely town, apart from all the skates!!!! I was working on this selective gas until the CTC got hold of me...

Do you live in Petersfield then John? I grew up there, 19 years man and boy.

I would counter that by saying that Lallana was playing much better in a different formation/role and Lambert simply isn't getting the ball. On Saturday all our goal-scoring chances came when we switched to 4-5-1 (apart from the Thomas Thunderbolt which could have come in any formation). I liked how we started 4-5-1, dominated the game, battered our opposition and then switched to 4-4-2 late on to grab additional goals!! And I am a firm believer that WE SHOULD PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS not pander our formation to the opposition!!! (But as I said above, I still have 100% faith in AP, but I just want to understand what he is seeing that I am not).