mcbendy

Doomed. Doomed I tell you! The end of the world is nigh!

Yes please.

An interesting stat here: We won 33 percent and lost 21 percent of the games in which Shaw started. When he wasn't in the starting XI we won just 17 percent and lost a whopping 67 percent of our games. Please vote for one of the following options (or rank them in order): A. Keep Fox on the bench in case of injury to Shaw and/or play him in some games to rest Shaw B. Put Chambo on the bench, then bring him on and switch Clyne to LB if Shaw is injured C. Sign another decent LB (or a utility defender) D. Promote Targett to the first team If someone can make it a poll even better...

Puncheon, who did not feature in the 18-strong squad for Southampton's opener at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, said he was thrilled at the chance to return to Palace where he had played as a boy. "I think it's a great move for myself to come and play games," the 27-year-old said. "Obviously Crystal Palace are my hometown club and more importantly (manager) Ian Holloway is here as well. "I actually played for Crystal Palace as a kid when I was eight. I left and there were a few times in my career that I was due to come back but didn't. Now I'm here that's the main thing. "I've always as a young kid dreamed of playing at Selhurst Park, so it's a young boy's dream coming true."

I made it four. That's pretty reasonable. I think it was Jack Cork that managed 47 "Yeah definitely"s in a 3 minute interview - a new world record. Definitely.

Starts at 33:50 Count the "yeah definitely"s

And unlike the Sky broadcast he isn't cut off.... http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/podcasts/episode-2-1314/

BS - have you come onto this thread to read my original post and to contribute, or just to be antagonistic? If the latter, can I politely request that you **** off. Thanks. My point is not that we will or could break into the top four. I'm asking about potential. Just suspend disbelief for a second and answer my question: "Which of our current squad have the ability/potential to remain in the team at this level?" "...crystal-ball-gaze at who (hypothetically) would still be in our squad in a few years if we were in the top 4 or pushing hard to try and get there." I am interested, for example, to hear thoughts on the potential of players such as JWP (the new Paul Scholes?), Shaw, J Rod and so on. This interests me greatly. Thanks.

Including possible development. i.e. you may consider that Shaw for example has the potential to develop into a 'top 4 club' player but Guly does not. Just interested to crystal-ball-gaze at who (hypothetically) would still be in our squad in a few years if we were in the top 4 or pushing hard to try and get there.

Let's make the assumption for a second that NC and MP continue driving/pushing/investing us into the top four. Which of our current squad have the ability/potential to remain in the team at this level?

Just goes to show how misleading stats can be: 100% of tackles (one tackle) clearances (three clearances) and take ons (one take on). He also completed 80% of passes (33 of 41 attempts) and won two thirds of his headed duels (two of three attempts) You see, if he had failed to make that one tackle, they could legitimately say that he had failed to make a single tackle, failed in 100% of his tackling attempts etc etc.

are rubbish. That is all.

For me: ---------Gazzaniga----------- --Chambo--Maya--Jos--Shaw ------Cork---Davis------ Punch----JWP---Omar Rowe ----------Mayuka------------ Bench: KD, Osvaldo, Lambert, Lallana, Turnbull, Clyne, Guly

Ooops.

I can't see beyond: ---------------Boruc----------------- ---Clyne---Fonte---Lovren---Shaw--- --------Spider----Wanyama-------- -----J Rod---Lambert---Lallana---- -------------Osvaldo-------------- Gaston to come on after ~70 minutes, replacing Lambert. JWP poss on for J Rod and/or Davis on for Lallana if we need to protect the lead. I suspect that the front four formation will be very fluid - Lambert and Osvaldo will probably interchange, but always with one deeper one more advanced. Those people putting Gaston in the formation playing wide... a question for you - have you seen the system we play and/or Gaston play? Putting him in a wider position would expose the full back and make poor use of his strengths. He's a number 10 and currently unfit. An interesting question - if I'm right that JWP will be dropped, who will take our set pieces? Lallana's delivery is often poor. Gaston seems hit and miss, plus I doubt he'll start. Is it out of the q'n that Lallana might be dropped to keep JWP in the team for his set piece delivery?

"All it would take to make it better would be for Cortese to request Arsenal loan him back and then (due to the fine print) tell them that Arsenal also have to pay Saints £10,000 if he plays more than 20 minutes for us too." Genuinely, LOL!

Or maybe this should be the "who is the next to step up from the U21's" thread... Having watched a few of the U21's/dev squad games for me the stand-out player is Rowe. He seems to have pace, touch and a clinical finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some 1st team minutes this season, perhaps in the Capital 1 Cup v Barnsley? If not him as 'the next Chambo' then who?

If Cabaye goes I think Pardew will walk

Suspect Rickie has been given compassionate leave/paternity leave to spend a bit of time in Liverpool with his new baby

Based on that showing I could easily see Newcastle in the bottom 5 this season.

No doubt Pardew will blame the sending off, but they were **** poor from the first minute.

Very few of the Newcastle players - esp midfield - seem remotely interested... Worrying signs if you are a Newcastle fan. They're just not up for it.

Off topic, but Navas v Shaw is going to be an interesting match-up... Hope that Shaw isn't injured and we're reliant on Fox....................

Granted City are good, but Newcastle are giving them so much time and space. There seem to be no pressing whatsoever. City (with their amazing players) are just being allowed to trot around with the ball and pick their passes!

Look like a total shambles. No unity. Midfield very weak. V poor discipline. I would be v surprised if Pardew was still there at Xmas... When do we play them? I hope it's soon!