We started last night with McArthur on the right wing and Zaha up top , gamble nr 1 ... backfired as we never saw the ball..Man U had all the possession. Thought after half time, going back to normal system was far better and we had more of the ball..
5 mins to go 1-1 ...gamble no 2 .. take JM off and go 4 4 2..I don't think Pardew thinks tactically..he just fancies a dangerous and bold gamble..which come off every 10 games. Premier league football is too clever and tactical to have a gambling coach at the helm.

The game plan was clearly to allow Manure to have the ball, just as a TP team would. Not a gamble but alien to AP. The Ashley bulls*** has been around for years and as far as I know it's not true.
Not sure AP gambles, he just has a strong belief in how he plays the game. Being stubborn is a strength as a manager, but a little flexibility is also an advantage. Last nights set up and gameplan were a good sign of him being pragmatic to get a result, but he blew it at the end if the substitution did have any affect on the outcome?

That's Life
And as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks stompin' on a Dream.
KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!

I'm a firm believer of playing your best players in there best positions. Zaha upfront in a two in just crazy after he has been playing so well in recent weeks. Not only did this limit zaha'a effect on the game it also limited Benteke who we all know needs service from the wide areas.

I also don't think flamini's performance was anything to get excited about, he was ok and thought ledley looked alright when he came on.

Mcarthur being subbed who without doubt was our best player yesterday (even playing out wide) was shocking, Campbell coming on looking for a goal when we are drawing with a team of stars is just nonsense, we should be protecting the back four and limiting the space and as a result paid the price.

At this level of football the margin for error is so small and I am not surprised we are in a relegation battle when the game management from Alan Pardew is shambolic.

And he was suspended because of a t*** ref.

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The Ferret
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I think you're dead right with this post, and something I've been thinking recently. AP obviously knows football and can set up a team well, but gambling is his Achilles heel. Last night he was probably expecting Fraizer to get a goal and nick it like he did v Hull, but the conditions were different. We needed a draw and a packed midfield and McArthur got subbed with fairly predictable reuslt.