Of Beasts, Big Mamas and Lurking Russkies

As Pardew prepares the team to face Stoke this evening, there's more news about the financial action behind the scenes. After Tuesdays reports of the hiring of Seymour Pierce Limited, reports of a £20m loss this year in the Telegraph and then Reuters stating that we are Up For Sale on Thursday, an article today in the independent names no names but reports a figure behind the Sale Board - £50M.

And just as Pards attempts to get a couple of players vying for each position on the field so it appears that Richard Murray has lined up two foreign groups comprised of Africans and Russians to discuss details. Whether or not the article has any substance, and perhaps we should note that it was the same reporter that said on July 20th that Robben had been sold to Real Madrid, we'll no doubt find out in due course.

Meanwhile Pards, an intregal part of the Palarse barn-storming team of the eighties, faces a uphill task at Stoke.

Since the return of no-nonsense Welshman Tony Pulis in June 2006 only three northern teams came away from the Britannia with the three points during season 2006/07; Barnsley, Sheff. Wed and Burnley.

On his return Pulis, who had been sacked as Manager just 12 months before, said he will not sacrifice his team tactics for all-out attack after his return as Stoke boss was met with a mixed response from fans.
"We need to get more goals, but there is no way I will ever move away from having my teams organised, well set and committed," said the 48-year-old. "A balance has to be struck. If we can get wide players and forwards who can score, that's what I hope to achieve." Sounds a bit like the Curbishley we used to know, although he never resorted to the tactic of having forwards such as 'The Beast' Jon Parkin or 'Big Mama' Mamady Sidibe.

Pards may wish he had a few more months to prepare and get Dean Sinclair, Therry Racon or even Matt Holland ready for the tough battle ahead instead of hoping that Semedo, Ambrose and Reid with their superior technique will overcome.

He may boast about our style but in keeping with his own workaholic midfield playing style - he scored 27 times in his 116 starts for the Addicks - Pards likes his midfielders to be athletics. He's said recently of Sinclair, "Dean technically needs to improve but the legs are an absolute definite - he's as good an athlete as I've seen and that's very, very important in this division. And he'll get better because he's only young."

And of Racon he had this to say "He is a central midfielder with fantastic athletic ability and agility and I like the look of his composure."

Its a shame then that neither will get to play, although Sinclair, after his 12 minutes subs outing on Tuesday, will probably once again be on the bench as he was against Scunthorpe. And he'll no doubt emphasize to Marcus the importance of staying focused at corners.