I’m really worried for us this season, as we seem to be pushing out the staff who show a bit of spirit and replacing them with souless yes men. The whole Barton/Carroll thing has pretty much proved that Pardew doesn’t have a say in what goes on. The man obviously doesn’t have any backbone and is content with picking up his pay for five years.

Saying that our football under him has at times been better than under Houghton, but if the club keeps selling our best assets and replacing them with unproven players it could eventually see us come undone. Hopefully Cabaye, Ba and Ben Arfa will step up to fill the gaps left by Carroll, Barton and Nolan. If not then we’re in serious trouble.