mitch01

...is pretty much how I saw it, although I am still disappointed with our lack of plan B during the second half.

'Lambert didn't look bothered' is one of the most naive lines people consistently roll out on this forum. Just because he isn't dashing around chasing the ball, that means he isn't trying, apparently. Spectacularly poor understanding of the game from some.

Deary me. Somebody is having trouble separating the concepts of 'today' and 'this season'.

Very disappointing after a pretty bright opening. Surprised and bemused to see de Ridder get on the pitch. Lallana's delivery and all round quality sorely missed.

He's had a great season so far. I never even thought about the possibility of dropping him.

Obviously my final paragraph was only aimed at those on this thread who have actually suggested Mayuka/Rodriguez signings were a waste if money. I can accept what you are saying about Fonte. It was a massive surprise when we tempted him to drop a division, he has been a vital signing for the club despite going off the boil slightly last season. I am hoping that he proves to be one of those players who is capable of making the step up despite it being relatively late in his career to do so. Puncheon's career has not exactly been a massive success story before these last few months. He was excellent for a while under Pardew (particularly home games vs Leeds and Huddersfield), but for whatever reason never settled and never particularly impressed when loaned to the PL. NC and NA thought it best to get him out of the club, hence the harsh measures you have alluded to. Since then he has apologised and was given a second chance, and was slowly reintegrated into the group. So yes, I do call that very good man management. In response to your second point, what exactly is confusing you? I have said it is rare to be able to pick the right players from lower leagues and make it work, and then I have praised Norwich as 'special' for being able to do so. Because it is a rare feat, and difficult to do. Usually a thriving PL club requires a core group of established players from europe's top divisions - I can't think of another side doing well in this league that have as many young players, recently acquired from the NPC and below. It is often a recipe for relegation, but they are pulling it off very well with a few good additions in the form of Bassong and Tettey. I was just expressing surprise.

Fonte was mid-table NPC at best at Palace, they never threatened promotion back then. He has improved significantly since 2010. Lambert, even when coaxed to fine fitness in L1, wasn't half the player he is now; he offers so much more now than he did - it is a pleasure to watch. Puncheon contributed next to nothing in the Premier League for Blackpool/QPR when he was there last; the man management of Nigel and Nicola has brought this excellent form out of him. Norwich's example for bringing through lower league players is special. I was ready to write them off this year, I thought they would struggle with classic second season syndrome: new manager and lower division players. How wrong I was; the likes of Snodgrass, Pilkington and Holt have continued to perform despite the loss of momentum/manager. We should aspire to the same level of commitment and intensity in the coming years. Re. Davis: From what I have gleaned from the forum he is one of our highest earners. I appreciate his attitude but I have yet to see any real PL ability to match said earnings. I would love to be proven wrong. Mayuka was excellent when introduced vs Villa and Spurs, so forgive me for not writing him off after Leeds in the league cup; I would hope we make signings on the basis of something more substantial than a few good games in front of our scouts. He is one for the future. I always wanted us to sign Rodriguez rather than Sharp last January, but it has worked out very well; I think he has a great deal of potential - it is Nigel's job to realise that in the coming months/years. Once again, I see no reason to write him off now.

It is most definitely rare. None of Lambert, Schneiderlin, Puncheon or Fonte would have been good enough for the PL when we first signed them. They have grown into Premier League players in their time here, and for that the credit should be shared by Pardew and Adkins (although in my view Adkins should take most of the plaudits). My point was that it is not easy to cherry-pick signings who can a) get you out of the Championship and b) not then struggle in the Premier League. Hooiveld, Fox and Sharp all fall into category a) but not b). Hence their falling out of favour: they have done what they were brought in to do, and now we must move on. We have risen up the leagues faster than we expected, and therefore many of the players we signed in the last 18 months have become somewhat redundant to us; victims of their own success in many ways. I just hope SFC doesn't become a victim of its own rapid success come May. I maintain that it is foolish to completely write of Mayuka, Rodriguez, Davis as wasted money; there is no reason to conclude that they cannot become valuable members of the squad in the coming seasons (although I myself have some doubts over Davis, he doesn't look quite good enough for the modern day PL in my opinion).

Thats not actually true is it. The players on our bench are capable and are in our long term plans. I would find it stranger if we had signed players while in the NPC that could effortlessly make the step up to the PL, its pretty rare to do so.

I've got to say I didn't think he or Jos would be good enough for us in the Premier League, especially due to their lack of pace. The first few games did nothing to change my mind, but I remember being at the Emirates and thinking that - despite the scoreline - Jose was actually competing pretty well and standing up to be counted. From then on I haven't had much to criticise him on; he is playing with a good intensity and has been a reliable partner to Yoshida while he continues to adapt to the division. I always enjoy watching his reaction to our goals, you can see how much he wants us to succeed. 1st and 3rd goals vs QPR are good examples, for the Ferdinand OG he fell to his knees in delight!

He's been proving me thoroughly wrong in the last month or so. Keep it up Punch.

Cheers. I don't.

He was superb yesterday, especially in the first half.

Yep. I would pay good money to get my hands on ful highlights of that game. Niemi caught a few crosses after the goal and each one was celebrated like a winner. Unbelievable entertainment.

He was one of my favourite players while he was here. If he had some pace he could have been a really good Premier League player.

I think you share and many others on this board share a tendency to vastly overestimate the quality of other players in the Championship. Fox did just fine defensively on the whole and was great to have coming forward and got plenty of assists from both open play and corners. I can't think of many better LBs in the league below; second in the league Palace still have Parr playing there and he is not the same quality of player as Fox. Thats not to say I think Fox is up to holding down a starting place in the Premiership though; his defensive shortcomings are amplified in this league and I wanted him replaced during the summer. Glad to see Shaw doing so well.

Why do you feel the need to exaggerate every opinion to make your point? Fox was one of the best LBs in the Championship last season. Shaw has looked a superb prospect though, it must be said.

Still think Boruc is our best keeper. Had an dodgy start at West Ham but it is mad to write him off after that. He was excellent in Serie A for the last two seasons and has the potential to be one of the top 10 keepers in the league IMO. Gazza looks a great prospect though, and I'm happy to see him keep his spot if Nige feels thats the right decision. I love Kelvin, but he is not a Premiership keeper. His reach isn't good enough for starters; the Middlesbrough free kick last season and Podolski's this year show that.

I agree, but I will defend to the hilt NA's right to leave Rickie out if he sees fit. He is our manager and he has done more than enough to convince me that he should be our manager long-term. After two seasons of sensational results we are seeing a downturn in fortunes. Although I would have expected us to do better from our first 12 games, I am hardly surprised. For a fuller version of my argument, see: http://notplayedonpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/why-nigel-adkins-should-survive-el.html

This is why I believe that we should back Nigel fully: http://notplayedonpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/why-nigel-adkins-should-survive-el.html Have a read if you have 5 minutes spare.

I wrote a piece on why I think we should support Adkins for anyone interested: http://notplayedonpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/why-nigel-adkins-should-survive-el.html

Very true. This result is big, but how we kick on from it is far more important.

Absolutely chuffed! Cork excellent again. Shaw and Lallana both superb, and the CBs both played well too. Puncheon looked a real Premiership player for the first time today.

From Whistler Canada, COYR! This can be a massive day for us. In Nigel we trust

I rate Gazza, but Boruc is certainly the better keeper just now.