Just a left back and def mid might've been enough. You know, one position with only 1 player and another where he sold club captain and brought in someone with treacle in his boots and probably again on a high wage. But he knows best, or he acquiesced with Pardew to protect his employment and get that contract extension.

And expansive football without a number 10? Really? And then the holes and vulnerable areas behind the front 4? Good going that was.

Sam is methodical. Alan is a roll of the dice chancer.

COYP