TRC

I feel Cabaye became vastly overrated once RTG said Gardener was better. Cabaye has quality, but does not contribute enough in a 4-4-2, we haven't controlled games in midfield well enough this season. Cabaye may look better along side Tiote, but pretty much anyone would.

He's dog shit in 4-4-2 is what I'm trying to say. If people people are happy for a centre mid to pick out a sublime pass once a game then fair enough.

Bigi no doubt. Personally I'd be looking to offload Cabaye, he's not suited to 4-4-2, seems pointless having a player of that value if we aren't utilising him.

People have just massively overrated him, he just looks unsuited to the English game to me.

I think he should be loaned out for 3 months in the championship, give him some game time and hopefully he will realise he has some talent and can go past people. Or he will get snapped, have his confidence shattered and be even worse.

In place of who? I'd start him a head of Cabaye, but I don't think now is the time to drop Cabaye

Krul back for this? If not Elliott Anita Taylor Colo Santon HBA Tiote Cabaye Jonas Ba Cisse

I don't think he was ever pacey but decent enough. He has seemed pretty slow tonight, reminded me of Nobby in his second stint.

One bit of skill doesn't make a good player, nor does 2 poor games make someone a write off.

Obertan is a fucking odd player. Out of the people on the pitch none will start against Reading anyway apart from Cisse, so I'm not too fussed about extra time.

Who did Fergie come on for? Stream froze.

An overated manager who will get found out this year. Nice bloke though.

Yeah it's a shit competition, and has no real value apart from an easier route to Europe.

Cabaye is just a luckier Cattermole....

long way off yet Up there with Pedro in terms of talent.

Best player we have ever had.

That man is a ledge, read about him in Stu Ungars biography, another awesome read.

Yep especially Sunderland fans, I know a fair few that are spot on. I do know some typical RTG posters though

I need to retire from betting, only 12 quid left in my account. Currently reading Amarillo Slims autobiography, and it just makes me want to become a pro gambler. Everyone should read it by the way.

How was Lloris excellent if they only had one shot?

I don't think Gosling is that type of player, he's more of a Kevin Nolan without the physical presence. Just off Shola tonight he might have been alright.

Yeah but this isn't the sort of game worth risking him for another potential few weeks out, only 4 weeks till the derby, I'd rather play Perch to make sure.

I wouldn't rush him against Norwich, I'd be happy with Perch in there and Anita at right back.

Sounds just like Ronaldo to me

I disagree with the idea that we can't have better backup in the striking department. We had money to spend there which was proved by bids for De Jong and Carroll. We were prepared to pay double-figures for both. As a team building on 5th place with money to spend, there's no excuse for why that shouldn't have been achieved. I know that's a conversation for another thread, really, but it's relevant here. It's certainly frustrating that we don't have a 4th option upfront, regardless of what other clubs are doing. We threw away Best and Lovenkrands, who weren't special but still experienced players who could score goals. We've replaced that with absolutely nothing. And i'm not laying into Shola. As i say, i love the guy and i think he's a good player. We know his foibles though and i'm just pointing out his failures tonight. Can you really argue that he didn't waste chances this evening? Like i say, good player but that's nowt fresh. Ideally we should have kept Best, I'd love De Jong here or Carrol back, but I can't see either of them being happy to sit on the bench at a club of our stature, or we would have to shuffle the squad to accomodate them which could backfire. I think Shola should have scored, but we was on a tough pitch to be fair and he only learned to cleanly strike a football 2 years ago.