James

Doesn't mean we can't. Just means we don't have to. We'll be able to monitor his fitness, send a cheap bid to Marseille, and watch how no-one else is interested because of fitness question marks.

you'd rather he started shit ? Nah, just remember how some people loved Scott Parker for playing the exact same way then quickly became fed up for playing the same way and not trying forward passes. Tiote brings the ball forward really well. There was one instance when he just ran through the centre of the pitch over a distance of 30 yards, playing three or four one twos before setting Shola off.

If he continues his performances against everton, stoke and man city for another 25 games I'd say he'd be the most talented player we've had since Shearer retired.

Perch is such a plank.

Keep Shola, he is making Man City defenders work which is stopping them playing it out of defence easily. Carroll does need to come on though.

still think we can do better. There is good stomach in this team, but I think the manager does need more stomach.

Groin injury. He could have probably carried on but we were playing safe.

Its not the ankle so there is a chance.

There was a bit when Tiote ran about 30 yards in a straight line forwards, playing about three one twos. Was class. Makes a change from our CMs standing still as soon as they've passed.

Leg could be two months, ankle a lot longer, looks like it was his leg just below the knee

Shola has done well in terms of his general play in the final third, holding the ball well and linking up well with others. He may be frustrating, but he is the kind of player we need. However we need someone higher up, i.e Carroll. I'd take off Nolan or Routledge to accomodate the pairing.

Shola has played well

Shola's done well, deserving his selection so far.

Colo's injured

Looks like the kind of injury that stopped Smith being able to play as a striker.

Carroll hasn't really been on it since he injured his ankle, it is quite possible that he isn't properly fit and our lack of decent alternatives means he's had to play while not at his best. However it disappoints me that while the players Hughton didn't sign can be dropped for poor form, those he did sign play despite one being the worst player we've had this season.

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Striker first. No good having a good defence if we can't find the back of the net.

I raise you Stephen Carr. Carr was costing us a goal maybe every three or four games. Perch has been costing us, or nearly costing us every single match. Six games, 5 yellow cards and an own goal. Worst player we've ever paid money for.

Ryan Taylor is a lot less stupid than our new Fumaca tbh.

With the friendly atmosphere at the club, Nolan should really be man enough to go to the manager and say that he can't play 90 minutes at a high level.

Two dodgy headers which put us under pressure leading to Enrique tapping Fuller on the head.

I know he's not amazing, but on current form he deserves a game.

Positives: Ben Arfa and Tiote in the first half Barton, Enrique, and Colo all match. Jonas wants to get back in the team. Negatives: James Perch, who from this moment on I shall refer to as Ali Fumaca Dia. Nolan Routledge, what does he do? Carroll can't do it on his own now that he's a marked man. Ratings: Krul 5 Ali Fumaca Dia 2 Williamson 6 Colo 7 Enrique 8 Routledge 3 Tiote 6 Barton 7 Ben Arfa 6 Nolan 4 Carroll 5 Jonas 7 Ameobi n/a