The College Dropout

The pressure from keeping a distance between 4th and 5th in comparison to winning a league title is massively different. We've seen Arsenal choke themselves out of a title or two while always finishing strongly when needed to finish 4th. Think they'll have to win 9 out of their remaining 11 fixtures to win the league and I don't see that.

Not good enough away from home and they are still playing without real pressure.

To be fair, he can do that and often does. His delivery and first touch just makes for inconsistency. If we're gonna play 4-4-2 it's Gouffran who should drop out with Hatem coming in. Agreed. He's terrible off the front man. Had a couple great games there but generally been terrible in that position. He's pretty decent out wide IMO.. inconsistent but will create opportunities.

getting beat off in all the cups will be a blessing. They should jog to 4th now.

We are not Norwich or Swansea either. Midtable is the least we should do

Last season showed if that spine doesn't play well. We are royally f'd. Krul-Colo-Tiote-Cabaye-Star srtriker Last year only Krul & Cabaye had decent seasons and we struggled very badly. Without Ba we would've been relegated. Cabaye was not decent last year, like. He was just as s**** as the rest, had a few standout games after he came out about his depression then went back into his shell again. Before his injury I thought he was pretty decent. He also scored some important goals that earned us points (Liverpool, Sunderland). He looked below par for about 2/3 games prior to his injury/surgery but he started the season well enough. He also came back and won us some more points straight away with some good performances. On here, you're either shit or brilliant. Very little middle ground. Thought Krul was okay & Cabaye were okay. Colo, Tiote & Cisse where consistently poor for large parts of the season.

This. Couldn't see a future for him here in the summer but he's changed my opinion. Good work.

Agreed. I was one of the first to point out that his passing is erratic/poor but he consistently creates a few chances a game. He'll do some useless things in a match. Give it away sloppily but he'll create a few opportunities. In a team that struggles to create chances, i'm not mad at him.

Don't know like... was definitely one of the worst players on the pitch in that first half.

It seems like it might be instruction but it's in Tiote's nature to take charge (for better or worse). If nobody wants to push forward, he'll give it a go. If nobody wants to play that tough forward ball, he'll give it a go.

Last season showed if that spine doesn't play well. We are royally f'd. Krul-Colo-Tiote-Cabaye-Star srtriker Last year only Krul & Cabaye had decent seasons and we struggled very badly. Without Ba we would've been relegated.

So important to this team. If he doesn't play well, we will most likely lose.

He was like. If there was any player in that season to come out with any credit, it wasn't Colo.

Tbf if we were still in the FA Cup, it would be considered a good season. Instead we've been knocked out by the worst team in the PL.. at home. The dire football is the other issue.

Very poor yesterday. Looks injured.

Very early days. Indeed.

Thought he was a bit a anonymous for large spells.

Looks a good footballer. Decent touch, movement, can find a team mate. Doesn't look a tremendous goal threat though.

Sublime to the woeful. Was okay all in all.

Siss much better this half.

D'struggle

Every pass seems laboured. This might be this seasons Fulham 1-0. Play terribly against a terrible side. Nick a winner.

Actually missing Santon's general football ability LOL.

We are perilously close to that run we had last year.

Surely Pardew is finished here. What a woeful half of football.