buzza

I think we look much better with a 433, our midfield dominates more and we reagin possession quicker, with Santon overlapping it makes us much more fluid. The 442 leaves us much more open in midfield and as in the first half yesterday we can be dominated relaitvely easily. I agree with on eof the above comments that if you have Bale and Lennon or two fast wingers then you have much more success with a 442. We need to consilidate last seasons success and that was mostly achieved via 433.

I don't think we will ever become a counter attacking team as we don't have the pace to do so. One touch slick passing football is still a good season away IMO. Debuchy would fee up Hatem a bit or vice versa as his runs and crossing would add an extra dimension. If Tiote leave I think it will detract a lot more from us, people don't realize how much he stops the opposition play and also how he always asks for the ball and his te fifteen yard passes are always positive for me...

John terry is out with a neck injury according to ronnie...GREAT!!!

That photo is class!!! I reckon we might get a draw... If Ben Arfa is still in the vein of form a wondergoal to win it!!

Would be so annoyed if that turns out to be the case. It would be such a massive opportunity wasted - 4th position is as catchable as it's ever been this season. I agree completely, we need a striker and a full back if we are to progress and really mount a challenge to the top four. I don't think the new signings will improve our first team but they will improve the quality of the squad...

I watched the game last night on a live stream on the computer so the quality wasn't great. One of the things that struck me was the amount of people abusing Obertan and bigging up Bigi, I honestly saw completely the opposite; I thought Obertan played a very disciplined match both offensively and defensively, could see no wrong in his game last night tbh, whereas with Bigi I saw him put in a few good tackles and interceptions but his pass completion and decision making to release the ball was very poor. He is only eighteen or so but with the comments made on here it was as if we had the new Viera on our books!!! I think we should be a bit more objective in our opinions on both (all) players, I feel a bit sorry for Obertan I think there is a certain Lynchmob mentality towards him (a la Perch) at the moment.

Caulkin is class... no more mo less!

-----------------Harper-------------------- Taylor----Willo----Perch------Santon ---Vernon-----Bigi-------Amalfitano Obertan-----Cisse---------Marveaux Obertan and Marveux will help out the defence a lot. I think that offensively we might crush this lot if it clicks... I would think that Pards may play cabaye or Jonas first half just to give some stability and leadership in the middle, although vernon shouldn't be awed at all and Bigi has had a whole season in the championship...

Sammy is injured I thought?

I reckon we should go with: -------------------harps-------------------- Tavernier---Willo----Perch----Ferguson Taylor----Big Vern--- Bigi------Marveaux -------------Cambell.......................... -----------------Shola-----------------

I am very surprised that he wasn't in the squad. Should play thursday, will force his way in eventually...

One thing which stood out yesterday was Tottenham's off the ball running and movement, they really did look fluid from midfield to their striker (if they had another decent striker to accompany Defoe they would look good). We on the other hand seemed to depend a lot on individuals, a few times you could see Ben Arfa getting frustrated at the lack of movement ofr the pass by people around him. Without Colo at the back we also struggled to bring the ball successfully out of defence and turn it into attack... Perch defended well but he seemed awful "rigid" when on the ball.

Thought santon also had his best gane for us!!

we went to six million for a 23 year old who is relatively unproven, I think they (ashley/dekka/charns) are quite rigid in their appraisals of how much a player is worth and I am sure that the mechanics to arrive at these sums are influenced by future resale value. Cabaye's post is: nail head hit

Damn it! Going to the game aswell... Come on Marveaux, Show us what we've been missing!!!

Sorry about this, but what is up with Benarfa? I hadn't seen any injury news...

433 with overlapping full backs.

I can't believe anyone doubts for a moment that Jonas will be in the starting eleven. As importanty as cheick colo and cabaye for me... Fits in any system and gives 100% as well as a decent outlet and hold up if needed. Shame on you all!!

Ba and Cisse both on Ramadamadamadan. We can forgive him a few misses for another couple of weeks....

Matt the Bush

It would be nice to think that with Cabaye and Tiote adjusted to the rigours of the prem we could play a four four one one with demba coming back to help out and playing between the lines when we have the ball. If Manu and Shiteh do It why can't we?? Would take big cojones to do so given the results of the 433 last term...

My main issue with people saying sell demba is that if Cisse were to get injured what the hell would we do? I thought Demba played well on the wing and was unlucky not to get another four or five goals, just a striker's bad run that's all. I think him and Cisse will rotate a bit more if he stays and he will get his fair share... If he was to go, I would replace him with a pacy striker that can play wide "a la henry"...

It would be far too narrow down the middle, let's the opposition defense and holding midfield handle you easily due to lack of space.

bag of opel fruits would be top!

How negative was parker's play last night, in the whole first half I think he passed the ball forward twice, really was disgraceful. Yes, he's great at stopping play but at this level you need more in the bag than just stopping... Second half he improved slightly but he does slow us down a hell of a lot. Against a good midfield we'll be destroyed. I honestly think rooney needs to drop further to help out or we are very predictable... Liked chamberlain and walcott when they came on, Milner worked very hard aswell but he's not going to give any defense nightmares... Italy will be a good test, I hope Roy goes with the youngsters.