Beren

An early goal would have been lush.

Thought we really missed STaylor being a trouble-making, havoc-causing bastard for the opposition today on attacking setplays. Perch was solid enough and had a good game. His safety-first approach was astute too, but it will be nice to have the Big Willy giving the opposition more to think about for corners. Even if his goalscoring record isn't great, it's one less guy to double mark our other big guys.

It's been said he'd be judged by what happened after we got beat, and how we picked ourselves up and responded. Well, we haven't picked ourselves up yet, tbh. He's not doing very well atm, although his starting eleven was good. His substitutions were poor choices and poorly timed. Very disappointed he lacked the tactical nous to change things against a team so overtly determined to play for a point. We weren't carving them up and creating chances, and he didn't change things more out of hope for a goal rather than expectancy. He said he'd mistakes at some point in the season, and he certainly is. He's also been talking up Tiote for buyers for January. We had a good opportunity I thought to get some momentum and excitement among the camp, but he's squandered it so far. He's made himself look very silly to me by not playing HBA, our designated "spark". THIS IS WHY HE IS HERE FFS. Moronic decision.

Krul Simpson Willy Colo Santon HBA Tiote Vuckic* Jonas Best Ba (* assuming Cabaye is suspended)

Fuck's sake.

Neil in disguise lately, tbh.

x 100 Seriously. This is the only question to come out of that game. What. the. fuck.

That's a sickener tbh.

Crowd seems really, really quiet.

We're not carving them up at will, tbf. Mixed phases of quality and delivery. Hopefully it will come, but don't think Best-Ba are playing especially well together. They're both having good games, so it's a weird comment, but their partnership seems a little off to me. I liked the Blackburn game where Best was a bit deeper, and providing goals [not that he isn't capable of being the poacher too]. I meant the shots from Collocini and Ba that hit the woodwork. Speaking of Colo, he'd be a class centre forward

He's having a good game.

We're not carving them up at will, tbf. Mixed phases of quality and delivery. Hopefully it will come, but don't think Best-Ba are playing especially well together. They're both having good games, so it's a weird comment, but their partnership seems a little off to me. I liked the Blackburn game where Best was a bit deeper, and providing goals [not that he isn't capable of being the poacher too].

Yeah, Obertan has been good. Not perfect, but good. Best and Ba need to sort out their roles. They both seem to drive hard for the near post.

Can't help but feel this is the type of game HBA would be perfect for. Definitely worth a cameo next half if it's still 0-0 after 60-65.

Very excited now. Hope Best gets back on the goal trail.

Reckon Gutierrez is going to find his form again today and have a stormer.

Yeah. Not to be too RTG about it, but before the Norwich game, I said more or less the same about these upcoming games. If he can't do anything or show some consistency/effectiveness against these, well.. I don't see what use he has in our starting eleven really. It's still his first season etc, so not a write-off, but there is no case for him being ahead of others in the team at this time.

Newcastle Chelsea Fulham DNB

Football Focus has grown so cringeworthy.

He'll get sent off if he starts. Maybe even if he comes off the bench tbh.

Great quote tbf

Was going to include the generously priced Newcastle in my weekend accumulator, but I've heard far too many mixed messages/alleged quotes from Pardew over Tiote and Colo's fitness.

Not saddened at all by this news personally. I'm happy enough with our strikeforce and would much sooner see money invested in the squad elsewhere first.