Unbelievable

Strange one. He's shown more than the likes of Gosling and Vuckic last season and in preseason, yet they somehow seem to be ahead of him in the pecking order.. Looks a real talent, maybe a loan wouldn't be such a bad idea..

We've always had academy products with an honest chance of making it. They rarely do though, so as always we'll be lucky if one or two of that crop are first team regulars in a few years time. In fairness that's the same as every other club. Even a club like Ajax, renowned for the talent they bring through, aim to introduce at least one youngster into their first team every year, and that's in a league that's much more forgiving than the Premiership.

I genuinely don't know what to make of this.. On the one hand I sort of like the stability it gives us and Pardew's done well. On the other it does feel like they've got their ideal yes man who won't ever complain or criticise, meaning they can get away with very little actual investment for the foreseeable future. There is only so much Pardew et al can achieve on a tight budget trying to compete with teams spending hundreds of millions like it's going out of fashion.

Irrelevant, people are giving opinions on his form at the club so far. I know, but I don't see how current form is irrelevant. He's shown more so far in the few chances he's had This season than some of the players people are clamouring for getting the chances he's had, i.e. the likes of Sammy, Vuckic, Marveaux.

Was nowhere near our worst player yesterday. Don't let that get in the way of a good slagging though..

Marveaux created absolutely nothing, whereas Obertan at least delivers a few balls in the box every match he plays. I know they're not exactly killer balls, but then their always aimed at Shola these days who's not exactly renowned for movement in the box. Marveaux may be a tidy player, but he seems to have lost a bit of pace that was there on the few occasions he featured for us last season.

So true..

Wouldn't mind seeing more of him this season. Think he offers more going forward at full back than most of our other options and looks pretty solid defensively too.

What? Didn't look particularly bothered in the last 15 IMO. As if we were 2-1 up. I must have been watching a different match to you. I thought our attitude in the second half was spot on, even after we conceded the second.

What?

Top marks for the second half, especially Cisse's cameo. Impressed with Tavernier too, who's done well at left back and right back.

Phew.. Tiote screw up..

Howay the lads! Might be another twist in this yet..

Ferguson

YES!!

Colo off for Ferguson. WTF

For fuck's sake..

Howay Papiss!!!

Nice little spell from us there. We need Cisse on.

Vuckic close.. Damn..

Williamson has started the second half playing as a fucking train wreck..

Why does Williamson of all people always end up in these goalscoring positions FFS?

Phew..

Willo

Looks like Van Persie when you squint, plays nothing like him though..