Ronaldo

He's a good trainer from what I've heard but a couple of lads who know him from Eccles don't speak too highly of him as a person at all and this isn't the first time he's had trouble when back in Manchester. No different to what we've heard about Taylor, like. Winking at people etc.

I know what you're saying but it's pretty ironic you'd post that in this thread. He's generally lurked between passenger and liability against average teams at home.

For the record Tiote has to play in games like Sunday's. Perfect circumstances for him.

Ahead of Perch? I'm pretty sure nearly everyone would. Ahead of Marveaux and Anita, not most of the time, no imo. You'd play Marveaux in DM? Where did he say he wanted to play Marveaux as a DM? Tiote plays as a DM so to say you'd pick Marveaux ahead of him implies you'd play him in DM, which you already know. It really doesn't. I said that I'd play Marveaux instead if Tiote half the time when a pure DM isn't needed.

Ahead of Perch? I'm pretty sure nearly everyone would. Ahead of Marveaux and Anita, not most of the time, no imo. You'd play Marveaux in DM? Where did he say he wanted to play Marveaux as a DM?

Anita has none of Tiote's strengths and a fair few of his weaknesses.

He doesn't relish a physical challenge, and trying to beat a defender to a near post cross usual involves a bit of a tussle. He prefers to stay in a gap between defenders in the hope that the cross will elude them and he gets a free header. We get it, you don't like him.

Tioté's best form for the club came in a 4-4-2 playing alongside Kevin Nolan, no less. Cabaye has essentially been playing as a DM in the last two games and he's made as many tackles per game as Tioté this season (stats, yay). I think he's pretty adequate doing the majority of the defensive work (alongside someone else) in a lot of games. That's the thing. Give me Tiote's 20 best games for the club and 15 of them came when Nolan was alongside him getting forward and he was there covering the exposed defence. I'm a tad biased because I've always believed strongly in midfielders that can win the ball, keep it and get forward, with the odd exception.

Jesus Lord give me strength ... Why would he try to do it on his own with Cabaye and Sissoko in the midfield with him? People are being way to harsh with Tiote. At least he isn't a coward, shirking responsibility. He actually tries to make things happen. Not his fault he was being played in a midfield two with inexperienced partners while Cabaye was out. He's at his best in a midfield three, and will give pass the ball well, and on time when people show for it. Have people forgotten how bad our movement was when Ba and Cisse were being played up top in a 4-4-2? I will bump this thread continuously to show up all you doubters when he comes back and is outstanding! You and Tiote, man.

Can't see Pardew playing Anita or Marveaux instead of Tiote or Perch in many/any games. Me neither if I'm honest. I'd have Marveaux ahead of him in half of our remaining fixtures, personally.

He also needs to be used in fewer games. No point whatsoever in him playing against the likes of Fulham and Soton at home. Benefits nobody but the opposition.

I've developed an immense hatred of City recently.

Don't think we've missed him that much at all but he's obviously far better than Perch.

They were mid-table and clearly on the way up.

He's a great player with a bucketload of talent restricted by Mancini's system.

Sounds like one of his second half performances. Still deserves at least a 7 for trying.

Dude, you know as well as I do that he'll be off. As much chance of him staying as there is us finishing 4th.

He'll get more chances to bomb forward with Debauchery stretching the opposition on the other flank. Goal soon.

And the wonderful thing about it? His career went to s***, his England career went downhill post-puberty and one of these days one of his horses will most likely do him.

Imagine if Remy barely plays again this season and they go down. Would have to do down as the biggest waste of money ever. That said, Harry unearthed a gem.

He doesn't appear to be at death's door is what I meant.

Give this lad 10 years. Going to be a ludicrously great player.

McGrath isn't sick, though, he just wasn't the player he could've been. I've no doubt he wouldn't have been in this state had SAF managed him for a while.

Ah well, at least you have the satisfaction of knowing how right you were all along. He's one of us, whether you can relate to that or not I don't know but I don't take any satisfaction from it because everyone with an ounce of sense knows it. Criminal that it's got this far while his cheerleaders have been there witnessing and facilitating it.

10 times the player. I wouldn't swap him for anyone outside if the 2 Manc teams.