Gallowgate Toon

I wouldn't say that, like. We're still massively short at CB and CM and we won't get much consistency until that's rectified, IMO. But we've got goals in us so the confidence boost should at least help us on that score. At least now if we go behind our heads shouldn't drop and that's been a big issue for us all year. Next week is a huge test. We're usually absolutely awful when we open up our shape a bit due to our lack of athleticism and I'm not expecting much from the winnable fixtures we've got coming up.

The current style is far away from how we started the season and he seems to have just gone for something more short-term, not that we were playing any different when we last looked competent 6 weeks back or so. I'm not that bothered about a philosophy, for now, our players are too mish-mash and any longevity in style is going to take some smart recruiting (HA).

I wouldn't say that, like. We're still massively short at CB and CM and we won't get much consistency until that's rectified, IMO.

He's our best player, IMO. He's a fabulous footballer and is always, always looking to find a position to score. I thought Sissoko was a bit turd today and would consider dropping him for Villa. Wijnaldum inside right with Janmaat pushed up, Thauvin on the left for some actual supply from both sides of the pitch.

Impressively, we actually kept shape and the players did the dirty work to help us grow back into the game.

They should be rotated based on form. They weren't playing well for a bit, it was changed, they've now come back sharper and at least one of them should start next week. We've ignored the squad game for too long. It's worked, here.

Early play in general is so low these days. Players take ages to cross and all that. So effective when done well.

Mitro and Perez did drop their levels a bit, he mixed up the one area he could and that's no bad thing to do.

Beautiful goal. Seemed really up for it again.

He definitely dipped after the international break, that was back to his initial displays. Fantastic.

Thought we held shape well in the first and it was a decent framework to work from, for once, no giving up. Grew into the second and tremendous impact play from Mitro and Perez.

Mitro and Thauvin, please.

Cisse's gone back to turd so would chuck Mitro on. Would get Thauvin on for Sissoko too.

Get Sissoko off.

Another set piece goal conceded.

Been impressed by de Jong off the ball again. Done a couple of important interceptions. The odd nice touch, too.

We were pressing high and were getting hammered, happy to sit deeper and counter.

I don't think listening to players' feedback and changing is a particularly bad sign of leadership, like. Not saying he's a good leader but that's hardly bad, imo. If he carried on playing in a way that players were admitting to feeling uncomfortable in that would be far worse. But it does suggest that he doesn't really know how to operate in the premier league today. How so? There's not one uniform style to playing football in the league.

I don't think listening to players' feedback and changing is a particularly bad sign of leadership, like. Not saying he's a good leader but that's hardly bad, imo. If he carried on playing in a way that players were admitting to feeling uncomfortable in that would be far worse.

Exactly. Plus, we're in desperate need to defend from the front due to the problems at the back and that's something we saw an improvement in with de Jong.

Does Sissoko want to do the dirty work of a CM is the biggest question. My gut says no and he'll always see himself as largely above it and want to play a position that demands less close physical work than that. He's probably best dribbling in wide areas too, as his close control isn't the best. Dyer's short passing was good, mind. As was his finishing when he got older.

It's a squad game, man. This is the benefit of having competition.

He might, just might, have decided to protect 2 young players and gone for more experience up top to try and lead the team better.

Pardew's gameplan was to sit deep, we didn't do that for long stretches of the game. Our pressing game stopped after de Jong went off, I don't think that's a coincidence, mind. We tried to play but we don't have a really balanced set of players so it can be very patchy in how it comes off. I thought Thauvin looked alright for the moments he was on, really would like to see him come in against Villa and start on the left with Mitro ahead of SDJ. Would prefer to see Perez come back in next weekend as our best chances will be counters and he's a better option away from home as a 10, IMO.

He got stuck in too, which is massive for a side like ours. Nicked the ball, stuck his head in etc. As much as I like Perez, he can be a bit of a bottler.