Gallowgate Toon

I don't think Sissoko deep would be a problem against most teams, to be honest. I'm sure he dropped back against Spurs and put in a great performance, stealing the ball on a few occasions and getting us moving forward, IIRC. Him starting runs from a deeper position would mean he has more options to pass to when breaking forward too, he's often only had one or two players in support this season. It'd require Abeid to be incredibly disciplined with his positioning but, from what we saw in that run of games, he looks like he could do it.

I can't get away with him stamping on players, but I find his general antics to be refreshing, in all honesty. We live in an age of PR-trained, boring players, it's good to see a mad bastard back in the league.

I should be raging, but, frankly, I feel like I can't be arsed. I really wouldn't be surprised if he gets the gig full time if he keeps us around mid-table until the end of the season (which would probably result in a cushty 8 year deal for the dickhead).

Neville, man Joyless tit.

Typical Not that this wasn't expected, mind, just means annoying people get to bleat on a bit longer.

I'm more inclined to trust the words of his former manager, rather than PSV's technical director, like.

Might as well just say 'we won't appoint anyone until the transfer window shuts'.

Sick of players always choosing to move inside when they're up against full backs on the edge of the box. Take it down the line once in a while, man.

Some French lads I used to work with say he's really, really good. Mustn't get excited...

Looking back at the game, he was also way too deep at times, especially during possession play. He needs to be positioning himself in the final third more, a proper 'head coach' would see to that, I'm sure.

He looked very isolated at times.

Utterly abject in the second half. So directionless with our play.

Obviously nowhere near like last week but set up some opportunities with good link up and actually tried to do things. They shut down space very well, mind, just highlights how much we need a proper coach. I hope they persist with him. Being stop-start will achieve nothing, his confidence is fragile enough.

I don't know why they seem to think we were in for Defoe, he clearly doesn't fit into our transfer model. I'd probably take him on a very short term deal, but I don't think he'd be getting in the team ahead of Perez and Cisse. He'll be OK for them for a year or so, IMO, not that I think they can provide him with much service. Probably get 5 or 6 goals and it'll be enough to keep them up.

That's a really good article

Pretty sure he's statistically one of the best tacklers in the squad His dribbling is an interesting one. It's like he's excellent in tight spaces against defenders but struggles when he's got more space out wide and a defender or two to attack. He certainly looks more confident dribbling through more congested central areas. It's probably down to a lack of athleticism, he needs those tricks to get going because he lacks the acceleration to knock it past players.

Just needs confidence in him and a run of games and he'll be a good player for us. You could see he was rusty and nervous at the beginning but really grew into it.

He's been trying to come back for months.

Still foaming about this. Those subs, man, absolutely diabolical.

Gouffran will definitely start. No way Carver will have the balls to attack, probably spent so long with Pardew that he was shitting himself after watching Burnley draw at City.

up to him to prove him wrong now. Well, it's up to someone to give him a proper chance, actually. Not fair on the lad that when he performed well in cameos that he was then dropped because he didn't rip up trees when having to defend against Chelsea for 60 minutes in his next game etc. He needs a run of matches to settle, as well as a manager to show confidence in him and his technical ability rather than constantly blithering on about needing English physicality.

I feel like I don't know what to do

Can't even be bothered to get annoyed anymore.

I saw one bloke on True Faith's FB page say 'shape' and 'balance' are irrelevant buzz words that people who don't know anything about football say to look intelligent. That's the kind of dipshit we're dealing with here, Pards is here to stay.

And taking Tiote off instead of Colback. I don't even like the bloke but a Colback-Sissoko central midfield is a disaster, as well as the total lack of width that followed the sub. Just a fucking shit mess.