Gallowgate Toon

tbf Wenger shut up shop with 20 minutes to go today, if Pardew did that he would be slated. Quite pleased with the performance today overall, thought the result could easily have gone either way. He'd be applauded for shutting up shop 5 minutes later than usual. Good point.

tbf Wenger shut up shop with 20 minutes to go today, if Pardew did that he would be slated. Quite pleased with the performance today overall, thought the result could easily have gone either way.

We should be looking to win this, especially with our good away record. I think he'll make one or two changes, starting HBA and Shola.

Their speed of interchange in the middle was fantastic, we couldn't get a grip for periods as they were just too quick. Still, I thought we put in a decent enough performance and a draw wouldn't have been an unfair result. I don't think Cabaye can play that no. 10 role against the really top sides, his best work came from deep.

Yet you came on here to have a go at him because he didn't get us back in the game in the limited time he had. Mick, please stop I never said anything of the sort. This was just the first thread I looked at as it was top of the page, it had been busy, I posted my opinion.

So why single him out? Because I was disappointed with him? Just like I was disappointed with a few players

Did I say I was happy with others' contributions? Don't see why their performances should affect how I judged HBA's decision-making? Or, are you all that thick?

Didn't think it was that cut and dry that he should start but was disappointed with his decisions when he was on. Taking shots from the angles and situations he did, at that stage of the game, wasn't clever. Felt for him as the goal came at a bad time for him with them protecting the lead a little more.

Shame for HBA, think he had a case for starting behind Remy. Happy Sissoko's on the flank for today though, think he'll cause them a lot of problems.

Think this is a game where we should be playing a team that's solid, first and foremost. I'd like to see HBA start but can totally understand why Pardew would keep him back as a sub. Pressing at the right times, energy and athleticism are going to be really important for us today.

Absolutely asked for it.

In what set up is Marveaux going to work well in? If he went to Swansea, he'd have to work hard as they look to press to get the ball back, same if he went to Southampton etc. You need to be more than just a good technical player in this league, it's a daft criticism of Pardew that he wants players to work. I like him but he lets things pass him by too much.

Packed defences are very hard to break down. It takes creativity and high levels of technical ability to consistently do it, so, to be fair to Pardew, I don't think that's all down to him. A better coach would improve the movement but there's still the other things to address.

We've generally started games in an attacking manner, why would Pardew suddenly decide not to against Stoke? I saw a lot of lax play going back and forward, I took it more as a lack of focus than something tactical. Same s*** being spouted during the 5th season when we couldn't attack teams like stoke at home properly. If it's the players fault in this case then, do they take all the credit when we put in a good shift away home? I believe as the manager he's responsible for it all, not just what you pick and choose. I never said it was wholly the players' fault, the manager's the one that motivates them. I'm just saying I highly doubt it was tactical considering our performances against lesser opposition, this season, which have generally been positive. Edit: positive in how we've started games.

We've generally started games in an attacking manner, why would Pardew suddenly decide not to against Stoke? I saw a lot of lax play going back and forward, I took it more as a lack of focus than something tactical.

We really missed him. Anita and Sissoko were surprisingly poor positionally and lacked energy before the sending off. We were open as in the middle, I think it was Adam that had a lot of space on the edge of the box on 2 or 3 occasions.

Thought the first red was arguable but it was hardly an unjust sending off. The foul on Sissoko was poor and the intent with the little kick was clear. Just stupid. Williamson 'handball' is just clutching at straws, IMO.

His decision-making is getting better, like. Hope to see it continue, he still has time to hit some real heights.

He was probably the best of a pretty poor bunch, he wasn't exactly great. That said, I would actually start HBA against Arsenal, I really like Anita but don't think it's the game for him. General point was that Sissoko has been excellent and shouldn't be dropped for one bad performance, he's put in numerous fantastic contributions for us over the last 2 months and against a team like Arsenal, he's just got to play, IMO.

It's between him and HBA. HBA just simply doesn't deserve to be dropped. HBA put in a very good second half performance against 9 man Stoke. Sissoko, bar today, has been putting in a great shift for weeks, creating goals and opportunities, being a constant thorn in the opposition's side. I just can't agree that he should be dropped, if anything, it's games like Sunday where he's theoretically at his best.

I would, he gives the ball away more than anyone else in the team, against Arsenal i would leave him out. Horses for courses like. I don't know of that's a true stat but he's been a brilliant and effective creative outlet for weeks. He's an absolute beast on the counter, we'll need that as there will be space come Sunday.

Sissoko is an absolute must for a game like Arsenal, think it would be ludicrous to drop him. He's been a key part of our recent form and we'll need his attributes for Sunday.

You'd drop him for one poor game? He's been generally excellent for weeks.

Was absolutely fuming after 40 minutes. Seeing our lot trot about while Stoke players had the ball in the edge of our box, treating Crouch like some sort of God by quadruple marking him and just letting them have the ball far too much had me pretty animated Hadn't felt like that since Hull, I don't know if it was mixed instructions or lazy play but some of our lot looked asleep, 2 defensive midfielders so deep made matters worse. Perhaps there was one eye on Arsenal. Was delighted come full time though, some really enjoyable moments in the second half. The roll continues.