Gallowgate Toon

Good win, shit game, after the first half hour. Perez looks better when he has more support and space (shock) and Cabella was sharp. Pardew put himself in an unnecessarily difficult position with the Gouffran sub. Overall, it was OK but could be better.

It's just an issue of time. Hindsight's a wonderful thing but it's now very apparent that he's the type of player that would most struggle to adapt quickly to this league. No matter the league he's playing in, he's always going to be at a physical disadvantage, so it's his brain that's the get-out clause. Luckily, he's a very smart player and will understand how to get around his issues the more he plays. I don't think strength is the main problem, either, it's all about the speed at which he plays. He has a great touch and quick feet, the key is for him to get the ball when he's moving rather than a standing/slow start. Make sure he has players around him to quickly interchange with and he'll be cracking.

That one-two with Sissoko against Liverpool was also excellent, both vision and execution.

No way was Cabella the weak link yesterday, man. Sammy was dispossessed just as much, had far less passing accuracy (only 52% compared to Cabella's 81%), no key passes, no crosses and less of a defensive contribution.

Colback should make way when de Jong comes back, no doubt. Sissoko & Abeid in the middle with Aarons, de Jong and Cabella behind Perez. Long term, I think Perez will need an AM like de Jong. Someone who'll occupy defenders in the box and create space for others, as a result. I'm intrigued to see how they'd link up too, you'd think de Jong's preference for quick one-touch play and eye for a pass would be perfect for someone who likes to play on the shoulder.

Supporters shouldn't be apologising to Alan Pardew, some of the media should be apologising to the players. Gary Neville, for starters.

Getting better. He did some good things today and he works well with Janmaat when the other flank has more width to it.

Excellent recent run of form. I think he's a better centre half, to be honest.

Some player, this lad.

These tactics

I thought he was only a year or two off that when he signed for us

Geremi is only 35?!

s*** team man, all Ashley's fault Pards getting the best out that squad etc A manager worth his salt could get pretty creative with us tactically, like. Perez-Cabella-de Jong could be very fluid.

Going to be interesting when de Jong comes back. He'll slot in at #10 and it'd hopefully be Cabella and Aarons either side of him, with Sissoko and one of Abeid/Colback/Tiote/Anita behind. The striker is the big question; I don't think Perez can really lead the line on his own yet but his style of play would suit the 3 AMs more than Cisse.

I have no idea why but I love Colin Wanker.

Real shame for him. It did look like a nasty tear. I hope Cabella comes in for him.

Then he'll sign for Bayern. I dunno with him, tbh, I reckon he'll go abroad. I'd love to see him in England, fear it'll be with Man U if they finish in a CL spot though.

Cabella-Perez can be our Gotze-Reus!

Some of their finishing has been absolutely woeful too. Good thing Reus is back, he'll get them around 15 if he stays fit for the rest of the season.

Leaving so much power in the hands of one man is just criminal. Clubs losing their soul because some dickhead has grown bored or run out of cash. Totally fucked, man.

Suits us to have played 3 teams who've looked fairly disinterested whilst our kids are still racing round brimming with enthusiasm. Same style but with players that are simply more suited to it. As long as he doesn't fuck around with the current starting formation too much, we'll probably have just enough about us to keep the momentum going over the next month. He's a very lucky man.

Draw. Pardew will continue to sit back and counter, it'll probably be enough to get a result. 2-2 Cisse and Cabella to score.

He's been poor but the whole structure of that team is wrong, and he's no lone striker either. It's like watching Pardew with Cisse, spent so long not being able to understand how to build around him and playing as far away as possible from his strengths.