Gallowgate Toon

Inochi's got a point, if there's one game that SHOULD see a change in mentality, it's this one because the circumstance has changed. Whether we will see any difference is another matter, I think we might but that may just be blind hope. I'm just trying to be positive but I understand why people are so worried.

Simpson's a twat and blames everything on everyone but himself. He's knuckled down because he's playing for a contract but he's no warrior and he also happens to be an incredibly limited footballer.

It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm confident we'll be OK regarding relegation but I fear for the Summer. The team has so much promise but I can see the presence of this dipshit ruining everything. Starting with good footballers leaving as they have actual career ambitions, not pissing around under this twat.

Sounds crazy but I don't mind Sissoko not being back, you just know he'd be shoved up front again and be ineffectual. Stick to the team from the weekend and we'll win.

This all depends on the first half, we usually play well in the opening 45, we need to score 2 in that period. Can't tell if they'll be up for this, it's different for professionals playing against Arsenal, as the motivation is there in terms of professional pride.

Yep, unlike Ben Arfa, Marveaux plays at a very slow pace a lot of the time, no matter what minute it is he doesn't hurry and will always be looking for the killer pass. Ben Arfa has the ability to do that but it's much less measured imo. Aye. Marveaux's cool head simply suits certain situations better, he's shown he can make an impact in tough, pressurised situations.

Hatem looked alright for the first half yesterday, he'll probably be good for 75 minutes or so next weekend. Marveaux's a better option off the bench than HBA in my opinion.

15th.

It's understandable panic but I'm in the same place as you. I'd be very surprised if we went down, there are just too many factors in play. I think WBA will win next week, they played well yesterday showing they're hardly settling down and they just came off the back of a 3-0 away win. I can see Norwich getting a point at most, I reckon we'll get 2 at least. Then there's other teams to consider too, the Mackems are in big trouble for example. There's a lot left to play for.

That through ball for Cisse yesterday was excellent, they really do seem to have one of those understandings. It could well be a Cabaye to Cisse goal that seals a win next week.

Spot on about Sissoko, he doesn't encourage keeping the ball when a number 10. I think he'd have been great where we saw Jonas yesterday though, we could have done with someone other than Ben Arfa who can break out, Sissoko's not shown that enough while here but I think if he was less isolated in terms of position it would be a different story.

I don't see a player lacking in effort myself, seems to cover a lot of ground for us still and always gets stuck in. I can't really be arsed to waste my energy getting precious over a one second moment, he grafts every week but it always goes unnoticed if he doesn't impose himself on matches when on the ball.

Arsenal looked ordinary today and haven't won up for here for a few years IIRC? I think we'll get a point in that one.

If we get relegated, he'll be sacked and off Deka's Christmas card list within hours. If you lose Mike Ashley large amounts of money, you're done for.

Ben Arfa's going to be a big factor here. We need players of his ilk, he won't hide, will look for the ball and will make stuff happen.

It was apparent today that we really do need more 'outlet' options in the squad. Outside of Ben Arfa and Marveaux, we really don't have players that can keep a hold of the ball in tight situations and help the team push out. This needs to be addressed in the Summer as there will inevitably be games in the future when we're pegged back and we'll need more than 2 players in the whole squad that are capable of holding on to the ball when under some pressure.

Norwich are in even worse form than us and have 2 more difficult games coming up. WBA played alright today and won 3-0 last week, I think they'll win and then it's Many City. A point could be enough for us, a win would guarantee it for me, there's just so many teams caught up in it.

It's that f***ing black and white, isn't it. It's that cut and dry. FFS man, we invited pressure on ourselves after 60 minutes by removing our only 2 attacking outlets from the pitch. We actually risked losing more by going defensive than we would have done by plugging away in a similar vein to what we had been doing. This is a recurring theme this season. A more pressing issue is that it's clear as day that when one of our players has the ball then the rest become statues, and that's a sad indictment of our coaching. I'm afraid under Pardew, it really is that black and white. The man has no game plan, we've seen him just chuck on a load of strikers to try and get goals back, he has no method. I honestly believe that he has FIFA-esque settings and that's it. I think if we'd have been more attacking by his standards, we'd not have gained that point today.

I know you're not a fan but that's like Pardew-speak. This idea that you can only win a game by going gung-ho. A Premier League team should be quite capable of both attempting to win and attempting not to concede at the same time. Aye, I'm fully aware it's possible, but we've only ever had one setting when attacking while he's been in charge. I have no faith in him going for it to be honest, he just makes so many mistakes.

I think there's more chance of Stoke winning than the Mackems. They don't have many goal threats in their team as it is, and now they're missing their biggest 2. They look a bit more energetic under Di Canio but hardly any more threatening in terms of actually creating chances and they can't just bank on long shots. Stoke will be up for it and are in a decent bit of form now. I imagine it'll be a draw but if one team are to win, I doubt it'll be the scum.

For everyone gutted about the point, if we'd have 'gone for it', how would you have felt if we'd lost today?

Hope he makes it next week. Wouldn't start him but he's a cracking option to have off the bench, especially if Ben Arfa's still not fit enough to last all 90.

Must be said that Fulham are also on an abysmal run of form too, if results go against them they could well be bottom 3.

I f***ing despise Wigan like. Never minded them before this year but they're getting insane levels of luck, their victory over us was appalling, more so that handball goal than that c***'s tackle.

Norwich will be his saving grace. I can't believe the mess he has us in like, has to wait until the third last game of the year to finally get the midfield balanced.