Gallowgate Toon

Some interesting comments at the end there. I'm shocked he's not brought this up sooner mind, literally blamed spies before a language barrier.

I think his best performances for us have always come when he's able to pass in dangerous areas, which he can't just get into at the minute. A complete no.10 he may not be, but he's a better fit for it than Sissoko who just doesn't have the decision-making. Plus, Cabaye's shown himself to have excellent link up with Cisse, which we've not seen anywhere near enough over the last few months.

Would rather just swap Sissoko and Cabaye still. We're missing intelligence and creativity in attack and power in the middle, just play them in their positions.

Good point, Inochi. It's not as if any squad in the land won't have some level of division either, it's perfectly natural and you don't need everyone to be the bestest of friends to get a good team spirit going.

The Edwards/Club thing is interesting. I doubt the club would have gone with such an offensive strategy if they weren't confident in the team spirit. There's denying it and then there's doing this. Plus, it's an awfully quick amount of time for the team spirit to suddenly dissipate, considering the scenes against Fulham. But even if players have been complaining about the manager this year, I still don't see how it's a problem. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks the club have leaked the split on purpose so they could respond strongly and create some sort of siege mentality Although that's more me just hoping there's not one iota of truth in these rumours.

This is a little overly defensive from the club. There probably have been complaints about the manager but I still don't understand why that's a problem, players aren't blind and will get to a point of frustration if the bloke in charge is making the same mistakes and isn't performing, it affects them.

More clear the air talks have been had this week apparently. Hopefully if players have been questioning tactics then that's what will change for the weekend.

That interview man

I really like Mou but Dortmund deserve this, and Klopp's class too. Howay Dortmund.

Home kit's decent.

Weidenfeller

MYM would probably benefit from starting as full back tbh, would give him a chance to adjust to the playing style and get used to how we defend as a unit from a less pressurised position.

Class run by Ronaldo highlighted there, that's what Gouffran occasionally does for us but nowhere near enough.

We're missing power in the middle and intelligence and creativity up top, we have the resources to increase the chances of our strategy being more effective, even if it is ultimately too basic, but the manager isn't making logical decisions.

Real should have 3 Shocking misses here. Cracking game mind.

Sissoko would be great in that Spurs team alongside Sandro, but they already have Dembele to do the box-to-box stuff. They won't go for Cabaye either, they've got Holtby who has a tremendous future.

Just out of interest.. if Ben Arfa does stay beyond this summer, I assume you will retract that? He still might if a positive manager is installed and some ambition shown. I doubt it like but I wouldn't discount the possibility. Under this mug, no chance. I think we've seriously blown it with regards keeping our top players. This. It might have been different if we'd actually had a good second half to the season but we haven't, it's been utterly embarrassing despite having a far better team to work with compared to the first half of the campaign. The players aren't mugs, they'll have realised by now that he's a busted flush.

It's this kind of stuff that's going to force Ashley's hand, players wanting to move. He's all about maximising assets but if his assets aren't happy simply because of the manager, then I imagine he'll give the manager the bullet. Ben Arfa's an ambitious lad, I wouldn't be surprised if he was looking to go to a contending club, he could actually play with a proper coach for starters. What kind of footballer is going to want to stay here under this moron?

It's worthy of a thread like, the current World and European champions look like they could well have cheated their way to the top. Absolutely ridiculous that they destroyed the bags.

Don't think Colo's distribution will make too much of a difference, but his organisation sure as hell will. Taylor's a decent defender but has shown recently that he's not the type to lead, he needs someone to hold his hand, as harsh as that might sound.

MYM was also fine against Lukaku too, one of the most powerful strikers in the division.

You make a good point about what the players were sold when they joined. Can imagine that is a huge factor in all of this. We've got a project, to be a top 4 team and play attacking football. 3 months later... Sent out on a suicide mission to grind out a point at home when we're in desperate need for 3. Why wouldn't they be exasperated, it's an absolute joke. Has this been the worst managerial performance ever in the Premier League, considering what Pardew's had at his disposal?

I find the whole thing very worthy..... as soon as we start to struggle people resort to clichés and stereotypes and ignore what the real problems are. The whole this wouldn't happen with english players lark is even worse This is symbolic of such a situation. When the shit's hit the fan, people get angry at a bunch of stuff, even if it's largely irrelevant.

Aye, worrying that these are being leaked now.

Edwards' article says players are too interested in worrying about tactics rather than the team's demise. Err...