Gallowgate Toon

Whats this about? I'm going to guess he's on about Sissoko and Cabaye's roles in the team. Most want Cabaye pushed forward from his current position and Sissoko moved back from his current position but Pards seems to want to persist with Sissoko behind Cisse and Cabaye practically next to Taylor. Again, that wasn't the case in our last game. First half, it looked like Cabaye had more licence to get forward. He ended up playing a key part in our goal and almost getting a couple himself. Yes, second half it went to s**** and most of our lot were far deeper than they should have been. I'm not here to defend Pardew, I wouldn't want to, but the bollocks being spouted is painful to have to read. That's the first time he's found space further up the pitch in a long while, but they played a 2 man midfield in the first half, it wouldn't be daft to suggest there was more space for him to get in to because of that. It's not bollocks to suggest he's been too deep for us for too long either, and I seriously doubt it's the player's choice considering he's an attack-minded midfielder. Edit: And, it's an utterly pointless compromise too. Would it not be better to simply play Cabaye in the position where he's shown himself to be most effective for us, and Sissoko in the one where he made his name? Cabaye may have been given more license to get forward, which hasn't actually been proven true yet, but we've all seen that he struggles to impose himself in games where he's either overrun or is struggling to find or make space in areas where he can do damage (the 2 usually coincide), it's very likely that's still going to be a problem playing where he is, even if he has been told he can get forward more. Adding to that, Pardew's also recently said he's afraid Cabaye is close to physical and mental burnout, surely then it would be even more stupid to add to his responsibilities?

Doesn't look like he's been asked about Sissoko and Cabaye, again. Shame, it's an issue that seems to be gathering more and more pace on Twitter etc. but he's not quizzed on it.

My only worry is that Pardew might be rushing him back if Marveaux's out.

Journos tweeting from the press conference.

Apparently he's trained well, possibility of starting on the weekend.

He's said criticism was heavy handed post derby again

Yep. It's good to see some pressure applied from journos re: tactics but Edwards is talking rubbish in the main. Considering we played 4-2-3-1 last year, Cisse was pretty much lone striker then and Ben Arfa has barely played as a no. 10 for us.

It was always going to have to be more than 7. They couldn't punish him less than the Dutch federation did, that would have caused a shitstorm, and considering it's a re-offence of a truly weird act, adding one more match onto it would have been seen to be pointless. Taking all the factors into consideration, 10 is about right. If this was just an isolated incident, I doubt he'd have got more than 3. That's why you can't compare a leg breaker and this scenario, in my opinion.

Good. It's right that it's more than his last biting ban. I'm sure those twits will be banging on about how he 'only' got 7 last time though.

Do you think you need to add to your coaching staff, if yes, why hasn't this happened?

Bird's received a load of feedback on Twitter for that crap article, lots of mentions of set pieces, Cabaye/Sissoko, sitting on leads. It's good that these are being highlighted, particularly the latter 2, hopefully some relevant questions will be asked come Thursday.

His passing is pretty sloppy and under pressure on the ball he panics a bit. Nothing to suggest he's a DM at all. Not initially he wasn't, dribbling out of defence and Cruyff turning in the box etc. I think it would ultimately be a waste though, he's too useful at CB.

I have a feeling Gouffran will be better foil for Sissoko than Cisse but I'm fully expecting Shola to start.

You'd think so, depressingly it will probably just mean Shola comes in... Wouldn't mind seeing: Anita Jonas Cabaye Marv Gouf Sissoko

You're right about things not being good enough, but that premise is kind of an assumption. If you only judge him on results, obviously he has been poor at his job for a year. But that's to assume that the link between effort/ability and results in football is a clear one. There are also very many other factors and also random luck involved, as well as the difficulty of arresting a slide once it starts. As you say though, it's hard to point to many specific things he has done to improve the situation. Actually, I think he's tried a lot of different things to rectify the situation but has, by and large, simply ignored the evidence for what's worked for this team in the past.

Massive shame.

Random fan interviewed on the news just said: 'It was just a playful bite, nothing should be done'

Perfect. I reckon he'd actually answer that as well.

Good one, mainly the first part I guess. The local journos all say this is a temporary measure to get us through this season so I guess that is what Pardew has told them. Really? Any respectable ones? I'm dumbfounded at that, he probably doesn't think Sissoko's adapted to the league enough to play a deeper role, or something along those lines.

They only had 2 in the middle first half, more space for him to get in to.

Aye, got to wonder what the hell Pardew is thinking. Seemingly wants to over-complicate things for himself.

Watching the Swansea game from last year, those assists for Cisse were sensational, really need to get this man further up the pitch ASAP.

Think it also had a lot to do with Ba wanting to play centrally. This .

I remember him mentioning a 5 of Cabaye, Sissoko, Gouffran, HBA and Cisse could be 'mouth-watering' for us, or something like that, that's the only thing that's stupidly keeping me hopeful in any way. We won't see it this season mind, by which time I imagine some players could conceivably be gone, whether we're playing in this league or not.

Such a shame really. Amazing watching those games today, I actually felt entertained You'd have thought we were playing under a completely different manager. Cabaye was class, he only ever got major plaudits for that Stoke game IIRC but he was great in the others too. I just have no idea why Pardew's not returned to it properly. The pass Cabaye played for Cisse on Saturday in the build-up to our goal shows what we're lacking with him playing so deep, it was another one of those passes that nobody else bar him and the recipient anticipated. Absolute beauty. My thoughts exactly. I think Sissoko has vision and can execute difficult passes but his decision-making is what ultimately separates him from Cabaye, who makes the right pass a lot of the time. It really makes a big difference when trying to build an attack and keeping pressure off.