Gallowgate Toon

He is a bit top heavy, saying that, his acceleration was still very good, as was his touch and assurance on the ball. An excellent option to bring off the bench, no matter what the score on Sunday.

I thought he played well tonight, tenacious, persistent and progressive with his passing.

Is he not offside a lot because of the running he's doing? He's been chasing defenders around like a blue arsed fly for weeks

His passing ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous, it has to be said. I'm sure it'll all click into place for him on the distribution front, he was very assured on the ball in his first few games here, it's probably a confidence thing.

Aye I was very happy to see Sissoko played a bit deeper, actually. I know we attacked as well as we have all season in the second half vs Fulham, but I'd like to see Gouffran given another shot up top/Sissoko deeper against the Mackems. Wouldn't be against it either, Gouffran looked handy up top, we're not really utilising him on that left flank, I think he could score a good amount from there but we need certain players back for that. I was happy to see Sissoko deeper as well, he was looking good until the injury I thought, and it's great to see that Pardew has faith in him to do defensive work.

I haven't really seen that in him at all. Looks more of a fox in the box type that will work very hard outside it. Yep. He has shown he can do it on occasion but it's not really his game. He's a very decent footballer, good touch, surprisingly good passer of the ball too, we just need someone to pick out his running more. I'm confident he can get goals here but it's all about service.

Is this what they've been reduced to, our songbook is better than yours? :lol: 'Oooh one song, put our songbook up against yours and you will see how we leave yous for dead.' Read more: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=772979&page=4#ixzz2PumCEoa1

A mackem's branded him 'a young, less confident Boumsong'

You can see at times he's nervous when the ball comes to him, he's obviously had some scares with how quickly opposition close him down, but he'll adapt to that quickly. His actual defending has been very good, in open play at least.

He scurries, looks like he's going slowly but leaves players in his wake. Class today.

One of the moodiest players I've seen play up here, he was berating team mates every 5 minutes.

That header was class, fantastic save from Schwarzer.

Great intent second half, we should be looking to do that far more at home.

His movement's top notch, needs to be fed more. Thought he played well today mind.

Saw him play plenty last year, he has tremendous ability on the ball and has at times displayed that for us, but he seemed more confident in his earlier showings. He's probably just had a bit of a confidence shock at the pace and physicality of the game and is getting used to communicating in a new language, let's not forget this is his first move from a club and he's still young. He has a lot of ability and I'm convinced that'll translate into consistency next season.

Hopefully he can supply Gouffran too, have they played a match together yet?

How many has he got since Demba left?

Perch looked poor to me, has an annoying habit of being caught out of position and not tracking players back.

Let's go 4-3-3 and do them, they're no great shakes. Krul Santon Taylor MYM Haidara Tiote Cabaye Sissoko Marveaux Cisse Gouffran

He'll be fine. Probably just settling in to the side and whatnot.

Cisse must love playing with him mind, actually provides a good supply line most games.

I don't really see why he was taken off, needs to start on Sunday. He's got so much in his locker but just does not use it enough, i.e his dribbling ability.

Crying out for him in games like today.

While I in no way blame tonight's result on him, I do wish he'd shake things up a bit at the minute. Cabaye came back in terrific form but has gotten progressively worse since he was moved deeper, we need him higher and on the ball more. Sissoko looked better when dropping a little deeper today too, having him as the second striker encourages isolation too much.

Let down by 2 players tonight. We weren't going to keep up sustained pressure against Benfica, that rarely happens in football matches anyway. At least there's some hope left in the tie.