Gallowgate Toon

I think he'll be alright. The prospect of him, Cisse and HBA against Southampton is mouth watering, a great mix of talents there.

Twice the talent of Cabaye, Ben Arfa? Really? Nah.... Y I think so. Cabaye and Hatem are quality but Bale's on a different level. I agree that he is probably one of the betters in the league, at least from what I saw today. But Ben Arfa on his day is at the same level, I just think Bale is more consistent. Not seen Hatem impact a game like that before. Spurs at home this year.

A lack of support in the second half but he sometimes need to be a bit smarter in those situations.

A quick centre half and I don't think Bale gets the second...

I was impressed by their closing down today. They're one of the best teams in the league for it, but he should have taken a leaf out of Gouffran's book, give it and go.

Held on to it a bit too much today, something he'll have to learn.

This Bale shit is sickening.

Very late? It's a nano second you mackem prick.

Could do with MYM's pace here.

Completely agree that Marveaux is a better footballer than Gouffran, but he's not a better player for that position. I think the biggest indicator of this is Gouffran making curved runs from wide over the last couple of games, something Marveaux will never do as he's a ball player. We need that goal threat and striker's instinct, especially when HBA comes back into the fold. Balance is key, and Gouffran offers that.

That Bear absolutely hates us, he can't admit a single good thing about the club.

Looks nothing like her.

This has been coming for a while, doping will be the next big one.

Marveaux and Gouffran are far, far superior to Johnson? If that's what you're saying, then IMO it's a tremendously deluded statement. It's not a deluded statement at all. Despite Johnson having a good left peg, he has very little else to his game. Their fans haven't been too impressed with him this year. I'd stick my neck out and say Marveaux is a much better player.

They have one or two decent outlets in attack that he doesn't really make the most of, in that sense he holds them back. I agree that they're well drilled defensively, but he's gone a bit too far with it (no shots on target and all that). They wouldn't be much better off in any case, there's some absolute dross in their first team.

Still the best player we've got. He's going to really kick on with the extra movement around him.

I think we can get a draw.

We'll finish above them and that opinion hasn't changed all season, even if we lose our next and they win, I'll still be confident. They have a poor team hindered even further by an out of date manager, we have a good team of actual footballers that have been massively held back by an oaf in charge, as well as some big injuries over winter. However, our boost from new players will carry us through.

After the Villa game, I thought Pardew had Sissoko and Cabaye the wrong way round, but after yesterday, I can see his thinking. Cabaye is obviously a brilliant passer of the ball but he doesn't have the quickest of feet and consequently struggles to beat players, he naturally operates better with a little extra space. Despite Sissoko being massive, he's quite a skillful fellow and can make a yard for himself easily (see 2 great megs yesterday). It will be really interesting to see how he continues in that attacking midfield role, I'm excited.

I like him and thought he played well enough yesterday, but he didn't always do his job properly. Completely lost Lampard for that chance in the first half, and I thought he should have been a lot closer to Mata for the goal too. He's a useful squad player who I'd want to play against Spurs, but when Southampton come to SJP, I'd much rather Anita was there instead.

Great stuff from him yesterday.

He'll be even more effective when he has Hatem playing ahead of him, a player who can beat his man and put in a good delivery with either foot. I thought he defended well yesterday, and was excellent going forward.

His link up play was excellent yesterday, especially in the first half. He looks a completely different player to that of a few weeks ago.

He'll get his share when Hatem comes back. We've got the clever wide forward, now we need our creative one to come in. I think HBA, Cisse and Gouffran will have a very good balance, they'll get plenty of goals.