QBG

Dinho about that, but they are currently in first place in Ligue 1. Have to think they won't be looking to sell if they remain contenders come January. Pretty much this. He's an excellent player, and I would be more than happy to see us get rid of Ba if it meant we were able to bring him in. PEA can play either side of a front three or through the centre, so if we were to finally switch to the 4-3-3 then he would be the perfect signing. However, Saint-Etienne aren't strapped for cash at the moment, they have one of the bigger fanbases in France, are currently in the thick of the title chase and are in the process of renovating their ground. Therefore considering that PEA has already scored eight goals this season, I can't see them accepting anything less than £10m.

0-0

We won't go down. Bottom half yes, but we'll have just enough to stay up.

It looked as if Krul was the busier keeper of the two, if they could shoot we could have been well beaten by half time. Krul dropped a massive bollock for the first goal, I still think he kept us in it before and after that. I suppose the first half is open to interpretation, we did most of the pressing imo, but they cut us apart time and again and created the more clear cut chances. Thought Krul was ok, at fault for the first, but I'm not even sure how the second went in.

Krul 6 Simpson 5 Williamson 5 S.Taylor 6 Santon 6 Tiote 6 Anita 6 HBA 6.5 Sammy 4 Ferguson 5 Ba 6.5 Shola 6.5 Bigi 5 Marveaux 6 Really pissed off yet again, thought we were decent in the first half and but for a wonder save from their keeper from Ben Arfa we would have had the lead, still by the same token they always looked dangerous on the break. Early stages of the second half it looked like the goal was going to come, we were clearly on top and the crowd was in good voice. However, we soon fell to pieces and as soon as they capitalised on their spell of dominance it was all but over. It hasn't helped at all that we've never really been able to field a full strength side, but the lack of cohesion from a group of players that train with each other every day is absolutely shocking. As soon as they took the lead we couldn't string two passes together and the second goal was inevitable with how much possession they were allowed to have. Perhaps what has been most concerning over these past two weeks is that the mental strength that was all so evident last season isn't there at all. The Southampton game is absolutely vital if we are to have any chance of finishing close to where we did last season, but ironically I think our run of 'form' may come over Christmas for once. Having no Europa games for a while will be a bonus, and hopefully we will be able to gain some continuity and momentum.

Krul Simpson Williamson Taylor Santon Tiote Anita Ben Arfa Sammy Ba Ferguson That's just me being experimental, and there's no way in hell that will be the team, but I just want to see us go at them from the first whistle, get in behind them and win by a comfortable margin.

Still probably won't get that much for him, Montpellier have been s**** defensively this season and he's struggled for fitness. As for Remy, he's excellent, but he's made of f***ing glass. Injured again last weekend, and he really has yet to deliver on his massive potential. Still he would be a very good addition if he can stay fit.

CERTAINLY! :lol:

Not much of a blow aside from the versatility he offers. Bigi should be able to step in and cope.

Had a chance to cool down after that one. Pleased with a point in the circumstances, don't agree with this 'intent' business and at the end of the day Colo didn't catch him. Fair enough if that is how you're going to define the laws of the game but there needs to be some sort of consistency shown by the referees. Thought we were excellent in parts but should have killed the game off earlier in the second half. Krul and Taylor were excellent, Anita had a decent game, as did Ben Arfa. Impressed with Sammy when he came on too. Hopefully the injuries we picked up today aren't too serious, but the emergence of the likes of Sammy, Ferguson and Bigi has at least given us a bit more depth. Krul 7 Anita 6.5 Taylor 7 Colo 5 Santon 6.5 Perch n/a Cabaye 6.5 Jonas 5.5 Ben Arfa 6.5 Ba 6 Cisse 6 Simpson 6 Sammy 6.5 Ferguson 6

In the Argentina squad for their next internationals.

If it means Gosling or someone else not up to it then it sounds like it'd be a masterstroke. Maybe it spells the end of Jonas although given his vice captaincy it would seem unlikely. To get shot of Gosling and bring Sissoko in would be wonderful business. Can't see us getting rid of Jonas anytime soon.

The one thing Sissoko certainly would bring to our midfield, is a bit more energy and drive, as I've said he is not strictly a holding midfielder, and if I had to compare him to a current Premier League player, it would be either Ramires or Yaya Toure. He's not on the same level as them, but his style is similar and he would certainly be a useful player to have. Especially if we got him for nowt.

Sissoko is a box to box midfielder of sorts. He's certainly not a 'defensive midfielder' in the same sense as Tiote or Anita. He can sit in front of the back four or play further forward. Toulouse have a good amount of depth in midfield with Capoue and Etienne Didot but I imagine they would be gutted to lose Sissoko for nothing.

Sissoko would be an excellent signing, as would Etienne Capoue who also plays for Toulouse and just broke into the French side. They have an excellent midfield.

Very disappointing display. We were OK first half but nothing more, second half we were abysmal for the most half and had WBA been more clinical we would have been staring defeat in the face. Highly fortunate to have come away with all three points but I suppose you have to give credit to the players for not giving in. Really difficult to pick out anyone who played particularly well aside from Krul, although Obertan looked decent and seems to have a fair bit of confidence at the moment, same can be said for Sammy. Lukaku was excellent for them, Chelsea have got themselves a top player there. Still, despite the poor performance, we got the win and are just four points adrift of 4th and currently in control of Europa League group. I think each and every one of us would have taken that at the start of the season.

Agree 100% Agree, was all a bit embarrassing down in the Gallowgate corner. Decent-ish game, Sammy was excellent and Ferguson's delivery into the box is absolutely superb. Comfortable evening and nice to see Obertan get on the scoresheet.

Looks harsher and harsher each time you see it.

Going to this, can't wait. They're no mugs but hopefully we'll play a strong team and can win by a few.

Loved Cabaye's celebration by the way, stood, arms aloft giving the Mackems his best face.

Coloccini 8? mental. How so? One of the best displays I've seen from him in a Newcastle shirt, gotta be worth at least a 9. Fair enough.

Coloccini 8? mental. How so?

Great away performance. Extremely unlucky not to leave with all three points, Coloccini was absolutely immense and Cabaye had his best game of the season. Tiote is a f***ing lemon, absolutely pointless challenge and we were in complete control until that point. We did an absolutely sterling job with 10 men and they were very fortunate to find the equaliser despite all their possession. Krul 7 Simpson 7 Williamson 7 Coloccini 8 Santon 7 Ben Arfa 6 Tiote n/a Cabaye 7 Jonas 6 Ba 6 Perch 6 Oh yeah and Martin Atkinson is a horrible Mackem cunt.

Certainly more so than the 4-1 when Sunderland were basically down anyway. The bit about them being heavy favourites before last season's 1-0 is pish too.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9622058/Sunderland-v-Newcastle-United-six-pivotal-games-that-shook-the-North-East.html Poor writing from Edwards, but the bit about SBR & Quinn is great. Typical Sir Bob