Nice try at shifting some of Pardew’s failings onto Coloccini. The job of a captain these days is mainly symbolic as no team should have to rely on one player for anything once the game kicks off.
Not having that like. I know when you were younger the captain used to help pick the team and everything, the role is certain different to what it once was, but there's no co-incidence that teams with a weak/poorly-picked captain might struggle more than ones with a strong leader.
Surprised and pleased that Sissoko is gonna start the game. Personally I think Yanga-Mbwia will start too and Gouffran will get 25 minutes or so off the bench, based upon nowt in particular.
It's a bit like when Kinnear wanted to get M'Bia in his January window, and instead we got to witness the Kev and Nicky 'Outrun the Flash!' masterclass every week. Except this time we've got better players to start with and we actually got our man. And a marginally better manager.
All 3pm FA Cup teams to score at about 290/1
Just went with £1.50 on Stoke in-play at HT, 4/1
Got an acca which I think was all the 3pm Prem teams to win their FA Cup ties