themanupstairs

Fair point, but to me we look much improved either way. Obviously if he sticks Tiote and Jonas straight back in then it's a big mistake. Much proved ffs We didn't create a chance in 90 minutes. unreal isn't it. Ian's always "on the brink" of losing it with Pardew. That brink never comes though.

No chance he's outright refused to play. He would have put in a transfer request IMO. Something has gone on behind the scenes, or he's just being saved anticipating his sale.

A player in the mould of Andreas Weimann is one of the things we need at the moment. Works so hard, has pace and is supremely intelligent with a thunderbolt of a shot. I'd be delighted with him tbh. Not sure how much he'd cost, but 7 or 8 million on him would be money well spent.

Not sure what you're alluding to here. Cisse isn't a good enough footballer to be making runs and creating space for Shola. Cisse himself needs that kind of partner alongside him. Instead he ends up with a lumbering oaf in Shola who barely offered anything. And played for 90 minutes. Can't fault our midfielders when there is absolutely no movement ahead of them whatsoever. I didn't see the game so was just asking for some views from those who did. Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Marveaux and Cisse should provide a threat in theory even taking Shola into account. My concern is we still don't have any genuine wide players other than Debuchy. Oh I see. Well, it was as shit as you could have imagined upon seeing the line up. No natural width as you say, and hardly any composure from any of our creative outlets (bar Marveaux in spells when he drifted inside).

Not sure what you're alluding to here. Cisse isn't a good enough footballer to be making runs and creating space for Shola. Cisse himself needs that kind of partner alongside him. Instead he ends up with a lumbering oaf in Shola who barely offered anything. And played for 90 minutes. Can't fault our midfielders when there is absolutely no movement ahead of them whatsoever.

Marveaux's little 1-2 with Shola.

No coincidence at all that we became shockingly impotent in front of goal as soon as Ba left. He was a striker that made something out of nothing, and it papered over many a crack, including Pardew's asshole. Our squad is crying out for a straight up and honest 433, and he's too much of a pussy to play it. It's the only way he might have a chance to salvage his career here.

This He clearly hasn't got everything, least of all pace. But he was intelligent in those 1v1's.

Good thing you didn't watch that. If you'd seen Shola barge over a WH defender while Cisse has just won the header you;d have gouged your eyes out.

Sick of the sight of Gerard's w*** attempts at hollywood balls. So 2001

Dat away kit

on the left side of a 433 yes. He has a lot more pace and can beat a man. Gouffran is a central striker imo.

I believe it is. Someone mentioned it earlier.

Nope. This is the worst I've seen us play. At the time of Big Sam we had a team of prima donna mercenaries. We finished 5th with a blistering end to the season before last with a very good style of play that has never been seen since.

Sammy was pretty good when he came on. Wish we would revert back to the pure 433. Sammy Cisse HBA Marveaux Anita Sissoko Until Remy returns from injury

Cabaye's no advanced midfielder. I prefer Marveaux there, but seeing as Cabaye is (was) one of our purples, playing him in the advanced role would have made a lot more sense than playing him deep with Tiote and Sissoko ahead of them.

I disagree tbh. I hate Pardew and his "football" more than the next guy, but to be fair, the 442 was to attack WH and give us some balance rather than to neutralize them. IMO.

He made some excellent headed clearances in the box late on.

Much more solid defensively today. Tried to get forward a lot but was largely ignored. When he wasn't, he never received the right ball that would open up the space in front of him (see his goal in preseason). Hopefully this will come with time.

Hopefully this was a good start to a lengthy spell in the starting line up. Such a tidy and uncomplicated little player. Exactly what we need in midfield. Play him in a 3 with Sissoko and an advanced Cabaye would have been the way forward this season.

They were at least as bad as we were. Not as much daylight as that tripe suggests.

This. Gouffran is the last person i'm blaming for this.

0 shots on target in 91 minutes at home. fuck off

If you'd have kept your trap shut maybe no one would have. But you can't resist the goading man such a WUM. I've goaded once in three years on this forum like, after we beat Newcastle in a thriller. I actually never give anyone s*** like. Not even wumming I'd like to see Newcastle win this. Nah you're alright

If you'd have kept your trap shut maybe no one would have. But you can't resist the goading man such a WUM.