ExiledGeordie

Sure he's disappointed at not being amongst the goals, what striker wouldn't be? But we're 5th in the league, pushing for europe and his good mate is doing really well. Total overplayed bollocks by sky and that c*** Coleman. For me a complete non-issue at the moment, that system will still provide him with chances in a more open game and he'll probably score against Bolton on monday anyway.

Yes agree, strengthening the defence this summer really is key. Left back and new centre half please. If we make europe we'll need a stronger squad anyway and players will always get injured. To have 3 quality centre halfs plus Williamson as back up would be quality.

He's done well for us but I think once Santon finds his feet in the league he'll be a far better option on the right. Seems fairly likely we're lining up a new left back so if Simpson continues to play hard ball with the contract he'll be moved on and given everyone else in the league seems to think he's awesome we'll get a few quid. Nevertheless Simpson is a good pro and doesnt cause any problems so would be a shame to lose him from the squad. What will be will be.

Well said

Need a Man U esque performance from Tiote/Cabaye and all the players but especially from the midfield to take the pressure off the defence. Then leave it to the 3 amigos up front to wreak havoc. Am running the Reading half marathon on sunday................I'd gladly sacrifice a top performance if it meant a win against this lot, lol

Discussing him on talk shite. Durham is always good for a laugh, wind up merchant but funny if you can take a step back and not get wound up, lol

Be interesting to see what happens with Ba. As a team we're building something good, there's a great team spirit and the Ba/Cisse/Ben Arfa thing looks like it could be deadly. These should be enough to keep him at the club with a bigger contract but sadly money often talks in football and if Chelski come in and offer him silly money his head may be turned. He seems like a decent bloke but seen it all too often before.

Could single-handedly win the game for us on sunday, lethal at the moment............and with the crowd right behind him. The movement of him, Cisse and Ba was awesome the other day and long may it continue.

Absolutely needs 100% support on sunday. Exactly what whingers and moaners in the crowd think it will benefit the time by hurling abuse at him against Liverpool and completely unnerving him even more if he makes a mistake.........that'll play right into Liverpool's hands.

Hope Tiote is back to give the defence some cover. Cabaye looks to be coming into some good form and our front 3 can cause them all sorts of problems. We've taken a little bit of the pressure off with the last two wins so going into this even without Colo we're in a good shape mentally. There's plenty of pressure building on Doglish too. Tough, tough game still. Snarling, misery guts will be desperate to win this one.

Real shame but I have a sneaky feeling he might make this one. He's certainly not going to give anything away right now.

Philips referring to St James as "Sports Direct" dear oh dear

Back to his absolute best and primed ready for Jose, get in.

Maybe he is utterly clueless but he's all we've got isn't he, there isn't another option. Putting the lad under even more pressure at matches especially at home with abuse is only going to further undermine us

Holding on for 40 minutes, christ. The defending for that goal

I think Tiote will be saved for next weekend for the grudge match with those cunts.

If Marveaux hadn't got injured this clown wouldn't have got anywhere near the side

We are weak in defence with Williamson, Simpson is "decent" at best but no more than that and Santon is still unproven at left back. That all leaves Coloccini and Krul far too exposed. In midfield it all looks a bit disjointed to me. Cabaye has gone off the boil and we don't have nearly enough attacking options which leaves us looking a bit stagnated imo. For all I love about Jonas he doesn't offer nearly enough of a regular goal/creative threat imo. Obertan is just s****, lol I thought Arsenal's play probably deserved the win and they had enough chances to put the match away in the last 20 mins but to concede like that at the end was ridiculous. There wasn't anyone anywhere near the right side when the ball fell to Vermaelen to striker, pathetic. Got to learn from situations like this.

Eventually I'd love to see him at right back with a quality left back signed. He would be more effective attacking on the right side and an overlapping full back on the left side would give miles more balance to the team. Would work better with Jonas too.

I think people underestimate just how long it takes to get back to absolute full fitness, strength and sharpness. Ben Arfa in the second half against the scum was about as close as we've seen to the Ben Arfa in the Everton video in terms of his breakaway pace etc. He just needs a few games now to continue this.

Pretty much his first touch of the ball forced a corner. As Elliotman says, just give him a run out. He has the pace and cutting edge to tear a fullback apart and get to the byline of cut in and unleash fierce crosses and shots. A couple of the things he did yesterday were outrageous and I'm hoping from the quotes Pardew came out with that he's finally realised he's just simply got to persist with him. He opens the pitch up so much man, it's not rocket science. Cabaye/Tiote immediately had more room to operate because they were stretched and it put far more pressure on the Sunderland because they were suddenly having to defend two flanks no just senseless narrow play with hoof ball lobs up to the front two.

I'd like to see: Krul Santon Will Colo Raylor Tiote Cabaye Guthrie Ben Arfa Jonas Ba He won't move Santon to right back but I think sticking Ba on his own up front with Jonas/Ben Arfa supporting and Cabaye pushing forward with Tiote/Guthrie to mop up. A 4-5-1 that gives us protection for the defence and support against their mobile midfield but enough in attck to create. I'd like to see Ferguson get some time too, he's very direct.

Always thought and still think he's a decent, hard working professional who is good to come in for one or two games but that's it. I expect he'll be 3rd or 4th choice next season because Saylor will be back and we'll probably sign another centre half. Worried about what Arsenal will do to him to be honest.

I don't think our play has been helped by the fact that Cabaye has been awful since the Man U game. When Ben Arfa came on and opened things up giving the two central midfielders more space even Tiote was more incisive and coming forward like he was the creative force ffs. To be fair it took Silva at City a season before he started to really begin to play in this league. It's still early days for Cabaye and you could argue that this is Ben Arfa's first real season too what with the injury. I think both will go on to become much more effective once they've bedded in a bit more.

He's the lynchpin of the defence and together with Krul is vital. Bring back a fit Saylor, sign another solid centre back from the continent and bring in a new left back and we're looking good. Awesome news