ExiledGeordie

Definitely and like Sissoko he'll benefit from the potential more space created if we ever see HBA back on the pitch again. We paid less than 1m for him too

What do you mean trying to do too much? Holding on to the ball too long silly attempts on dribbling, all that twisting and turning bullshit and trying to pick out cutting edge passes. His role is to get the ball and then get rid of it, preferably a simple short ball to his nearest team mate. As above pretty much, that's what I mean. From what I've seen watching him live this season he seems to get caught out of position too much and caught in posession by being in the wrong position. When he first arrived and when he's at his best he patrols that space in front of the back four laterally, mopping up balls and breaking things up. When he starts heading too far down field with the ball that's when things go wrong. That's when he's move likely to lose the ball by being tackled or giving up possession by putting in aimless balls. Sure have the occasional blast from outside the area if the chance presents itself but I hope they coach him back into what he does best.

It's almost by doing less on the pitch and sticking to the simple stuff before he had far greater impacts on games for the better yet now by trying to do too much he's having an impact alright but it's detrimental to the side. Still think he was alright yesterday apart from that challenge. But Cabaye really got him out of jail with that goal because I thought Stoke would frustrate and hold on for an annoying win. The equaliser then changed the game again.

He doesn't do anything badly wrong at the moment but the lack of an attacking threat down whichever side he's on is clear as the day to see. Desperately need more attacking impetus to stretch the field a lot more with someone like HBA.

And yet he was succeeding when he first arrived. Alright teams have realised that if they hassle him he's often hurried into mistakes on the ball but I think it's more of a case of just sloppy play and decision making. He needs to go back and watch videos of what he was doing when he first arrived.

Again Yeah unfortunately its just asking for a red card at the moment and they'll know that too.

You'll just get more annoyed when you see it, utterly ridiculous challenge. That was my reaction anyway

Hahaha quality

Played really well I thought but god knows what he was doing for that challenge. Really thought it was ping to be one of those days when that pen went in

Ridiculous wasn't it

That's a good point Ian and I had a similar thought leaving the ground We weren't at our best today but Stoke are past masters at making life difficult for teams by any means necessary, literally. It'll keep them in the league but magine coaching that ffs

Just got back from the match. Pretty awful match all things considered, Christ Cisse was awful bar the goal but then he's there to d that I suppose He'll get,goals with the right service but Christ some of his link of play and today he pretty had 2 left feet. Thought he was lucky to stay on the pitch to be honest from where I was sitting but will have to see highlights again. We desperately need HBA back to give us more attacking balance and its so noticeable when Sissoko picks the ball up and runs. He's often on is own. Absolute steam train of a player though What an absolute shower Stoke are, and people pay to watch that week in week out, fuck me. Truly the anti football Christ. S glad we put this shower away even if it wasn't pretty.

Glad he got the winning goal. Looked like he was lucky to stay on the pitch from where I was sitting, but will have to see the highlights.

I definitely wouldn't have moaned if he hadn't played on thursday. Let's just hope it's a small knock though.

Yes don't understand them either. Yeah exactly I thought his press conference said there were no new injuries apart from the slight doubt over Cisse. As said we'll know shortly anyway

If that is the case it makes a mockery of flying him out to play on a dodgy surface given they'd kept some players out knowing the potential adverse reactions on a surface like that. Stupid

Have a good day lads, sounds like it'll be a laugh

Yeah Sissoko will cause them all sorts of problems. Must be difficult to keep an eye on him knowing Cabaye can thread one through or bang one in from the edge of the box too. Moved over from Gallowgate to Gallowgate/Milburn corner for this one. I'm studying all morning for Uni so I'll be primed to release some tension/stress by the time I arrive

The Norwich game is massive for them next weekend. Lose that and they really might get sucked into it. I don't think they'll go down though, they've still got enough in the side as drab as they are.

Yep go out and do the job and put these cloggers away.

Tomorrow is big to be fair, really need to bag the 3 points.

Think QPR will stay up, Samba in the groove now, Remy scoring goals, they have real momentum. First time I've watched the Mackems for a while (obviously) and fuck they're a dour side. Midfield is utter shite

Hoilett is wank man

WHat a goal

So much for the Everton wankathon at the beginning of the season