ExiledGeordie

Yep it's a huge match

Arsenals defence is shite

Elliot's certainly looked a lot sharper this season compared to last when we've seen him but sundays game is a totally different kettle of fish. Real pressure involved but atleast we don't have Williamson in front of him ffs

FUCK

Harper?

5 weeks??? fuck me

They're in good form and we've dropped loads of points at home this season, it's not exactly an outrageous position for them to be confident. I think we'll win a tight one. We're a very different team now. Literally. They're on a good run at the moment and this is a tough old match. As said above though we're a very different team at the moment and have much more attacking power while we've started to firm things up at the back. I'm fully expecting Cabaye, Cisse, Sissoko, Gouffran to be the difference in this one and see us home. A win here is massive because the table could look a lot healthier if we manage to get 3 points given the other fixtures for sides around us and in the bottom half in general. Could jump up a few places which would increase the confidence further.

Yeah that's exactly what I thought watching him last night. It wasn't the easiest of games to come into the side either.

Merson never really has a good word to say about us does he, or have I got that wrong? Always seems like there's a bit of agenda there, did we do something to piss up off at some point?

Is Gouffran definitely back fit for this?

Likewise and it would also be a great lift for everyone if he is.

Yeah that's right lets just throw in back in and risk re-inury with a notoriously difficult area to treat. Do you not think they're desperate for him to play as he brings so much to the side. The lad hasn't played full speed competetive football for months, they have to be 100% sure he's ready. My guess is he'll make the bench on sunday but you throwing some predictable slant at Pardew over this is fairly predictable of someone who hasn't thought this through properly. Pardew doesn't just pull decisions out of the air, there's a whole team monitoring HBA's fitness/strength and if he isn't ready he isn't ready.

He's a match winner alright. I'm not only excited about going to the match on sunday to see his return but also to see how his return creates space for the likes of Sissoko, Gouffran and Cisse. I hope at some point in the match we see what could be a deadly attack of: Sissoko HBA Gouffran Cisse

He's not that far away from goals to be fair even if he's not bang on sharp at the moment. HBA's return will help too.

Great news, doubt he'll start though. Gouffran & Marveaux or Jonas with HBA on at 60 mins I reckon.

This lad one side of Cisse and HBA the other is a tasty thought. HBA undoubtedly the more creative "pull something out of nothing" player who isn't a slouch speed wise but with Gouffran's pace and workrate the other side Hope I see this v Southampton next weekend

Fly him out to Russia middle of February after months out with a hamstring injury. I know we're all desperate to see him back but have a word Whats gonnahappen sitting down for 5 hours gonna damage him in some way? I'm not a sports scientist but I think it is pretty bad for you actually. I might be wrong like. I'd say with my limited knowledge as a physio student and general knowledge that playing in the freezing cold after being out for so long with one of the most difficult injuries to treat is not the best situation for a return to action. Hard to say definitively too but a longish flight either way isn't going to do you any favours too. Not the situation to bring back your prize asset who is crucial to the rest of the season.

Fly him out to Russia middle of February after months out with a hamstring injury. I know we're all desperate to see him back but have a word

Fucking Obertan man Dear oh dear. I said to my Irish mate from my course who came down to watch that he'd do nothing. He asked "yeah how come your man Marveaux who looks infinitely better didn't start ahead of him?"

Yeah you can tell he's actually a "footballer" compared to Simpson

He can obviously cover at right back and was fine defensively but it was clear it isn't his natural position.

The second offside decision as it was at the Gallowgate end looked ridiculous and the 1st dodgy as but I couldn't say for definite as it was hard to see at the other end of the ground. I thought (in no paricular order): Got the impression we massively underestimated them and had the sense they thought they could turn up and win...... Santon was all over the place positionally and sloppy in position. Sissoko was class most of the match but loss his way early in 2nd half. Obertan is shite and always will be, Marveaux should've started. Cisse should've buried atleast one goal but was robbed. That Tiote yellow card was wreckless to say the least. Jonas looked "busy" and more energised but his final ball is still atrocious. I actually thought they were pretty tidy first half, neat on the ball and got into some dangerous positions. Looked knackered second half. Did enough to take a lead to theirs as it is I think we'll have to relinquish any desires in this competition to make sure we're 100% for Southampton. Shame but that's the way it is.

In agreement with Madras, no chance they'll fly him out to Russia and play him and I'd say it's unlikely he'll start against Southampton.

Taylor's not going to be at right back Disappointed Marveaux isn't starting. Hey off off to St James' we go

Tiote and Mbiwa playing right, did I also read quotes from Pardew in this thread saying Sissoko and Cisse would play too?