Lush Vlad

The skill when he nutmegged that defender I always thought he looked clumsy and raw. Seemed like his skills were down to him tripping over his own legs, but you could see from the slo-mo's last night, he genuinely has a lot of ability. Still looks like he has an awkward technique, still seems a bit greedy, but that was a brilliant performance. Really impressed by him, got his chance and he certainly took it

Should have won, but we've still got them at home. That will hopefully be the banker to get us to 10 points and pretty much seal our qualification. Can't see us beating Brugge or Bordeaux away for some reason. Think we'll draw one and lose one.

Last night, that midfield 3 seemed a right clusterfuck. At times you had Bigi further forward than Cisse, Tiote playing the anchorman role (which I think suits Anita more), whilst Anita himself seemed to be playing as a box to box midfielder. He clearly hasn't got the attributes to do that and he has looked uncomfrotable with our style of play so far. In the videos I saw of him at Ajax, he seemed to just sit really deep, almost like a midfield sweeper and just pick the ball up from the centre backs. We usually don't have a link between defence and midfield, so I'd like to start seeing him do this. At the moment, games just pass him by. But he's barely played for us and I think he'll be a useful addition in the long run. Would still probably play Perch in Tiote's absence though.

Can't agree whatsoever and I think his limitations will stop a 'top' club coming in for him and paying over the odds. However, I would like to see him get back to basics. He's trying long, hollywood balls, being even more nonchalent in dangerous areas than before and his discipline hasn't got any better. Seems like Pardew has given him more of a free reign to get about the pitch, either that or Cheik has decided he wants to. I preferred him when he just played deeper and looked for short, quick passes.

Game seems to pass him by a bit and he does look a bit rash at times. It's to be expected at his age though, can't believe he's still so young really. Love the weight he puts on his passes. Scholes would have been proud of the long diagonal to Santon in the first half.

Not meaning to start up the tedious left back/right back debate again. But................. I prefer Santon at left back.

More important things to do http://twitpic.com/b77v0u Ha ha @nufcawaytickets seen this where in Europe safe are th the cinema no joke ha ha What the f*** does that mean exactly? It's a cry for help Nath, show some respect Exactly. Far too many taking the p*ss out of macums on here when it's pity that they really need. Err, he's a toon fan I think? Still trying to work out what he means

More important things to do http://twitpic.com/b77v0u Ha ha @nufcawaytickets seen this where in Europe safe are th the cinema no joke ha ha What the fuck does that mean exactly?

So on a regular basis then? I must get myself some death treats. I bet they taste good, but they'll probably be the end of me.

They planning on leaving the Sports Direct signs on the East Stand and that horrible painted one on the Gallowgate then? Just seen they've not been taken down inside. Only the signs that say 'Arena' have been taken down from the outside so far. Like everyone said all along, free advertising as oppose to showcasing how the naming rights would work.

Agree with Sewelly. Do people not watch Felliani or something? I remember in his first season there were about 4 or 5 instances where he elbowed someone or swung an elbow. Kicked out at someone in frustration in the WBA game a few weeks back and all. Didn't see the Wigan incident, but not surprised to hear about it.

I think we'll see 4-4-2 if Sammy is to start. Would have thought Shola will get a chance after being HAULED OFF #9-1 #FTM on Sunday. As will Cisse, both scored last round as well. Obertan will clearly get a start as he also played quite well against Bordeaux and Pards seems to rate him higher than most (everyone). Shame if that's the case. As I thought Obertan looked much better on the left, especially when we were playing with a front 3. Him and Sammy can switch flanks I suppose, but we don't seem particularly fluid with our formations. Would also presumably mean Bigi wouldn't start, as Tiote is playing and surely Anita will get a start. Massive load of assumptions in this post hope I'm wrong.

Touched by the hand of God. Blessed by Ben Arfa.

Can't see it happening in a 4-4-2, nor should it IMO. He's looked like a passenger when we've played that formation. Our whole midfield is a passenger in 4-4-2, though yes anita does look like a 3 man midfield player To a point yes. Would certainly much rather we played with a 3. Anita really looked out of place though, whereas the others battle on and do ok regardless

Can't see it happening in a 4-4-2, nor should it IMO. He's looked like a passenger when we've played that formation.

And i suppose Lucas, Carrick, Arteta, Barry etc etc do? the physicality thing is well overplayed. Besides i think your find most would see him in the role he had against Bordeaux which isn't really "defensive midfield" that's more Jonas role when we played 4-3-3 last season. None of those are 5ft 5" and about 9 stone wet through though. Barry and Lucas are strong players as well, so fail to see your angle? I personally like the look of Anita, but he does seem miles off the pace. No coincidence he's looked good in Europe both times he's played, also we've started with a 4-3-3 of sorts in those games. Seems much more rushed and panicky in the Prem.

Thought I would jinx it, but I said after 10 minutes Johnson's getting no change out of Santon. He really did have Johnson in his pocket. I've become so used to Colo's ridiculously good performances that I said Cabaye or Santon for MOTM yesterday. Looking back, it was clearly Colo, but Santon 2nd or 3rd I reckon. He's been superb this season. Agree with others that he's annoyingly ineffective when he gets into the final third.

He normally looks fucked after about 50-60 minutes, even with a strike partner. Seemed to last a bit longer when he wasn't doing the donkey work and had Shola or Best as the target man mind. However, he worked himself into the ground yesterday. Was a handful all game for their back 4 and challenged almost every ball in some way or another. Thought he might go off for Cisse and despite HBA also being visibly fucked, in hindsight that would have been the better decision IMO.

Agree 100%.

I know he's probably trying to boost morale and make the players believe in themselves. But I really wish he'd stop going on about the top 4. At the minute, we'll do well to finish in the top 8. We're playing worse than last season, teams are more clued up to how we play and aren't taking us so lightly and other teams around us have improved. I know it's early days, but I haven't really seen us play well in the league this season. We looked a lot better yesterday, but it's difficult to draw much from a derby game, esepcially when we had 10 men for three quarters of it.

Thought he was outstanding. Surprised he took so long to get booked, but he put in a monumental shift. He covered every blade of grass yesterday. Set pieces were a bit hit and miss, but nearly added an assist to his great goal and he played well throughout. Was quality against Bordeaux as well, so hoping he'll kick on from here. Can put a line through the Man U game, as they were all shit.

First two seconds...STHUNDERLUN STHUNDERLUN...Hahaha. Clems. That ridiculous lisp. I'm in there at about 1:02. Their fans that stopped behind at the end to give the coaches some abuse were hilarious. All wearing trackies, lacking a few teeth and brain cells as well by the looks of it. Such a strange little place.

The most annoying thing is, Pardew usually picks up on where we've gone wrong. Like he said at the weekend, no rhythm or fluidity, relying too heavily on moments of brilliance, haven't really started yet this season etc. In the past he's mentioned lacking control in the midfield, wanting to control the game and possession more. Then comes the set pieces, they really are fucking horrific. Spoke in length about it at the end of the season. Even mentioned possibly getting a coach in to look at them. Yet we've played the same aimless, useless, ineffective 'chip to the big man at the back post' tactic since Hughton was here. Last time I remember it working was Carroll to Nolan, December 2010.... Yet he says all this stuff and we rarely seem to improve on the areas he mentions or even look like we've tried to improve. Quite worrying really. Is it all just hot air, saying what he thinks we want to hear? Or is he genuinely incapable of altering how we play?

I think he's told too personally. It's a little thing but he doesn't join in the attacking play warm-ups they do pre-match, it's only Santon on his side. I agree he is wasted as a winger in a 4-4-2 in games against 'lesser teams' You are possibly right there. It is frustrating to see him either turn back or wait for the Santon overlap - he still has the ability to beat a man I think. Sadly, I don't. He's lost a yard and has become very predictable. Always holds on to it for too long in congested areas, after trying to beat a man or two. Then just looks and hopes for a foul. Other teams know his crossing is dreadful, so they just show him the line and then sod all happens.

I seem to remember his performances picking up when we signed HBA and he got dropped to start with. Might have been coincidental, but maybe he needs another kick up the arse? I've always said, in a lot of home games and a few aways, I wouldn't start him. However against the big boys and for tough away trips, he's vital.