Lush Vlad

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.

Cheers Hughesy Only seen him in friendlies, Europa and that sub app vs Villa, but he's been fantastic so far. Glad to hear he's done well after starting in the league as well.

Cabaye lacking fitness and Tiote missing is massive though. Barring HBA, our midfield has looked really poor this season. Bypassing them doesn't help of course, but we've lacked any creativity and fight so far. Hopefully both play on Sunday, we're going to need them!

Agree with most of this, but I'm not sure he'll be a success. Just don't think he'll get the minutes required and he'll only ever get 70 minutes here and there in cup matches or if someone is out injured. Not ideal for someone that needs to regain form and confidence after so long out. I know it was a bit of a nothing game when he came on, but the 3-1 at Everton last season was promising. He was the best player on the pitch second half that. Played inch perfect balls, on the deck and in the air. Showed good composure, kept play ticking a long, the odd bit of skill and looked pacey. He gave the ball away once all half, but he was looking to play it forward, not just sideways and back. Coincidentally, he also looked quite good against Everton at home before he got crocked. Not shown anything like those levels so far this season.

How did he get on Saturday? Only see highlights and it sounded terrible, so I haven't bothered trying to find the entire game to watch back.

Out according to this: http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/matches/2012-2013/epl.html/reading-vs-newcastle It's the official site so assuming it's accurate. Never used it before though.

Tooth problem! FFS I'd start Bigi, but I think it will be Perch and Tiote, with Anita at right back. Not a lot of creativity in the middle of the pitch. But at least it gives the others licence to push on.

I, I don't get it.

Not there

So frustrating, as I genuinely think he has the tools to be a good player. Just lacks a brain, bottle and confidence, always seems to make the wrong decision. Obertan's games seem to always go like this: Gets up to full speed, then stops when he gets to the full back. Looks to go inside where there is acres of space, then tries to go down the outside. Runs into his man or half beats him with a few nice stepovers, gets a throw or a corner if he's lucky, more often than not picks out the first man with a pathetic 5-10 yard pass/cross. Rinse and repeat.

We've got Bigirimana would work to the La Bamba tune no? Something about he's got got great feet could be squeezed in there as well. Struggling to rhyme words seeing as I don't know any more of the song and it's in Spanish