St1pe

I hope this is just an unexpected straight forward win for us. We need this as supporters, it's been shit for too long.

is it really weakening when those 3 aren't first choice to begin with? As a squad I would say so. Especially if we have any serious injuries. I'm probably too optimistic but I think both Thauvin and De Jong will be useful for us.

It's not quite Ben Arfa levels of frustrating but it's the Hugo Viana mark for players that really deserve a chance in their correct position. Maybe I'm placing too much emphasis on this after being at his home debut against Northampton and the performance he put in that day but I'll be hugely disappointed if this actually happens.

Thauvin, Tiote and De Jong out this window? Would be typically us to make a couple of signings yet weaken the squad overall. I'm not convinced Townsend is an upgrade on Thauvin, certainly not long term. Shelvey is a massive bonus but I hope we don't piss on all of the good work in the first part of the window.

Even from a squad strength position it seems ridiculous. He's our only actual senior wide player. I've seen Aarons's name creep up a lot lately but in the Northampton game where Thauvin was man of the match Aarons was marked out of the game then subbed off after having a nightmare. If Thauvin isn't ready for the league then he's got no chance.

Aside from the Warford game some of his cameos have been really quite promising so I'm struggling to get my head around the logic in this. Lamela was another who really struggled in his first year and look how important he is now for Spurs. I don't think it's too unreasonable to compare the two either.

Will be livid if we're sacking off Thauvin, given time I'm sure he'd make it here. What woeful business the whole Cabella and Thauvin thing has been as a club if these rumours are true.

Hopefully West Ham are due a shit result/performance. I think Carroll was subbed off injured last night so he probably won't play.

Jesus I forgot about that Essien comment. He was colossal last night though. That's exactly the sort of dominant defensive displayed we've lacked in the centre of the pitch. If Shelvey could replicate the form he's showed in the past those two could have made an impressive partnership. I'll be sorry to see him go despite two poor seasons.

I can see why he didn't make a sub at 2-2 we were all over them. A shot then took a double deflection straight to an oncoming Rooney and we're behind making him look like a right mug. I still think he'll get this right.

Fantastic point. The character to comeback and actually get something we deserved is absolutely massive. If we can win against West Ham this could be a turning point. Tiote, Colo and Wijnaldum were really top level today.

If Shelvey isn't in for Colback on Saturday I'll be absolutely foaming

Another morale busting result here on the back of some good play.

Why the hell didn't he shoot?

Should have cut it back maaaan

Surprised at how poor Perez has been so far. His close control is usually fantastic.

That was quite spectacularly bad.

Never understood booing your own players unless they're really taking the piss like some have. I really don't see how it's going to help the lad improve. It's especially harsh since he's lived off a few 5-10 minute cameos when we're already behind in the past few months.

I know some people will be underwhelmed by this but I'll be absolutely delighted if this comes off. A forward passer in the middle of the pitch who's capable of adding a threat from distance as well is something we've lacked since Cabaye left. He could be pivotal in keeping us up if the right people are left out of the side.

I don't know much about Saviet but if the reports are true with him and Shelvey, a strong, athletic defensive midfielder and a driving box to box player could be exactly what we need. It sounds too good to be true though.

Really hope we sign him. He's exactly what we need in the middle of the pitch.

We create more chances now than we ever did in Pardew's last couple of seasons and Carver's miserable attempt. We even play with a clearer game plan yet I can't see see us managing to stay up this time around. I think if we get nothing from these next two games and results around us are bad then I think we'll go down without a fight.

Incredible that some fans are determined to write him off and make him the scapegoat for the mess we find ourselves in. Should maybes concentrate on the ones who've beeb here for a lot longer & play 90mins every week and produce nothing, rather then a lad still adapting to the league whos been lucky to get 5mins before today. Totally agree with this. Directing abuse at him given how little game time he's had is embarrassing.

He picked a full strength team we've once again missed sitters and yet it's his fault? I know he's an easy target but we have a drastically imbalanced side that has been way below the standard required and we're getting what we deserve. The board needs to back him properly in this window. I'm not convinced any manager we could attract would do any better.

Such a joyless team to support at the minute.