Tiresias

Football Weekly on the guardian singing Ba what did he sign for, absolutely nothing, calling sammy's tweet one of the best tweets ever by a footballer Heap praise on Ba about his work ethic that he learned playing lower leagues they say.

We didn't play delicate passing game but nor did we play 'awful' football, didn't sit back, scythe down them coming into the area and then hoofed it long ASAP (though did get a goal that way ), we were diligant defending (we didn't get first yellow till late on which is telling imo) pressed high up the pitch and were fast and direct. Cabaye didn't do too much passing but did the right ones, and dictated pace of game for much of it.

Sorry I guess. It is a bit early to assume he's brilliant, but has looked the part.

If he finishes this year uninjured I guess we'd offer him an extension fingers crossed

We got the right mix for this game, against Liverpool we got it all wrong with aimless hoofts and completely bypassing our midfield, this game we held the ball very well in every part of the pitch and terrorised their defence with early balls up and we harried them all over the pitch. Pardew has to get credit for firing our team up to play like that they were all as intense as I'd ever seen them

Aye it's early days, but the difference down the flank from against Liverpool was remarkable, lets hope he can do that every game

oh come on thats a bit ott, he'll just grow up with with an empty feeling, all those hollow soulless victories

Yeah I agree it was the plan, and we should be able to do it more in every game, though realise need a very fit squad. We can play better more patient footy against poorer team, because a team can put everyone behind the ball and shrug off the hoofs to the big men, but we should always be working like that to get possession back.

I deserve that! Today gone to my head Our determination to win back the ball everywhere on the pitch whenever we got it was the outstanding, better than we've ever managed before imo, and Tiote is going to be a horrible loss for this, but if we can raise our game like this in the big games we'll be fine. We did not let them get flow going.

yeah probably actually that bit gets a bit silly, read first bit blinded me

it could be but rest of the thread is just depressed...

Just went onto Redcafe ;D ;D ;D Some people really do only see what they want to see

I like his attitude, attributing his success to working hard and down to earth and appreciative of being given the chance.

They were poor but we exploited their weaknesses perfectly, their shakey backline and midfield, didn't let their strong wings do anything, and unlike against totenham you can count on Man U not letting their heads drop and keep trying, we contained their brief resurgence and then kept our concentration till the very end. Perfectly excecuted

The Story of the midfield today :undecided:

When he'd just come back on from sidelines for injury sprinted up pitch and caught Carrick (was it?) in possession just outside their box was glorious, or did I imagine that?

Paul Lambert did a number on us tactically and we had a terrible makeshift defence against Norwich, those results happen sometimes. Still peeved over West Brom, got it all wrong there but oh well.

Yeah, I'd been hoping our Mid would do a number on a few of the 'top' midfields this season and haven't, this is the first time they have completely, absolutely tore theirs to pieces. There was a period when they were knocking on teh door after our second, got in behind us, but then once we got a spell of possession back we never let go again, one of the few times we've known when to and how to slow it down, and closed out the game comfortably.

Dortmund seem like they could become similar to Arsenal in their prime, great young players, idealistic manager, not the biggest budget etc. They'll do fantastic if they can keep hold of players.

Tough one, if with no Ba and Tiote: Krul Simspon Willo Colo Santon Raylor Cabaye Abeid Jonas Ben Arfa Shola Shola makes the team based on his hold up play against Man U.

Looked great, still early days, but very confident on ball, will strengthen our side no end having him helping keep possession down whichever side he is on.

I like how he controls the box, proper clever play rather than just trying to guard the line, sort of play that lesser keepers end up flapping everywhere if they try.

So many PL defenders seem to get rated because they throw their body in the line, make a few flashy tackles or score goals. Colo just cleans up every attack that comes at him cleanly and smoothly, he's probably the least panic inducing defender around, if he can get to a tackle or the ball he will, no drama.

I thought he'd get goals but more as a poacher. He is 10x the player I thought he was. Magnificent.