Varadi

It's ahaping up to be a battle of the big hitters: Jozy Altidore: 2 goals in 48 premier league appearances vs Shola Ameobi: 3 goals in his last 66 premier league appearances Shola's prolific 1 in 22 ratio is far superior to the mackem's 1 in 24 so I reckon victory is assured.

Looked like his hammy

Their team against Stoke: 25 Mannone 02 Bardsley 28 Alonso 14 Colback 16 O'Shea 05 Brown 07 Larsson 04 Ki 17 Altidore 11 Johnson 31 Borini Genuinely nothing to worry about there imo - we should be beating these at home even without Remy...

Woo with Gouffran in the middle, tell me Dave, come on Dave, TELL ME. That could work - at least he knows where the goal is.

Think his time of the wing might have helped prepare him to be more effective centrally in this league, can only get better I reckon

Yellow for both would've been the correct decision and no-one would've complained. What happened to basic common sense?

Why would you not appeal? There's no point - they only overturn reds if it's an absolute howler and there was enough in the confrontation for them to back the ref in this one.

Sadly I think I agree - aside from being able to head the ball clear when defending set pieces it's like being down to 10 men when Shola is on these days.

Aye, that's what I would do - bring Shola on when he runs out of steam. Debut in the home derby - great chance for the lad to get off to a perfect start.

Any news on his fitness - was it just cramp?

Think we'll beat them.

He was very good tonight, still think there's a decent player in there.

Suppose if we have to have an Ameobi in the team I would prefer Sammy.

He's a good young striker, its all gone wrong for him in Germany but even then his goal record isn't bad there. He's scored 6 goals since joining in 2012 !! I supposed compared to Shola that's a fabulous return. tbf he's only had 17 starts, so 6 goals isn't too bad.

He's probably the closest we have to a direct replacement if Pardew wants to stick to the planned formation.

That should work in theory but never seems to in practice - think HBA loses the ball too much playing there, which can be very dangerous in a central position.

Could maybe drop Remy deeper, into the Cabaye role?

Certainly makes sense to try before we buy.

From Luke Edwards - apologies if Giggs!

That being the case he would have been sacked last season. I think he would've been sacked by now had he not turned things around this season - the 5th place finish bought him last season's failure I reckon.

I would agree that what Pardew says makes no real difference in the final outcome when it comes to player sales or acquisitions. I also have little doubt he would far rather have Cabaye available to him for the rest of the season, as ultimately he stands or falls by the results achieved on the pitch.

Expect us to lose this now, probably with a tepid performance.

Fletcher and Cattermole could be off to Stoke: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2547012/Stoke-eye-Sunderland-duo-Steven-Fletcher-Lee-Cattermole.html

They've only taken 4 points from their games against teams in the top half of the table this season... Voted draw.

It's to unsettle a player who's had a tantrum over a £10m offer maybe ? Bimpy is Luke Edwards??