Varadi

Was obvious we were going to lose after the first couple of minutes - losing 50/50 challenges, second to all the loose balls. We have better players than the mackems but a much worse team, wonder whose fault that could be?

Absolutely inexplicably bad today. At one point I thought he must have put his boots on the wrong feet, it's one of the few things that would make sense.

It's a good point - we're worried about Fletcher and Altidore, if it was Remy, Cabaye, HBA and Gouffran lining up for them I would be bricking it!

Looks like Poyet has gone back to basics - 4-4-2 with 2 wingers, I think that gives is the chance to control that midfield if we can see off their inevitable first 15 minutes of bluster - couple of their games I've watched this season they started off at 100mph then ran out of steam quite quickly.

One plus with Dummett is that you have a left footed centre back on that side, should be a decent balance. Looking for positives here! See the fuckers have picked Fletcher and Altidore though so his physical strength is going to be tested...

I wasn't feeling nervous until I read the last couple of pages of this thread! Wouldn't be too gutted with a draw, but a big win to wipe out the 0-3 would be just lovely...

Have to respect Ferguson's achievements as a manager but looking at the various extracts from his book in the papers he comes across as a massive bellend. The fact that he won't give a single solitary shit also helps explain why he was such a good manager mind.

Barton having his say on the Mirror's "gutless" ratings: Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton 1h Love to see the guy who wrote it play. Maybe they should invite him over to training. He's obviously a man of incredible fortitude. Expand Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton 1h I dislike 5under1and as much as anyone. Couldn't believe my eyes. Bang out of order. Hahaha after Bardsley. Distasteful. Is that journalism? Expand Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton 1h I'm all for saying people have played badly. Game of opinions after all. But gutless? Poor. Yes. Gutless. Some statement. Very personal. Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton 1h Have just seen 5under1and ratings in todays paper. WOW! What a cheeky fucker that journo is? pic.twitter.com/HoO8CCEwQu

He was commentating on our match for Al Jazeera yesterday. And he did actually call it a pelanty.

Taylor and Williamson also provides a theoretical modicum of an aerial set piece threat, which is about the best we can hope for.

I think if Colo doesn't make it then Taylor will be back in - sounds like he was pretty close yesterday so the extra week should have him sorted.

They had Ray Clemence in the studio on Al Jazeera and he said Mignolet was at fault - pointed out if had taken a small step to his right before diving he would've reached it comfortably.

They've only won 2 of their last 23 league games in a run that stretches back to January. Their aggregate score in their last 4 games is 2-12. We're in OK form and playing some decent football. What could possibly go wrong?

Probably not a coincidence that he looks a lot better with Gouffran grafting his nads off in front of him - really starting to look a proper fullback.

Probably won't have escaped Pardew's attention that in the 2 minutes he played wide right while Gouffran went up front we conceded a goal...

Seems to be trying too hard at the moment, just isn't happening for him. Hopefully will all click back into place next week.......

Thought Tiote was excellent today - second half was the type of match to suit him perfectly and I don't think we would've got that point without him.

Hopefully break a couple of Gerrard's fingers at the coin toss.

Team is in the match thread

No Coutinho for them is a bonus.

Interesting if true - relieve him of all defensive responsibility and see what he can do...

Looks a better turnout than I expected tbf.

Just realised there's been 14 new pages in this thread in the last 3 days and it's nearly a fortnight since we even had a game! Now should I go back and read them all - decisions, decisions....

Coutinho, Allen, Johnson and Cissokho all due back for this: http://paisleygates.com/?p=13901

Think this is an excellent idea. And a very good PR move, not something we've been associated with much of late!