SMTW

Think Tiote has been teaching him how to pass the way he blasts them into people at times.

The reverse ball was on to Ba as well, we'd split their defence and they should have been punished. Excellent play by Colo though.

There was one point during the game where he attempted to win the ball on the edge of the villa's 18, failed, then chased the ball from three players and won it on the halfway. To think he was the player with the most tackles in the PL last season, need to see this sort of harassing more and see him really forcing the game. Think he suffers from not have Tiote in there as well.

I didn't think he could endear himself to me anymore but then today he just amazes me again. Forget the goal, winning a corner off Bent's face from halfway deserves as much accolades.

He looks reluctant to try anything after working himself into a decent position. Would love for him to cut in a take the shot on with his right foot. Looks so composed in possession though.

3 corner takers and they all hit the first man. If I was our centre backs I wouldn't waste the effort getting up the pitch. We shouldn't play for corners. We have more chance getting on the ball from the oppositions goal kicks.

Why wouldn't we? Because us northerners are just a bunch of heartless, inconsiderate wankers. It's true. Just ask Swansea.

Does he then go on to say that he's lived his life like a candle in the wind?

The centre alignment of the posts on that forum makes for abysmal viewing.

8th. Manchesters, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal. Then two of Liverpool, Everton, this season's "surprise package".

Shh, don't jinx it. Least De Jong has fucked off.

Simpson is our weakest link granted, but seeing as we're stuck with him lets try and judge him impartiality as possible from now on. He's wank, but it pisses me off how the whole stadium groans the instant he misplaces his first pass of the game, whereas other players can get away with a lot more fuck ups without the same level of criticism. Can't be doing much for his confidence.

Who cares...how many right-footers use the left regularly? James Perch?

How... Where will he get the service from?... We'll just end up with the same problem Liverpool have now... Don't quite understand what you are getting at here? Our strike force scored plenty last season, so to me they must have been getting decent service. Why would that service change if Carroll was on the pitch? You're including goals Cisse and to a lesser extent Ba scored through their quality alone, ala Chelsea. Also the service Carroll requires differs to that of Cisse. Cabaye putting a through ball for Cisse is ideal, whereas Carroll's strengths lie else where. Last time around with AC our play was very much one dimensional. That's my understanding of what he's getting at anyway.

Group D is a bit ridiculous.

Think that system lacks too little width for us, especially if we're gonna have to perservere with Simpson as a RB. I actually think Ben Arfa gets more joy in the wider positions when he can just stand his full back up then put him on his arse. I would love for him to have the freedom to switch flanks though and just pop up where he wants. I actually think Johnson would have been a good signing for us as it would have given us this freedom up top.

Can we refrain from bumping this and the Tiote thread until the window's closed? Always fearful when I see new posts.

Pisses me off when commentators say "if he'd gone down he probably would have got a penalty." They probably have the truth of it but that shouldn't make a difference. How come standing on your feet makes it any less of a penalty? Just encourages people to be overly dramatic like that twatful Torres chap.

International football in general. Only serves to fill a few boring weeks in the summer.

Five minute analysis of how Steven Gerrard caresses the ball. Its just a simple pass for fuck's sake.

Don't care about the number of valid points. Premier league not on a Saturday? Er, no thanks.

Think most players have disappointed with their starts to the season. Santon gives me no reason for concern ahead of anyone else. I think he's been a marked improvement since he joined, but I just feel this season we're still waiting for everyone to get back on it. Played three games with a team very much below par with no real lasting damage done. I think Santon is good enough for our ambitions this season.

Love how he can beat a man without touching the ball. There was a point in the match today when he had the ball in our own box, he just dropped his shoulder and the player was off chasing shadows. Meanwhile Ben Arfa stood still with the ball at his feet. Such a classy act.

Whilst we start with a 442 I think Jonas will start. He allows us to go to 433 without the need to change personnel.

Think Cabaye is often overlooked in the formations talk. His best performances last season came in that more advanced role. When he could press high up knowing there was two centre mids behind him. And his link up play with Cisse is not something Ba can replicate.