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He played in the majority of Sunderlands games for the last 3 seasons.

Yes, and against the defending champions. Very consistent player so don't expect to see his performance levels drop.

It isn't that outlandish given the performance Colback just put in.

That little bit of pressure we put on City? We conceded a goal not soon after it so don't expect to see us try anything that outlandish again.

Looked to me like Sissoko had time to readjust his body and strike it with his right.

It was lovely composure to bring it back in on his stronger foot. I think many in his position would snatch at that and go with the left foot.

Hasn't really put a foot wrong all game. Great league debut.

Some lovely deliveries from Colback.

There'll definitely be an adjustment period there for him.

Would really like to hear the reasoning behind playing Dummett ahead of Haidara, after giving Haidara more game time in pre-season. I mean, what was the point in that if only to drop him for the opening game? Looked okay in the first half. Cabella is lively, Sissoko is everywhere and Riviere just needs to calm down.

Feels like Sissoko is everywhere. Definitely wasted on the right despite the assist record he had last season.

The line up itself is fine, it's once again how we'll go about it that's the problem. Sit deep, play far too compact and leave the striker isolated.

Don't understand why he has dropped Haidara after he played so much in pre season.

People who don't know that we signed de Jong.

Yup. He's better than Colback, but isn't effective and has been a passenger since he came here. Maybe with Cabaye gone and a few options around him well see him come to life. I'm hoping de Jong sparks him. I agree.

I find Anita to be overrated on this site. Good player but there isn't that chasm in quality between him and Colback that people think.

They'll continue to do so as well. It's not just Ranger. Look at Ched Evans, he'll waltz back into a job at Sheffield United like he didn't rape a woman.

Man United failed David Moyes with the messing around over signings. They chased Fabregas most of the summer and everyone knew the holes they had in the squad. Some are still there.

It was Boaz Myhill.

With a decent manager, you'd look at our squad and think we'd be in for a mid table finish and that we were a couple signings away from seriously pushing for Europe. With Pardew in charge, we're wondering if we'll even make mid table. Europe isn't anywhere in the thought process. Beyond me how Ashley can't see that a better manager would get so much more out of this squad. But I guess it isn't an option for him, as a manager worth his salt will want to make signings every window.

I do like Cisse but at this stage and with Pardew as manager, I just don't consider him a decent option. Chances are few and far between for him, and when he does get one he snatches at it because he knows the next chance won't come quickly.

Anyone from here got the new shirt with Ben Arfa 26 on the back and is in Cramlington today?

The Mirrors thoughts on the new home shirt. Look, if you can't be trusted with nice things then you will get them taken away from you. First you sell Yohan Cabaye, then you marginalise the local press and now you manage to completely blunder the simplest of shirts. Black and white stripes, Mike, it's all they want. So what the hell is that big swathe of needless darkness across the top, sitting there like a shrunken jumper? It looks like a printer cartridge realignment page - and they end up chucked in the bin. Rating: 3/10

I've read he's only had offers from Ukraine and Qatar and he isn't keen on the move to either understandably.

Palace in talks with Sherwood apparently.