Gabriel Obertan signs for Anzhi

[TherealnorthernTOON]

He's good with the ball. But what baffles me mostly is his willingness to fight for balls. He rarely runs the channels and strethces the defence as I could see. Would like him running inbetween right back centreback to push the defence more on their backfoot to create space for our rather slower midfielders.

 

He never seems to do that, Imo for him to become the player we need his work load on the field have to vastly increase. And he has to direct the runs more directly to scare oponents.

 

Hope pardew sees the same and he does something about it. Could also see both Barton and Simmo give him instructions during the game. So frustration that such a talent could be spilled.

[Ishmael]

TherealnorthernTOON is spot on there. 

[biggs]

Would prefer to play him off the striker. Seemed a bit lost on the wings.

Thought he should have played behind Shola too but the result was fine so will be interesting to see where he plays in future more than likely wide right or left .

[Punk77]

Rubbish in the first half, but did get better in the second..Hopefully Pardew's man management skills will get the best out of Obertan..It's obvious that the lad got talent..But his body language sucks 

[Guest BlacknWhiteArmy]

He wasn't rubbish. Was decent enough in both halves.

[Ryan_Taylor]

Would be better playing off Ba, who actually provides a goal threat

[NEEJ]

We need to con him into believing he's lining up against our reserves every match. Would be a world beater.

[Ishmael]

Would be better playing off Ba, who actually provides a goal threat

 

But seems ineffectual when involved deeper...

[Punk77]

He wasn't rubbish. Was decent enough in both halves.

 

Much better in 2nd but imo he was not on the net in the first half..Lost the ball, Sunderland counterattacked and he didn't try at all to correct his error.But I have belief in him..Needs to work on his concentration

[Cajun]

He should be an impact player imo, but a very good one at that.

[TRon]

I don't know if he was played as a striker yesterday but if he was then he shouldn't be considered for that role again in a hurry. He was nowhere near Shola all game. I like some of his passing when he's out wide though.

[oldtype]

I don't even know where he was playing at honestly, it was like he wasn't even on the pitch.

 

Needs to be re-evaluated in the midweek.

[Chicken Dancer]

Well I thought he was decent in all honesty.

[Guest H09]

He was lively when he came on against Arsenal and played off Shola, then he moved to the right and he wasn't in the game much again. Similar issues against Sunderland, on the right, not up to much, I think he'll be good on the wing in games we will be dominant and take it to the opposition, but for a team that is 2nd best in terms of posession he needs to work on his game.

[toontownman]

Clearly lacking confidence. Has the skills by the looks of things, think some playing time and a bunch of crowd/coach support would do him a world of good.

 

Still worried by his lack of interest after losing the ball. Coaching staff need to be on him to sort that out. With his pace and fitness he should be harassing players and chasing after everything.

[Guest sicko2ndbest]

He needs to come in off the left which is difficult with jonas playing so well

[Gallowgate Toon]

He did some good things. His cross for Ameobi's offside miss was fantastic.

[SteveMc]

He did some good things. His cross for Ameobi's offside miss was fantastic.

 

Yes I was thinking that too.  No excuse for Shola being offside mind....

[Gallowgate Toon]

He's a very interesting player. He's comfortable on the ball, has displayed some vision, searing pace and good technique. There's potentially, a very good player in there.

 

Looking forward to seeing how he develops.

[Dr Venkman]

i thought he gave us a threat in behind in the second half and did a good job carrying the ball 30/40 yards up field for us when we needed it/ he could learn an awful lot from jonas though in terms of working hard when he loses it and how and when to win free kicks.

 

there was one moment when there was only 1 defender between him and the goal and he could've just motored past him but tried to meg him and fucked it up, frustrating

[SteveMc]

The crowd will be on his back if he is perceived to be lazy

[Gallowgate Toon]

I'd still consider him as a 'supersub' for now and I think he's possibly more suited to a withdrawn striker role.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think he's intelligent enough to learn to use his attributes better for us. Let's not forget he hasn't played regular football for ages and has come into two of the toughest games of the season. Prepared to give a lot more time to improve.

[TRon]

I think he's intelligent enough to learn to use his attributes better for us. Let's not forget he hasn't played regular football for ages and has come into two of the toughest games of the season. Prepared to give a lot more time to improve.

 

Fair point. Just look at Jonas who wasn't even a youngster when he joined us. People laughed at the idea he could work on his crossing at his age, but he's definitely improved that side of his game.

[Lush Vlad]

Reminded me a little bit of a taller Routledge.  Has the ability to beat his man via pace or skill, yet lacked the confidence to do so and kept cutting back.

 

Mistimes his jumps for headers as well and his tracking back, lack of interest was a bit shite.  Was pretty poor on Saturday, but I would like to think given a bit of time and a run of matches he will improve and try and take the full back on. 

 

That said, I reckon with everyone fit, he'll do pretty well to get in the first XI.  Maybe he's better to have as an impact player off the bench, playing more centrally or starting games at home against so called lesser teams.