Dwight Gayle (now playing for Hibernian)

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Looked quite sharp on the very short highlights.

[Hanshithispantz]

Gayle looked OK because we played 2 up...... how many other times will that happen ?

Yet Joselu looked like Joselu. This 2 up top argument is odd, 4-5-1 works and has always worked. It isn't without it's own issues but it's hardly a formation that automatically makes your strikers shite. Gayle looked OK because he knows how to play as a number 9.

[La Parka]

He faded hard but first half he looked like a good striker. Hold up play was really decent too.

[ExiledGeordie]

 

Gayle wih Merino playing and we might be into something, well atleast until January.

 

I thought Gayle worked really hard yesterday and looked pretty sharp. Didn't look to be bothered by any hamstring issues with good speed.

[Shays Given Tim Flowers]

Glad he got 90 minutes. Looked significantly better than he has done this season for us. Would drop Joselu for him.

[Pilko]

I think had we paired him with Mitro rather than Drosselu he'd have looked far better.

[pinkeye]

Thought Gayle did well overall, linked up well.  Should have made more of a couple of chances and of course did score a perfectly good goal.  Also might have had a chance to score again if he wasn't blatantly pushed over when almost clear on goal at the end (another amazing refereeing decision).

 

I thought I was the only person that saw that push.....  it was ridiculous and right in the line of the assistant ref yet not deemed to be a foul?

 

I also thought that Gayle needs to sort his hair out, not sure what he was thinking about when he ran his comb through it and produced that mess before game....  :-)

[Kanj]

He looked rapid too, legit looked 2-3 paces quicker than he did all season prior to this too.

[ujpest doza]

His touch from that Shelvey pass was telling today imo

Shit you mean?

[DJ_NUFC]

Was very, very good first half. He often ran deep and made moves happen which he was on the end of (like the header, for example). Worked hard, ran quickly and well. I'd start him from now on.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Good sign if he's anywhere near back up to speed really. Shelvey feeding Gayle is still by far our best chance of getting enough goals.

[TRon]

Good sign if he's anywhere near back up to speed really. Shelvey feeding Gayle is still by far our best chance of getting enough goals.

 

Plus he's got the poacher's instinct, as the goal which was ruled offside shows.

[Karjala]

Looked the best of any of our strikers so far this season, hope he gets up to full match fitness and soon.

[The College Dropout]

Excellent finish. Don't know how he played otherwise but that was great.

 

For the Murphy chance I don't know why he stopped playing. He would've been onside and available to square.

[Sean]

He looks mentally ok for the first time in about 6 months which is massive for him and us.

[ExiledGeordie]

 

He'll be crucial in the upcoming games because he's the only finisher we have and his pace will a,says cause issues. That goal yesterday will do loads for his confidence.

[Dave]

Hope we stick with him and Joselu as a pair, thought the link up and movement between them was really good first half and we saw not only a great finish from Gayle but a real desire to score more based on the way he bollocked others for not playing him in on a couple of occasions. Promising.

[Figures 1-0 Football]

I’ve been critical of him this season, but he did well yesterday and a few Gayle-like finish.

 

Would prefer to see him and Mitro as a pair as Joselu offers absolutely nowt, but I’m SO EXCITED that we’re playing 4-4-2.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

Hope we stick with him and Joselu as a pair, thought the link up and movement between them was really good first half and we saw not only a great finish from Gayle but a real desire to score more based on the way he bollocked others for not playing him in on a couple of occasions. Promising.

 

Agreed. Enjoyed both their performances yesterday. Gayle was very direct and a real threat, his finish was superb and he actually backed into his man and held the ball up well. I'm not sure on Joselu as he's bang average for me, but as a partnership its better than either starting alone. Rafa clearly doesn't trust Mitrovic so that's a none starter!

[Infinitely Content]

I liked how in that first half anything that went into Man Utd's half, they really tried to make something of it with reasonable success. Usually starting with Joselu finding Gayle before support arrived. They were a problem for a decent team, so I'd start them both in the same positions next time out. Bringing Mitrovic on for Joselu earlier than yesterday if we haven't scored or need another one.

[Stifler]

Not only was he getting onto the end of flick ons himself, but he was also winning the ball and holding it up for others. He looked to be the complete forward yesterday and very much what he like for us in the Championship.

 

If jay is him with his injury problems behind him, then he needs to be first choice.

[Infinitely Content]

I'll reserve any conclusive judgement until I've seen him perform similarly against a variety of opposition, but signs are promising yesterday.

 

Man Utd gave us far more space than a Watford or a Burnley would though.

[Kanj]

Was interesting to see Joselu play more withdrawn behind Gayle at times to be the target focal point and allow Gayle to get onto flicks or get behind and use his movement and pace.

[Greg]

Last two games really pleased with him in that he's actually looked like his old self charging around the pitch. Hopefully over his hamstring and mental problems as we need his goals.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

It so weird, he looked finished a couple of weeks ago.