Bigi and Marveaux

Terrible result, poor performance and a complete tactical disaster aside (who plays a high line aginst Walcott???), one thing was shown today.

Bigi and Marv were both outstanding. Its no coincidence that as soon as they were taken off, we got demolished.

Literally, what was Pardew doing? They were the two best players on the pitch (Walcott aside) and yet he subs them?

Cisse was fairly anonymous, Obertan looked better but was no way near Marv's standard and either should have been taken off before Marv, and Bigi was running the midfield, yet was subbed for a player who, although can be effective, was never going to do anything to help where we needed it, in the middle.

Definitely Marv needs to start ahead of Jonas, who has, lets face it, been absolutely woeful this season. I'd also be tempted to play Bigi ahead of Tiote when Cabaye comes back.

So, to summarise, both players were immense, Pardew can't make substitutions to save his life and we really need to sign some defenders

 

Its called being tired and saving their legs. Good management.

Two big positives from the tough winter period though.

 

Bigi is a truly class act.

 

I noticed when we took off Bigi against Man Utd was exactly the time after which Man Utd dominated, same tonight. I agree, pitiful substitution. Maybe he was knackered, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest, but nobody on the bench does his job, so he shouldn't come off when we have a sniff. If the game has gone at 6-3, yeah, might as well.

He takes up a position which cuts down angles, and he puts pressure on players, he could do that ten times as effectively as anyone we had to call upon at jogging pace. We're short of options, and the minute he's taken off one of the cogs holding the machine together, we've fallen apart. Still doesn't excuse awful defending. Anyway, I certainly wouldn't bring Shola on in a game that required energy. That was moronic in my opinion.

As I've said though, at 4-3 even I was contemplating commenting about how this could be our midfield/striker set-up as our serious first team. Marveaux, Obertan and Bigi certainly showed why they shouldn't be immediately displaced when Cabaye/Ben Arfa come back. Think Marv has real quality, and it amused me when the ESPN commentators insisted our set-piece delivery was woeful because our "main set piece takers, Cabaye, Ben Arfa and JONAS were out"... Elmos of the highest order.

 

Think Marv has real quality, and it amused me when the ESPN commentators insisted our set-piece delivery was woeful because our "main set piece takers, Cabaye, Ben Arfa and JONAS were out"... Elmos of the highest order.
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They talk about the game but don't know it or understand it the way the fans do.

 

Thought we played better than Arsenal for 75-80 minutes, 7-3 was a very harsh score, but the defending was quite frankly schoolboy level from most of the defence.

 

Not sure they even have any statistics beyond what OptaSports tweet during the match... One of them is probably sitting there with their iphone out.

 

Realistically though, we were running on empty anyway, all over the pitch. I don't really believe we did have a sniff, Pardew like many of us knew what was coming. We have a winnable game at home in 3 days, and Everton have a days less rest with a tough energy sapping game at home to in form Chelsea. They'll put in a big effort and may find themselves leg heavy in the last 20mins at St James. Bigger picture for me.

I said after Man U we needed to use Marveaux in front of two holders and I think we saw today what he can do when given that freedom. I think he can kick on from here if he wants it but Pards needs to utilise him correctly. Putting him wide just sees him out of the game and exposes parts of his game not so good. Obertan on the other hand is quick strong and copes better with the physical stuff.

 

We'll need Marv and Bigi against Everton. They were saved for that I feel

 

WP Marv!

If we lose badly to Everton, it'll look like a pretty shoddy sub!

 

Yes, it makes Wednesday's game that little bit more important now.

Hope we get a good start to the New Year.

 

Hopefully the guys will all pull together and put a show on for us.

 

I hope for there sake it includes a clean sheet. DT turned off the coverage today... I sense a perfect storm approaching. She has heels and I can confirm she is not afraid to fling them as deadly weapons...

 

Can she reach the field with them?

 

If Pardew placed an apple on his head and sat in the dugout, she could probably slice his face in half from Gallowgate (why would she aim at the apple? She's angry)...

 

I'm in the Gallowgate, I hope she manages to clear my head.

 

I'd shave it thin on top just incase!

 

Am I the only one who thinks Bigi didn't have a good game as you guys claim? Marv had his best game for us today, Obertan did very well too

 

Hope she isn't angry with me.

 

Marv was outstanding and i hope he permanently dis-mantles Jonas from the team, His ball to Ba for Ba's 2nd was sublime! I now like Marv more then a friend