The match today...

First half we were nothing short of brilliant, the players understood each other and we were clicking very well, I didnt see a single punted long ball played all half and I thought we were unlucky not to be more than 0-2 up at half time.

Second half we were far too negative to go on and smash them properly, the players just seemed happy with punting the ball forward or passing it around or back to the defence and Krul, this negativity and inviting pressure from Wolves almost and probably should have cost us the game, because I couldn't see a thing wrong with Wolves equalising goal.

Player ratings:

Krul 8- Some fantastic saves today which kept us in the game, looks like hes growing in confidence when crosses come into the box aswell, used to flap but seems like he has the bottle to come and collect and isn't as static these days.

Simpson 5- I'm aware that in the first half he looked impressive going forward and contributed a lot to our forward play but his second half performance was simply shocking, its just the same old story really, cant stay with his man and just backs off and off until the opposing team either shoots or crosses, anyone notice how every single Wolves attack in the last 30 minutes was aimed down our right? And with good reason. We need a replacement RB in time and I would even consider playing Santon at RB and keep Raylor at LB or vice versa. This guy is the weak link in our team never mind just the defence.

Saylor 8- Another massively impressive performance from him, won everything in the air as usual and made some very important blocks and tackles.

Coloccini 7- Still had a good game but it wasn't up to much by his standards, was caught napping 2-3 times and looked weak at times also, still made some crucial tackles though which is why he stays at a respectable 7.

Raylor 6- Better than Simpson but was out of position for the Wolves equaliser and gave the ball away cheaply at times, he has the same problem as Simpson where he cant stay close to the man and finds himself well out of position, only hes not quite as bad. Raylor isn't really a defender though and Simpson is supposed to be.

Obertan 6- Cracking first half but waned a lot in the second half, he needs to learn what to do when hes took an entire team on, his pace is magnificent and his general passing and link up play is also good, he just needs to work on his killer pass/cross to be a good winger. Also noticed he was very lazy at times when it came to defending. Pardew needs to have a quick word IMO.

Cabaye 7- Looked class everytime he touched the ball, sat very deep today and did a lot of the mopping up that we're used to seeing from Tiote, got back extremely well to help the defence and made some important interceptions. My main gripe would be that he didnt contribute much going forward and went missing for large chunks of the game. He can be forgiven though due to the fact that he was helping out so well at the back.

Tiote 8- Looks like hes slowly creeping up back to his best, another good game following Blackburn but even STILL by his standards not reaching last seasons peak, maybe I'm expecting too much though? But I still think hes missing out on a few 50/50's that he would have had last season. Basically though another great performance defensively and got forward well at times aswell, I thought his shot was going in!

Gutierrez 8- And I really mean it, not just because of the goal (which was lovely) but hes literally undroppable in my eyes, and I've said this many times, the workrate this guy puts in match after match is phenomenal, he was carrying Raylor at times and still managed to get himself forward and cause problems and grab a cheeky goal. Impressive!

Best 7- Although he didnt score Best was impressive at times today, he managed to take people on, he managed to create some good chances and his link up play with Ba was beautiful at times, Ben Arfa will have a hard time getting in the team at this rate.

Ba 8- Only a point higher than Best due to the goal, but his link up play of course was impressive and he won a lot in the air today aswell, I love how he manages to drop deep at times and play as the support striker, looking like an absolute steal on a free transfer and I always knew he would come good.

Lovenkrands 3- Offered nothing, completely anonymous as usual, shocking sub from Pardew.

Guthrie N/A- But again a clanger from Pardew, fair does taking a striker off to bolster the midfield to secure the 3 points, but why take off Cabaye who is arguably our best CM to accomodate a poorer model in D. Guthrie? Makes no sense.



Spent time writing this but no doubt because I'm not Tash who everyones obsessed with nobody will bother to debate it.

Anyway needed to vent my opinions while I'm only 4 pints deep and can still type

Anyway time for a takeaway

 

I didn't realise we drew

 

Pretty much spot on mate, a bit harsh on Loverkrands but pretty much spot on

 

Dont think it was harsh on Lova - summed it up perfectly, we needed to either bring on Sameobi or Ben Arfa - someone with energy and creativy and the pazazz to bring the fans to life

 

Think Sammy or Ben Arfa would have been a more positive move.

 

I agree with most things apart from Saylor's rating. He made a few sloppy errors but also put in some great blocks, he would get the same rating as Colo from me. MOTM had to be Krul, he seems much more confident in himself now and I can only remember 2 small things which he could have done better on, and that would be playing it harsh.

In the second half we were inviting pressure and if he was going to bring on Guthrie for anyone it should have been a forward.

Nevermind, a win is a win and I'm loving the fact we're getting points even when we play poorly (second half).

 

Decent summary.

 

Harsh in sense I dnt really think he had enough time to warrant a 3...but I agree Sammy would have been a better sub to come on, think its better Benny didnt come on, need to take it slow with him

 

I actually meant the wrongly disallowed equaliser, but thanks for the thoughful insights

 

Agree with pretty much everything.

Krul has to be man of the match, played brilliantly.

Also agree completely with the gutierrez summary, he helps out so much in defence, considering you guys have no good LB's he's so important, if you drop him you'll concede alot more in my opinion.