A draw was all we deserved today, but some positives - My thoughts on the Villa game

PARDS FFS STOP THIS 4-4-2 ****E AND SWITCH BACK TO 4-3-3 MAN!!

Just had to get that off my chest. I'm sick of us playing 4-4-2. Ba and Cisse are hopeless in a 4-4-2. They cannot link together, they cannot do much but draw defenders.

Bigirimana was ****ing outstanding. We've found a cracking player here.

We so missed Tiote today! I can't believe how often we let players run through unchallenged. Ridiculous.

Ratings -

Krul - 6 - Some decent saves, couldn't do much about the goal.

Simmo - N/A - Hope he's ok. He had a decent game, apart from when we conceded the goal, and he was no where to be found, but that was the same for our entire defence at that point.

Anita - 6 - Another hot and cold performance, but you've got to credit the lad for the positivity he showed. He made some bad passes, but also some good ones. I was very impressed with how he continuously found space and gave us an option. He made two fantastic defensive headers late on. So I'm gonna give him a decent rating.

Colo - 5 - His worst game since Fulham away last season. He made some fantastic interceptions and played some great stuff at times, but he was very sloppy to often, and left us exposed. I cannot believe a player of his experience and quality let Agbonlahor get the wrong side of him so easily in that moment. It was a sunday league style error. Lets hope this is one game he'll use to bollock himself, and get back into shape.

Saylor - 6.5 - Nothing bad really, but I was surprised at the amount of aerial duels he lost today. Totally unlike him.

Santon - 7.5 - Thought he had a cracking game. Some questionable stuff at times, but he defended well for most of the game, and went forward well. Also his passing and distribution were excellent.

Jonas - 5 - Below par for him, but he worked hard, won some freekicks, and helped out in defence.

Bigi - 8 - I know I'm probably going overboard, but he's my man of the match. Absolutely fantastic. He made two last ditch blocks to deny Bent twice, and the 2nd one... jesus that was ****ing brilliant. His passing was excellent, his movement was Tiote-esque. I can't wait to see Tiote and Bigi at the back together.

Cabaye - 6 - He was pretty much absent first half. He's really just not suited to a 4-4-2. Better 2nd half. Some good passing and creativity.

Ba - 5 - Not much to be said, just out of it for most of the game, but he did help assist the goal, and some decent stuff at times.

Cisse - 4 - No service = No goals. 4-4-2 is killing us. He could do little.

Ben Arfa - 8 - A bright spark throughout the match. The only player in the first half that I'd say was good.

MOTM - Bigi for me. Ben Arfa was great, and his goal was fantastic, but Bigi saved us right at the end, made some fantastic blocks and challenges, great movement and passing, and played a part in our last surge for a possible late winner.

Overall - Disappointing, but a draw was the right result. It could have been far, far worse. Villa weren't good either, lack of quality in the final 3rd, but they punished us for poor defending with their goal, and they deserved to come away with a point.

 

Fair enough but i disagree with Ben Arfa. His performance was a 5/6 with a fantastic goal thrown in. I'd give him a 6, maybe a 7 at a push.

 

I thought he was the only player that was any good in the first half. He was a spark right the way through.

 

We surrendered far too much possession through hoofball tactics. If we're going to play like that we'd be better off with Shola and Carroll up front than Ba and Cisse who just can't cope with that way of playing. For large parts of today's game it was like Fat Sam had never left. We're much better than this.

 

Santon was good. Really want 4-3-3 with Marv, Ba/Cisse, Arfa. Also having just got Marveaux on my shirt lol

 

This what is the point of having someone like Cabaye in midfield if the ball is constantly going over his head?

 

Were you at the same game as me? Santon's distribution was woeful, as were Cabaye's corners. Not one of them got past the first man.

 

He made a few ****ty passes, but Santon's long passes to disperse play were great.

 

Got to say Santon was one of our best players today.

 

Santon really shone today. He was at them all of the time.

 

Man of the match for us was between him and Ben Arfa. Colo did alright, Bigi was impressive and the rest were ****.

 

Can't argue with this. Both Marv and Ober looked positive when they came on. Could have done with them on the pitch 20 minutes earlier IMHO

 

Thought Santon did well too, agree that our corners were woeful. Ben Arfa MOM by a mile. Anita started reasonable but looked very good when moved to full back. Bigi started as average as he was on thursday but really grew into the game and was excellent as it went on. Guti did ok for me. Strikers looking lost and lacking in touch and confidence at the moment so yes maybe a formation change is required. Shame for Simmo as i thought he had actually started the game well. Marveaux looks exciting but would love to know why when Santon makes a move forward he just stands and watches and lets him go past instead of making a run for Santon to feed him. He will remain ineffective if he just wants the ball on his own on the half way line. Defence awful a few times including the goal. Glad we got a point really, had a horrible feeling when Nzogbia came on.

 

Definately the subs should have come on sooner.

 

Think you're being a bit harsh on Colo, he cut out a lot and cleaned up a lot!

Santon and Bigi shone, Ben Arfa saved us!

 

Colo was ****e, like.

Santon was excellent, and I can barely believe Bigi is only 18. Anita looked very good when moved to fullback.

 

Benny should get more for the 'clearance' into Bent!

 

It's just not clicking at the minute like. Cabaye hardly kicked a ball pre season so it's a fair assumption to think he might not be totally match fit yet. Like everyone, I agree that we need to be playing in a 433. Pardew may be pandering to ba because he wants to play up front but he does a good job out wide and scored from that position against spurs. Cisse needs to pull his socks up but again I think our sluggish play is down to he system we are playing. Still, couple of weeks to work out the kinks before out next game. We've started slow but it hasn't been a poor start. 4 points from 3 games, would probably just about accept that return.

 

Anita might not be very tall, but he's big in stature, I thought he had another good all round game. Bigi is another one who's looking good and is going to be a fans favourite if he keeps up the good work. Santon had another good game and to be fair to Colo I don't think he's 100% fit. I don't think he was as bad as some people are making out though.

 

Hey guys, a few things I'd like to address here.

WHY ARE WE BLOODY PLAYING THAT ANNOYING SETPIECE TO THE SIDE OF THE BOX THAT ALWAYS FAILS.

Second, why with everyone on the pitch, Bigi is our setpiece taker? I've seen enough of his setpieces against the Greek team I don't want to see him near any setpieces for awhile.

Next, why do we allow Krul to just hoof the ball up the pitch like that, when we have the players to pass it up the field like we had? Anita on the right, Santon on the left, we had 0 players who were uncomfortable on the ball and we had to hoof it up? Not sure if Route 1 was the best decision to take in the last 10 minutes or so.