I'm happy with our start - My thoughts on the Fulham game

I still think we need signings, but a loss vs City and 4pts from 2 home games plus 2 clean sheets. I think that's good enough. I didn't see us keeping clean sheets like.

On a sad note, there was some fighting between fans over the Cabaye thing...

Next to me, there was one guy cheering for Cabaye, and a few booing him. The guy supporting Cabaye was like "If you want to boo, **** off and support Sunderland" and those against were like "he's a disgrace to the shirt", "he refused to play" and it was all just ****ing childish ****. The stewards were useless. Everyone elses time made a misery because a small group of people can't agree.

They were all adults as well, although I use the term loosely.

I know only winning 1-0 and failing to create a lot is still a worry, but we put shots on target and we won! If it's good enough for Liverpool it's good enough for us.

Ratings -

Krul - 7 - Sometimes I thought his positioning let him down, but he made a few vital saves and stopped us from receiving a sucker punch.

Debuchy - 7 - Sometimes his reading of the game was off, but some great last ditch tackles and he fought the Fulham players well. He also put some decent balls into the box.

Colo - 7.5 - Good defensively. Lob balls do cause him problems, but he was calm and composed and made great runs with attacks and did well.

Mbiwa - 7.5 - Some great challenges and battling. Good defending. Look like quite a threat in attack.

Santon - 6.5- I sometimes wondered, "where is he" when Fulham countered. Got caught out quite a few times. But for the most part he played well. Went forward and made some good runs.

Ben Arfa - 7.5 - Frustrating at times, but he made some fantastic runs and Fulham had to get it spot on to stop him and others. He was going to score eventually and that shot was sexual. If its on target he usually scores. Fulham double/tripple manned him most of the game. I think he made a great difference to the side.

Anita - 7.5 - Good game. His passing is sometimes questionable, but he often produces a lovely little ball or spots a player in the distance and picks them out. His range of passing is fantastic, he just needs to be a little more consistent. Hew defended well and his marking, positioning and all round play was good.

Sissoko - 8 - Thought he was excellent today. Powered forward and made it hard for the Fulham midfield. He dispossessed players well and he seems to be growing into this box to box midfielder role.

Marv - 6 - Better than others have stated, but still a bit underpar for most of the game. He did put some good balls into the box and play well in attacks, but he's not quite impressing like I hoped he would.

Shola - 6.5 - Fair play. He's stepped up and is doing a decent job. He makes it difficult for the opposition defenders. Sometimes a bit frustrating but can't criticise him. Really can'y believe he got poor ratings last game vs West Ham. He just can't do anything right for some people.

Cisse - 6.5 - Anonymous for a lot of the game, but he did work very hard and played his part in the build up play. Unlucky not to have a goal. That header was fantastic but just not quite in.

Cabaye - 5 - Gave away needless freekicks and didn't really do a lot for me. Some good passing but nothing to write home about. If we get the 12m then get rid if we can replace him. Too aggressive and spoils the equilibrium. He shouldn't have replaced Anita.

Gouff - 6 - Poor lad just can't get a break. Works his arse off and passing well enough, but his finishing boots have been left in the 2012/13 season.

Remy - 7.5 - Great impact. Great pace, skill and he's brilliant when putting a move together. Great passing and intelligence. So ****ing excited for this sexy beast! Just don't rush him in Pards!!

MOTM - Sissoko - His performance was great all round.

 

Sissoko??? Couldn't have that myself. Thought he was lucky to stay on, Anita unfortunate. He just drifts out the game for periods and is incredibly lazy at times. I thought Santon was very very good too. Easily an 8.

 

A lot of Sissoko's work went undercredited. Great work rate and he dispossessed fulham players many times. Fulham were dangerous at times and I think Sissoko's contribution was vital. Parker, Sidwell and the other CM for Fulham knew how to unlock us but Sissoko and Anita did well to counter it.

 

What are you on about Tash? For at least 20 minutes Sissoko drifted wide left and just stood there doing nowt. Not one midfielder was attacking the box with our strikers in the first half, which is Sissoko's role. He woke up for the last few minutes, though.

 

He did.................for spells. He is lazy though and at times in the first half in particular just watched Anita battle on his own. Sissoko has a lot of ability, probably more than a lot of our team. I can see why the big clubs weren't interested though. If we can get him hungry, he'd go to another level.

 

Agree to disagree then. I saw it differently from where I was sitting. The good thing about Anita and Sissoko is that they can play a 4-4-2 style CM pair or Anita drops back and Sissoko starts making runs up/pushes up and it becomes a 4-1-2-1-2.

 

Agree totally on Sissoko Tash.
The guy was utterly splendid.

 

So who do you guys think is the better CM combo? Cabaye - Tiote or Anita - Sissoko? Id go for the later myself

 

Too early. Depends if you mean now or Tiote-Cabaye on top form too. They were pretty strong when we were on song.

 

I think Sissoko will be become a club legend!! He is like the love-child of Robert Lee, Scott Parker and Didi Hamann!!!

 

We havnt seen a top form tiote for 2 years nearly. Cabaye has strengths and weaknesses which I think Sissoko and Anita balance out!

 

I think the idea was when Cabaye wasn't hoying the toys out that there would be games where all three would play (Tiote involved too), particularly away from home.

 

Yeah but our problem is we dont play to his strengths (since our 5th placed finish anyways). I get the impression he would look alot better in an arsenal shirt tbh but Anita and Sissoko would look better in a B&W shirt then he would!