Shola...

[Freddd]

Shola is fine as an impact sub as the guy who holds it up at the end of games when you're ahead and looking to kill it. Never been good enough as a starter and simply doesn't have the workrate required for this level, nevermind the other stuff.

Poor decision by Pards, Cisse should have started through the middle and it smelt badly of rewarding Shola for not going to the ACON. Saying that I think he took a punt on him throwing in a big performance with the carrot of Ba's absence. It just backfired and didn't work out.

No room for sentiment though. He did bits and bobs ok last night, challenge for the opener, got in a good position only to fluff his lines and a possible pen. However its not enough for the team overall or the level. You need more from a centre forward, and you need more of a threat through the middle. Cisse needs to be given his wings now.

I defend Pards plenty and think people have been far too quick to jump on him but last night I think he got a number of things wrong:

- Starting line up
- Tactics all wrong. Fair enough to start quick but once ahead he should have either already had them well drilled or told them mid match. Once ahead they should have known/been told to calmly retain possession, playing counter attack. They'd had a day less recovery after a gruelling game against Chelsea and we should have sucked the life out of their legs. Instead we played frantic kamikaze and ended up the more tired side! What really pissed me off is Arsenal having given us the blueprint in the previous fecking game!! Really really naive.
- Wall for the free kick - why put Obertan in your wall? You know he's a pussy and is therefore blameless. Put someone in who doesn't mind losing teeth if he has to.
- Subs were poor - Obertan should have been left on for a start

Last night (aside from Southampton) is the first time I have worried about us. We were tactically naive and poorly led by Colo again. Body language was all wrong but more than anything he is just dropping huge clangers which are inevitably costing goals. Time for him to man up.

I would have like Cisse to start and think he should from now on. Shola is like Simpson in my view; I am happy to have him in the squad but I do want better for a starting striker.

My comments were in response to the torrent of Shola slating which preceded them, and which in my view were unwarranted.

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

I would have like Cisse to start and think he should from now on. Shola is like Simpson in my view; I am happy to have him in the squad but I do want better for a starting striker.

My comments were in response to the torrent of Shola slating which preceded them, and which in my view were unwarranted.

He tried for me and in a certain way I can see what Pards thought. He does like to step up when we need it. It just didn't work out but whereas I don't see him as a starter I do think he has finally found a niche role in the squad. I'm not sure why but the lad just doesn't move much when he starts games and it can pass him by. I do think most of the his own poor performance is down to him but I do think some is down to our fecking defenders/keeper deciding 60 yard bombs are going to be effective! He is a threat aerially but it's just not the way to go.

As always despite my misgivings about him, I'll continue to back him vociferously once he is in the shirt.

 

[Munstertoon]

I was on the stadium tour yesterday and from what I have gathered, the game plan had been completed when Ba took himself off to London. AP took the decision not to change the system at the eleventh hour but simply replace like for like with Strolla taking up the position as a poor man's Demba.

Today Pardew has confirmed that Cisse will be playing through the middle from now on, which is welcome news.

BTW did anyone hear Graham Courtney, the so called North East football expert, tell Talk ****e today how much the fans love Shola. I can tell you the people around me in the Leazes End last night weren't loving him very much. He also said that we were unlucky when Perch hit the CROSSBAR!!

 

[Albert's Chip Shop]

I was on the stadium tour yesterday and from what I have gathered, the game plan had been completed when Ba took himself off to London. AP took the decision not to change the system at the eleventh hour but simply replace like for like with Strolla taking up the position as a poor man's Demba.

Today Pardew has confirmed that Cisse will be playing through the middle from now on, which is welcome news.

BTW did anyone hear Graham Courtney, the so called North East football expert, tell Talk ****e today how much the fans love Shola. I can tell you the people around me in the Leazes End last night weren't loving him very much. He also said that we were unlucky when Perch hit the CROSSBAR!!

great news that Cisse is to play through the middle. I often knock him but Steve Wraith called this one just before kick off last night.

 

[abc CissesCurriedGoat abc]

I watched the game , and didn't find Shola doing anything that much wrong, except his stupid silly fouls which are well documented. I'm ok with him for 30 or so minutes, and to start when we're in a bad injury-hit patch but definitely not as a first option.

In short, we need a new striker.