Alan Pardew; “I think Papiss is just a victim of the injuries, without Ben Arfa and Cabaye we’ve lacked a bit of flair and quality…He hasn’t had a lot of moments in the matches but his workrate and his commitment to the cause can’t be faulted”.
Reading, QPR, Stoke, Southampton and Villa have scored ten against Man.Utd between them so we should score if we show any adventure, even the mackems scored on their recent visit.
The boos when Cisse was substituted were recognition that he is contributing to the team but rarely getting the chance to do what he is best (outstanding?) at, which is sticking the ball in the net.
Sickening to watch Obertan one against one with his full-back, then turning around and laying the ball back to Tavernier….Marveaux though was actually worse as he showed no inclination at all to want the ball…
…it gave the manager the chance to give a few more ticks to promising young players like Tavernier and Bigirimana, while at the same time putting a thick black line through the likes of Obertan and Marveaux.
Alan Pardew will look at the benefits; decent comebacks for Tiote and Coloccini, encouraging performances from Tavernier and Bigirimana , while Elliot, Shola and Perch all put in steady displays.
How do you think the returning Tiote and Coloccini did? Was Cisse back to his best? What about the younger players, did any of them suggest there is better to come?
Both captain Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote start against Manchester United in tonight’s match, though Alan Pardew has resisted the temptation to play Papiss Cisse from the start and he’s on the bench.
