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Exactly where I am at. These are my fantastic four! 

 

Jordan Ayew -- three games for a team that has bought ten new outfield players this window, has a number of existing players who have underperformed for four years and is playing for a manager who hasn't been here a full season, has a back room staff that has been here only a short while and is still trying to implement his philosophy to players new and old alike.

Andre Ayew -- playing for a really good club who have been successful for a number of seasons now with many good players who have played together for a fair while now and is also managed by a man who was an ex-player and knows the club inside out.

Incomparable, but ffs, it's three games. Get a grip.

It's just obvious though Andre is the better player, he has torn United apart today. Our Ayew just looks average thus far

I don't by that we have x amount if new players. If you have natural footballing ability your able to adapt

 

What like Di Maria at Utd or Falcao?! There are so many players that have masses of ability that were unable to adapt to different clubs for varying reasons. Saying that players who have ability don't need to adapt is very naive thinking imo.  

I've defended him until now but I personally thought he was to blame for the first and maybe questionable on the second.

Not sure about the second goal but the set up off his wall and positioning for the first goal was dreadful. Gave himself far too much ground to cover. I personally think he's a bit headshot at the moment and has been for a long time- maybe man city. He just seems to panic continually when the ball is played back to him and puts the full backs under pressure.. Think a replacement will deffo be on the cards soon unless he gets his shit together.

Still backing Sherwood 100% but I was baffled with the line up today. Starting with Sanchez, Westwood and Gana was poor imo and thought we should've had Gil on from the start even if for only 60min. Thought Gestede was very static as someone else mentioned and his as well as the rest of the team's off the ball movement was shocking at times. Really thought Kozak should have come on with at least 20 to go as Sunderland were there for the taking. I also thought Bacuna was terrible terrible today, looked like he has spent so long playing at RB that he has forgotten how to move forward with the ball at times, always checking his run to play backwards. Gil's booking also looked an atrocious decision from the Holte. 2 points dropped today instead of 1 point won, imo.  

As one who has called Mr Sherwood tactically inept and has suggested, without using the words, that he has been clueless, with the personnel used in the formations he has used. I have also condemned his apparent slowness to recognise when things are not working and in changing them.

To those who say it is too early to criticise, I say no it isn't.

When you see something so blatantly wrong in one line-up and the exact same line-up is used in the following match, that would suggest to me at least, that the one in charge of picking the personnel for that formation, is either too stubborn to admit, even to themselves, that they are capable of making an error in judgement, or just not too quick in recognising when things aren't quite right.

Quite like thinking Agbonlahor is a footballer, or Westwood shits solid gold bricks.

 

I have been a supporter since, as my site name would suggest, 1958. That is for 57 years and I think that that amount of time following this club, gives me the right to criticise when I see something wrong, especially when the same mistakes are being repeated.

As for those who say the manager needs time to work out where a player plays best, I say, rubbish.

A manager should know what formations he favours against different clubs. He should then only purchase players he has had extensively scouted, that he knows can play in those formations. 

Purchasing players and then having to spend time finding out where and how they can play in different formations, smells like rank amateurism to me.

Now I am more than willing to give Mr Sherwood time but, I would like to see a little proof that he is learning.

One way of showing that proof of learning, would be in not making obvious errors consistently.

Sorry but after reading this post I felt the need to respond. I think most of us feel the right to criticise when necessary so let me criticise your post if that's okay as I feel it's necessary.

• As for those who say the manager needs time to work out where a player plays best, I say, rubbish.   Players continually grow and develop strengths and weaknesses in different areas. One example is Gareth Barry, played everywhere and was more than the CB he started out at Villa, as he developed and ended up playing DM for England. Thank the lord no one was listening to your rational on potential growth and development.
• A manager should know what formations he favours against different clubs. He should then only purchase players he has had extensively scouted, that he knows can play in those formations. How the hell as a manager are you going to make a decision on what strategy your going to set up against your opposition until you are aware of the players they will possibly line up with? Injuries, suspensions, loss of form, will all factor in the decision making process not only in your own team but your opponents.Not to mention culture changes for new players, language barriers etc. By your illogical way of thinking this will all be done in the summer before the season has started?! 
• Now I am more than willing to give Mr Sherwood time but, I would like to see a little proof that he is learning. One way of showing that proof of learning, would be in not making obvious errors consistently.  3 Games in, 1 win and 2 loses and your giving him time? You for real or are you Flavio Briatore? There is proof if you look properly. The defence is stronger and we have a better midfield than last season. 

As I and many others have also stated... There are question marks over the appointment of Sherwood, however we will spend the 2015-16 playing premier league football, something that before TS  came in didn't seem probable. It's easy as a fan to question decisions managers make regarding formations, line up, tactics and subs etc. The truth is nobody knows whether or not their own decisions would have anymore of a impact on what is about to transpire or has transpired. It's pure guess work and hypothetically based.

TS could have brought the most versatile players in the world worth untold millions, put them all in their favoured positions and play only to their strengths. It still does not guarantee the team will be a success in the short or long term. And the bottom line is no matter how much you research once you take a human being from their comfort zone and put them in an alien environment you don't know how they will react. We could all pick top players out that flopped for reasons most wouldn't have anticipated.

I think it's reasonable enough to question especially when there is a continual repetition of the same mistakes as with the last manager. We are however only 3 weeks into TS's first proper season, and after a summer of mass upheaval whereby we as a club were continually battered in the media and with our main players leaving, it hasn't actually turned out that bad at all imo. TS has brought in experience to help him, contracts are being dealt with in the right way finally and most agree that we have also brought in some fantastic young talent into the squad. Still having said that things will take time to click on the pitch as there are far too many changes to personnel for instant success and maybe next season will be the season we truly progress the way we would all like. As long as we are moving forward though that's just fine by me and after the Lambert debacle I think it's unreasonable to really expect anything more especially without a massive injection of cash.

Just suggested on Talksport that Lescott has called in the PFA to sort out a contract issue with WBA. Anyone heard anything?

Heard that he has a release clause in his contract that WBA haven't allowed him to activate after a bid. He has therefore asked the PFA to get involved. Think the baggies are desperate for a CB as Lescott will definitely be leaving.

he was excellent, and showed up the other 3 defenders

I agree andy. Thought he was by far the best player in the back line.

Came on for Gil I think and slotted into DM allowing Veretout to get forward.

Gutted! Hopefully a couple of days rest and it will be fine. Fingers crossed. 

Anyone know anything about the knock he took and if serious?

 

He was very good tonight, but I agree with DCJ, not MOTM.

 

That was Grealish.

Grealish was my choice too but it was a tough call . His Del Piero turn up the left wing at the end swung it for me.

 

What about Veretout's drag back pass with a megs on the byline at the holte. Sure I saw that and it looked real nasty! Thought Grealish played really well but missed a couple of good chances and the one at the end which Sinclair put on a plate. Also think sometimes he needs to release the ball faster to be honest. Good performance though and will get sharper.

He was good but he wasn't close to MOM. Traore, Gil, Grealish and Sanchez were all better.

No way! He didn't put a foot wrong. As I said others will get the plaudits but his performance was solid all round. All those you mentioned played well but thought Veretout was up there although had Traore stayed on I would possibly have been singing a different tune. Hey it's all opinions and in this instance I'm right!! 

Superb goal. Looks a different player.

Reminded me of Milner tonight. Started quite deep in the first half but as the game wore on continually drove forward. His passing is probably the most precise in the squad and as the season continues I think people will start to really appreciate this lad. Gives it absolutely everything!! 

Did you have a restricted view?!

Superb performance from the lad. You know what he's gonna do.... you just can't stop it though. If he's fit the lad needs to play it's as simple as that.

Excellent game from Carles tonight. Was absolutely all over the pitch especially when Traore went off. 

It staggers me how all of us on here (well most anyway) agree on similar things, I.e, drop gabby, buy a cb, buy a striker etc. As of yet there has been nothing to say we are definitely on for a cb, despite wild, unconfirmed reports of lescott, no confirmed interest of any strikers and to my knowledge gabby is still starting each week.

My point is...are we somehow genetically different to Tim, Lerner and the board? How can they not see what we see??

This has been going on since back in the shizzle. Fans, or should I say most fans will have a good idea what's going right or wrongly as we are continually watching the same nonsense week after week. Rocket science doesn't come into it. I would presume Sherwood will drop Gabby at some point should things continue however we aren't currently blessed with striking options. Also you have to account for the dressing room influence of certain players as upsetting one can upset several. On top of that what can you do if resources don't allow it, or the players you want don't want to come(Adebayor)?! You cannot continually do what Lambert did and spend pennies every season in the hope of lucking out on buying the right player. Lambert brought in how many LB's for low cost and missed with them all yet brings in one striker and hey presto, Jackpot! 

IMO most footballing decisions regarding incoming transfers are a gamble. We may all know the answer to the problem however rectifying it is a totally different beast. I think Sherwood is fully aware of the issues whether he can solve all problems in one transfer window is another matter all together. Seems like he is having a bloody good go with the resources which is why personally I think he deserves support from everyone at the moment. 

Personally the whole ease him in because he is young I don't agree with. If your good enough you play, if not you sit on the bench. I do though see the logic in easing him in over the next couple of weeks to get his match sharpness up to scratch. IMO the only way he will adjust to the league is to play, 20min here and there isn't going to do that and as much as starting games will. He is inevitably going to make mistakes as with Amavi yesterday however the important thing is the fans don't pelt him when he does as it could really knock him. 

I think we have two very winnable games coming up at home against county and sunderland which would be ideal for Adama, Gil, Veretout and Ayew to get good game time and all increase their fitness. I hope this happens.

I thought he could've been a bit more reactive today and brought off Gabby for being pants and Gestede in the second half and brought on Sinclair and Ayew when the game was becoming more and more stretched. On a day when players looked shattered due to the heat I don't understand the one sub thing?! Although Sanchez was pulled possibly due to fitness I thought he looked strong and was our best CM today, and also felt he was wrongly taken off.  So a 6/10 for Sherwood today for me.

Been our stand out player this season and will make mistakes from time to time. Stupid decision to try and take a player on in that position but I think he will feel worse than anyone tonight after that. He will learn.

Had his best day's 2 years ago and has been dining out on them ever since. Good shot stopper but not much else imo and absolutely ridiculous to rush the play when he did. Contributed massively to us dropping a point today once again through decision making and distribution. Idiot!