Big Geordie

Ba again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Assist from HBA. And the mackems have been pulled back to 2-2 as well.

Ben Arfa for Best at last! Howay young'un - here's your chance. Just hope he takes it.

Shane Long hit the bar. Let off.

Ryan Taylor on for Santon. No word if the latter is injured or not. Pardew has to earn his money now, because lose this and there is every right for questions to be asked in what is going on. Why no Ben Arfa and why have we scrubed plans to buy a striker. Is that because there is only money to bring in one player and that's got to be a centre half? Season is in real danger of being allowed to be frittered away to mid-table obscurity.

Gonna be a bad night this - just got the feeling. We've just not created enough again - how many saves as Foster had to make? Vuckic hits the underside of the bar - woodwork yet again.

Ba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From what I can guage from the radio, WBA seem to be moving it a lot quicker than us and appear to be a real threat on the break. Seems as if we lack ideas once again as we did, on Saturday. Should have started Ben Arfa off Ba.

Bugger.

Howay!

They will tow the club line, because they have to (as sad as it is)

Still reckon there is no smoke without fire, on this one. I believe the ground is being paved for Tiote to leave the club next month, whether he wants to or not. Up to the fat c**t running the club.

I'd take a punt on him, on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

I would take Bassong back, in all honesty. The lad is a good player and is at a good age too.

What Messi said. I think Mascherano only played 2 games or something, whilst at West Ham.

I wonder if Pardew is doing with Ben Arfa, what he did with Tevez and Mascherano at West Ham. Worrying, if so.

Got his subs wrong today and he should explain the reasoning behind his choices. Apparently he has said they are still being 'careful' with Ben Arfa, but I'm not sure if that washes.

Disappointing today - I thought we lacked a good tempo and also genuine creativity. It was crying out for Ben Arfa in the 2nd half and as to why Pardew didn't fetch him on is beyond me. The lad needs to start on Wednesday v West Brom and I'd also probably chuck in Vuckic alongside Tiote. Thought Obertan started brightly, but reverted to type and kept on drifting inside of the fullback everytime he had the ball. He has the pace to get around on the outside, so why doesn't he do it? Overall it's been a good start to the season, but we must push on from here and investment is needed in January. A new striker, a DC as well as keeping Tiote and Colo are a must. Owt less than that and we'll end up falling to mid-table. It's all up to Mike Ashley as ever.

Tiote will go if enough cash is offered. Also maybe Colo (hope not for both though!)

Stoke 1-0 up - Etherington.

Larsson probably pinches it for the mackems. Sounds deserved in fairness. Mackems will go into overdrive now - Wireside will be here tonight!

Sunderland have been quite poor and should be 2-0 down. Mackem O'Neill has a big job on here, IMO.

This is it - as we found out in the 1980's, keep on selling your best players and you are headed only in one direction and it's not up!

Pish today - I've never seen a more frustrating winger. Has got pace to burn, but he refuses to attack the fullback on the outside.

I'm not too disappointed because trouble in the air was always going to happen today, with our two 'centre backs'. Just had no answer to the power of Holt and Morrison. Where the hell was Tamas Kadar? At least the lad is 6'2 and DC is his preferred position! Thought Ba took both of his goals superbly, but Obertan was a major let down. His refusal to go at his fullback on the outside totally bemuses me because he has the pace and tricks to get by with no problem. Every time he comes inside, he runs into trouble and loses the ball. Major worry for me is our great start to the season is now going to be allowed to be frittered away because I'm not convinced the owner will invest in January. Suspect Pardew will be told to make to with what he has.

Tough game today and keeping Norwich out (given the injuries) is a major ask. I'd happily take a point if offered now.