Beren

I've lost all interest in England, similar to Otter. If I had to choose an XI, it would look something like this off the top of my head: Hart Johnson Ferdinand Terry* Cole Barton Wilshere Gerrard Adam Johnson Carroll Defoe Inexperienced, a bit fearless, but would develop well over time IMO. Not a chance. * - Would look to replace as soon as.

That cannot be real.

Well, the starting XI that are picked are pretty terrible but there is a very capable starting XI available - we just don't pick them preferring to stick with undroppable individuals and ignore who would form the best team.

Good news IMO. A nice break for the players will hopefully see a few injuries clear up and continue the great (Danny) camaraderie within the squad. Sunny optimism that, Dave! More likely we'll be seeing them on the front pages

Harper - 8 - Did really well in general. The back four looked confident with him. Good saves. Really poor distribution though. Simpson - 6.5 - Coped well for most of the game, so misplaced passes and at fault for the goal. Colo - 9 - Ridiculously good again. Williamson - 8 - #Solid as a rock! Enrique - 8 - Beat Lennon so many times, he had to switch sides. Good cross in the first half too. Barton - 6.5 - Fully appreciate just how good his season has been, but he just gave the ball away so many times. Important contribution but by his own high standards, poor. Nolan - 4.5 - So anonymous. Did well as a body, but no more. Guthrie - 5.5 - Only slightly better than Nolan. Gutierrez - 8.5 - Sensational. Just excellent. Best - 6.5 - Got involved, good link up play with Ameobi. Still not too alert. Ameobi - 6.5 - The enigma of the century. Mixes the sublime with the egregious. Did really well first half before his Jekyll & Hyde second. Loven - 5 - Why are you still getting games? Ranger - 8 - Dangerous in the paltry time he was given.

Need some arrows to really bring the picture to life.

Probably because Lovelycakes has actually scored at this level. If he hadn't been selfish, he would have had another. It's a tough call. With respect, it's not.

Did you not see Shola's curled shot or Best's effort off the bar? Ranger could have passed to Perch for a tap in. They all spurned chances. They did, but Ranger would have burned Dawson for pace all night long.

Gutted with that. So many chances to kill the game. A really brainless goal to give away. No one using their brain... Lennon on the left-hand side. What is the only thing he's going to try and do? I mean seriously. Really gutted about that. Also Pardew deserves another smack for bringing on Lovenkrands ahead of Ranger

Harper 7.5 - One really good save, organised and communicated with the backline well. A little unfortunate with the goal. Enrique 9 - Ridiclously good. Had the whole stadium in his back pocket. MOTM x 1000. Colo 9 - Outstanding Williamson 7.5 - Tentative opening, but immense thereafter. Simpson 7 - Decent game, caught out of position once or twice. Gutierrez 8 - Really good running and delivery today - even though little came of it. Crucial in keeping them on the backfoot. Nolan 7.5 - Tactically very important, good leadership, endeavour and strength. Smith 6.5 - Solid (and not just by his standards) but wasteful with possession at times. Barton 8 - Strong game, always problematic for them. Got the better of Malbranque. Ameobi 8.5 - He loves the derby games, this guy! Fantastic performance. Treat yourself to an apple, my son. Best 6.5 - Anonymous first half, no real intent to impose himself onto the game (service or not). Improvement in the second half but didn't look very alert/alive to balls which I think Ranger might have done better with. Subs: Guthrie 6.5 - Had a few very shaky moments, but not entirely too shabby. Certainly an improvement on last time out for him at the very least.

Enrique is so good I could cry.

Good run by Guti.

He's the SHOOOO stopper, baby.

Ranger is more mistake-inducing - especially against Ferdinand and Bramble.

Leon Best has had so few touches. I think sticking with this formation is working for us though, just question whether Best should be taken off for Ranger at some point who is much more of a handful/problematic to play against.

Time to Sho the mackems who is boss...

Odds on Smith yellow card/red?

I rather agree in a way. Our defence will be shite without Tiote. Thankfully Nolan is playing and though he isn't very mobile, he'll at least go forward (if not bomb!) and give their defence something to worry about/help our side release the ball from defence - unlike Guthrie did get against West Brom where we could scarcely get out of our own half to attack.

Colo and Williamson both look vulnerable without adequate protection in front of them and constant pressure invited upon them. (cf Bolton away).

Pardew

Rather we buy no one than waste transfer money on someone who doesn't improve the squad depth.

Oh god.

Not sure I'd go as far to say the decision was "mental" but I'd say it was both predictable and wrong. FA weren't going to undermine the ref, realistically. Move on. I'd just try and frustrate them and nick a long-ball/set-piece goal. Not pretty but I don't give a fuck. I fully acknowledge we have a paper thin squad and have virtually no depth beyond our first team. I do however rate the footballing prowess of our first team and hope we build on that in the future

Speculating is all well and good, but I can't personally see Pardew instituting any kind of meritocracy when it comes to team selection. Talking of Vuckic/Gosling/Ferguson starting is a fun indulgence, but no more. Pardew will pick four of Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Smith, Routledge. FWIW, my zany idea/indulgence would be to play Williamson as a DM as he usually plays fantastically on big occasions and his distribution is far better than you'd expect.

If his red card isn't overturned football is a disgrace. No chance whatsoever. Keep hoping though if you like. Why? Studs not showing, won the ball. Jumped in a bit but ffs, surely even the FA will understand that isn't a red Does not compute.