Cronky

I may be reading too much into it, but it sounds like Pardew isn't that impressed with all the rehab and training that was done in France. It sounds like he was expecting HBA's fitness to be much more advanced. I wonder if we'll see a change of policy.

For a manager, there's no point in taking on the fans. He should have continued to grit his teeth. What sort of a reception is he going to get in the next home game? Assuming he's still there, of course.

I'm not so sure. I think it was a misjudgement borne of over-confidence in his abilities. He thought he could manage a situation that was actually not manageable. The better decision would have been to cut one's losses early. I mean, he actually promised Ba, in public, that he'd play 90% of his games down the centre. It can't be right for a manager to be publicly dictated to by a player like that. That's aside from whether it was the right decision in football terms.

I think Pardew has done a good job of integrating the new players very quickly. Our performances (ie not just the results) have been completely transformed. He must be doing something right there. As to whether we should have ended up in that position - that's another matter. I think Pardew made a mistake in persisting with Ba when it was clear that he was looking for the opportunity to move on, and was effectively dictating terms to Pardew in the meantime. He should have been given the message in the summer that he plays where he's picked or he moves on. It wasn't as though the partnership with Cisse was looking that great anyway. We could also say that the Board (and perhaps Pardew as well) were blinded by the 5th place finish and didn't take action early enough to strengthen the side. Whatever, Pardew has shown some ability to turn things round very quickly and has to be given far more time to move things forward. The next transfer window should offer the club a really good opportunity.

No disrespect to Tino, but I suspect we'd be employing him for his recruiting potential rather than his coaching skills.

My feeling with Taylor is that, like Simpson, he concentrates so hard on staying goal-side of his opponent and not getting turned that he doesn't get close enough. He often ends up blocking shots (which he's good at, to be fair) rather than making a tackle or intercepting. Trouble is, you're going to get caught out now and then, and I think that was the case for the first goal.

Great result, considering Southampton are a decent side and we had the midweek trek. Our passing has improved 10000000000000 fold since January. Got to do something about Santon's side of the defence though. Everything dangerous from Southampton came down his wing. I don't know if it's poor positioning or him not getting the same support that Jonas offers on the other side. Got to say, having seen Haidara, he looks the better bet.

Look good going forward, vulnerable in defence. Should go on to seal the win.

Southampton look a useful side and we've done very well to come back.

I'd agree with that. In that attacking central midfield role, he's been very good, but you can't play him anywhere else. The problem with the Gerrard - Lampard combination was that Gerrard, as the more versatile player, had to end up playing wider or further forward most of the time. He'd then get frustrated and start looking for the ball, and the shape was lost. With that gangly physique of his, I don't think Welbeck will be a great finisher, but I seem to remember (eg the Euros) one or two very clever finishes. His ability to hold on to the ball and create for others is very good, and seeing that he's playing all across a front three, I think he makes a very good contribution. He also reads situations well. I'd agree with Leffe on Tiote and Colo. I think Tiote's limitations are generally recognised now, but Colo still has the feeling of an untouchable. He's very good in some situations, weak in others.

No, no. Under. He should be an automatic choice for England.

No, that's a silly question.

Wes Hoolahan has impressed every time I've seen him, but he never gets any attention. Playing for Norwich can't help.

Agree. On this board, he's very under-rated, and I can't fathom why. Overrated - Ashley Cole Underrated - To a large extent, Jack Wilshere. Yes, he's started to get some real praise, but not enough. There's no better all round midfield player in the Premiership, and at 21, there's more to come.

After a shaky start, Elliot has looked very good in the chances that he's had. The only question mark is how he would handle the extra pressure, but Harper can be a nervous keeper at times, despite his experience. I don't see Harper as a 'safe' option, and Elliot has more basic ability.

I think an additional striker should be our main target in the next window. I don't think Cisse is versatile enough. What we're seeing now is pretty much what we're going to get - a poacher who doesn't offer much else. We were being over-optimistic in hoping that the freaky run of last season was going to continue. Shola can do a good job as a target man and is woefully under-rated on here, but we could do with someone more mobile. Gouffran I feel confident can do a job in that wider position, but we need someone in the middle to take us to the next level.

A phrase that's very fashionable now - 'controlling the game'.

I didn't fancy our chances much, but we took the initiative right from the start. By the time Metalist got going, it was too late. Haidara looks better than Santon. He gets closer to his opponent and recovers more quickly. Mbiwa also impressed. Hopefully Pardew will now feel confident enough to start him in the Premiership. Shola did a good job for us, but again we saw the futile exercise of Cisse playing wide. It's clear he's not happy out there.

I think Wenger and Fergie will stay. Those old warriors will be carried out on their shields. Benitez and Mancini look certain to go. Moyes might not fancy a club where there's a lot of interference from on high. I think he might still hang on for the Man U job. Mourinho could have the pick of either job but I could still see him ending up abroad, despite what he's saying.

I'd agree. It's a tricky decision, but Pardew shouldn't duck it by playing half a first team.

The odds are that we'll get knocked out now, and looking at the other teams in the competition we don't stand much chance of winning the whole thing anyway. Ukraine will be a long and tiring journey with, I fear, nothing at the end of it. I wouldn't take any chances with our league status. Apart from anything, Southampton are a decent side and we need to be at our best to beat them. Pardew has to face up to the situation we're in and play a second string next Thursday.

Sorry, old git who can't post images. Xabi Alonso and Diego of Wolfsburg. Can someone tell me how to do it or do it themselves?

Although it was good to give him game time, he didn't look like a full back. We'll have to see him at CB before we can really judge him.

On the second 'goal', I think you're offside if any part of your body that can legitimately make contact with the ball is beyond the defender. Cisse's foot is just over that line, so although it's a very close call, he was off. The first was onside, of course.