TRon

it's pronounced "TIOTAAYYYY!!!!"

I believe Abied is pronounced 'Abeed'. That's how some commentators are pronouncing it, I've a feeling it's probably Abayd in reality.

I've a feeling that's what it will be, although Pardew might start Obertan instead of Marveaux to avoid chucking in Marveaux and Ben Arfa into the team together after a long absence.

He also said that having given some fringe players a start yesterday, he now had a squad of 22 players who were feeling good about themselves when they come in to training. Highlighted how important bench strength was as a few games have been won by making changes this season already. Both good points I thought.

Marveaux looks class and should definitely be starting sooner rather than later, but it should be instead of Obertan not Jonas. That's not a slight on Obertan but he doesn't offer much more end product than Jonas at this stage and he offers much less in other areas of the pitch. Let him learn his trade and he can challenge Jonas for the shirt, but he has to earn it first.

Would like to see Jonas given a proper chance on the right, with Marveaux on the left. Really unsure about Obertan, would rather we use him as an impact substitute for the time being. On the other hand, Gutierrez's contract expires the summer after next, which means he could be sold this summer. Obertan probably has more of a future here - so maybe it should be him starting... Are you serious? Play Obertan because Jonas only has 2 years left on his contract?

But a defender couldn't do what Jonas does in an offensive capacity so that's a daft comment. Everything goes through Jonas down the left, I don't think it's any coincidence that Enrique looks human after all now he doesn't have Jonas in front of him. Yes his end product is weak, but a winger with end product who goes missing for large parts of the game isn't necessarily an improvement.

This is one of those games I don't mind starting off with a fairly solid formation. If we don't concede goals we will have enough quality over 90 mins to win the game 9 times out of 10. Marveaux and HBA might not start but coming off the bench running at players when the game is more stretched should be more than enough to put Blackburn to bed.

I don't think it's that clear at all. I'd need to see more of him to make that judgement, none of the goals conceded were howlers by any stretch.

I think that's spot on. Jonas has been crucial to our football since he's been here. It's easy to dismiss his work rate and running but he is usually one of our best players with the ball at his feet. It's a dilemma as we definitely need Marveaux's quality end product in the team, but I would use him instead of Obertan rather than Jonas.

Cheers, good to hear that his injury doesn't seem to have robbed him of his pace. We should start him on Saturday, I reckon he'll tear Blackburn a new one.

Keegan as a manager was streets ahead of Pardew. Unfortunately he would never work within the constraints of this ownership which isn't much use to us as the owner's still here.

Just stay away from our players. Otherwise expect to get abused you leeching cunts.

If anything he's surpassed my expectations so far. Judging by the doom merchants who post here I expected we'd signed a semi-crock who had no qualities other than turning up for a few games a season.

I think that third goal came when Ferguson was limping so he didn't have much help. Possibly harsh to judge him on that one goal alone. My bad. Wrong side of the pitch. He was caught out wide though and I'm pretty sure he was playing CB to start with.

Don't like to slag a player off after he's scored two goals but I need to see him score against a half decent side to take him seriously. Took his pen well though.

I think that third goal came when Ferguson was limping so he didn't have much help. Possibly harsh to judge him on that one goal alone.

Cheers mate that was helpful. Did HBA look like he still had his quick turn of pace?

One thing that struck me about that video is his lightning speed with the ball at his feet. Would love to think he's still got that, hopefully someone who was at the game will confirm it. The other thing was I remember arguing with tossers on this forum that he didn't play badly against Stoke and that highlight reel just confirmed it.

While some of his decisions baffle me, I have to say Pardew surprised me tonight with making so many changes in a game he desperately wanted to win. He's got balls if nothing else. Ferguson at LB, Mehdi in midfield, starting HBA rather than giving him a 20 min cameo. If we'd lost he'd have got slaughtered so to win away from home in a cup tie is a bit of a feather in his cap at the end of the day.

Blackburn beat Arsenal in their last game if anyone needs reminding. I know Arsenal aren't in a run of form right now but they still take some beating.

Dunno, they must have picked that lad Henderson up on the cheap. Henderson cost £16m. What a player he must be seeing as Marveaux was on a free.

Don't know why anyone thinks we'll be battering teams when we are still struggling to score goals in the league despite the results. When we have strikers who can hit the net reliably over a consistent period of time then we can start feeling cocky.

While I think we'll win I'm still not convinced by our striker options. I would have liked to see Ba given a run out today as I still think he's the one who could prove to be our quality forward once he gets into his groove with the likes of Cabaye, Marveaux and Ben Arfa in the mix. Looking forward to it though.

There's still some very strong sides in there at the moment. We need a kind draw with the big teams getting drawn against each other.