Sifu

One reason: Colin fucking Murray

I'm watching Homeland so will be skipping MOTD2 tonight.

And yes, his dribble inside his area was stupid. Hope he doesn't do that ever again.

I still have quite a bit of faith in Harper. Aye, it's quite clear that he's not the keeper he used to be but I don't think he could have done much about the goals today. The first two were mistakes from our defenders and the third goal was a cracking cross-come-shot imo. As a short term measure, I'd still start Harper. Needless to say though, the sooner Krul comes back, the better it is for us.

Tbf, the corners looked better than usual today.

Must win. Shola winner.

Watching a Manchester United game in Fallowfield? Not the best idea like. Well the locals seemed friendly enough.

Yep, don't mind which side he plays as long as he plays!

Still think he should start at RB - that's pretty much the only position where he's looked comfortable so far this season. Playing him there will aid his bedding in process and once he gets settled with the PL, then we can think about playing him in CM.

The day he gets crocked will be a happy day.

Okay, post-mortem time. At the end of day, we were simply not good enough. We turned up much too late to properly change the game. Despite the spirited performance in the second half, it was too little too late if we're being brutally honest. Those first 20 minutes were an absolute horror show - the defence was all over the place and we just couldn't respond/counter Man U's attacks - their goals were definitely preventable. we missed a commanding presence in defence. When we did eventually turn up, we did look quite decent but ultimately we just didn't have enough about ourselves to force a goal. The problem lies within the system - we don't have the proper personnel to play a 4-4-2. Until we can get a proper out and out winger, the 4-3-3 is the way to go. A very frustrating and annoying afternoon. Plus my unbeaten record at the Friendship Inn has gone and got to say, didn't feel very comfortable in there (which I guess isn't a surprise considering I was in a pub in Manchester ).

Pretty much.

Think it's pretty safe to say that Pardew is a 4-4-2 man with 4-3-3 as his alter-ego. 4-4-2 can be a legitimately good system to use, it's just that we lack the proper players to make it work (ie. actual wingers who can cross the ball). From what we've seen so far this season, Ferguson and Ben Arfa are the only players who can actually cross the ball with a deal of accuracy. Fergie is pretty much an out and out winger; Ben Arfa's best role is that of an inside forward who has/should have a free role across the midfield to really influence the play and as such isn't a "proper" winger. Jonas can't really do much on the wing anymore despite giving his all out there and Marveaux's early promise has seemingly disappeared (could be down to personal problems). So, a lack of specialised personnel = an ineffective system. The same argument has been made over and over mind but 4-3-3 is the way to go - it brings the best out of all our players and the personnel are actually suited to it. Time for Pardew to embrace his inner self.

Howard Webb is a detestable referee. Whilst he wasn't the sole cause of us losing today, he was still a twat.

Need someone to crock that cunt Van Persie.

This is going to get worse before it gets better...

What the fuck is this

Oh dear, he's completely missed the point Unsurprising really.

Could very well be Wigan's next saviour, following in the footsteps of Moses, N'Zogbia.

Which pub? Friendship Inn. You recommended it to me iirc.

We just had to go for a company with a silly name and one which has been in the press recently for the wrong reasons. Good work to all involved

Wonga FFS.

Going to be watching this in my "local" in Manchester. Got an unbeaten record there so I'd say that's a good sign

Better late than never. Would be good news when we finally get Category One status.

Is it a bad thing that I'm kinda tempted to get the Whey Aye Man costume to wear for Halloween?