Sifu

But this is a massive, massive point which is completely ignored by almost everyone in their rush to blame (or deflect) Pardew. They're far better than they're showing at the minute, it's bloody obvious. Might not be the worldbeaters some think they are but I don't see how that matters - the point is that the teams we've put out this year could and should have brought us a lot more points. It's certainly the best squad of players we've had in years in terms of quality.

Many pints will be needed before I even attempt to watch this game.

Bar girls. the one who served me last month had too much tan on though...

It really is as simple as this. Just keep feeding him and the goals will come. We've had fuck all from midfield this season so it's hardly surprising that Cisse hasn't hit the heights of last season. The team needs to support each other.

Absolutely, the Colo-Williamson was our best partnership by quite a distance in the 2010/11 season. Williamson's weaknesses have been completely exposed now mind which is a shame.

As does the entire Team, especially the other three members of that back four. And yet some people on here are quite content to see him leave at the end of the season. It will not be a good day when/if he does leave. Hopefully his head is in the right place come summer time and he makes the decision to stay, wishful thinking I know.

Despite a few dodgy moments last night, he'll be fine and will be a mainstay at CB for us for many years to come imo. Have to remember that he's only 23 so he is still learning really...

EJITW Journalism at a whole new level.

Fatigue is surely playing a part atm. A long rest is needed this summer.

Not to mention the whole relegation issue. Indeed.

A win against Fulham leading into the second leg would be the ideal confidence booster.

He usually gets it right more often than not in Europe so guess I do have some form of confidence in him to get it right next Thursday. Howay.

Move him further forward and move Sissoko deep, that's the best way to utilise both.

Indeed, PL referees are idiots so they would have missed that 9 times out of 10. Europe is a completely different story though. Needs to cut it out from his game completely mind, there's no need to take stupid risks like that.

Horrendous mistake from him aye but fuck off with the "sell him" posts - sheer idiocy to even suggest that. Needless to say, the lad definitely needs to develop his defensive side a lot more and his mistake could have very well cost us a semi-final place but shit happens eh? Would still have him as my first choice LB. Needs to learn from tonight and quickly.

He's got away with that kind of handball quite a bit these past few seasons. Had to be punished for it tonight of all nights.

I'm not confident but it's certainly possible. Had we not gifted them two goals and had a bit more luck ourselves with Cisse's two that hit the post the scoreline could have been 3-1 to us. They were probably the better team overall but there's certainly chances to be had against them I would have been more confident about next week if we managed to get a second goal tonight. Overturning a 3-1 deficit against Benfica is a helluva a task.

2-0 win at St James' needed then... Not really confident about that at all.

Drury with an incorrect stat.

Gosling

Shola to save the day.

The linesmen this season

Ah feck off.

Horrendous goal to concede.

Anyone care to inform me how we did in the first half?