Ashley17

Gutted it's all over to be honest, it hasn't always been great but the KO stages have been brilliant. So many good memories from the Europa in general, I hope we're back in it soon. Thought Pardew got it right, could see that he wanted to set us up to not conceded first half and then really have a go second half. Bigi was a sacrificial lamb really, in the team to contain as there was lack of alternatives. Marveaux cannot do three big games in a week so I wasn't surprised to see him protected for Sunday, Ben Arfa was never going to start and Obertan was nowhere to be seen - ideally someone like Ryan Taylor would have filled the right hand flank but obviously he's not back yet, Gosling isn't anywhere near match fitness and everybody else is out on loan. I can understand protecting Williamson and Simpson for as long as possible, as if we'd attacked from the whistle they would have picked us off with relative ease I fear, as they did at the end. Cabaye had a shitter tonight, didn't look himself at all, particularly first half. Anita anonymous again, there was only Gutierrez putting himself about which isn't what you need. Haidara was great going both directions and I actually thought Simpson & Williamson didn't disgrace themselves, which is all you can ask of two players out of their depth. There was a lot more direct play once Shola was on, as you'd expect. He had one of his decent cameos where the ball generally stuck but he did manage to fall over himself when trying to score. My Dad reckons we should have had a pen when the keeper fouled Cisse but I haven't seen a replay. Once Ben Arfa and Marveaux were on we were totally gung ho and once we got one I really fancied us to do it but it wasn't to be. Some odd decisions in the last 10 from our lads, Sissoko particularly guilty but he must have been knackered. He was injured first half and was surprised he lasted the 90 and he limped off at the end, I suspect that had a part in him not clearing the ball for their goal, but who knows. The ref and his linesmen were terrible, some ridiculous decisions all night interspersed with some rare outbreaks of good refereeing but never on any big calls. Their time wasting was evident from minute 1 but it's par for the course on the continent.

everyone knows we need an upgrade. No they don't. I think they do. Just a lot are unsure we're able to get an upgrade in. Fair enough. I know many on here don't though. There's the mould of Yorkie, Dave and so on who are undecided and agree with Mole. But thee are some who defend Pardew and thinks he's done nothing wrong this season. I don't know anyone in the latter camp. Let's be fair though, I can't see any manager wanting to come and work for Ashley. He might have settled down recently but his previous is going to rule plenty managers out.

I'm not sure Marveaux could hack three 90 minutes in a week. Ben Arfa was never going to start, which leaves Obertan (not even on the bench) or Gosling (no comment). Bigi was a strange choice but if Perch wasn't fit enough I'm not sure who else he could turn to.

Sissoko was knackered, he could barely run and therefore didn't go to clear the ball. Wouldn't be surprised if he missed Sunday

this is the point I've been trying to make. We played them to their strengths and us to our weaknesses. If anything they didn't score because they were shocked at our tactics. Maybe that was Pardews plan? ...by keeping it tight, it meant they weren't so exposed as our weaknesses. If you play to attack them early on you end up conceding. See the last 10 minutes when they got in behind about 5 times down the right, and eventually scored. Pardew isn't the best manager nor will he ever be but I think he got it right tonight, except maybe somebody more experienced for Bigirimana. Our best chance of going through was to win 2-0, whilst we'd all love to have scored two in the opening 10 minutes it wasn't likely to happen.

When you've got Williamson and Simpson in your back 4, you don't really want to be giving them a long time to attack you.

Was going to say, fucking hell is Wullie defending Pardew?

Thought he got it more or less right, to be honest. Bigi was miles out of his depth but the plan to keep it 0-0 for 60 minutes and then throw on the cavalry was our best bet of going through. It nearly worked. You saw how easy it was for them to score when we went gung ho, if they'd scored early it would have killed us.

Was pretty annoyed with Marveaux like, sitting on the deck like that is just asking for the ref to stop the game, which we just didn't need. Fortunately the ref ignored him and we scored but just hobble out of the way man! Strange game really, Fulham kept the ball for minutes at a time in some passages of play but they rarely looked like scoring. Berbatov is ridiculously good, as is Ruiz. They're a bit of a conundrum though, they just look like they can't be arsed to bust a gut to win. Jol is perfect for them, no pressure, go out and play your football, organised back 4...they should probably do better if anything. And they're all wiley old shits who know exactly what they're doing. But enough about them.. Marveaux & Jonas the pick of the bunch for me today. Jonas was pretty faultless at left back and carried the ball forward well like the Jonas of 2008 at times, whilst Marveaux was making things happen. He's so good at finding the space in between the lines, Cabaye and him link up well in such instances and if Cisse had been a bit more on his game we could have been a lot more comfortable. Gouffran looked in the mood when playing through the middle but the re-shuffle following Santon's injury disrupted him as he was back on the left. Still decent though. Simpson was alright, he'd be decent back up I suppose but Debuchy would have had a field day today as there was ample opportunity to get forward down the right, but Simpson's end product is nowhere near as good. Taylor & Mbiwa were ok too, Mbiwa's block on Ruiz's chance was pretty impressive. Anita is still a mystery, him & Cabaye isn't going to work in the middle I don't think but he's obviously a talented footballer, maybe he'd be better in a 3. He's a decent attacking right back but not the best defensively. So we've stole another 3 points, I think you have to credit Pardew today for some positive changes which paid dividends in the end. The squad are dying on their feet though, we need to get through these next 2 games, and if we somehow overturn the deficit on Thursday and win next Sunday you may as well send the bairns to the Hawthornes as I feel we're at a tipping point now

Its a few weeks time unfortunately

Miles Starforth says:

Is Perch injured? Or do we have no definitive news on him and Simpson?

Hoping it's more like http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298208.stm than http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8038281.stm

If Williamson took one even in the midrift we'd have conceded about 5 less goals

Pretty happy with that result to be honest, Stoke firmly in the shit with us now

What's Al doing? Patting his head and rubbing his belly?

To be fair Sissoko must have tripped or something and Taylor wouldn't have seen the ball until very late. A stupid thing to do but it's a reaction more than purposefully being a dick.

Schwarzer will play out of his skin as per usual

Which one?

Getting a decent result tonight will also be a massive boost for the run in. In the situation we're in confidence is everything. By contrast, if we lose tonight, don't win on Sunday, go out next Thursday, then the derby is going to be horrific.

Had Toad in the hole for 2 for 1, feeling good for a win now.

Probably already been quoted but guess which political figure said this: "Di Canio is an exhibitionist. His salute didn't have any significance. He's a good lad."

The Saturday 3pm's look like a great advert for the Premier league

Fulham were fucking good at running the clock down, I'll burst a blood vessel on Sunday if they're in a position to do that against us. Wily old cunts.

Sub the sub!