Memphis

Who else do we have? Ben Arfa.

What on Earth does Pardew see in Obertan that no one else does? Lazy in defence, mindless going forward...

Its true - having 10 men is better than having 11 if one of them is Dan Gosling

Good thing we're known for our squad depth.

Fullbacks have been awful, Raylor exposed countless times, Simpson nonexistent other than to give the ball away, midfield largely ineffective. Ben Arfa still looks a step or two behind the play. Ba's been fantastic and his work ethic is giving us an outlet with which to work. Otherwise, we'd already be fucked. Ref is a disgrace etc but that's only papering over our issues at the moment.

Without Jonas, Ryan Taylor has been unbelievably exposed. Can't believe Santon isn't out there.

Think there's plenty of positives to take from this. Sammy looked very very good away at the best team in the league. Growing by leaps and bounds every match. Did OK without Tiote again. Guthrie's gotten much better. Created several clear cut chances against a mean defence. Ben Arfa played 75 minutes, looked to be much closer to full fitness, created several good opportunities. Colo/Saylor did very well. Hopefully opens the door for Santon. Not the worst result, all in all, knowing we're going to lose going in.

Perch creating a glorious chance. What a footballer.

I think the tactics were pretty solid, defending a bit deep, but overall limiting them in the final third and creating a chance or two on the counter. We've not looked overmatched at all - EXCEPT for Raylor v Micah Richards, which has been a catastrophe. City are destroying us down their right and we've simply got to make changes there. Sammy looks the part. Ben Arfa's come into the game - that reverse pass for Ba (which Ben Arfa might have been better served to shoot) was brilliant, and we've created two clear cut chances. All in all, not bad, really. Now to avoid getting violated in the second half.

Raylor has been about as bad as you can be today. Gives up a penalty stupidly, beaten time and time again down the right side, at fault for the second.

If you'd told me three months ago we'd grind out a win over Everton to move to 2nd in the league with a midfield of Guthrie, Gosling, Jonas, and Sammy Ameobi...

I love the predictions that we'll "come back down to earth" - as if anyone expects us to get even a point from the two matches in Manchester.

Very much so on both counts. Jonas was shocking in the first half and I too am a fan - he's been sluggish in tracking back and offered nothing in the final third. Everyone does look very tired. And Steven Taylor has shown a glimpse or two of the Geordie Superhero defending that has cost us in the past... I'll repeat - bring Ben Arfa on for Ba and play him in the hole behind Best.

Hope Cabaye's groin is going to be OK. I know a fair few people who will rub it for him.

Had a feeling about that goal. It's been coming. We weren't even close to two goals better than them in the first half. Going to be a real test now with Guthrie/Gosling in the center as opposed to Cabaye/Tiote. Team doesn't seem to know quite how to play with Marveaux on the right just yet and Jonas has been poor, so not much from the left side at all. Have to say I'd like to see Ben Arfa now to open up some space in the middle of the park...

No other commentator understands that football is only about getting it in the box like Garry Birtles. GET IT IN THE BOX LAD!

Agree with this. His decision-making and timing were still off but he got into good positions, attracted 2 or 3 defenders at a time and gave outlets to our other attackers. And crucially looks to have lost none of his pace.

If we were ever going to win a match and yet convince Pardew that the starting XI needs to be changed, this was it. So in a sense it was the best outcome.

Today they look much less like a settled XI and more like a complacent XI.

Looking so slow in the buildup play and slow in getting back when Wigan counter quickly. Still think Wigan will make a mistake and let us in but they are winning the tactical battle so far.

Wing play has been nonexistent. Obertan/Simpson offering nothing on the right, Jonas running down blind alleys on the left. Center is compressed as a result and Cabaye/Tiote are struggling to make their usual impact.

Rodallega should have scored, Krul made a fabulous save on Moses from about 10 yards out on the first effort. We don't look like we've arrived at the stadium yet.

Feels like a preseason match. Very little intensity or excitement.

Can someone get Tiote a towel? He's dripping all over the mic...

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