Memphis

Commentator advised us to "be more direct". Really?

Watching this is like sticking your face in a blender.

You know he rode his bike...

What was Krul doing there?

Certainly look less shit. It's a matter of simple pragmatism at this stage. Get it sorted out - play a solid 45 minutes - then get more expansive Sunday when we have decent movement up front. At least I hope that's Pardew's mindset.

Pardew cannot bring himself to use Ben Arfa in an orthodox 4-4-2 as a winger. He has to put some fruity formation together when HBA is out there. A simplified 4-4-2 plays to Best and Shola's strengths in Pardew's mind.

Has been gash to be fair. Don't think he got the ball once today without ending up out of play. Got no problem subbing HBA today. Just noting the relative popularity of each on this forum.

Brilliant chance for Jonas, who promptly volleys it into touch. Goodness.

Perch on for Ben Arfa. Least popular Internet sub ever.

If you're trying to play with two holding midfielders, and one of them is Ryan Taylor, you are doing it wrong. Get Abeid or even Perch on, take Simpson off - he's been shit - put Raylor at RB, sorted.

Guthrie has literally touched the ball maybe 4 or 5 times. The formation is, well, I don't know what this formation is, really. 4-2-3-1 turned into some catastrophic ameoba-like formation allowing them nothing but time and space while we couldn't avoid 2 or 3 Blackburn defenders at a time. Holy shit. And Williamson is truly a liability now. Lacks confidence, pace, decision-making, everything. Colo is doing it all on his own.

Worst half I've seen in a long time.

KRUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never a penalty.

Fucking Williamson what the fuck are you doing?

This is bordering on embarrassing, this performance. Blackburn fucking Rovers running roughshod.

Givet again - crossbar. We should be 2 down

We're in slow motion. It's like a team full of Sholas.

One of the most flagrant and embarrassing dives you'll ever see.

Kicking off a bit. Hoilett with a SHOCKING dive - hugely embarrassing on the replay.

Williamson is shit, really. Becoming a liability.

We do look unfocused. Looks very much like Pardew's set the stall out to frustrate, slow down, play deliberately, and it's led to us being very static and slack - a bit like Brighton really. Not much in the way of activity in the final third.

Sounds like there are 50 people there. Ewood's got the atmosphere of an autopsy viewing.

Acres of space all over for them on both sides. Simpson is being dragged way too far inside. And Hoilett's already skinned Santon pretty easily once...

Simpson is nowt more than an average RB but he is WORLD CLASS at clearing off the line.