Memphis

Apparently Ba made a point of celebrating with HBA - per Caulkin. Why not try playing them together, Alan?

If Ba's knees weren't so shit, he could be a decent player.

HOLY SHIT WHAT A FREE KICK

Can't stress it enough - we just don't have that extra gear right now, West Brom picked it up a bit, we don't seem to be able to. Wing play is nonexistent and as such we don't look a threat at all.

We look very leggy. Not nearly as much snap and vigor as we had a month or so ago. Seem like a tired group in general - Jonas specifically looks a yard slower than October/November.

Odemwingie's had the beating of Colo all night thus far. Pace giving him problems, unfortunately.

Sammy over HBA takes the piss. I'd be petulant too if I had HBA's CV and I was watching Sammy and Shola play from the bench. Pardew struggles to make adjustments in games like this. Wigan was similar except for a moment of brilliance from Dreamboat. Pardew didn't get as fortunate today. He's got to let creative players play more and let go of this vise grip he has on the orthodox 4-4-2 - especially when the wing play was as shit as it was for most of the day. When you can't change your system at all, forcing you to choose Sammy Ameobi over Hatem Ben Arfa again and again, you are far too stubborn.

I've given Pardew a lot of credit and rightfully so, but the lack of a clear Plan B really costs us on days like this. Needed to freshen things up in the 2nd and did nothing. Not utilising potentially our best creative outlet in HBA and instead leaving Obertan on for far too long and replacing him with the increasingly poor Sammy Ameobi shows a lack of flexibility. Very, very disappointing afternoon.

It is remarkable how they haven't gotten a single yellow despite constant fouling.

Obertan is so frustrating. Why does he have to take 50 touches to make even the simplest decision?

Ba's determination to get his shot away is fantastic - he gets in position to shoot so early and muscles defenders away. And his first touch is immaculate. What a player.

Tiote definitely looks very short of sharpness. Several poor passes and looks a bit slow. Colo's presence - not that he's had much to do - has made Perch look like Saylor. We're miles better but look a bit sluggish. Jonas has been poor again.

Pardew's apparent inability to name a starting XI without Obertan is problematic. Tactically, there are ways around using him on the right wing. I applaud Pardew for the job he's done so far, but his Obertan myopia is getting to be a serious concern. Also, the idea that you'd play a 5' 8'' Perch in the middle against 6' Grant Holt and 6' 2'' Steve Morison was never going to be anything other than a failure when it comes to set pieces. If nothing else, Kadar is 6' 2''.

Is there a point to this post? Just found it strange. Especially as he seems to be quite decent. Unlucky.

Have we shipped 4 in each of Santon's last 3 starts? Blackburn (a) Carling Cup Everton (reserve) Norwich (a)

Just so sad to watch Perch leap and miss a simple header. Surely Kadar can't be that bad.

Or Sammy.

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.