Memphis

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...

http://images.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/10662024.jpg

Don't know how in the world anyone could justify taking Jonas off before Obertan. Jonas has been double or triple teamed and has still won free kicks and been reasonably effective; Obertan's had space and time and done nowt. Marveaux for Obertan would do wonders.

Actually encouraged, really. We've been pretty crap, Cabaye's set pieces have been poor although I think his general play/passing has been OK, Obertan's been wasteful as usual. They took advantage of one mistake and scored but as bad as we've been, they've not looked like scoring. This is there to be won. But Pardew's got to reinforce the midfield and get the team playing with a bit more urgency going forward.

Ben Arfa for Best, Marveaux for Obertan - 4-4-1-1 please. They are there to be had.

Cabaye did scoop a gorgeous 25 yard lofted ball right over the Bosnian defence to Remy, setting up a good goalscoring opportunity, only to be given offside incorrectly. He was never a 3. Maybe a 5 or so. Ratings from 1-10 are so arbitrary. I'd say he was at least a 273 out of 520.

According to Simon Bird, Lovenkrands "pulled rank" on Ben Arfa, who wanted to take the penalty. Come on, Loven, let Ben Arfa do the business.

Relieved to see about 70% of last year's Tiote today. Will be even happier when the other 30% shows up.

Cabaye hits the ball with such force - every strike is just murdered with that right foot. Think Best was carrying a knock, that's why Shola came on with predictable effect. Pardew talked ad nauseam in the preseason about building a team that's able retain possession away from home and fair play to him, this team did exactly that. Most assured away performance in a long time.

If Ben Arfa was playing instead of Obertan or Jonas, we'd have a goal. Need someone to make that final pass.