Unbelievable

Sweet Jesus, what a goal!!!

Jesus, Barca's ball retention is unreal sometimes..

This ref + linesman don't really understand the offside rule, do they?

It's a good thing Neymar getting used to being completely outplayed by Barcelona donned in a fully white kit..

Offside? Fuck off ref.

Tactical change..? Is that Man City Elano?

Oooh. Unlucky.. Offside trap not really working for Santos tonight..

I don't think you can really defend against Barca when they play like this..

Why?

Wahey!

Fabulous goal..

YES!!

Always makes me laugh when a manager comes out with shit like that, most recently MON at Sunderlol..

Barca in complete control so far..

I don't think I've ever looked at HBA and felt he didn't work hard enough on the pitch. I've seen Obertan shy away from challenges though that I would have instantly subbed him off for (most notably last week), let alone be a complete passenger for match after match. If this is really about work ethic, Pardew needs to have a word with himself.

Wonder who Pardew will leave out next match out of Krul, Colo, Tiote and Ba since it's apparently a new managerial touch of genius to keep your better players out of matches where they could make the difference to get them riled up for matches further down the road. Shame it cost us two point today like..

Is Wednesday's night result somehow more important than today's like?

Capable of creating something out of absolutely nothing. Imagine if we actually gave him something to work with..

put 2/3 decent crosses in first half but nobody was in the box He did put one or two crosses in. Problems are 1) he just shuts his eyes when he crosses, as the ball just goes anywhere and isn't aimed at any of our players in particular and 2) he fannies around so much before finally putting the cross in that the strikers are now completely immobile and the defenders have had plenty of time to get into their positions marking them. A big part of crossing is doing it early and getting the better of an unorganised defense. It is what makes pace so useful normally. So aye, he did put in a cross of two, but there was nothing decent about them iyam..

What are all the people seeing who think this bloke had a good game? He was very involved in the first half hour, yes, and he did a lot of running, but what did all his involvement and running result in? Did he create anything of note? Did he put any dangerous crosses in? Did his pace allow us to create a situation where we were counter attacking with people moving in on goal? Did he get behind their defense and get a shot in, or lay it on a plate for the strikers? Did he fuck! He just runs with the ball, then waits for his opponent to catch up, then showboats a little, puts his head down and ultimately gives the ball away. He is the ultimate one trick pony, and it isn't even a useful trick. Needs to be replaced asap.

I really think it is an English thing to appreciate him just for his sheer pace, as a player like him would attract so much criticism in Holland as well. It's true, pace is important in the Premiership, but when you don't know how to use it it's not much good. He's never a professional footballer in a million years.

His lack of pace I think...and it's very very important for a winger. He could be used as a winger but more like a wide midfielder and not a typical winger who goes past his marker and put a cross in

FT. Very good first half, very shite second. Alan Pardew has some explaining to do.

because of injury, yes..