Parky

It's not even that complex. It was 2 v 6/7 in the box everytime. Just counting bodies should tell you it needs changing. An AM in the hole makes the two lines of four unsure and causes confusion.

Wants to go back to Germany.

Probably be brought on in the 78th min when it's 0-0 and be expected to score a wonder goal. [/Pardewed]

Raylor, yes. We had, but that's not to say there can't be a player amongst that defense who's not good. The biggest reasons for our good defensive record was the centre backs and Krul. Apart from some great blocks, i'm not sure what he did (defensively) that pretty much anyone else couldn't have. It was justifiable to play Raylor for a while, as he had a period where he had matches without significant/goal leading mistakes, and played decent, but he also went on to have some poor displays, and some absolutely terrible ones. It has been time to play Santon for a good while. Ben Arfa is a better player than Obertan. It really is that simple. He will be way more effective than Obertan. If just going off Obertan not being at all. Not saying he will take the Premier League with storm, but he will contribute more than Obertan. "The manager" always knows best. Not so sure that's always right tbh. Point being proved in that Obertan is always starting despite playing badly. It's not like Ben Arfa haven't played out wide before either. It is easy to point out mistakes. He keeps making the same ones, and people are very aware of them. Why do you have to check the table? Is it not fair to point out mistakes, even if we're sitting nicely in the table? Good post.

If he doesn't get a fair chance he'll leave. Sad as that sounds it's the most likely outcome.

He's got plans to black up and go to the Acon to get a game.

Pardew was extremely naive or stubborn today. Take you pick.

This behind the scenes thing doesn't make sense or why put him on the bench? It's not like we didn't have the CM cover today to change it and play shorter and through the middle when lumping a lot of balls into the area wasn't working.

Against a side with the worst away record in the whole league.

We had so much control of the game it was clear HBa would get space and time - Swansea were sitting that deep.

Yup.

Thought Obertan was alright today.

One dimensional and stubborn.

To torture him.

Like what? I rate Sammy as a good prospect, but in what respect does he offer more than Ben Arfa? Unless Ben Arfa was injured, and in which case why is he on the bench? If Pardew is making a point to HBA then he's now doing it to the detriment of the side, which any way you look at it is bad management.

80's football. Flabergasted that when a team sits deep and the two lines of four are close together we didn't play our best lockpicker.

Yeah it's HBA's fault.

Pardew looking very one dimensional in games like this.

Pardew is looking a bit one dimensional. The amount of control we had for 70 odd min and the fact they were sitting deep would mean HBA would have time on the ball and we could go at it with a bit more creativity.

What do you do when lumping a load of balls into the balls ain't working? a) Carry on doing the same and replace like for like. b) Bring on HBA and go a little shorter and through the middle.

A loss today and we could find ourselves in awful trouble over the Xmas period. But shur, what's new about that? Winning is a habit and losing quickly becomes one if not checked. When you're winning a lot of little things go for you on the pitch and all that breeds confidence. We really need to win this one and settle down again.

If we don't win today it's going to start getting a bit tricky.

Fear is half the fear.

He has to drop Obertan. From what I've seen of him and how comfortable he is on the ball, even Santon would be more dangerous at RM.

City switched off a bit when they were in total control and then couldn't get it back as Chelsea started to see some light at the end of the tunnel. City do that a lot.