AlanSkÃrare

Awesome signing. Looked brilliant first half, which was all I managed to see tonight. Going to be a huge player for us.

Same here. The last round match at St James was the best football we've played this season IMO. Really enjoyed watching Vukic, Bigi and and co. We look a bit naive at times, but there's a lot of flair and exciting talent on show at the same time. I though we were pretty awful apart from the opening 10 minutes in that game?

I think those are admirable, honest and unrealistic comments by Pardew. Going for fourth sounds brilliant. It's just never going to happen with the paper thin squad we're in possession of, especially not with the EL going on as well. We're likely to end up in a position where we could qualify for EL next season as well, which would make this year's participation weird, as it seems we are going to play reserves and not that bothered with it. As for the CC game, I'd play loads of youngsters. Don't care if we get slaughtered. Send in the babies and let's em have it. Fergie will probably do the same.

No doubt Obertan will start after being "fantastic in training" and angry on Monday. He's nailed on to play 90 mins.

Regarding us sending "reserves". Not too bothered with it. If we're not going to invest heavily - which we clearly are not - we need to nurture the talent we have. They are not going to get their chances in the Premier Leauge. However, this is good opposition to blood them against. The club's policy is to bring in lots of youngsters and promote from within. I'm all for giving Sammy, Vuckic, Bigi, Abeid, Tavernier, Ferguson, Campbell and Streete their chance here, rather than play Ba, Cabaye and Jonas. They'll be better for it, they'll be hungry. We'll send in the heavy artillery if we fail miserably in the opening games. I'm still confident that this lot can get a result there.

Like that. I'd play Bigi ahead of Gosling though. Campbell off Shola's shoulder would be cool.

Liverpool's start to the season will be horrific when they lose to them. They'll finish mid-table this season, no doubt. Their Swedish supporters' site put out a text voicing concerns over their defensive displays so far, and that it wouldn't be good enough for top four. I would worry about goalscoring as Borini looks nothing like £10m striker. They should worry about Europe at all, let alone top half.

Official site says Adam Campbell travelled as well. Him and Shols the only out and out forwards that are there. I'd play: Elliott Tavernier Perch Williamson Ferguson Obertan Bigirimana Vuckic Marveaux Amalfitano SA23 Bring Campbell and Sammy on if we need to mix things up.

He's beefed up dramatically since the relegation season as well. That has helped turning him into a decent option. He's brilliant when he comes on. Bullies everyone and everything. Never saw this coming a couple of years ago.

Don't think they were. They went close to equalise through Whitbread late on as well.

I'd say it's taking Howard, Jagielka, Hibbert and Fellaini out of their team.

Still waiting to see him with Tioté and Cabaye, think that's the winning formula for our midfield 3.

Papiss proved Pardew right. No doubt Ba will be number one if he keeps this up. It's how it works. His agent can fuck off.

Aye, it hasn't really "worked", has it? Their academy is brilliant but the rest is just awful.

I have no problem with Ba being a bit moody at all. He's a winner, he's been that type of character all along. I remember Pardew mentioning his personality being his biggest asset. He thinks very highly of himself, he's very confident. He's had a tough spell since Papiss arrived, that's no secret. Him proving to himself, Pardew and us that he's as good as he showed last autumn is probably the only thing on his mind. Of course he's angry with being left out. Excellent response. We had one of the top strikers in Europe when he was on form last season, hopefully getting back to that now that he might feel more settled again. Another good thing: this puts a bit of pressure on Cissé. He'll want to make a case for himself.

Didn't get the yellow cards shown to Anita or Perch tbh.

Brilliant as usual from Caulkin

Two years ago I used to think he'd become a very good player for us. Most angry with him for throwing away the huge chance he had. He had made quiet a few appearances for his young age by the end of 2010/11. Even though his goalscoring was shit, he turned a couple of games around and looked a real prospect when we played Liverpool, Spurs etc. Shame.

Has to start LW on Thursday and put in a worthy performance. If he was on the pitch to help out against Pienaar and Baines, his effort last night was awful. Left Perch on his own all the time. Ben Arfa did more back tracking.

Excellent second half. Tackled them so much better than Anita and got close to Fellaini. Comfortable on the ball as always. Superb pass to Cissé and had another moment of brilliance where he got out of a situation where he found himself alone vs four Everton players.

For yesterday, I think Williamson was alright. He's good defender but very limited footballer. Perch should be the first replacement in games where don't defend as much. He's so much more confident on the ball and has the composure to hold on to it in potentially tight situations. There were a couple of occasions yesterday when we had forced them in to playing a long ball, only for Williamson to head it straight back to them. That doesn't happen as much with Perch - who I thought was brilliant in DM second half.

Best thing about last night was the spirit in my opinion. There really is a willingness to show that last season wasn't a one-off. Considering our injuries, that was a huge point. If this is what competition for places does to Demba, I'm all for it. Also, Hatem is really fighting for the cause. He's also the one trying to instigate a more passing game. You could really see his frustration when he came into that sort of libero position to pick it up because we kept lunging it forward towards the poor, isolated Cissé. Jonas was leading with example second half, I think him, Demba and Santon were our stand out performers. Santon completley shut his wing down and was good going forward, again.

The way we've played is far more of a concern. We need to build on the second half tonight, luck included. That's the thing. We've got points from hard games without playing well. We need to click and we'll be in with a chance of having another good season. I think some confidence was restored tonight. A win on Thursday and Norwich could be in for one hell of an afternoon.

Did he go to get the ball when Ba scored our second?

So, are we back to Demba scoring two goals every game until the ACN, and then Papiss takes over?