Dr Venkman

The real shame will be when Pardew inevitably forces Ben Arfa out by refusing to start him over players like Obertan and Vuckic, then Pardew gets the sack and we bring in a manager who might've given him a proper chance. Talk about filling in the blanks with whatever fits your debate. Nobody wanted Pardew so this is an easy stick to beat him with. There is no sign they've fallen out. The pictures of Ben Arfa and Pardew after the Bolton game show there is no issue with him. I would agree that we can criticise him for cautious use of him whether it be tactically or with his fitness but to suggest there's an issue between them is just speculation with no basis. You've criticised me for filling in blanks to suit my point and done exactly that. I haven't said anywhere that there's a problem between them, I'm saying there will be if he continues to play players like Obertan, Vuckic and Sammy instead of him.

Santon immediately tidied up our left side and stopped Downing and Johnson having such an easy ride. It was great to see. It's true, and it's interesting to note the way in which Downing was giving Raylor such a hard time, it looked to me like he was just....knocking it past him knowing he had the pace and running onto the ball? There's someone playing for us every week who could learn a lot from that. This is the first game since Man City that I'm expecting a defeat. We've got the players to give them a game but our manager's lost the plot.

The real shame will be when Pardew inevitably forces Ben Arfa out by refusing to start him over players like Obertan and Vuckic, then Pardew gets the sack and we bring in a manager who might've given him a proper chance.

He's getting on my tits on so many levels now, shite team selection and tactics for weeks. Hope after the next two big sales Ashley fucks off and Pardew goes with him.

It's ok lads, Llambias said in August that we were saving money for January.

Lack of criticism of other players doesn't mean criticism of Obertan is unfounded.

That's making the assumption that Pardew's judging the situation correctly though. He's also repeatedly left Santon on the bench when he looks comfortably the best left back in the club if not the best full back overall. He's also persisting with a completely ineffective Obertan, do you trust Pardews judgement on which players to select?

Did anyone else notice the amount of times one of our players received it in space and didn't turn? I lost count of the amount of times I was yelling turn at the tv. He's stood on the side line yelling at them to hit Ba when we've got comfortable possession ffs. The players know it's going back to the back four and all the way forwards from there so they're not even trying to get turned and run at teams. Vuckic passed it back to the defence from the edge of Liverpool's box ffs.

So you dont rate him as highly as others do. Even you must realise he cant do much if we dont give him the ball. Good players work hard to get the ball. Go back and watch the match again, give me an example where he didn't work hard enough to get the ball, either when we were in possession or they were. I bet you £20 you can't find one.

Precisely. There's literally no comment to make regarding this game and Ben Arfa, other than "he should have started." This, and he muscled Enrique off the ball while Obertan stood a yard away and watched.

Said it in the match thread but Pardew dropped his arse when Norwich beat us and hasn't recovered since. Absolutely sickening hearing him telling the players to knock it long when we've got good possession. Got everything wrong tonight and it's about the fourth or fifth game in a row. We can't rely on the lads to play football in spite of the manager all season. Needs to give his head a shake, get the best players on the pitch and locate his testicles.

Anyone else hear Pardew constantly telling our players to hit Ba or knock it forward? Even when we were knocking it around nicely. These last few games are a massive black mark for him imo, dropped his arse when Norwich beat us and hasn't recovered since.

FOR FUCKS SAKE MAN YOU LUCKY CUNTS

Is Vuckic playing one touch or something?

3 hoofs in 30 seconds

Guess what Alan, long ball to Ba doesn't work and the game needs Ben Arfa and Santon. Who'd have thought.

Feel sick now, cannot fucking stand these lot.

If Pardew didn't have such a hard on for Obertan and hadn't inexplicably decided that Ben Arfa can't play on the wing we could have a sexy looking front six out tonight.

He certainly doesn't work harder, and that includes when we're in possession, needs to show himself more and get away from markers, wasn't good enough at this against WBA.

It's GOT to be a fitness or personality issue with Ben Arfa then.

At least Ba's playing, no Santon or HBA though, Alan Alan Alan.

Adam's been good whenever I've seen him tbh, just cheats all the fucking time.

If Ba's out that's a set back that can't be helped. If we start with Best and Shola because of it and leave our second best attacking player on the bench leaving those two to fall over, be offside and lose the ball without trying anything difficult, the urge to drive to Liverpool and smack some sense into Pardew will be overwhelming.

on the bright side at least Suarez not playing reduces the chances of yellow cards for Tiote and Colo a bit, i expect Adam to be working over time trying to cover for the reduction in diving though

Soooooopafan