AyeDubbleYoo

Ryder doesn't know anything though.

The whole point is that there's no need to change, but some people might prefer a different style. It's a valid point, obviously it's also fine to say "let's try and keep going with what has worked so far". Nobody is saying anything is drastically wrong.

There's a similar guy who plays for Stoke, tall lad. Crouch is it?

It's not often we've been in a losing position tbh. Ridiculous stat, it just means we haven't been losing much. I don't think Man Utd and Man City will be worried.

Yep, can't see anything changing except replacements for the injured players.

I can see where reefatoon is coming from like, and that is why Pardew has stuck to the 442 generally. He has got great results with it so doesn't have any incentive to change really. As a fan I just want to see more of HBA!

Ba isn't really moving very far in that formation, it's just a formalisation of the fact he likes to play deeper than Cisse.

Mata's was incredible, better than Cisse's for me. To volley a ball on the run like that is amazing.

To lose this lad without giving him a chance to shine would be a massive disappointment. He's exactly the kind of player we love and haven't had for years. I understand the worries about protection for Simpson, I just hope we find some way to make use of Ben Arfa's immense talent.

How would a stepladder help I use my real ladder to be honest. I'm not on speaking terms with my step-ladder. The arsehole. You're not my ladder!

Looks sore that! Also can't believe they didn't mention it on MOTD... looks like trial by media for random players at the moment.

More positives than negatives I thought, maybe a few games of being introduced from the bench with less pressure on will help his confidence.

I see what you're saying, I don't think we have always played brilliantly, especially not going forward. But then again we've been missing most of our best players for a couple of weeks. Anyway, I think it's a common misconception that you have to be really good to finish 5th or whatever. You just need to be efficient, never give up and keep the scoreboard ticking over. That and have rivals who misfire. Look at the times Liverpool have got into Europe due to an endless string of Gerrard goals.

Very good.

Still don't understand why he seems to actually invite more players to close him down though. Sometimes he has one player hassling him and he actively seems to want another two to come and join in. He's a weird guy. But class.

Good point actually, I was pretty worried when they scored just before half time. McLeish didn't sound happy with them at all.

Is that not a Ferdinand phrase? Yeah, I think so.

The diving is getting out of hand now, disgusting.

At least it doesn't consist of Henderson and Downing, that's something to be thankful for.

Either that or we didn't fully understand his attitude in the first place.

Same, what a strike.

I don't think it matters if they believe that anyway, I doubt ignorance is a defence in tax cases. Otherwise anyone could just not bother finding out that they had to pay tax and get away with it.

He flagged badly towards the end like, he was watching their midfielders run by him regularly. Good game overall though.

Absolutely.

Perch and Prejudice.