Lotus

I don't think we did this deliberately either. I think our problem is we are unable to control posession. We give the ball away a lot. We rarely string more than 5 passes together when in the opposition's half. When another teams presses us we go for an 'over the top ball' very quickly. Would be great if it worked, but it hasn't. Everyone can see we can't hold onto the ball. Pardew knows it, players know it, opposition knows it. Wiss we could address it but it obviously we aren't.

How have his game plans been so far this season, in your opinion? Given that precedent is an indicator for future behaviour.

19 of those came in 5 games against the top two sides and a freak final 20minutes at Arsenal. That's 39 in 26; a bit more reflective of our struggles. So, when you cherry pick out the games where we concede quite a few our defence looks a lot better. Respectable even. Maybe even good! You must be AMAZED we are 15th. Troll.

?? It was an awesome pass to play Sissoko in. He defended ok as well.

Think Simpson can do ok vs Fulham. More worried about Duff vs Santon tbh.

Sissoko looks a better option at RM than Marveaux tbh. Waste a bit of him there i know but you waste a lot more of Marveaux. Sissoko's certainly got the pace for it and can ping a nice low ball in. Played there for France. Not optimal i'll grant but we're struggling to find a good combo in MFbecause of the players missing.

Exagerrating for affect.

Shame about Haidara as Duff will more than likely p*ss all over Santon in his present form.

Was a bad mistake yesterday. Was obviously surprised the ball came to him after Moussa ducked it. He clearly didn't think about it. Was just instinct to get something to the ball.

I certainly don't think our midfielders are excellent. Better than this, yes. What they lack is any cohesion or plan, both attacking and defending. Every match they play they look like strangers. I know what the glib answer to that is but it really is baffling. For a group to train together everyday for god knows how long but still look lost on matchday. I think when you're in a relegation fight as we are players just lose so much confidence and the game seems to hapening too quickly for them. We haven't been sharp all season though. We've looked fatigued from about the 2nd match into the season!

As will often happen during a bad season, i think the manager and players have lost confidence in each other. Doesn't mean they don't like one another, just deep down i don't think they believe in each other. Our attacking players have a skill set that Pardew doesn't trust and the players are looking lost and directionless for large swathes of each match.

In the 2nd half we managed to string more than 4 passes together once while in their half of the pitch. We really need to address this. We have the players for it.

They will have lots of energy and will get about us early. Close us down, pack the midfield, force to play Cabaye to play balls over it. Unfortunately, we'll be knackered,we'll look knackered and the players will lack confidence and the manager will lack confidence. If we stay compact and don't make silly mistakes, keep it at 0-0, i think we'll grow into the game.

It was a very weird sub. Their back line was so high and we brought our (literally) slowest player.

He's much better for Cisse than anyone we've got when he's playing the no. 10 role. Don't think he'll be a regular under Pardew as he values different things in a player. Can see both side to that argument if I'm honest.

Odd thing to say, he didn't hold it up once!

They've not lost all season. The only thing going for us is if they turn up over confident.

He has 'moments' too often.

Think Benefica are quite dodgy at the back. Still, don't think we've got enough to win the tie.

You love that though.

Tugas are poofs.

Hope we can keep it respectable.

Ouch.

3rd time now.

15 mins in and we've strung more than 4 passes together just twice. We really need to practice with the ball more!