durhamunigeordie

I can kind of see why they might think that, but the thing is what are the alternatives? Shola to start up top? Hatem to play next to Cisse and Obertan to play on the right? Jonas to push forward and Guthrie/Gosling/Perch to come into a midfield three? Would much rather see an out of form Ba play than any of those I've mentioned.

Can't see Ben Arfa being on the bench. Pardew took him off on Saturday in order to keep him fresh for tonight.

Yea it won't be a weak side, but it will be a rotated side bearing in mind this is their 6th game in about 17 days, with a cup final in three days time. Can Lampard really play 3 games in a week at this stage of his career? Probably not. Ashley Cole or Mata may even be due a rest.

He will want us to win for the the sake of Man U though?!

The same Joe Allen who is a welsh international?!

Just got home. Long day. Not our day today, difficult to know where to start. Thought Tiote had one of his worse games today - haven't seem a replay, but he just seemed to not bother charging Di Santo down just before he scored. Hatem was very quiet first half, but then looked lively for about 15 mins in the second. He also seemed to be the one driving us on - looking to take quick free kicks etc. He dragged a shot wide with his right from the edge of the box that he should have hit the target with, however, how he made space for that I will never know - one second he had 4 men around him, the next he was in 2 yards of space without really moving far. Simpson was awful. Again I haven't seen a reply but was disappointed to see Williamson get beaten in the air by Moses? Also Krul didn't move - I thought he was just going to step and tip it over. It was either an excellent header or he was caught flat footed. Credit to Wigan, they were clinical in the first half and were good value for their win. There was a baby crying all the way from Manc to Wigan Wallgate on the train - some lads were lullabying 'that little baby, he cries when he wants'. Was quite funny. Also recognised some of the lads that I set next to at SJP - second back row (PP) of the corner lower tier? I'm sure they are off here because they are always signing forum songs e.g. the suarez jackson five one and Demba One, Demba Two.

Was rubbish today. That is all.

Well said.

Well it would be nice to see anyone start and score!

I agree, all teams will have their moments which they can look back on and think 'if only...'. However, that Arsenal game still haunts me. We had done the hard work. The point was won. But then Simpson decided to throw the ball straight back to them, roll around on the floor and then...well we all know what happened.

Will be interesting to see who Guthrie comes onto the bench for. You'd imagine it would be Gosling, but I just think as a sub, when you are closing a game out, Gosling offers more in terms of energy and athleticism.

Since the cut price ST offer the corner has been basically ST holders only. I have gone on to try and buy extras on the day that tickets are released and all of the back 5/6 sections are always unavailable, with only a few odd seats right down the front. Likelihood is though that once the renewal deadline passes there will be some more free as I'd imagine some who got the cut price off will not be renewing.

He seemed to think it was cheating if he used his pass. Probably has something to do with being sat in Level 7 at the time, but there always seemed like there was so much space for him to run into and he never did.

People without a ticket should be snapping their hands off for that offer. I haven't used that offer so am not saying it will work, however, got to be worth a try.

You can get a joint ticket for our game and their game v Wolves for £30. It's an extra fiver, but maybe if you are prepared to buy tickets to two games they might actually sell you one?

http://www.skybet.com/football/specials/manager-specials 3/4's of the way down that page.

Stan James stopped taking bets

In to 6/1 on Will Hill

Going to stick a tenner on. Was thinking it would be a good job for him anyway.

Has AH dyed his hair?!

Just watched his interview on NUFC TV. Says the same as on radio Newcastle - get yourselves into Wigan's ground and make it into a home game. 'By hook or by crook' - it is possible to get in!

Exactly. Off the top of my head I don't think there has been another premier league game this season where we have been so comfortable for the full 90. Maybe West Brom away, but even then we had a shaky 15 when we conceded.

Like I said, I can understand the logic, from a man management point of view. Usually though, it's the players who aren't at the top of their game who get subbed off, not those who are on fire. My point was to play Cisse through the middle with Ba and Ben Arfa off him. Ba will score when he scores. You have to adapt to the game situation though. It was more beneficial for the team for Ba to play through the middle today once the game was won. Just being kept on for 90 minutes will give Demba a boost - it acts as a reassurance that Pards still has faith in his ability. Taking Ba off might even have had an adverse affect on his morale. But yea of course I agree that we should be starting games with Cisse through the middle.

Close range heading according to the BBC.

Perhaps just trying to play everything down. He's also been accused of being arrogant in the past, so maybe he is consciously trying to avoid saying anything that anyone can use against him/may come back to haunt him.