QBG

Wasn't the best game, but the victory is all that matters. Back four and Krul were really tested and all did well when they were. Tiote was much improved with Cabaye next to him and Jonas looked better than he has done in recent games. Obertan was poor in the first, but great play by him for the 2nd goal. Delighted for Hatem, loved how he ran straight to the fans after he scored Can't say much more about Ba, clinical finisher.

I'm a fan of the attack the ball/cover round the back combo too. Never seen him play like. Was one of the best players on the pitch when I went to see Ajax play NAC Breda last month. Tiote/Cabaye would have to work their bollocks off covering for him though, he spent half his time in the opposition box and hit the post like 3 times.

The most entertaining year I've witnessed for a long time, despite the Carroll and Enrique sales we've seen the side make genuine progress and we have an actual foundation to build on. We're on a poor run at the minute but unlike in the past we have a decent amount of quality to turn it around. Bring on 2012!

Aye, seems to be the general consensus. PSG's owners have just as much cash as City's, so like it or lump it they're going to be up there at the top table in Europe sooner rather than later.

PSG sack manager Antoine Kombouare despite being top of Ligue 1 at Christmas.

The juvenile way in which they have reacted to this whole affair is sadly typical of the club and the city. They have continually perpetuated this kind of self-victimisation for the last 20-30 years, but doing so in these kind of circumstances and in such an overt and crass manner is utterly abhorrent. Dalglish really is perfect for them, he plays the 'poor me' role brilliantly, the difference this time is that thankfully they don't have the media on their side. I sincerely hope that they appeal and that the FA extends the ban for despicable way in which they have dealt with the incident. Worth pointing out that Manchester United, Ferguson and Evra have stayed silent and dignified throughout. Even Chelsea's statement yesterday about JT was far more appropriate and considered.

Aye, him and Jonas. Jonas looks knackered and that played a part in WBA murdering us down our left last night. Tiote isn't fully fit imo and needs a bit of a wake up call after a performance like that.

Just fucking go for it. Krul Simpson Williamson Colo Santon Obertan Abeid Cabaye Ben Arfa Vuckic Ba Psst! Pardew, Bolton don't generally attack with pace, this is one of those games where it may be wise to deploy a high line.

Best was as bad against Swansea as he was last night, Pardew should have seen that. I thought his movement was good against Swansea, but he was virtually non-existent last night.

If the Santon sub was injury then I agree about the subs, but HBA should have started and we should never have attempted such a high line against WBA's rapid frontline. The style of play was also bad, but whether that is what Pardew wanted or whether the players were doing their own thing is unknown. Yeah the Santon sub was a precautionary one for a knee injury apparently. Agree though playing a high line against a team that attacks with pace when our fastest defender is out for the season makes little to no sense. I understand wanting to be on the front foot at home but it played right into their hands. Ben Arfa should have started really, and has someone else has suggested playing Vuckic in Best's role may have been an idea, though Pardew wasn't to know Best would play as bad as he did.

Agree the high line was a disaster, but don't think he got much else wrong last night, the majority of the players just didn't perform. The subs he made were the right ones, we instantly looked more threatening when Ben Arfa came on for Best. Shola for Obertan made sense in theory but obviously the lazy git did next to nothing in his time on the field.

It should be no surprise that Best was offside for the Ba goal that wasn't given. Ahh fair enough. Loads of people stood up in front of me so only saw the scramble and the ball hit the net.

Didn't get back till 1am, tickets were free like so it was decent. Shocking display from all but a few. Krul's distribution was poor, the back four had a collective nightmare and Tiote and Best were god awful (21% pass completion from Tiote). Obertan, to his credit did win the free-kick that set up our first goal, but still fannys around too much for me. Vuckic was class, he has a great left foot but he was held back from Tiote's ineptitude. Ben Arfa also had a decent game when he came on, and provided the assist for Ba's 2nd. Not much more you can say about Demba Ba, the man is sheer quality, lord only knows what we're going to do when he goes to the ACON. Anyone know why he had 1 disallowed in the 1st half by the way? Didn't look to be anything wrong with it to me. Cabaye back will be a big boost, we're definitely a worse team without him, and a flat 4-4-2 with him and Vuckic in the middle may work as Cabaye is more of a deep lying playmaker who is comfortable on the ball, which would allow Vuckic to go forward more. The problem we had though is that West Brom, through Odemwingie and Long, attacked with pace, and since S.Taylor got injured that doesn't look like something we are able to deal with. I actually thought Perch did well early on against Long but he faded in the 2nd half. Not being able to deal with pace is no excuse for the defending for the 2nd and 3rd goals though, sheer ballwatching, it was like a return to the bad old days, though the 3rd was admittedly a good finish from Sharner. Pardew really does need to get on to Ashley about funds for January now, as we need an LB (move Santon to the right as Simpson is just invisible going forward), a Centre-Half and a Striker if we are to avoid stagnating and having a poor 2nd half of the season.

The Vertonghen link has come from De Telegraaf in Holland. Would be a fantastic signing, as good, if not better on the ball than Coloccini. Probably unlikely but I'd love for us to sign him, and hate to see him go to Spurs.

Hurt his shoulder quite badly when he was put through, brought down and inexplicably didn't win a free kick or force a red card for the defender. He won everything in the air, chased and harried and generally made a nuisance of himself. Ahh, wasn't aware he hurt himself in that challenge, awful decision by the ref not to punish that 'tackle'.

I'm surely not the only one who thought he was very good on Saturday? Movement was first class, created space by dragging defenders wide and always looked comfortable on the ball. The only explanation for him being subbed for Shola is that he's short of match practice, as the difference between the two in terms of off the ball movement and general workload is staggering. Shows that we really do need another striker in the window, as brining Shola on for Best is detrimental to everyone involved.

Got free ticket vouchers for this for spending a shit load of money in the club shop, going with the old man.

HBA for Obertan (just do it Pardew FFS), and a big chance for Vuckic if he is to be played in place of Cabaye.

Decent 1st half display, ineffective 2nd. Krul could have taken an armchair, Coloccini and Santon immense, Perch improved. Cabaye and Tiote did ok in the midfield, not much in the way of attacking intent but Tiote improved in the 2nd half after an initial clumsy spell. Obertan and Jonas were both shite, but Ba deserved a goal for his invention and Best's movement was top draw, we are a far better team with him on the pitch.

82% pass completion, 100% of 50/50s won. 4/6 Tackles won, chances created: 2.

Just booked tickets in Level 7 for this. Only ones I could get, taking my oxygen tank for all the stairs.

Krul Simpson Williamson Colo Santon Ben Arfa Tiote Cabaye Jonas Ba Shola Please god, and Pardew.

With a real full back behind him there is no reason not to play Ben Arfa on the wing. Did it against Everton last year and Enrique managed fine while Hatem tore them to shreds.

Don't think it was as bad as you're all making out, defended poorly in the 2nd half but thought we were ok in the 1st. Looked real good going forward. Krul 6 - Did what he could. Got shafted on the decision to give a corner that led to the 1st goal. R. Taylor 5 - Decent enough. Simpson 5 - The better of the two centre backs. Perch 4.5 - Couldn't handle Holt after half decent first half. Santon 5.5 - Impressed in the 1st half, attacking tendencies left him a bit out of position in the 2nd. Obertan 4 - One good run and that was about it. Gosling 4.5 - Played well up until that shocking 10 minutes which destroyed his, and our day. Cabaye 8 - Needs Tiote back to partner him, but was superb today. That ball for Ba's 1st was out of this world. Jonas 5.5 - Bit of a nothing display from Jonas today. Shola 7 - Very good shift, great work to set up Ba for the 2nd. Ba 9 - Top class finisher, hope to god Senegal get knocked out of the ACN early. Sammy 5 - Better than Obertan Smith n/a Ferguson n/a Colo and Tiote back in and we will be fine. Williamson returning will be an added bonus too. Santon for Raylor and Ben Arfa for Obertan please Pardew.

Ajax also had two perfectly good goals disallowed for offside in their game. Needless to say they aren't happy.