Neil

Young man.

Didn't know QPR were quite that bad. I know they're missing a couple of players but they were beyond lacklustre. Take away the first 15 minutes, you'd think you were playing a mid-table Championship side. They didn't even look that fussed in the last 5-10 minutes, it was embarrassingly easy for you without you playing well whatsoever.

Highlight had to be near the end when he was looking to get on the end of a chance but someone headed it away, and he still fell over for no reason.

You do wonder whether Pardew understands the knock-on effect of having Ben Arfa on the pitch. Automatically, the opposition is likely to have another player go over to close him down, which in turn creates some space for Guthrie or whoever to exploit, which in turn gets the opposition out of shape a bit more, and that's how chances are created. The mere fact he's on the pitch should be seen as a benefit. Yes, he needs to back it up with quality which he has in abundance, but he shouldn't be assessed merely by how many passes or shots he has.

Has the makings of a very good game this. Now I've done it.

Has it got time to be included in the '11 awards? What '11 awards?

Post of the year.

The problem is when you pick too many players who are workhorses rather than talented is that there is not much to separate you from the opposition. QPR were awful today but they bossed the first 20 mins because we had too many poor quality footballers on the pitch. I'm firmly in the "play your best players and let the opposition worry about them" camp - I've gone through enough of this sort of stuff with Moyes' consistently frustrating team selections. Just trying to find some sort of reason as to why Pardew isn't keen on him. I thought Ben Arfa's performance today was pretty good but nothing outstanding. He has great quality, as everyone knows. I personally don't think he showed it that much today. I guess it's easier for me to say that than you guys because I appreciate you'd be excited to have someone like him in your team.

Yep. His one weakness is the opposition defender knows where he's going 9 times out of 10 but even that's not enough to stop him necessarily, as was shown today when he cut inside on a few occasions. He was your best player today. Chase: I wouldn't say Jonas' ability on the ball is fantastic. He's a very agile, athletic player who causes trouble for the opposition and can be a damn nuisance as well as for the other team with his work rate. Fantastic ball ability? Don't agree at all personally.

At times, he looked very dangerous. Other times, he made the wrong decision and looked disinterested. Overall, yes he should be starting obviously but, playing devil's advocate, Pardew may see these times he gives the ball away or drifts out of the game and not be keen on him. Doesn't of course justify starting the woeful Obertan.

For what it's worth, my thoughts looking in: That was anything but an assured performance, but QPR were worse. They made us look dangerous in the striking department. Santon was your best player IMO, different class. Guthrie, Jonas and Best all had good games as well. Krul 6 - not a lot to do really. Kicking was shit. Simpson 6 - did what he needed to do Williamson 6.5 - same Coloccini 7 - same, plus good tidying up on a few occasions Santon 7.5 - impressive charges forward and looked pretty assured defensively Taylor 6 - quiet apart from a couple of good deliveries and a good attempt Cabaye 5.5 - poor before the injury IMO Guthrie 7 - did the simple things well after a shaky start Jonas 7 - looked a threat on a number of occasions Ameobi 4 - QPR's best defender Best - 7 - excellently taken goal, kept the ball fairly well Ben Arfa - 7 - very dangerous at times but very questionable decision making Perch - 6 - not on for long, didn't inexplicably give a goal away Pardew - 5 - Ben Arfa on the bench again and leaving Ameobi on were 2 awful decisions. Overall: fairly poor performance but you can only play what's in front of you and today it was enough to beat a QPR side that is frankly a Championship side struggling to stay afloat in this league. They need some very quick changes if they're to avoid relegation.

O rly?

The fact they're shite is no great surprise, like. Oh aye I know, but still. They had a really good first 15 minutes, and since the injury they've sort of thought, oh well, never mind ey.

Btw, it says a lot about QPR that you're winning this game.

Thoughts: Wilkins is delivering one of the most biased commentaries I've ever heard. Every time a QPR player took out a NUFC player it was "it's just a foul, nothing more". Then when Cabaye was ended by Derry, it was "get on with it", despite obviously taking a bad hit. Speaking of which, that incident changed the game. First 15-20 minutes, you were fucking woeful. The ball was a hot potato and no-one looked good. QPR started very well but such is life when you're not very good, if you don't take advantage of a good period, sooner or later you'll get punished (bit like Everton. ) Oh, and obviously, having your best attacking player on the pitch always helps, so no surprise you've upped your game since he's been on. Krul's kicking is offensive. Santon looks a class act. Guthrie has been poor, as was Cabaye before his injury. Ameobi's been, well, Ameobi.

I like it a lot.

Except you just did.

We're embellishing our side with players of real quality, what are you doing?[/wireside]

For whatever reason, Serie A has been the kindest league for me betting wise recently. Milan, Udinese and Juve are doing the business.

Williamson is one day going to make people on here rich. One day.

Which is why they AREN'T title contenders. Depends how strictly you want to define the term. Will they win it this season? No. But they're not going to be a million points away. They're essentially as close as you can come to without being serious contenders. There are only 2 teams who can win it this year, but Spurs are staking a very credible claim to the 3rd position. They're both firmly ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal as it stands (could easily see both Spurs and Arsenal in the top 4 this year).

Cretinously horrible club filled to the brim with a preposterous amount of arseholes, encased in a ludicrous sense of self-entitlement and delusion, all finished off with - to use someone's words on here - a liberal sprinkling of racism. Twats.

Evening all. Team X are monopolising possession.

Mallorca 1-0.

Equally, Madrid look poor and wouldn't be surprised if they drop points here. Mallorca are happily sitting back with everyone behind the ball and hitting them on the counter attack - Mallorca almost just take the lead as I type.