powellnufc

Poor performance, but 3 points, I'll take that

60% possession cant be right

Putting ourselves under pressure, its the basic simple stuff we are getting wrong

Wouldn't mind seeing Vuckic on for Guthrie

Fair enough tbh, nobody is holding the ball up at the moment, just coming straight back at us

Cabaye has been pretty quiet today as he doesnt seem to have much options on the ball apart from when Gutierrez pushes up on the left wing. Ben Arfa has been playing very wide on the right, whereas Cisse is much more central, which limits Cabaye's options when he has the ball. Would switch Cabaye and Guthrie's position, because I reckon Cabaye would link up better with Ben Arfa

Is Hoolahan injured?

Jonas has been pretty much playing like a lb recently, so I don't see a problem in trying him there in a home match where we should expect to maintain control of the match (especially if Santon has a slight injury, but not sure??)

Well from what I've heard Shola is unstoppable in training

That's definitely when he seems to play his better football

Really can't see Ameobi starting ahead of Cisse in this match

This is the sort of game in which our defence needs to maintain a high line. If were play deep we will end up getting penned in as they lump it into the box, plus they haven't got the pace or passing range to get it in behind our back line.

That is the first game in a long while where he has been able to choose a full team. Our two best cm's, who control a lot our our general play, have barely played together recently and need time to strike up a partnership together before the team starts playing more fluidly.

Surely should be 8-6 now with all this backtracking by Liverpool

Perch has shocking positioning at CM, leaves so much room for them to pass in the centre of the park

Ben Arfa and Cisse double substitution in second half would be beautiful!

Anyone know of any decent pre-match pubs for away fans near the stadium?

Even if he doesn't sign for us straight away, we might be able to get a first option on him and see how he develops in a lower league.

Wouldn't the release clause more likely to be a relegation release clause like at West-Ham rather then a set transfer fee??

What a Kop out by Liverpool.

We have a good core to the side, but no outlet on the wings, which brings pressure on the whole team

The fluid in the knee should become less common now, it is only happening now to protect the knee until his muscle builds back up to normal

WBA just look like they want it more.

The was I interpret Pardews reasoning is that if Ben Arfa came on he would cut in a lot and play in the centre where it would be very congested, whereas someone like Sammy hogs the touchline therefore making the pitch wider and helping to allow more space in the centre for the rest of the team

I assumed he was giving Raylor a chance to redeem himself, given that the game was lost. If he had just taken him off and then not started him next match his confidence would be knocked even worse. At least Pardew showed him that he has faith in him by giving him until the end of the match to try and improve. This allows him to give Santon a chance without damaging Raylor morale too much.