yplasterer

Tough draw. Great trip. 'Benfica' is an anagram of 'Binface'.

Infantino.

1-1 at home to Arsenal - the Laurent Robert match. Not a bad game to start with. Having only ever seen Scottish football in the flesh beforehand, I'm pretty sure my jaw was on the floor throughout

We will probably play - Debuchy (didn't play), MBiwa (90 minutes, was rested a fair bit since he arrived), Taylor (came on 75 minutes in), Santon (didn't play). So 3 of the back 4 almost completed rested. Cabaye (played 84 minutes), Tiote (came on after 84 minutes) Tiote with so little game time it was practically a stretching session, Cabaye could do with the game time. Jonas (didn't play), Sissoko (played the full game), Gouffran (didn't play) 2 of the 3 didn't play a minute, Sissoko may be affected but I'm sure he will be fine. Cisse (didn't play) Should be completely fresh. So 5 didn't play, Tiote played about 10 minutes. Ben Arfa will be better off for it. Only 3 of the 10 (you can't include a keeper in this discussion) have played a whole game. Yes I think they are overestimating it True, no excuse for a lack of fitness really. Although, having only a day or two to prepare to play Stoke (given their...ways) is probably a greater impact of the midweek game, especially having been previously preparing for a match so 'technical', to use Pardspeak. On a brighter note, it's my first trip to SJP for a couple of years. I appreciate this brighter note doesn't help the team all that much.

Didn't look like a back four that had never played together before. Perch and MYM in particular were excellent. Confident that we'll attack better at SJP. Something which will hopefully be aided by a lack of Obertan.

"We're higher in the league than you."

My first instinct was to fit this to the tune of 'You and Me' by Neil Young. I don't think it would make for a rousing football chant.

If it bridges the gap between midfield and attack it can only be a positive thing. Hopefully it means Hatem recieves the ball further up the pitch too, rather than next to our own right corner flag. It's daft, but I'm very excited to see him play again tonight.

Too injured to drive? Too banned to drive.

So you need the red card to avoid strikers getting clattered at all costs? It's a man's game, dude. You need the red card to prevent defenders deliberately stopping goals by breaking the laws. If it becomes a rational course of action to do so, you're left with a pretty farcical game.

One of those decisions which a referee could justify giving either way. I think it was a penalty, but can understand why Wigan would be aggrieved.

I think I'd find Williamson more enjoyable to watch if he looked like a Hungarian Vizsla.

No, just the old l'Equipe quotes.

Completely agree with this, the first half tactics were spot on. If we were counter-attacking as quickly as we were in the latter part of last season (still a valid concern that we aren't, mind) then it would have been even better. Second half was frustrating, but losing Ba, Cabaye and to a lesser extent Perchinho whilst Colo had a relative off-day certainly contributed to that. Criticising Pardew for this seems excessive.

Demba Babar.