Tiresias

He'd have a point if we never created a chance ever, but we did, and everyone did their jobs. Jonas's was to prevent threats down that wing, and he did it faultlessly. Football is a bit more complex than wingers create chances and that's the sole purpose. Anyway I'll quit feeding the troll now

we can stand a good chance if we can force their attacking midfielders into doing their defensive duties, as that's where a lot of their threat comes from. Saha can score though if fit. Fellini can be very good but sometimes a liability, commiting niggling fouls and such. Think we should go out and play our best footy, and let the best team win.

He wasn't an attacker today, he was stopping crossing coming in and that's what he did. Obertan was there to speed out of defence, and Best and Ba were the attacking thrust, and their movement made up for Jonas' defensive shift. Can't see this at all to be honest, thought he was magnificent

I largely agree, had moments of heart in mouth, but also did his job in the end, did needlessly concede one corner, but with all the long throws etc, did a lot better than a lot of other keepers in the league with all the long balls into box.

Tough one, but their lacking in attacking players should let us take advantage. However unlike Stoke I can see them generating a bit of magic and doing a number past us. Canny team, and could be a very good game, as I think we're both 'honest' teams as Pardew likes to say. Very hard one to call, both our form and theirs is variable. If their form vs Man U comes out we'll struggle for goals, and possibly concede. They have played badly though as well, and so have we. Not going to call, think I'll watch and try and enjoy. Should we lose at least it was to them and not Stoke.

Think their boards are pretty accurate actually hah (refreshing after RTG so often haha)

Wouldn't have minded him coming on for Obertan in second half once he'd faded a bit but understand his lack of inclusion here. Should get a chance vs everton.

Worse keepers would've been much more timid. He went out of his way to help the defence and we benefitted massively. Harper (and a lot of other keepers) would've been rooted to their line for lots of their ball in the box. Exactly, commanded the box, and made sure didn't get in too much trouble. He had weird brief moments of bad kicks and nearly falling over, but he showed a different talent to shot stopping here, and he got it spot on.

Krul - 8 - while he did have a few bad kicks etc, think dealing with all the Stokeness going on in the box is incredible. Commanded the box. Raylor - 7 - No real complaints, was protected by Jonas Saylor - 8 - Solid. Colo - 9 - Tidy, calm, sign him now, give him however much money he wants, give him the £35m in a one off it it'll make him sign right now Simpson - 7 - Better than normal. Cabaye - 6 - Sharply declined in second half, but hard working in first half. Hope he gets back to his best soon, but not worried atm, and is scoring form still Guthrie - 8 - Panic about losing Tiote to ACN over, he looks like he's good after all Jonas - 9 - Absolutely part of the reason our defence has been so mean this season, and if he frustrates in his attacking sometimes, this is absolutely the type of game to showcase why he is invaluable to us. Faced no real threat from open play down his flank. Obertan - 7 - Showed why he is rated at last. Alleviated pressure, set up a goal, no complaints, though probably could have scored near the end Ba - 9 - Masterclass in being in the right place at the right time and finishing perfectly, can be no complaints apart from conceeding the penalty, but all is forgiven. Best - 8 - Deserved a goal, did fade later on but worked hard. Proving a lot of people wrong. Possibly our best performance all season to be honest, just for the defensive cohesion in tough conditions.

I was really peeved when I saw Obertan and Raylor on the squad...egg on my face somewhat. (still maybe think Santon may have done a better job, but I suppose would have been a very harsh first proper test), and Obertan justified inclusion entirely. Team spirit must be sky high right now. lets hope that this continues. How many more 'true tests' according to the media are we going ot have to endure? (I suspect we'll still be getting that in april) It's also worth noting I had this down as our first loss. Always great to be proved wrong as such.

Every time I heard a big cheer for a throw in a little bit of my soul died. Everytime they failed miserably however a bit more revived. A victory for football!

I am so looking forward to their regular slump they get in second half of season, this time they don't have too far to fall

;D

All the 'they haven't had tough games' crowd need to have a look at how we play right now, we take our opportunities when we get them and we're tight bastards at the back. Most of all we're not boring to watch, without being foolishly open. Last season was spent a little looking over our backs as we knew we were riding some luck at times, and losing games we really should win, and we would win. Still think the handling of kicking Houghton out was tremendously harsh, but Pardew is doing well. Almost worringly, Ashley will sack him soon at this rate.

Absolutely, was concerned when we got him, I knew he could score, but wasn't sure how mobile he was.

Glad for him really, he was really starting to look like a flop, now shown he does have some quality. Would like him used in games like this, and Marveaux used in more...fun...games mind.

Wonder which Penalty Pulis thought was soft?

Having him at the back just makes everything so much calmer. Struggle to think of better defenders in the league, everyone's defences this year have been leaky but ours.

What's great there is the big gap between us and Norwich in 7th. Even if we lose against the manchester clubs and drop down the table somewhat we're in a great position.

Excellent performance tonight. Absolutely integral to stopping crosses coming in.

Excellent, only concern is getting dependant on him

Terrible tackle just after coming on, could conceivably been a red. Redeemed himself later with a spot on tackle, that if he'd got a bit wrong would have seen him off.

Less worried about ACN now. Well done.

Got it spot on tonight, completely blocked off their wide play (made easier by them shrinking the pitch ;D ) and forced them to try and play it through the middle, barely any crosses came into the box from open play. Our defence and keeper were completely ready for their set pieces. Didn't conceed too many dangerous free kicks either. A less confidant manager might have stuck 5 in midfield and left 1 up front, which may have killed our ability to score. Was a bit worried after he got out thought and lucked out vs Wigan, Pardew got this spot on.