Jagten

But Tiote’s not just out of form, and it’s not specific to this season, either – his game has fundamentally changed. No longer does he drop in between the midfield and defensive lines, effectively using his natural athleticism to press the opposition with a controlled level of aggression, keeping his distribution relatively simple and to more naturally creative players. The Tiote we saw in his debut at Everton has gone. And somebody clearly thought it was a brilliant idea – and possible – to turn him into a more complete midfielder. This was stupidty.

I do find it remarkable that we've only used a front 3 of Ben Arfa - Cisse - Ba once this season (second half vs Spurs) given how it well it worked in that match and previously. Not that I think doing that will solve all of our problems, but it's certainly our best setup.

I think QPR are gone. They'll have to finish the season like a top 8 side, which isn't going to happen.

I'm not so sure Ben Arfa can play in the number 10 role that so many people advocate. Happy to be proven totally wrong, of course.

Didn't Pardew say they'd definitely stay up? (Reading that is)

He played a part in both goals, other than that he was one of our better players. I think you need to rethink what you typed. Schoolboys wouldn't make the mistakes he made last night. Since the Liverpool game where he spent his time on the pitch trying 'to do' Suarez instead of concentrating on what he's paid to do he's been utter s***. Colo the Clown is well and truly back.

I'm still convinced he's better than Ba, and we would be better off building our attack around him.

No chance he'll play Marveaux. It'll probably be: Krul Simpson - Perch - Colo - Santon Ben Arfa - Anita - Tiote - Jonas Ba - Cisse/Shola

Claims our attacking play was "excellent" on nufcTV.

Christ, 5 points off 12th.

Needs to go ASAP. Absolutely shite.

No way, man. Fuck off.

Can't wait to see bloody Shola at HT.

Pardew probably spent more time picking out his outfit than working on our attacking play, the twat.

Another floated 40 yard diagonal into the box. FUCK OFF.

I think we may be the worst football team ever.

Jonas, man.

He'll be wearing a tin foil hat next.

And 5 points off 12th if we lose.

We only need one versatile forward who can play across a front 3. 3 players capable of playing in one position is sufficient. That's if we intend on playing a front 3, of course. We don't have 3 players, though. Shola can't start games and is often not in a position to be on the bench, too. I know, that's why we need to buy one.

We only need one versatile forward who can play across a front 3. 3 players capable of playing in one position is sufficient. That's if we intend on playing a front 3, of course.

Really?

I really don't think Ba can play there. It seems like another daft compromise. He does his best work for the team there. Links our midfield and attack (which discourages long aimless punts) and he isn't fixed there either so he can still gamble on balls in the box/score goals as he did yesterday. He operated there yesterday for large spells tbh, and they both (he and Cisse, that is) looked better for it. Don't even really think it's a compromise. Either of the Dembas huffing and puffing down the channels is a compromise, and not an effective one. I disagree, I don't think he's particularly good at it. When he's been asked to fulfil that role this season we've struggled offensively. I don't think he has the necessary attributes to be successful there over an extended period. And he didn't really play there yesterday. He occasionally dropped deeper and alternated with Cisse, but he was never the third man in midfield. Clearly putting one of the two on the wing is also a compromise, but it's the best solution available until we can buy a dedicated winger.

I really don't think Ba can play there. It seems like another daft compromise. I would love to see this: Anita Cabaye - Marveaux HBA - Cisse/Ba - Ba/Cisse

Not that it really matters, but the midfield 3 was clearly a 1-2, not a 2-1.