Jagten

I thought he did OK in difficult circumstances.

Would bring Obertan on for Ba.

If we are going to do this, we should have kept Shola on.

He's been poor this season - I'm not overly concerned.

Think it's Colback - Larsson, with Gardner at RB.

Think of the oppo, they play a rigid 4-4-2, Pardew is backing our central two to beat theirs. And so they should. Not happy using but i can see why. 4-4-1-1, no?

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/full/673640496.jpg?key=524657&Expires=1350512653&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=l3-RkkxctgEZK6ue3T6-kjdnQVL~fg4IAfVi2d-x7sKm6LcwFCdIYoFj4fwPZ2f~WmkKRFtvy3~-LrGFhok~rW5hhDT8fKy3N9MS4B2yvYQSjvnaF0oDPShRyPNlgE-fzKNcAoEiquzhi2DkThb~Mzfb9A9Mj-xaK43SC6bZS2s_

The players we have are capable of retaining possession significantly better than we have done.

OptaJoe ‏@OptaJoe 27 - Sunderland have had fewer shots (27) than any other team in Europe's top five leagues this season. Siena are next with 45. Timid.

http://duncanjenkins.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/such-little-thing-makes-such-big.html?m=1

Norwich, Reading, QPR and Stoke.

No, you have missed the issue. The problem is not in their understating, but the weakness playing two upfront creates in our midfield. Subsequently, we have a tendency to become overrun in that area, and we are unable to control a game or attack effectively. 4-3-3 isn't a satisfactory solution for Demba Ba; however, it is for the team.

Not just Wonga then, is it?

I don't believe that Wonga have paid anything to 'rename' the stadium.

You don't really get great strike partnerships any more, and there's a good reason for that. Unless we aspire to play like Stoke, Pardew should stop trying.

I disagree. Cisse has, for large parts of the season, been suffocated in a system that has benefited nobody but Ba. I think this contrast has exaggerated his apparent dip in form.

His contribution has been limited, but I don't think that is a result of poor form.

Cisse is playing poorly?

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/10/08/newcastle-0-3-manchester-united-fergusons-diamond-forces-newcastle-to-change-shape/

No.

What a cock.

Krul (?) Santon - Taylor - Coloccini - Ferguson Anita Cabaye - Jonas Ben Arfa - Cisse - Ba Sunderland aren't very good at keeping the ball; this is something we should exploit.

Busquets would be a better comparison.

It did work though. Clearly not for whoever is on the wing. We've got 2 of the best finishers in the league but we don't act like it. Yes, but it worked for the team. You pick your best team, not your best 11 players.