rogerbarton

Was just about to say no he was at centre back but Jesus, you're right. I give up!

Ha ha, very true!...really didn't get why Pardew trialled the 4-3-3 when we very much didn't have the personnel for it. Maybe was just to see how Ben Arfa would work in that role but Best on the left and Ameobi up top in a fluid formation wasn't going to work ever. The prospect of Cabaye and Jonas in behind Ben Arfa, Cisse and Ba has me salivating though. Yohan and Guti were playing some delicious balls yesterday

I'm not. He cannot mark. He didn't have to do any marking against West Brom. When he played fullback for us previously he was so often ccaught well out of position as he pushes high up the pitch even when he's not going to get the ball. No doubt he could be coached to be better than he has been in the past, but it just isn't worth it. You might be right, it was sitting in the defensive midfield position where he impressed me. Can't remember the last time we saw him at full back but he was certainly dreadful at right back at the start of last season.

Krul should've shouted, but I cannot see how Willo failed to see him storming out. Daft decision to head it past him. Stats about goals conceded don't tell the whole story - I can barely think of any mistakes Krul has made and he's certainly made some fantastic saves this season to keep us in it.

To be fair to Perch, who I think I've variously called the worst player I've seen in a Newcastle shirt, a complete defensive liability, worse than me and a bag of shite since he arrived at the club, he's been fantastic in the last few games. Fact remains, however, that he ain't a centre back and will get found out playing there. I'm more than happy to see him play at full back however. Not sure if we have any other choice at centre back, though. Is Santon any good there? He's big and strong anyway. Tiote if he's fit? With regards Ben Arfa, he was absolutely brilliant yesterday. We really saw some bloody fantastic quality on the break. His goal where it comes to Ben Arfa, he knocks it first time to Cabaye who then plays a first time return pass is beautiful. He had the ball control, the pace and the finish yesterday - just hope he can continue now. Oh, and 4-3-3 looked a very good bet too

We could easily blow this with our central defence. Fucking nonsense not to bring in a CB in Jan

Fuck I'm worried now.

Anyone else think Santon would be a better bet at CB? Perch too small. Ah and Cisse should've had a hat trick!

That was certainly the best 45 minutes I've seen from us. Didn't see it coming! Fantastic. Passing the ball with pinpoint accuracy and the fluidity of the attacks with Jonas, Cabaye and particularly the front trio of Ben Arfa, Cisse and Ba has been superb. Ben Arfa has been unplayable and wow, Cisse knows how to score. Brilliant!

There were flashes of good stuff again today which is more than can be said of some of the recent games. Deserved the win, could have been more comfortable too. I do think we've struggled more since Ba's great form has deserted him - you could see us looking a lot more confident if he'd got involved and whacked a couple in.

Bah, we're just inviting them to score a goal. We need to up things big style if we're to win this game

There have been some positives for sure, but we're giving those farmer fuckers far too much of the ball. More goals in this one, but our front three look capable of scoring every time we come forward.

Unfortunately Norwich have a couple of inept player who foul all the time they're near the ball

The throw in decision was a disgrace. Clear handball, was very close though. We look so much better when we feed it into Ben Arfa to keep hold of the ball

What is going on? 11 minutes of class and since then it's been shite. Give it to Ben Arfa and get going on the floor!

Sammy Ameobi too

I think we need an update on whose accounts are genuine... I can list: Tim Krul Ryan Taylor Yohan Cabaye Jonas Gutierrez Demba Ba (Nile Ranger) (Ryan Donaldson) Andy Woodman and Danny Simpson has deleted his account. I'm following Tiote but not convinced it's him. Didn't think the Raylor one was real til recently tho

Unless he's had a fall coming off the team bus I don't think so?!

'Nufcfans' and 'nufcstats' came up with that idea but I'm not convinced at all. Apparently Sky Sports were showing Cabaye on the right as well. I think we might be playing a 4-3-3 but if not, it'll be Perchy LB, Jonas LM and Guthrie and Cabaye in the middle

People on Twitter saying it's Jonas at LB, Cabaye at LM and Perch and Guthrie in the middle. Not convinced myself but they must have their info from somewhere? Strange team but still confident we can get the win.

He showed promise when he played at the start of his itme here - Keegan said he was a good player which convinced me. I think he lost his way when we came back up last season, I can remember thinking he was our worst player in a lot of games under Hughton - WBA away he was a disgrace. He's been back to his best this season though and is well worth keeping as a third choice. He's always going to play a lot of games as the third choice CM anyway.

Can't argue with the claims about hoofball that Pardew has been offering. The Arsenal game and 2nd half vs mackems were much better though, so hopefully we'll see it on the floor again today. Not sure we should need a holding midfielder so much today so I'd go with Guthrie if Tiote is injured. Shame Raylor's out but if that's the price to pay to see HBA in then I'll pay it. Would love to see Ba/Cisse come good together today. (Who'd have thought we'd be winless without Leon Best?)

To be fair we weren't bad tonight. Looked much better defensively and showed decent flashes in the first half. I'm optimistic if we can play well in the next couple of easier games and we might see some more positive investment to shore up a couple of tricky areas in the summer.

Try watching the last ten minutes on a buffering stream cos Virgin Media is grade A fucking wank and then finally getting it to work to see that count Vermaelen score. Fucking classless counts, the lot of them. Van Persie should be banned for fucking life, the prick.

Not a bad summary. Aye, fuck the cheeky wanker. We could really do with the whinging fucker going off in the first couple of minutes of the second half. Without him, they'd do a lot of running and a lot of silky passing but score not a sausage.