OTF

Counts more than ever in my estimation - with such distinct gulfs in financial outlays it's very much a tiered competition.

Perez all over the da Silva shirt. Happy with the way we played there. I only hope that Obertan's inclusion was a shop window related decision.

No shame in this result. Held our own against the most expensive team in the league.

Lovely play there.

No LB substitution! Outrage!!! So close from Perez. Obertan unsurprisingly a completely useless substitution.

Aarons and Haidara at once surely Pards? Very good shift put in by Gouffran, hope the shoulder is ok.

Indeed.

Trying to compete with Ashley Young's sheisse vogel?

Nice from Gouffran there, wasted chance by Riviere.

On the strength of that he can keep his pen licence.

Ashley's put most if not all of the weight back on. Make of that what you will.

Williamson has played pretty well IMO. Riviere doesn't deserve to be hooked, if we don't make any inroads he should be given a partner to play alongside. It's Alan Pardew so it's a given that he'll make a tactical left back substitution.

It was always going to be difficult for Riviere on his own up top. Whilst his final ball has looked uncultured his presence has improved as the match has progressed. That's obviously been encouraged by our collective improvement as a team. Impossible to judge him conclusively in a game this early or against such opposition so I'm simply looking for good indications.

Impressed by Cabella's physicality. If that was the biggest question mark against him then things look very promising.

Ouch, that hurts as we were playing quite well. Two central defenders pulled wide like that is always going to be dangerous if they can't close the ball down.

I Hope Cabella can maintain this level of interest and dynamism throughout the entire season.

"The presence of Mike Williamson in a game of this calibre gives hope to all lower league professionals" slander?

Yeah. This was a nice sleeper surprise. His comment could have been a weak inside joke?

I'm all for nostalgic glamourisation, but that's truly foul. The sponsorship is integrated well though.

He's not without his own injury problems too.

I'm pretty over the grey kit (looks like a training kit), but what's the deal with the blue and green abomination? It's in direct opposition to the principle rule of fashion. Blue and green should not be seen without a colour in between.

If there was a guarantee that Taylor would be fit for an extended period of time it would be an easier decision to include him.

That could explain why they've been trialing Abeid in a defensive midfield ball recycling role, and perhaps (if you were particularly cynical) why we've seen so little of Tiote this pre-season.

Somehow just saw this. WTF!

I am too, but I'm worried that they won't all be able to get the time on the pitch required to see the best of them. Nevermind. I'm sure once I see some of them play more, I'll be convinced they're no good and won't want them on the pitch! Problem solved.