OTF

Does not compute. He was dropped from the starting team. Scored from the bench. I didn't vote.

We finished fifth with Jonas as an everpresent playing side midfielder. CT is jealous of Jonas' hair. He sees Ferguson as a slight version of his pasty self. Whether or not either of them are good at football is largely irrelevant, though he'll try to convince you otherwise. The hide of him in criticising someone else's football knowledge!

Who was impressed in any way shape or form apart from at the odd personal standout (Ben Arfa and Harper)?

I can only think with Anita and Perch that Pardew wanted Perch's extra height in defense against a team like Norwich. We have played poorly but results wise we're doing ok. We know we have the talent here so if everything clicks we've positioned ourselves well to achieve our goal for the season - injuries and the thin squad aren't helping. The poor feeling from the transfer window in many ways has come across into the season. If we manage to pull out a good performance and solid win I think we'll be able to put it behind us - until January at least.

Firstly, untwist your knickers. Last season coming to a new league Cisse had to prove himself. He did it in no small way and was a revelation. This season he has played a little like a 'made man' not as interested in doing the tracking back and closing down that he was last season. The competition wasn't there last season either (though it has thinned out his year further) but he had strong motivation to play at his best. It's certainly not crisis time by any means, but a good bit of man management could help to see him back to his best for us. Part of that may be making him play for his spot in the team. The only feasible option to that end is ba on his own (which he is quite good at anyway) with Ben Arfa free roaming and Cabaye afforded a more advanced role. Pardew already hinted at dropping Cisse before this match, perhaps that was an attempt to bring the best out of him.

Agree he was excellent. The 7.5 was more top do with the limitation in his ability with the ball, than his performance in defense.

My player ratings FWIW Harper - 9 - May key saves when required, and also commanded the box well making the right decisions when one needed to be made. HIs best game for us for some time, could not have done any more apart from pop up with an assist. Santon - 7 - Was solid and did well to push up the pitch particularly int he fisrt half. Defensively was ok. Williamson - 7.5 - Worked hard and made some key interceptions/header as well as getting a crucial block just off the line. Our best defender in this match, though still looks very limited with the ball at his feet, Taylor - 6 - Failed to assert his authority in this match. As the senior of our centre back pairing more is expected of him, Perch - 6 - As a fullback he was pretty poor, as a closing midfielder a lot better. Pardew was worried about playing Anita in defense because of his height. Jonas - 7 - Covered plenty of ground, was solid in possession but didn't do a lot in the final third (only Ben Arfa and Ba did). Cabaye - 5.5 - Wasteful with chances an with the ball in general. Some good tackles/reads but seemed to be trying for the spectaculor far too much. Not a good choice when you're struggling to get the simple things done coherently. Anita - 6.5 - Looked quite decent in wide options, though doesn't make the greatest options in the atacking third. Was a better option at fullback than Perch. HBA - 8.5 - Had their beating everytime on the dribble. Worked some excellent passes. Faded in the second, but the whole team did and as a result he didn't see a lot of the ball. Ba - 7.5 - Good game took his goal very well. Had another decent chance or two but did his job and put the ball in the back of the net. Cisse - 5 - Looks out of sorts at the moment. Was renowned as a hard worker when he arrived but now doesn't seem to be doing the little things like closing down etc anywhere near as much. As a result he seems off the pace of the game and doesn't get invovled anywhere near enough. Of the subs TIote bears the biggest mentions as he was atrociously bad in terms of his application. Actually looks to be relatively sharp given how long he's been absent but made continual abysmal decisions both in possession and defensively. He's not te kind of player you really want to bring on for a cameo as he'll be wanting to make an immediate impact and will be outside the first few minutes of the match where there seems to be an amnesty on silly challenges.

It would be a definite yes if we had any replacement for him. Shola is best suited to cameos and that's where our striking options end. The alternate of playing one up front with Ben Arfa behind and able to roam wherever could work if Tiote regains some composure and Cabaye play at the level he's capable of. Cisse doesn't look partiularly interested at the moment, maybe part of that is knowing that there is such poor competition for striking positions.

How long has Rogers got?

Ben Arfa, class above. Harper had an excellent game as well. Williamson put in a shift.

Yeah FT 1-0. Will be some very relieved players out there.

A win is a win even if it's barely a win.

Obertan just got creamed off the ball... and got nothing for his trouble.

Harper has been exemplary whenever called on.

What is wrong with him... Seriously...

Fucking Tiote is mental.

Good coverage and clearance from Perch after Tiote tried a vitually impossible volley giving the ball away cheaply...

Ben Arfa off.. MOTM for us. The Shola is on.

Tiote's accellerator is still stuck to the floor...

Someone tell Obertan that every pass need not be with the outside of his boot.

They're a tetchy bunch these Norwich players.

Get your Cheick on.

Anita off for Tiote, I don't like that this returns Perch to fullback.

How is Holt complaining about that? Thick fuck.

Pards calling in another change.. Tiote?