OTF

Strange that you could put together a pretty decent highlights package for Ben Arfa from his very limited time here and yet he cops it from most quarters here.

I don't think anyone's suggesting he had anything other than a poor cameo performance, just trying to add some context to it. I wouldn't play HBA over either of our front men and yet he seems to struggle when out wide for us, like he needs space all around him in which to operate. With two up top such a lighweight defender can't be afforded through the middle.... Echo the sentiment of whoever else said it - if he's not going to get meaningful time in the first team then give him a run in the reserves to get some match fitness and cohesion as well as confidence going.

@ that watch.

As much as he can be frustratingly poor Obertan would have been a better sub than Slowla.

A lot of frailties, lack of depth and ultimately a lack of motivation and application against seemingly lesser opponents. A lot to take from this match, but sadly it's not a one off, or a new lesson.

Lets hope we aren't made to pay again for not strenthening our defense.

I agree, laregly after the knock. It was surprising then that he replaced Cisse rather than Ba. Cisse works harder at closing down. Slowla Slowmeobi as a late sub to inject seomthing into a game is laughable.

Played like he was rusty - short of match time and confidence and had no fludity with the rest of the team - mind you the rest of the team were appalling bad during the period he was on the pitch.

Wish I could just forget all about this game.

Boils the piss. Embarrassing and pathetic. The fact that we've done it before makes it even worse. Look up complacent in the dictionary.

This has been an embarrassment.

Please no. I'm at frustration station currently, don't want the next stop to be full blown rage...

Fuck right off Karl Henry.

The stage is set Shola...

They're just goon to chop and hack until the end of the game - and why not, they're likely to get away with it with this referee.

Thought the referee was going to conveniently miss that as well.

"Park the bus" it seems. Bloody piss poor. Blind Freddy could see this was a danger of happening.

Ref having a shocker, but we're not helping.

Fuckity fuck fuck.

Ben Arfa stripping off, about feckin' time.

Come on Pardew do something to get the crowd on side and involved. Complacent out there at the moment.

Still calling it the First Direct Arena... Tee hee

Ryan. Taylor off for Ben Arfa would bring some life back to the crowd. Ryan Taylor has been decent mind you.

Shit! Deflected goal. We've started this half very slowly.

Ouch... Did O'Hara just attempt CPR?