Rayvin

So...you watched the entire game? Wow. That's dedication to the cause, right there. Are you sure you're not actually a Newcastle fan? I think you might be...

Haidara was woeful. Every time we went down the left we ended up nowhere. Admittedly, Thauvin wasn't great.

I mention it only because it was a stated aim for the club itself

Well, this was a disgrace. Thought Janmaat played well. Perez and Aarons as well, not that the latter had long. Haidara was shocking. Cisse also poor, not that he was in his element. Thought de Jong was pretty anonymous but they had 10 men behind the ball by the time he came on. The only redeeming thing here is that WHam are actually not a bad team, on the evidence so far. There's an increasing number of teams that I consider 'not that bad' and therefore good enough to beat us mind, which isn't hugely encouraging. I think we'll be lucky to scrape top 10 this season to be honest - 14th-16th much more likely. McClaren clearly hasn't conveyed his feelings on how we should be playing to the team well enough, as we look directionless. Really needs to improve.

Funny how we suddenly look a bit better with Aarons out wide and Sissoko in the middle...

There's no build up to our play at all, it's all just random (mis)adventure. We fluke possession, ramble the ball upfield, doss around on the edge of the box waiting for Janmaat to come charging up field and take a shot. That's our game plan, on today's evidence.

Why is Janmaat the one who's had both shots on target though? He's a fucking right back!

Ah ok, fair enough. Thauvin was anonymous but I'm still unclear on why we're persisting with Sissoko out wide...

Don't see what McClaren has to lose here if he just goes for it with some attacking subs. We're bottom anyway...

We'll now have a sending off somewhere, as the players become increasingly frantic...

I think I've had enough of this now...

I guess this is where we find out if we have another Pardew, or something different...

We were bottom of the league under Pardew at this point last season weren't we?

Well, I thought we'd be down by more than 1-0 by half time, so this isn't insurmountable. Definitely need a shake up at half time though.

Reckon Janmaat has been our best player so far personally... not that he's been great.

We're dominating possession but we just can't do anything with it. Do agree that Sissoko in centre and Perez on wing would make us more aggressive.

Needless foul and booking by Colback... he gets one of those every game.

What in fuck was Haidara doing with a shot from there...

Anita and Colback worked against Man Utd and Southampton tbf. Just not really a solution for when you actually want to win the game.

Fair play, it does look like this game might well prove you right...

Ah well. I don't think we're really at WHam's level this season... I think a slow crawl to 14th is on the cards.

I still think they've played well... who is it that people think we're sidelining for them? Could have Sissoko in the middle and Aarons playing I guess, but they've really not been bad.

Not a bad line up, and some decent options on the bench. Not sure how much longer de Jong is going to put up with a subs role though...

...Shit, I knew it.

I am hugely encouraged by your optimism, actually. Fair enough. A win it is.