Rayvin

I think people are being overly harsh on HBA as well - he tried putting other people in plenty of times as well, but we had Shola against three centre backs - and our crosses, while frequently quite good, found no one all afternoon. He was the only player I believed could score.

Would also agree with this like, Remy was anonymous.

Fuck... to be honest though, we more than matched them for large periods. As has been said, just disappointing.

CT doesn't rate Ben Arfa either mind you.

Yep - I know Football Manager doesn't have all the answers, but it reckons he's on about £50k/week...

Thought that went well - Tiote has been vital so far but he's inevitably going to get booked and will be less effective once he is. Unless the plan was to play within ourselves and keep things tight (in which case well done), we should consider getting Ben Arfa on - probs for Gouffran?

Walcott is such a little prat

What on earth is Giroud doing...

Sorry yes, nervous a better word. You're right I hope!

We look scared... not good.

Yeah, this is going to be one of those tense games...

I read that he's just bought some team in Bosnia or something like that as well. The start of a football empire..! He must just have more money than he can spend.

What utter bollocks.

Pardew making nice with Wenger here - apparently our plan for the next 3-4 years is to finish top 8. I think we all knew this, but I'm wondering why it's 3-4 years and not 'forever': http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/28/newcastle-arsenal-pardew-wenger-champions-league Also they can fuck off with that 'Arsenal on Tyne' bit.

There's Ozil as well of course. Although I understand he's lost some of his form - not that I've seen any evidence personally.

Someone had to take over from the Venky's..!

True enough I guess. Plus there always seems to be at least one 'revival' team..

He beat a fair number of decent teams. To be totally honest, I don't think Cardiff were in any danger of going down this year. They probably still aren't I suppose, given how shocking West Ham, Fulham and Sunderland are, but if he stayed up then I'd say he would have proved himself. Tan sacked him because he's an egomaniac who is used to being worshipped by his employees; not because he wasn't getting results.

Fair point - could argue that a competent manager, familiar with his sides strengths and weaknesses (both physically and psychologically) might have done something different in order to shore up the defence once Sunderland pulled one back? To be honest, I just think he's a massive bell end and am looking for any opportunity to confirm this assertion. This will do.

Although to be fair, I thought they'd flat out lose - so he's actually not done as badly as I thought; possibly just because Sunderland are so dire though.

Gah! I hope Tan is proud of himself...

I think Wilshere is playing, this is his first game back after that suspension - Ramsay isn't though.

I reckon Short will sack Poyet just before the next derby in order to 'give them a lift'. Seems to be how he does it.

Sunderland 2 down - and they are shocking...

It'll be an interesting day if both Manchester clubs fail to win...