Rayvin

If we manage to keep HBA for next season (I'm sceptical about this, Liverpool have me worried) then I'm confident that we can do some real damage. He does get injured a lot though...

Feeling pretty positive about this game now. If HBA and Marveaux are both fit for this, we'll destroy them. Hopefully Saylor back although WIlliamson, to his credit, didn't fuck anything up last night. Might just be because Yanga-Mbiwa is so good though.

I keep getting worried he'll get himself sent off though - I know it's his frustration/passion, but he can make some rather stupid choices/tackles sometimes.

I actually thought Shola had more of an impact than Marv tonight anyway.

I agree with this, Benfica are about our level even with our injuries - meaning that full strength we're likely to be a better side. Also not particularly proud about getting to the QF. Or about losing on aggregate. What I am pleased with, is that Pardew made a decent fist of getting us through tonight (and I maintain tactically, did everything right), and that he has managed to accomplish something in the past couple of seasons that the previous 5 or 6 (I forget, but since Bobby) managers have been unable to do. In my mind, this suggests that we are making progress as a club, and have finally halted the startling downward trend. Next year we can consolidate and shoot up the league - and the Europa run might be enough to attract a few more good players.

If he had done what you said, and we lost 3-0, would Pardew still be an idiot, or would you state that Benfica were just better? I don't think anyone believes Benfica to be a better team - they just have less baggage than we do, and we made it difficult for ourselves from the first leg.

Fair enough if you don't like the style, but I don't think it was different last season. We weren't blowing teams away, just comfortably doing the business and moving on. There was a period where we won 5 games in a row 2-0, I'm sure of it. That looks like a tactical plan to me. I also really doubt they'd revolt - Cisse jumping into the crowd last week, the whole team being buoyed by the fans tonight - it almost feels like we genuinely are all in this together. Pardew has done a good job of bringing the fans into the experience as much as he can. Again, more tactical ability - using the resources at his disposal well. I guess we'll agree to disagree; I enjoyed our campaign. I'm disappointed but am looking forward to what we can achieve next year.

When have we ever successfully defended a lead under sustained pressure; even Villa nearly took us apart. Contrastingly, how many times have we summoned up reserves to win at the last gasp. He was playing to our strengths.

That was Sissoko at the end - had it been Mbiwa he might have been more aware of that run in from behind. Good counter. Case in point for why we couldn't go gung-ho earlier really.

Yep, cos we won every European cup on offer under Keegan. Couldn't move for the things. Pardew has a different strategy to Keegan, last year it got us 5th. This year we were hit by injuries and board incompetence. We'd surely have been good for another 10-15 points had we bolstered over the summer.

Agreed, he looks back to being the business again. Relief.

Shola got the assist for our goal though and played well I thought. A rarity I know, but he looked up for it.

Maybe so, but we're talking about just this game. Look, your opinion's fair enough - I get that his tactics aren't what you want to see. I'm reassured myself, it seemed like we had a plan at least, and one that nearly came off. He utilised the team and the mindset of the opponent well IMO.

Yes but if it was possible for tactics to always work, every team would win every game. The point is, he gave us a chance of putting them out, and it was a close run thing in the end. I don't know what you're expecting? Going out 2-5 all guns blazing? I think that sort of scoreline would be the alternative.

I'm not worried, we should be on a relative high after that. Should carry us into this game nicely.

Right but, if we're talking commentator words as law, they also just said he got the game plan right. If we'd got the second, we'd be hailing Pardew as a mastermind.

Mate, most of the team has been injured all season. I know this is a bit of a bitter pill, but Pardew has not let us down with this Europa run.

Sorry but I totally disagree. We would have been overstretched and the effect would have been minimised had Ben Arfa and Marveaux played in the first half. We had to take the first half out of the game in order to minimise the amount of time we had to hold on to any lead, because, as everyone said, Benfica had a goal in them. The only thing that prevented them trying us earlier was that they didn't need to. I think Pardew really knows what he's about.

I don't think we could've asked any more from that. They had to go for it, and to be honest, had we been full strength, I reckon we'd have had them.

FUCKING GET INNNNN!!!!!!

He might hold up play though, which suggests we're going for aerial bombardment...

Ok, the Shola sub makes me concerned...

I'd say it's going to plan so far. I'll reserve judgement on this until the game is complete I think, the plan was definitely to contain in that half.

I know, it was irresponsible... I'm kinda wrapping myself in knots!

If we concede just before half time, it'd be just like us.