[BaggieSteve]

Don't mind losing to City, who are head and shoulders above anyone else.

But the manner of the defeat was terrible. Not even a shot until the 88th minute.

Honestly don't know what Pardew was trying to do.

Although Man City are a very good side, they do have a few weaknesses. The 2 centre backs aren't the biggest so we needed to win corners. With that in mind, Zinchenko is a good young footballer but never a left back. If you're going to win corners against City, you need someone who can travel with the ball going at him. Instead Pardew picks Field there, who is a defensive central midfield player and never once attacked him, we simply allow Zinchenko to play as an extra attacker.

McClean is terrible, but if the muppet does persist on playing him, surely he should've been on the right going at Zinchenko rather than playing against Kyle Walker, who is so fast and strong that McClean's punt and run is completely ineffective.

Or better yet, who not start Phillips and at least try to get something.

Or if he's scared of risking Phillips at least pick Burke there. He's raw but has the pace that can get at Zinchenko and have a go. Honestly so pi**ed off that we've served up that weak defensive dross and still been massacred.

Hopefully Pardew can see some of those muppets he picked tonight shouldn't be anywhere near the side...

I agree, Slick, in a game where it's clear Pardew thought we were beaten before we kicked off, why not play Burke, for example, who is clearly needing game time. As you say, he has raw pace and it would have been an ideal opportunity to give him free rein against the City defence. If you think you're going to lose, why not. I appreciate we did not want to lose by a cricket score but, by offering absolutely no attacking threat, you're inviting City to play attack v defence. There's only one outcome to that.
I assume he's more concerned with Saturday's game v Southampton, which makes perfect sense. However, by adopting such a passive approach tonight, it cranks the pressure up for Saturday. I recall Bryan Robson doing this v Chelsea in a midweek game when we had a six pointer at the weekend. Guess what, lost them both!