[Zinman]

Ok, yesterday was dreadful and, to put it mildly, we are in the sh*t. However we're not down yet, just 4 points from safety. To me the key is having our important players fit, and I'm slightly concerned that I haven't seen much comment on the seriousness of the injuries we picked up last week - in particular Gibbs and Krychowiak are vital if we are to have a chance.
Yes, Pardew deserves some criticism for the selection yesterday. A midfield pairing of Yacob and Barry was a disaster - no pace, no mobility and never going to get forward to support Rondon and Sturridge - but what real options did he have? He clearly doesn't think Field is ready (though I think he may have been a better option yesterday) and Brunt in the middle hasn't worked (plus McClean wide left?). In the last couple of games Krychowiak has shown that he can play as a box to box midfielder, getting froward in support, and he was badly missed yesterday. If Gibbs is fit he can get froward on the left allowing Brunt to come inside more giving us much more of an attacking threat - Nyom isn't good enough to do this.
Up front Pardew has to select 2 out of decent players and whenever we don't win he will be criticised for leaving out the wrong one. I actually don't think the selection yesterday made much difference as to me it was the lack of central midfield that caused us the problems - Sturridge showed his potential with his one chance yesterday but that was the only time he received any sort of service.

I haven't given up yet (but probably will do if we don't beat Huddersfield!)