Realistically, the only bad substitution was Campbell for McArthur. I don't think it would have prevented the goal, that was just a piece of class, but it might have meant that Cabaye alone wasn't dealing with Pogba, and some cover was in place.

Otherwise I think our set up and play was excellent - First half Flamini and Cabaye worked really well togeather, and I thought we looked solid, though lacking offensive threat (which when you're playing a top team is acceptable).

Ledley for Flamini, reasonable, but our 'solidity' suffered, and we became looser, but did score (not to mention Ledley should have been booked for a handball and a penalty given).

Fryers, reasonable enough, defensive and at 1-1 holding on makes sense.

But McArthur for Campbell was just absurd. Zaha or Beneteke, yes, but we were being overrun in midfield, taking out a midfielder for an attacker looked like he was thinking we might nick it (it was a gamblers choice, not a tactical one).

Either way, I don't think the substitutions realistically affected the result, but that last one, with five minutes or so to go, 1-1 against a United side that have been dominating the game, was inept - A point would have been a good result for us, and for Pardew - We're far less likely to gain a point at the weekend, and preserving players for the Chelsea game is stupid.

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Which do you think we were most likely to get something out of. A game where we're 1-1 with Man Utd already, or one where we're going to be playing Chelsea who are utterly rampant at the minute, for 90 minutes.

Flamini and Fryers substitution make sense. But Campbell for McArthur really doesn't, 4 minutes on the clock, 1-1 and we've barely threatened them and they're overrunning our midfield....

Either way, I don't think having McArthur on prevents the goal, it was pure class (and something like 120m in transfer fees and 450k a week in wages in the making).

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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Yet not afraid to not play him. Sorry stop with that bulls***, Pardew is many things, but afraid to upset big players is not one of his problems. He may of had a very good reason for the sub and man would I like to hear it. Should of been a midfielder if Macca had to go off, but we are paper thin squad wise it seems.
What we have though is far better than our points tally IMO, just have to be managed better. I'd take Rowett today if offered, prem experience or not.

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In my eyes Flamini was good given he was verry match rusty and I hope he plays from now on - much moresolid with him and Cabaye lookedbetter as wel.
The late sub was a shockr though - a real shocker1