I hope we don't off load him, he's still a terrific talent and I'd prefer him as a squad player to the likes of Mutch.

today's team:

Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Lee, Jedinak (c), McArthur, Puncheon; Zaha; Campbell.

subs: McCarthy, Kelly, Ledley, Mutch, J. Williams, Sako, Chamakh.

HT 0-1

goal was against the run of play but you can clearly see once again how much we miss Bolasie, Cabaye & Wickham. Campbell is just awful.

FT 0-3

dismal second half. totally clueless up front.

with the injuries & suspensions you'd expect Zaha and Punch to step up but both have offered barely nothing the past 3 games.

it was far too easy for Chelsea.

We've not had too many dreadful days this season but today was one of them. Thank God the transfer window is here so we can strengthen the front line ASAP.

Another poor and ineffective game from Puncheon. Always tries to take that extra touch and more times than not ends up giving the ball away. Zaha struggled again, too. Why does he always think it's necessary to take on that extra man or try that extra trick?

Thought Lee did well. He could do with some time in the weights room, though!

Jedi did well first half but clearly tired in the second.

As for Campbell, ok, he ran around quite a bit, but his hold up play is terrible and his quality in the oppositions box is non-existent. Simply put he just isn't good enough for this level.

Anyway, write this one off and let's move on to the Cup next week.

agree with this. when everyone is fit our first XI is top notch but when you look at the replacements once we get injuries and suspensions then you begin to see our weaknesses. This is what we need to sort out in the next 2 transfer windows.

I really can't stand Chelsea. And Sunday lunchtime kick-offs, can't stand them either.

Just an all-round horrible game today.

We really need Bolasie back as soon as possible.

we need to clone him...

... wow, today was shite... thought it was gonna be tough for us but didn't expect it to end up being so easy for them... total stroll in the park in the 2nd half.

can't be overly critical considering the injuries etc but it's abundantly clear that certain squad players just don't cut it at this level...

hope we don't faff about and procrastinate in the window and just get on with it...

I see the list of names being linked with us grows by the day. some outright crazy, others that make me strangley worried!

but one that definitely seems to be gaining steam is the Shelvey one.

Pardew confirming that Sako should be available for tomorrows Cup game at St Marys. I'm still expecting a few of the first XI to be rested.

He also said that both Wickham and Gayle should be available for Villa away on Tuesday night which would be a boost.

As for the transfer rumours, I'm taking everything with a pinch of salt. I won't believe anything until pen is put to paper.

today's team:

Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney (c), Souare; Zaha, Cabaye, Ledley, Puncheon; Mutch; Campbell.

subs: Speroni, Hangeland, Kelly, Lee, Jedinak, Sako, Chamakh.

Zaha's just put us 2-1 up. Ward got our opener.

Bit of a smash & grab so far if truth be told.

FT Saints 1-2 Palace

good win. up against it for a lot of that but a hard earned victory.

Terrific win and just what we needed to boost the confidence once again after the previous three blanks.

Really weird listening to it on the radio, they always seem to make it sound like edge of the seat stuff!

hopefully we get a decent draw in the next round but it's bound to be Arsenal, Chelsea or Man City.

Some of what Pardew said in his after match interview:

"We've been linked with a couple of defenders, there'll be no defenders coming to this football club.

"We've been linked with a couple of midfielders, there'll be no midfielders coming to this football club.

"We will be looking for an offensive player, a striker-type player. Hopefully we can get someone in before the end of January."

Great win.

Please let us have a decent draw, I'd love a cup run this season.

Sounded like a good win, bit tetchy at times esp beginning second half after their two changes and early second half equaliser.

Glad to see sako back; but to hear first half Campbell had no shots on or off target. So please a striker in Jan! Glad that pards as identified it too.

Brief highlights >>here.<<

good day out on saturday... cracking atmosphere and a top result.

...performance was ok, we were second best for long periods but we once again showed out spirit and resilience that's been really impressive this season.

best game from punch for a long while... keeper & defence were great again.

hoping that we get this striker in sooner rather than later.

Another Premier League team for us in the FA Cup - this time it's Stoke at home.

How very, very boring.

At least it's at home I suppose.

I did think we were going to get Chelsea there for a moment or so! could have been better could have been worse. not sure if I'm happy with it being at home when you consider our away record.

tonight's team:

Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney (c), Souare; Cabaye; Ledley, McArthur; Zaha; Puncheon, Sako.

Subs: Speroni, Kelly, Jedi, Mutch, Chamakh, Campbell, Wickham.

HT 0-0

very mediocre half from us. Pardew needs to deliver a rocket at the break.