It's the story of our season reason. Losing key players in key positions. Moyes gets the blame for not having a back up plan but you can only work with what you're given. The injuries are the number one reason for our current position in a short term view.Shoulda gone to Newcastle for restaurant week.
He has the players at his disposal to do that though. Their game plan is extremely simple. Rough up the opposition, win your second balls, if in doubt hoof the fucker. Man to man we just didn't have the players to compete with a side like that.
In the NYE game I think we were set up quite well against them initially, and looked a better side. Then we lost Kone to injury, and we lost any height in midfield as O'Shea had to drop back in. Then we lost Anichebe at half time. Men against boys from that point on.