VillaAlex

Great effort by Downing, unlucky...

Set piece, how typical...

What a tackle by Makoun to win the ball, I loved Bents flick too 8)

Gabby

Blackpool yikes. Their most defensive midfielder is David Vaughan. Then they have Adam, Grandin and Varney all attacking midfielders.

The dreaded claret shorts and claret socks...

No Petrov on the bench is interesting...

Bench looking strong.

Carlos

Bannan Very odd as I thought Houllier rated him.

T-Rex - Children of the Revolution

Completed this the other day, great game but slightly disappointed with the ending... Also the missions before the end are extremely tiresome. Still love roaming around the map though, I enjoy that the most. Especially around Tall Trees Will probably try get to 100% now and buy the expansions.

Documentary

Cheers for that.

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Few films I've watched recently...

Twelve Monkeys 7/10

Man is sent back in time to find the origin of a virus that wiped the majority of the worlds population. Good film, not the most interesting plot but I enjoyed the acting of the likes of Pitt and Willis who did well in a role different to what he is used to. A big plus for me was the music which fits in really well with the theme of the film. Pitts character is crazyyy...

True Grit (2010) 7/10

The Coen brothers are a real mixed bag for me, I love No Country for Old Men and The Big Lebowski but I'm not the greatest fan of Fargo or Burn After Reading. This one fits into the latter for me, it the young girl was excellent but the plot didn't really interest me that much and I struggled at times to understand what Bridges was saying. Saying that some films do require a second watch to appreciate what it is.

Neds 6/10

About the Glasgow youth culture made by a producer of Trainspotting. Started off well, but was generally a big mess. So many things happen in so little time and you are left to wonder why they have happened and really each part of the film needed more development to allow the viewer to understand why the young guy is doing what he is doing. Some good scenes though such as him going for a gang with two knifes strapped to his hands.

Raising Arizona 7/10

Not a Cage fan but he was excellent in this, an enjoyable film about an ex convict and his ex cop wife who can't make or adopt a baby. Due to this they set out to steal a one of the quintuplet babies another couple had. All of this leads to a host of action filled events.

I would have thought Kolarov would win it.

Semi-interesting analysis on Makoun's passing vs Petrov, Murphy and Sidwell on Saturday

Excellent analysis that it, enjoy his review of games.

It's not that hard to believe when they have the likes of Bowyer, Carr, Ferguson and Johnson.

Apparently it was less then 350 according to West Ham fans :X

Getting close to Wigan and their bus load.

Puma have made some nice kits recently so I'd go with them.

Yeah the problem is Makoun needs to be in space, a few times today he was knocked of the ball because he doesn't have the largest stature. Hopefully we'll get a big defensive midfielder alongside him which I think would help him immensely.

does 6'2 Bradley count?

I wouldn't call him a big defensive midfield as such but he certainly has the frame and energy to accommodate him.

Yeah the problem is Makoun needs to be in space, a few times today he was knocked of the ball because he doesn't have the largest stature. Hopefully we'll get a big defensive midfielder alongside him which I think would help him immensely.

Needs to do more when the oppo has the ball and sometimes needs to slow down and not do everything on the first touch.

In some cases yes, but we've always cried out for a midfielder who releases the ball quickly and ups the tempo.

Yeah, don't see why Downing gets the hate when he has created twice as many chances as a certain Ashley Young has all season. Yes he can blow hot and cold but usually he is the player who makes something happen.

Reads the play well, his passing can be immaculate and expansive but can have the odd moment losing possession in a key area. I would put that down to being new to league, especially when it's his second game in a week. Should have been subbed really, as it was evident he was tiring. He will be a star for us, with the ball he can be on another level to the rest of our players which shows how far we are behind the Champions League teams when in possession.

On my way back from that shit game. First 30ish minutes we looked good and when we scored I thought we would turn the screw. We didn't though and ended up paying the price. Our passing was great at times but we just can't break a defence down well enough.

Young isn't good enough to play in the hole. He can't play the killer ball and is too weak. He should be back out on the wing where he belongs.

Gabby isn't a winger.

Bent isn't getting enough service and it may sound harsh but he should have stayed onside for that early 'goal' he scored.

Friedel was poor and cost us the match.

MOTM for me would be between Makoun and Downing. Both shone at parts of the match, although nobody was consistant throughout. Walker's goal was a cracker as well.

We are still a work in progress and you can tell. We still should have beaten thrm today though and it's simply not good enough...

Agree with all of this but it looked to me that Bent was onside, not that it matters now anyway.

Neuer was phenomenal, I read he made more touches then any other Schalke player which says it all about their performance. Annan struggled to adjust to the pace of the Bundesliga and their defence was all over the place especially Metzelder. Huntelaar did ok as a defensive forward but barely looks a goal threat nowadays.

The way Dortmund go forward is a joy to behold, every time they go forward they have 3 or 4 options in space, the movement of their midfield can be sometimes to be impossible to defend unless you park the bus. They'll miss Kagawa though, too many times he had key contributions to their matches. Although Gotze aint half a good replacement, the lad is gonna be a star.

Watched a few recently.

Winters Bone 7/10

Probably not for everyone, a bit slow at times but a good story about a girl searching for her drug dealing father in a rough town who suddenly disappeared. In the mean time she struggles to look after her ill mother and her two younger siblings with little income coming into their home.

Lost Highway ?/10

:shock: Really don't know what I watched, a very confusing film which a lot of the time looked like some porno. Needs a rewatch like most David Lynch films...

Harry Brown 6/10

Decent watch, hilariously unrealistic though. Michael Caine pretty much carries the film.

Friedel

Walker Dunne Cuellar Clark

Albrighton Makoun NRC Young

Gabby Bent

I'd go with. Downing isn't in due to rotational purposes, and I think Albrighton could have some joy down the right. Also think Gabby would cause Hangeland problems with his pace and going two up front is needed v a side like Fulham who are very tough to break down.