Zhan_Zhuang

I thought we looked ok today but alas it wasn't to be.

Waiting for inexperienced players in key positions to get their experience is a dangerous philosophy and one that might mean we are bottom six for the rest of this season.

The Norwich game is a season deciding one now...

Does not look interested.

This...a lot of talk (from those pundit types) that he'll be off soon. No smoke without fire...

Can anyone elaborate on Samir's situation at the moment?

The reason I ask is based on the fleeting three appearances I have seen of him he looked rather promising and in contrast to N'Zogbia seems like he can actually beat a player; i'm not really one to make a habit of criticising our players but this guy has to be a better option surely?

Aberdeen fans I know don't want to play Rangers ever again...

This story is mere attention seeking and worry on their part because if they fail to get promoted or god forbid' forgotten about they're history!

I must be deluded, as I think we are doing pretty well.

I thought we were the better side against Spurs until the goal - despite the London medias qwierd version of the game.

I thought we were the better side against Newcastle, Swansea, and Man City

I thought we were ok for a half against Southampton, and a second half against Everton.

So lucky me I'm not at all concened.

I think the difference in our style, set up, hunger, and ambition, was huge between Spurs away last year and this, if Benteke had scored we could easily have gone on to win.

I don't think the squad is anywhere near as poor as some think, and I thank God we didnt try the same old rehashed names , as QPR have for example.

I love PL's approach, and I have no doubt it will pay off.

We are at a very very early stage for all this panic.

A rational post amongst all the panic.

I think we're playing quite well and once the players get to know each other we'll become a solid unit; it does take time and I wish people would understand this. PL will need to tinker a little and may indeed buy a player or two in January to alleviate a problem if that still appears to be an issue.

I genuinely would be surprised to see him get more than 10 league goals.

I would not be surprised if he did based on the fact he is getting into those positions.

Ok he has one league goal but he could and probably should have four!

^{Oh dear, that is one of the most blatant and rubbish dives I think I have ever seen.}

^{Now Ronaldo had a few very bad ones but nothing like this...}

Personal problem. I would suggest a good therapist

Personal problem you say, care to elaborate? Indeed a therapist is most certainly taking things to an extreme; If anyone is getting personal it is you my friend ;-) My thoughts are with you...

As each season passes us by I lose interest a little bit more....

Drogba was performing well for Marseille in the CL, Benteke is at a different standard.

Benteke needs to be managed very well if he is to attain the levels of Drogba. He does seem to have the attributes but not the experience; let's hope throughout this season he will show signs of improvement and kick on next year?!

Personally I think the second half of the season will be much better and will hopefully see us competing for a top ten spot.

Furthermore, there seems to be a fallacy in regard to fixtures and supposedly easier games; I just don't think they exist in the PL. A mere glance at the current table enforces that as does the table of the last few years it just keeps getting a closer race both from relegation to the League winners.

If you enjoyed The Three Colors Trilogy try watching Krzysztof Kieślowski's A Short Film About Killing and A Short Film About Love; both films are a continuation of the themes raised in his earlier work Dekalog.

Immensely generous ratings in this thread!

So far I wouldn't give anyone above a 6* and most would be fighting to hang on to their 5.

(*Well, maybe Guzan 7 but that's it. It's been mostly poor and stop-go as far as form is concerned.)

Holman then maybe Gabby, Bannan and Lowton?

Ireland's statistics over the last couple of seasons with Villa are average at best. Of course he's a talented player but Opta, The Premier League and The Sun Dream Team all define him as average.

Gabby's form surprisingly dipped when he was struggling with injuries, being played out of position and playing in a shit team.

He has always had bad games but if Lambert plays him to his strengths and he is fit he will perform.

THIS

he like Stephen Ireland is a player that everyone thinks they have a really balanced and informative opinion on.

The stick Gabby gets is unfortunate considering he has had injury problems and of course working under the previous two bonehead managers.

Baker ain't ready and Clark has more clangers than Dunne in him.

However, the own goal ratio suggests otherwise.

He needs a decent partner.

I thought Clark played very well yesterday myself.

I agree.

We have got good competition upfront now...Bent, Gabby, Weimann and Benteke all fighting for a starting spot

Don't forget Bowery.

Had my doubts but think small Brad should be given a run of games, the thing I like is that he comes for corners and claims the ball to take a bit of pressure off the boys.

Yes I noticed that too in contrast to Given who often stays on his line.

Great save at the end too; new number 1 for the time being.

Still cannot believe Grosjean did that; totally reckless and Hamilton was rightly fuming after getting out of the car.

Very assured on the ball too which can help with dictaing our play.

Vlaar was strong too against Cisse and Ba and on a couple of occasions they looked for cheap free-kicks.

Whats this he stood off Ben Arfa, if we're being honest as a player you know players strengths, I bet even NUFC didn't think he could do that with his right foot as he's predominently left foot, show him to his right, and to be fair it was a fantastic goal, sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say it was unstoppable. Maybe he could have got tighter, but 9 times out of 10, I'd have let Ben Arfa shoot with his right.

A player of Ben Arfa's quality and confidence will always look to have a pop from the edge of the box regardless of what foot they are shooting with!

Holman invited him to shoot and he did; the rest as they say....

I think Lambert will drop him for that; Given was dropped for making a mistake and admire PL's ruthlessness.

KEA is looking a great signing; having a player of his quality allows us to play possession football.

Ahh that will be a big shame to lose KEA in January, he's so influential on the way we play.. Hopefully Westwood should be pulling the strings by then though

I guess this was why Westwood was bought in order to deputise for KEA during the African Cup of Nations. Interestingly Westwood did say when he signed that he was a Michael Carrick-esque player.

Is Benteke really 6ft 5in?

No idea but he looked like a monster on SSN yesterday.

Yea, that's what I thought...agree with KjParton must be at least 6ft 3in.

We've needed someone like this upfront for quite some time!

Is Benteke really 6ft 5in?