Vancvillan

There was a moment in the second half where we lost possession from our own throw-in just inside their half. It's not exactly tiki-taka. If the midfield have poor positioning / movement from a throw-in, you can guess what's going to happen in open play. Guzan is the player most likely to thread a killer through-ball. Says it all really.

Would we be better with a solid defence and a striker so good that he masks our inability to create in midfield? Yes, but I think that just highlights the problem we have now. And that scenario is the best case - which we can't expect week-in, week-out for a whole season.

It says a lot that our player most likely to tread a killer through ball is Guzan...

I somehow used to do that Ha - but he's got two feet shaped like 50p's to go with it.

Kozak's got a head like a frightened turtle. He's the only player who get's shorter when he jumps.

Side note - for all the mentions of Swansea, their relegation thread started in August: http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/forum/87821/page:1 And I thought VT was paranoid...

Well if this is true, Ireland's off to stoke and Donny rovers are taking Given and Dunne. The Mirror is always reliable, right? I mean they wouldn't just print absolute bollocks based on nothing, would they? http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-transfer-news-stephen-ireland-1982068

I'll take your Rooney and Lescott and raise you a Rodwell, Arteta and a Pienaar. Not to say Moyes didn't do a great job, but this glorification of Everton's ability to hold on to their best players is as irrational as the people putting any faith in something The Mirror said. Which they backed up with a sum total of zero quotes and no mention of a source.

There's a thread on this thread (it's all getting a bit Inception) on a Sunderland board. www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=778204 Long story short, they think they'll beat us, but we could score goals. Our defence is judged as our biggest weakness, which I know will come as a shock to everyone here...

From a morale perspective, Wigan just got a sucker punch to the bollocks. They must be devastated - that's a game they would have won in previous seasons.

So maybe club xxx will be dragged into it?

That's exactly the point I was making in a round about way. Looking at the combined negativity of the fans you'd think five teams were getting relegated this year. Keep the faith lads, lots left to play for and we're in with a good shout.

Was this merged with the Barry Bannan thread? Back on topic, if you want some perspective go check in on the forums for other teams deep in the sheeeet. Here's a bit of a summary. Wigan (it was hard finding an active message board): Probably can't do it again this year as they don't have anyone that can pull some magic out of nowhere. CNZ mentioned as someone who used to. They think they're down. Stoke: Down and happy that it'll be the end of Pulis who they know has made them the most hated team in the prem. Sunderland: Obviously riding high after today (one post was talking about a top half finish) but assuming they're all wasted from today's exploits, previous posts have been a lot more somber. The two remaining sober mackems in the city are basically saying they're still in it with a lot to do. Norwich - surprisingly nonchalant about dropping, basically a 50/50 split between the ones who are bricking it and the ones who think they'll be fine. Newcastle - the odd outbreak of panic (again, probably more beer talking) but generally pretty calm. So basically Wigan and Stoke think they are gone, us and Sunderland think we have a lot to do, Newcastle and (baffling as it is) Norwich think they are in the clear. I'd say the barcodes will be fine, the rest is a lottery at this point. There'll be a lot more shuffling at the bottom before the end of the season. Side note - there was a fan on the Sunderland board that put seven quid on Sunderland 3-0 and Johnson to score at 85-1 after dreaming about it all week. He hasn't been seen on any post-match threads. Probably pickled in a ditch somewhere.

The first page of this thread makes interesting / uncomfortable reading. I would think that with our GD, it'll take another 7 points before we're back in skidmark-free territory.

Holy sheeeeeeeeeeet. Lowton you **** beauty.

Did I blink and miss the sub where they bought our whole schoolboy team on?

Could have toe punted that on target. Ten mins of hell to come.

I think it's been said once or twice, but we need another goal. We look alright as long as the ball's not within 30 yards of our goal. Reading have pedigree with late goals.

I'd correct your use of "were" but to be honest I think you're bang on.