heid3ster

Can you give a brief recap? They almost never show post-match interviews here. First half was the only bad performance since he has taken over One bad 45 mins in the last couple of months isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things, but it was very poor He doesn't need to tell the players they were poor today, they know themselves We need to win next and need to win the cup final We feel sorry for the fans and have let them down today It is not just the defence to blame, the blame is shared between all the players and the manager - we are in this together. (not word for word) Cheers for the summary. Sounds pretty balanced.

Difference being that Okore is 22 and playing in what is essentially his first season in this league, given the length of his injury last year. Ron is supposed to be the leader, the wise experienced pro. It was a completely gutless performance.

I think there's plenty of blame to be shared around by the manager and players alike in this one. No one had a good day. So now the question is, what's the reaction going to be?

Can you give a brief recap? They almost never show post-match interviews here.

Bye Ron.

We're going to win 6-5.

Three minutes of added time, come on.

Has anybody told Ron Vlaar that we're playing today?

What on earth?

Mine's gonorrhoea, that was still yellow mind you, and more fun than listening to Coldplay. OT, but because of your avatar I always read your posts in Alan Partridge's voice. That one was pretty funny.

Well, at least Hull have one positive this season.

They are apparently playing Gazzaniga in goal. Delph, Cleverley, Westwood and Grealish (Benteke too) should all be given instructions to pepper the goal from 30 yards out, something's bound to go in.

Worth every penny. Considering I don't have to pay it.

Tremmel at Swansea is decent. Might be good competition for Guzan.

He's made big strides defensively lately. I have no stats to back this up, but I feel like he's making a lot more tackles and interceptions in recent games, and some really crucial, game-saving blocks. Really good to see.

In the Shay vs. Brad debate, what it comes down to for me is this. I think Brad's had a pretty bad season, at least by the standards he set for himself in the previous couple of seasons. I think this is largely due to the fact that under Lambert, there was never anyone pressing him for his starting spot and that he grew complacent and never seemed to be seeking to improve. Given, though, has all the weaknesses that have already been pointed out here -- weak at crosses and high balls, allows himself to be bullied during set pieces, etc. In my view, neither of them are ideal (Brad of two seasons ago would be ideal). So the deciding factor for me is how the rest of the back four look depending on who's in goal. Our back four, in any given combination, always has a tendency to panic and give away cheap goals, especially late ones. But they look just that little bit more calm, more assured, and less panicky in front of Given. Maybe that's due to his experience, maybe he communicates better, I don't know. But they seem to perform better when Given is behind them, and that makes a big difference.

Good excuse to post this again, then. (I love how that one blond steward pops up all "Hey, where'd he come from?")

Tell me about it, 5 in the morning here. On the plus side, at least games have been worth getting up for lately.

Are we allowed to call him "Westy" again?

Can't predict this one. On paper, it's one we should win easily, but that's what I thought about QPR. I really hope this is the last game I have to be nervous about this season.

THAT's a lot closer to what I'd say!

... other people.

Your message to Keane is way more polite than my message to Keane.

If we play like we did in our semi-final, and Arsenal play like they did in their semi-final, we will win comfortably. Two big if's, I guess, but I have a very good feeling about it.