Borgs

Midfield is floundering.... passing is following a familiar pattern: forward-sideways-backwards-backwards-sideways-backwards-hoof

I'd already dismissed this game at 0-3. Kids are going to take lumps and the worst outcome would be that they (and Lambert and perhaps the owner) don't learn from it. In that respect the jury's out and I therefore won't come on here and jump up and down in text form.

Herd, Lichaj and Holman are the weak links in this team for me. Bennett will be better given time and hopefully Vlaar is back soon.

Agree with the first two names, certainly. Not sure Holman isn't at least on par with most others in terms of his contribution this season.

Speaking of average footballers: what the f___ is Chris Herd doing out there today? Get him off and go to 4-4-2, please.

We need to sign a proven finisher in the transfer window. I hear Bent is unsettled.

Darren should be unsettled every time Benteke walks in to the same room. Bent's a shadow of the latter's worth despite the contrasting transfer figures.

We're gonna get 'em, folks. Long time to go and the pressure's steadily mounting.

This team would have 80% of the ball and beat last season's version 1, perhaps 2, -nil, nine times out of ten.

Usual stuff from us - good but no cutting edge. Should've had a pen. Reading have been strong opposition thus far; give them credit.

Agreed. Penalty incorrectly denied.

I'm looking forward to playing against teams around our level again - I think we'll then be able to get rewards for how much we've progressed so far under Lambert. Against the likes of United and City it's just so damn unforgiving.

Precisely. Still a third of the league to play a first time and we're getting the juggernauts out of the way now. We're much improved and should fare better against the league balance.

2-0 Saints

Pack your bags, Mark Hughes.

I just heard City have taken 86 of their last available ninety home points.

If I'm Lambert the first thing I'm telling Gabby is to stop turning out of promising counter-attacks. Push it forward.

Unsure.

Villa can't score. Southampton can't defend. Norwich are very thin and one key injury would be decimating. QPR are collectively shit but possess the individual talent to pull themselves out of it with perhaps a better manager. Wigan will be thereabouts as always. A lot of contenders.

I haven't committed either way on whether or not this club could go down but I can say this: I find scrapping for survival with cheap, unproven youngsters with potential more exciting than running sixth three consecutive seasons.

Delph - 7?

lol

OK... 6.5. Thought he shaded El Ahmadi. Was always available and although he frequently passed sideways or backwards, he didn't often give it away. He's a holding midfielder - did a good job in that respect.

Guzan – 9 (and MotM; not Hoolahan, Alan Smith)

Lowton – 7

Vlaar – 8

Herd - 7

Bennett – 3

El Ahmadi – 6

Delph – 7

Albrighton – 5

Holman – 7

Agbonlahor – 5

Benteke – 8

Lichaj – 6

Bent – 5

Weimann - 5

**** hit it!!! Where did he think he was dribbling it, over the line unimpeded?!

Hack it forward sure but wtf is the excuse for not getting back onside?!

Can still win this as long as Norwich are pushing for a second. They'd be beyond entitled.

Went to sleep, lads.

Two strikers protecting a lead with ten men.... interesting.

By the way, Guzan is now slightly out-performing Benteke.

Well done young man. You're getting an eight today.

Isn't the point about the dismissal that Bennett shouldn't have been giving Dowd a decision to make, whether or not it was a legitimate second yellow?

I'll be surprised if PL brings Benteke off for Bent. The man's been our best player and can also win defensive headers when Norwich inevitably start piling on the pressure.