Ponky

Going into half time with a 2 goal lead I would have happily taken a point - and the fact that they goal back but we still had a clear 2 goal margin at the end suggests very strongly that the boys are getting their mojo back. Too many times last year - think the Man Utd game especially, we'd have given up the lead and possibly even gone on to lose. Make no mistake, this match will be massive in terms of boosting confidence and self-belief. Davies, Friedel and NRC all deserve an equal share of the kudos. I thought Petrov and Beye were also ver influential early as well. Hopefully this will carry on into Thursday and the boys can dish out some more against Rapid.

4-5-1 looked far sharper but would have been better with Gabby up front rather than Heskey. I was encouraged by Ashley Young's performance - he looked to have a bit of variation in him today. The main issue we seem to have is we don't really play as a cohesive unit. They seem to be 11 individuals just making it up as they go along rather than a team. I suspect one reason for this is the extra time off certain members of the squad were given - thay have only really been training together for a couple of weeks.

I think we will see Milner start on the left and Albrighton on the right, with AY either floating in midfield or on the bench. I think Gardner, Gabby and Milner will all start because they are underdone and need to get match fit. Defence is a worry (duh) and I would think there is a chance that MON will chooses Clark and Cuellar as he did for the Fiorentina match.

Martin was not using tiredness as an excuse - he was saying the fact that we looked tired was inexcusable! This is the exact quote from the Mail's report: So essentially he is not making any excuses and is taking responsibility for the poor performance.

Stay. He should get one more season to show he has the ability to take us forward. After that, if the cupboard is still bare, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a parting of ways. That said, I reckon there will be some serious money spent in the next 2 weeks.

Very disappointing. We started brightly enough but we got crucified through the midfield. It's easy to say in hindsight playing Delph was a mistake but there was only one way to find out how he would go... To me I though Petrov might have been a bit underdone as well but in the end too many balls went past him and the defence held up pretty well to start but they kept getting hung out to dry by poor ball retention upfield. Ashley Young was breathtakingly selfish today. Seems to have forgotten that he has teammates to pass to and he sure as hell has forgotten to cross. Even getting triple teamed he tried to finesse his way through rather than pass to space. And what is the point of getting Heskey to make runs to the near post if the selfish git is too busy playing FIFA street? We looked far better when Sidwell came on but unfortunately Sidders left his scoring boots at home. Missed two very regulation chances. To me the none of the players can say they had a good game. Only Beye, Milner, Sidwell and probably Heskey could say they had a decent game. MON has some soul searching to do now and I think Randy probably needs to have a look under his couch cushions for some spare change because we need some urgent action in the transfer market.

Distin Wheater Dunne Campbell In that order. I'd be content enough with the first 3 but Campbell would be pointless.

Surely MON's going to bring Downing on for a run?

I notice Guzan's gone nude nut too!

What stream the ustream one? Can't get more than a second at a time with that one.

What time is the match starting? Is it an afternoon or evening kickoff?

A few VERY simple ones: "Habib, Hooray!!!" or "Oh Habib Beye, Oh Habib Beye" to the tune of Oh Happy Day.

I reckon we would see 60 mins from Gabby, Jimmy & Gardner, to be replaced by Delf, Delph & Marky Mark.

Pretty sure Mikaelsson's gone too. I'd say Vital Oxford have jumped the gun and simply put together whatever they can get their hands on

I would think that Delf will be given a rest, given his arduous U19 campaign. I wouldn't be surprised if Heskey lined up though.

Who is that bald guy on the right?

General Will the Peace Cup squad all get a share of the prizemoney or does the money get distributed into where the club needs it most?

Bump. Is this still going ahead? I assume as above this will be a first run out for Milner, Gardner & Gabby - if not they will only have the Fiorentina game to get match fit.

Well done MON - now piss off back to work!

Kudos to MON for backing the kids to put the penos away.

OOOOOHHH BABY!!!

My first born child to VT if NRC makes his penalty!

Whatever happens I am super proud and this can only be a fantastic experience for these kids.

finished it 3 mins early?

**** penalty surely!!!