paddy

I like the way they all seem to just believe what Arsene Wenger says. Surely they of all people know how full of shit he is?

I think we will win this..we always play well away from home against good sides

Yeah. Unfortunately we're playing Spurs though.

I just hope they play as badly as last weekend. Then we stand a decent chance of getting a result.

Very little to distinguish them defensively but I think for the amount of goals Laursen scored he has to take it, took the pressure off the attack.

Their substitutions are still sponsored (by Hollywood Installations I think it was called), which always gives me a laugh whenever I go. Such a small time thing to do.

Thats quality, I never knew that.

Someone used to sponsor injury time there too, so at least they've stopped that...

i hope she burned all your clothes and showered paddy!!

i saw that bentiz misses they were poor. i really dont get how they are so high with scoring so little goals

I'm sure it's just stating the obvious but don't think I'm being sarcastic when I say... they've got a good defence.

Carr, Dann and Johnson were very good again yesterday, particularly Carr, which surprised me.

Gabby goes to 47 goals for Villa and above Darius Vassell today with those 2 goals into 47th all-time. Level with George Johnson who got his goals between 1897 & 1905.

He's now 1 behind Mark Walters, 3 behind Dean Saunders, 4 behind John Deehan & 5 behind a certain Gareth Barry.

Cracking stats those BOF. Surprised to see he's only 3 behind Deano already. Good work Gabby.

Mustn't get too carried away, though, Fulham were really very poor. They have lost the plot badly at present.

Hadn't lost at home since September or something like that until today though.

What was the attendance like Paddy? Spuds is a pretty big draw so it would be interesting to see how many 'noses came out of the woodwork for that one...

Think they said 26k, maybe 27k. It was close to being full but there was just a block empty in the the bit next to the away fans and obviously a few others dotted around the stadium.

Their substitutions are still sponsored (by Hollywood Installations I think it was called), which always gives me a laugh whenever I go. Such a small time thing to do.

I went today. My mate had a spare ticket and I had nothing better to do so thought I might as well take up the offer of a free game of Premiership football and lift there and back.

It was absolutely awful. My mate insists they're not usually that bad, but the game I went to see last season when they beat Charlton 3-2 was infinitely more entertaining. SHA offered nothing, the best chances fell to Benitez who having now watched him in the flesh, can confirm that he's absolutely shit. Neat touches, can get into position but can't finish to save his life, had 2 one on ones today and failed to even come close to scoring either of them. Their fans were really getting pissed off with him and my mate confirmed that he's always that bad. He's also the most right footed player since Paul Merson. The only time he used his left foot was when he would have been through on goal but bafflingly cut back onto left foot to let rip with another awful shot. Steven Carr was probably their best player, did really well both defensively and going forward.

As for Spurs they offered nothing either. Without Lennon they didn't have any options other than lump it forward to Crouch, who did pretty well, but had little support. If they beat us next weekend I'll be very disappointed, though maybe they're a different prospect at home I don't know.

Oh and Ridgewell, well he was lucky it was only Bentley up against him, Lennon would have eaten him for breakfast at left back. Scored though, which is more you can say for anyone else on their team.

Just remembered how bad McFadden was too. Again their fans were really getting on his back but he can barely pass, he tries to run with the ball despite having no pace, dreadful set pieces too.

edit: And yes I have been thoroughly disinfected.

do you think they'll stick around long enough after the game for fans to be able to watch the trophy presentation, even if United win?

I've no idea. But I've got to ask why on Earth you'd want to see it if we lost....

Agreed Risso, we are always in danger of a "Torres" moment. One moment of Class and we can lose this.

This is what I fear today as well. That's what cost us against Arsenal last time and Liverpool too. They've got players who can win games on their own, we haven't (well not anywhere near as often anyway).

Do you reckon anyone's ever listened to Gary Cook and thought "he seems like a nice guy"? I imagine not.

The Sheikh?

I knew there must have been someone.

He not only thought 'he seems a nice guy' but also thought 'this is the kind of image I want my football club to have'

Really don't want to have a replay just to give us even more fixtures (though an away day out in Brighton might be quite pleasant I still don't want it...).

Do you reckon anyone's ever listened to Gary Cook and thought "he seems like a nice guy"? I imagine not.

Davies on, wasnn't expecting that.

Should be a wake-up call, sounds like we've been poor. I imagine MON will have a few choice words to say at half time to those who are playing for a place in the team.

Soccer Saturday (on Sky) has his name down as Del Founeso. As if he's Spanish or something.

im going to the chengdu panda breeding centre in november, it was the only way i could convince the gf to tour china, due to their shit diet they dont hibernate

they are also dying out now because once every blue moon, bamboo flowers killing all of the shoots, years ago the pandas would move on, but the small pockets of civilisation expanding means they cant cover the ground to the next bit of healthy bamboo

My cousin lived in Chengdu for a few years. He's got some great pictures from the panda sanctuary.

Not much else to (Cheng)do in Chengdu though from what I gather.

Surprised 3 people went for Guzan as MOTM, was his poorest game for us imo.

there's a post like this on every reaction thread.

Not everyone takes the poll seriously.

Fair enough.

I'd have thought if they were taking the piss (and clearly a few were) they'd have voted for Sidwell but still.

I don't think Beckford will turn out to be as good as Delph, just can't see him cutting it in the prem, well being ok, but more at a sort of Zamora level. I used to live with a Leeds fan too who shared that opinion (and still does).

As I said, on a free, it's not a massive gamble. Plus Moyes record with lower league players is tops.

Yeah I'm not saying it's a poor signing at all. Like you say it's not much of a gamble. Just in my opinion he won't have a big impact in the prem. Doesn't mean he's not worth taking a risk on.

Surprised 3 people went for Guzan as MOTM, was his poorest game for us imo.

Cuellar 5 - Was definately our weak link tonigh. Much better when he plays in the centre. Similare to Mellberg in a way. Luke Young is a far more assured right back and we are spoiled for centre backs at the minute which is no bad thing!

Yeah, I think Carlos is great at centre back but no point having him overlapping when attacking at right back, offers almost nothing. Which isn't his fault. We've got a right back who's played for England there so why not use him?

I said after eight goals that I'd never seen nine goals in a game before.

Still haven't.

Not good enough.

Loved the sign on the screens on the way out too which I'm sure has already been put up, great touch!

I don't think Beckford will turn out to be as good as Delph, just can't see him cutting it in the prem, well being ok, but more at a sort of Zamora level. I used to live with a Leeds fan too who shared that opinion (and still does).