KitKat

Poor second half but there are two teams in every game (usually), so credit Bolton a bit for fighting back - they weren't going to roll over 2-0 down unless we got the third goal of the game. Bent could've given us a comfortable lead but we had to settle for seeing it out in our usual fashion. Finally a formation that the players seem to be OK in, even if it is the bog standard 442. Who would've thunk it. Agree with Rev above, but actually having midfielders in midfield today helped us tremendously. Full backs can overlap for extra width if the winger is already pushing them deep on the flanks and it creates room in the centre for runs from midfield or our strikers to make some space for themselves - and actually getting the ball into the box finally. Petrov seems a little more free to get forward knowing that Herd will be covering behind him. The most important thing that the go-to option did not have to be a hoof from every position, even if we still look very fragile at least we've got some positivity to build off now. If Zog comes into form it will be like the cliched "new signing". Any chance for Ireland to do anything or has that ship definitely sailed?

Voted "NO". I would usually be inclined to say we should wait and see how (and if) he is backed in Jan, what signings he might make etc. but he does not have a clue how to set up our current team. What hope does he have when he can't find a way to use a 20 goal a season striker. He cannot organise a defense that even MON had looking pretty solid, whilst at the same time keeping us a constant threat on the counter. We've not even gained Birmingham's infamous "difficult to play against" solid defense and work ethic - and that **** hurts when you're unable to draw a positive comparison vs the **** scum. We have no plan of attack. No redeeming attributes. We don't use pace, width, or penetrative passing/possession football. We cannot keep or pass the ball. Our midfield does not help our defense enough or pass with any kind of vision to our forwards. Our defense play over our midfield and our strikers are left either too isolated or too deep helping out in midfield/wide, and thus are unable to be effective up front and then we instantly lose possession up top to the opposition defense and scurry back to defend. Always inviting pressure onto ourselves. We don't play to Gabby's strengths, we don't play to Bent's strengths and we don't seem to know how to use any of our players or set them out to be effective. With that in mind, I am kind of morbidly curious what McLeish is going to do in January. Who are his targets? Is he allowed any money to spend? I imagine the circus will roll on with whatever comedy signings he might be allowed to make, but I pray that I am wrong. He should be out before he can do any more damage than has already been done. I feel like it's been all down hill since we appointed Faulkner and I am starting to think it is not a coincidence. I would take one thousand Houllier's if it ended this words removed reign right now, because at least in his ham fisted way he tried to institute an admirable style of football and an excellent focus on fitness and discipline, even if he botched his attempt rather hilariously.

James Collins at fault for both goals. Simply must be dropped for his own good as well as ours. Just put Clark or Carlos in, it literally cannot be worse. Team clearly didn't know how they were supposed to play in possession in the formation and we had absolutely no chance as long as the instant hoofing prerogative exists with our defenders. Heskey cannot play on the left, proven before, should be beyond and doubt now. Gabby our only player who even looked like he had any quality at all and he very obviously got quickly frustrated and his head went down along with the rest of them. Went for a point, left with nothing, on to the next misadventure...

You know City can score from nothing at absolutely any time but we've got a decent chance to nick a result here today I think...

Just to play devil's advocate on Heskey, firstly, at least he is not on the wing, and secondly he does have a "presence" on the pitch. Everton are quite a physical team and while Heskey is no Carew he should help us with possession a bit. I would like to see him phased out when Jenas is fit though, or subbed for Bannan/Albrighton in this game. Good thing Bent is fit...

I'm always reminded how tiny Bannan is every time I see him again, hope he can make an impact. Agree it needs to be Heskey off next, he's slowed to near Petrov level pace.

Zog not up to full fitness I would guess, just to give him the benefit of the doubt. Clearly a good player, too early to be overly critical yet I hope.

LOL, Delph looks like a spastic deer caught with his pants down on an ice rink when he has to change directions laterally in midfield. Hope were not too slow to react in kind if McCarthy changes the game with his subs. Defensive looking subs from Wolves?

Our midfielders passing the ball forwards for other midfielders who've created a bit of space for themselves with little runs feels unusual...but I think I like it.

Oh **** hell, so close from Herd.

Positive start but have to get Bent involved much more than we currently have been doing. We know he can score from just one chance but it would be nice to give him more than just one... Need to make it count while we're on top.

A lot more urgency this half and the crowd is responding.

Hyperbole overload, you do know it's HT and 0-0? It is a "great plan", born from the mind of an idiot. here is one of those plants i talked about, didnt take long eh? excuses excuses utter shit and talking bollocks, you can spot them a mile away Give it a rest mate, you're so full of hyperbole it is impossible to take a single thing you post seriously. If someone does not think we've been shit, it does not necessarily mean they think we've been "brilliant and win the league". Just like every ball forward is not a "hoof". And so on... Aim for some balance with your posts and not constant knee-jerk doom and gloom whinging and people might take you a bit more seriously.

Hyperbole overload, you do know it's HT and 0-0? It is a "great plan", born from the mind of an idiot.

Quite disjointed in performance and formation, need something to knit it together. Gabby providing our best option of width and we're not finding Bent enough. Generally too lethargic in our build up play and just not incisive enough so far. We also don't look as much as a thread from set pieces. I know a lot of the time in the past couple of seasons we haven't been much of one either, but with Young and Downing the opposition at least thought we were. Nice pass across the ground then to Zinedine Dunne, alert defending to get it away from Heskey in the box under pressure!

Heskeys first touch has been very good today and he is providing decent link up, much more effective than when he is out wide.

**** me. The God's won't allow Heskey to score 2 in 2, will they?!

I bet that Herd!

He loves his silly yellows doesn't he, Delph. Fairly mixed so far, back and forth, we need to get our Messi, Heskey, on the ball!

I thought Collins was tremendous when he first arrived, he seemed to win everything in the air, especially vs. City at Villa Park, it was like his head was a magnet or something. Definitely went off the boil during Houllier's reign as previously mentioned, but who didn't? Very much needs the discipline I'm sure McLeish is going to instill in the team. I think he is an asset and although potentially not "best" suited to be along side Dunne (and vice versa), they can make it work as proven by the season before last. He's definitely very passionate as well, he always seems to crop up during goal celebrations with a stupid grin on his face.

While not typically a quality I rate highly when judging a striker/forward, I do feel this has worked in his favor throughout his career. ...And if it did directly help us to not concede today then it is a fair point. It was very important to not lose today against a Fulham team who are generally pretty tough opposition at home. I'd still balance that against the chances of another player being a goal threat in his place, but either way it's a fair point.

I hate to post anything too negative on here these days, but **** me Heskey must be one of the most frustrating players around. I can't help but agree with the opinion that had MON signed Bent instead of him we would've got Champions League. He (like Stan IMO) must do something in training to get continually selected (or rather, not subbed when obviously having a stinker). He has flashes of promise but time and time again he disappoints and I'm just sat wondering how the flaming **** he gets picked by so many managers, and praised by so many strike partners. But still, we're paying his ridiculous wages so we might as well put him to use making the rest of the team look less shit simply by comparison. I'm very much hoping it's early days yet and McLeish is still settling on a formation, as I would rather play just 1 striker and pack the midfield than waste any more time giving Heskey more chances to disappoint - especially when he is played on the pissing wing.

Where else in the team, right now, is more important to strengthen than the keeper? Where is the benefit of saving a couple of million on it, unless of course we're really "not spending". Kuszczak might be good but Given is definitely better (if not crocked).

Ahh, you daft racist.

I hate Fuller playing against us. Especially as an impact sub...