Alpaywasawesome

Most people realised this would be a tough game. I think even optimistic people expected a draw at the most. The fact is that we were away from home at one of the best teams in the PL. I'm more confident about the Liverpool game. We should beat them and I believe that we will. Arsenal are a much better team than Liverpool. Let's say we are drawing 0-0 and Rafa sends on Benayoun for Lucas in the second-half to provide more attacking impetus for his side(as unlikely as that may be.) What do you think MON will do? I think he will do nothing. Ireland, Jenas and Fabregas substitutions were responded in kind with ... nothing. That's the most worrying bit. MON's stubborness cost us last season. I fear it may cost us this season as well.

Here we go again... I personally said 4-5-1 might be a better option, who knows if it actually would of? However we played the same team which beat United, Sunderland, Hull, Stoke. He had everyright to play the same team and you can't disagree with that. It's not the result but performance and as usual not responding to whats needed. I dont blame him for 4-4-2, continuity after a good run of results. But all through the match as numerous times in the past we were totally overun but nothing changed. True that. Stephen Ireland. Jermaine Jenas. Now Cesc Fabregas. What do they all have in common? All were second-half substitute, all were put on the pitch to provide a more attacking midfield option. And all changed the game for their side against Villa. What does MON do each time. Nothing.

Wrong. In the first-half Downing and Milner combined for a beautiful piece of play, Downing slipped in the advancing Milner after drawing the full-back out and Milner set up Agbonlahor for the shot, only for Gabby to take too long to sort out his feet, but even then the ball made its way to Ash, whose deflected shot curled out for a corner. That begs the question then. Why the **** didn't we play more of the same? Instead of our predictable LONG BALL SHITE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Also, midfield got overrun in the second-half when the opposition team sent on attacking midfielder in the second-half. Hmmm. Stephen Ireland in the Man City game. Jermaine Jenas in the Spurs game. Now Cesc Fabregas today. What does MON do each time? Do nothing to shore up a midfield where our "Captain" is visibly spent. Hooray for MON!

I voted for 75, I\'m cautiously hopeful that we can go on a good run in the second half of the season, with DOWNING getting back to fitness and Bouma almost match ready, providing us with more depth. I\'m positive about the future. We all have to be.

I voted for 75, I\'m cautiously hopeful that we can go on a good run in the second half of the season, with DOWNING getting back to fitness and Bouma almost match ready, providing us with more depth. I\'m positive about the future. We all have to be.

I love how Milner wastes time at the corner. He needs help to keep the ball there though.

What happened with Sidders?

Fuller is a little petulant clearing in the woods isn't he.

Stoke have been attacking like crap in the past few minutes ... looking quite dangerous to be honest, could have equalized if it weren't for lackluster finishing.

Fantastic from Luke Young. BTW, how was Carew's goal?

I bet they've played more games together than Laursen and Mellberg! Actually, no, didn't Laursen and Mellberg get a long run of game in the centre, if I recall it was during Angel's last season with us.

That's why I didn't vote for them, I eventually cast my vote with Mellberg/Alpay as well, I think it just shades Mellberg/Laursen. How about Ugo and Southgate? What do people think of them?

Just a bit of fun, of all our CB pairings in the last 10 years, which one do you think was the best? I know there were a lot more CB pairings like Ridgewell/Mellberg and others, if you feel it should be in the poll then I'll edit it. Anyway I'm stuck between Laursen/Mellberg and Alpay/Mellberg. I really like Dunne and Collins as a partnership, but it's still early days, and they haven't played much together since Cuellar gained a CB spot. EDIT: Oh it appears I can't edit a poll once someone has voted. Sigh. I forgot about Ugo/Southgate and I can't change it now.