Wullie

At least we're playing them while a lot of their good players will be away. I realise that's not much consolation since some of ours will be as well.

They already get a midweek break while players not dumped out of cups don't. Allardyce should shove a cork in it. We're used to a much greater volume of games than this.

Then they'll whinge that they haven't had enough of a lie down before some tournament or other starts.

This will be one of our shortest seasons for a long time. If we were to bring in a break, they'd only moan about fixture congestion later on anyway. Fuck 'em.

Typical FA Cup. There's always next year.

Very well put.

And yet people still have the nerve to criticize the likes of Wenger for looking abroad.

I thought that till I realised we didn't have a right footed taker.

And we're above Liverpool in the league so it's not all bad news.

Re: best finisher, if I had to give a chance to either Viduka or Owen in the last minute to win a match, these days it would be the big man every single time. I realise this is a ridiculous hypothetical situation. Us winning a match -

I think he might be the answer. Start him at Old Trafford and tie him down to a 427 year contract if we can.

Thought he did very well indeed, especially considering the bruising Stoke players. Never got outpaced or overpowered. I fully expect some people to pick on a misplaced pass and say he's "not cut out for England" or some rubbish, like our league's not shite.

I know he's our "best finisher" and all that, but is he even that anymore? I realise he's spent most of his games "getting fit" (and not managing), but he's missed a boatload of sitters this season. That one against Citeh, Michael Owen missing that would have been unthinkable even three years ago.

Even when he's been fit for us, he is so worthless unless we're creating chances. He's always been that way a little but it's so obvious now that his pace has gone and defences aren't fearful simply of his presence. Say what you like about Martins, he likes to get involved. Too often you can forget Owen is even on the field.

I didn't want to comment because people think I have some sort of vendetta against him. I was happy to see him there today cos Milner's been rubbish of late, but I thought he was just as woeful as ever. Did well to get the ball back across to Owen after Taylor hit the post but apart from that, Jesus. I've never seen a winger pass it back as much as Duff does. He gets to the full back and immediately looks for Faye. Think. So does everyone have a vendetta against Smith? Or is he just shite?

I didn't want to comment because people think I have some sort of vendetta against him. I was happy to see him there today cos Milner's been rubbish of late, but I thought he was just as woeful as ever. Did well to get the ball back across to Owen after Taylor hit the post but apart from that, Jesus. I've never seen a winger pass it back as much as Duff does. He gets to the full back and immediately looks for Faye.

I think that was possibly his worst game for us since that semi final. It's a shame he's the only one not scared to shoot when he's absolutely fucking woeful at it.

Fuck. Another £20 to waste at home. If it's anything like last season's third round replay, I might take a razor blade to do myself in at half time.

Eh? I recall him making one rushed pass that went out, other than that he has been faultless. Good on the ball. Agreed. Sorry, I was rushed. Looks comfortable on the ball and has done well defensively, but not sure at all about his passing or vision. Seems to pick the wrong option a lot and love his digs down the line. I've noticed that he often looks inside but Butt and Smith just aren't offering themselves, plus they can do nowt when they get it. His only options are to play it down the line or knock it long to the strikers.

Enrique and Charlie both played well I think, Faye's been excellent. As has been said, Butt and Smith have barely managed to complete a pass all afternoon.

Howay lads!

Rather not have Smith playing obviously, but there's no-one else, so I'm pretty happy with that team. Shame about Habib like, I think he should take about a month off.

Was never a red like.

What a thread.

I was going to mention that Andy Dun article. Apparently he's the "UK's Number One Sports Columnist." Number One Mong tbh.