James

He gave up playing top-flight football in Brazil over five years ago so he could marry a British woman as she wanted to live in England. No-one would give him a job for a couple of years so he played non-league for fun before getting scouted.

FWIW, Basso is supposed to be the best keeper in the division. Wasn't he linked with an England call-up last season?

I counted only 17, 18 if you count the cup too. Thanks for the clarification, I just picked a random number. However due to this statistic this was always going to be one of our harder games this year as they are clearly pretty good at keeping attacks quiet.

Didn't Bristol City keep 26 clean sheets last season?

Probably wishful thinking, but: 1) If the Nacho deal is believed to be dodgy, should the police now be brought in to instigate criminal proceedings on those involved? 2) Is Llambias' position now untenable? Also, I haven't had time to read the PDF yet so please shoot me down if I am wrong, but is there anything to say that Ashley knew what was going on underneath him?

My favourite moment was when Butt just randomly whacked an absolutely atrocious pass shoulder height in his general direction, Ranger just brought it down and won a free kick.

When the players are arsed, we can destroy teams in this division. Even half-arsed we are hard to beat, and there were definitely a few times in that match we were below par on the ball, although defensive play more than made up for it. Harper - 5 - Nothing to do, so can't really give him any credit as I could have played in goal and kept a clean sheet here. Mr K - 8 - Very impressive debut S Taylor - 7 - Solid Colo - 8 - Composed Enrique - 6 - Defensively good but he was half arsed on the ball today R Taylor - 7 - Solid in midfield, got a goal and a couple of crucial crosses Smith - 7 - Has really settled into the holding role Butt - 0 - Please retire Nolan - 10 - Excelled in all areas of the pitch Carroll - 6 - Worked hard, got an assist but would have liked to see him involved more up front. Ranger - 7 - Good touches, good strength and a handful. What this lad needs is a proper manager to work with him one-to-one to transform his potential into an effective striker. Lovenkrands - 4 - A shadow Harewood - 6 - Should fit in well here. Donaldson - 6 - Sensible performance, hopefully will do wonders for his confidence.

I will go for 3. I think he'll offer more for the team than the goals, and we'll continue to win, but he won't be a major goalscorer himself. You don't really see short term loans bag many goals in league football because by the time they have properly settled into the team, it is time to go again.

Perhaps Hughton got told that he couldn't get all the loans he wanted and he had to use the youngsters for cover?

My Dad played in the same team as Trevor Francis.

Memorial Service today. Anyone know what sort of coverage to expect?

Taylor nearly scores an OG

Maybe he's started Lovenkrands up top with Barton and Geremi on the wings? 1 up top at home to Plymouth would be a new low. Radio commentary describing it as one up top.

Dreadful goal to concede apparently.

GEREMI ASSIST!!!!!!!!

www.nufc.co.uk

Geremi: This will be what NUFC try to do when you hotlink from their website

We've already got the next Zlatko Zahovic. It is Haris Vuckic

Me

Rumour has it that Hughton phoned up asking for someone else, but sneezed.

Hope he doesn't mind if I call him Zurab.

Do people remember what Krul said about Hughton picking the team based on what is least likely to upset the senior pros, and him getting stick for it? Well I think he is spot on.

I have this good feeling about Lovenkrands in a couple of minutes.