Theregulars

HBA's gonna score a monger now.

McManaman thinks we will pose no danger whatsoever and United will win easily. Wankshaft.

Fair enough like, an opinion is an opinion, you have yours and I have mine. Anyway, HOWAY THE LADS

How does that sound good? He's a mediocre player. You couldn't figure that out by yourself? Give over. He'd walk into our side and you'll call him fantastic. Not on any recent form he f***ing wouldn't. Carrick of the past year or so getting in ahead of Cabaye and Tiote of the past year or so? Nope. He would. He wouldn't. Two can play at this game, sir. Yep probably ahead of Guthrie though.

How does that sound good? He's a mediocre player. You couldn't figure that out by yourself? Give over. He'd walk into our side and you'll call him fantastic. Disagree. I don't see him as an automatic shit mark on the opposing team sheet, but no way would he walk into our central midfield ahead of Tiote and Cabaye.

Tiote and Cabaye would have stomped a mudhole in the ass of that central midfield, in the style of a barbaric yet eloquent footballing Stone Cold Steve Austin.

1-0 to us, Cabaye. Colo to have a heroic MOTM performance, Ben Arfa to publically demonstrate Rio Ferdinand is officially in decline.

Taylor didn't get destroyed last week, he actually overall had a pretty decent game. His hand was up for the penalty, but that was clearly a natural/momentum thing and yes, he made an error for their second goal, but he didn't get destroyed. He actually coped fairly well with Nasri/Milner in my opinion.

If we have our full strength side out, no reason we can't give them a game. We are unbeaten in 11 ffs, got to be worth something. Also, isn't pardew garnering praise for studying video in minute detail? Surely he'll watch the fulham and qpr games against city, try and analyse which tactics gave them problems and plan accordingly? a big part of our amelioration as a team this year is Pardew's tactical nouse, so I believe in his ability to come up with a plan. Our ability to retain the ball will be the key - the more you keep it from them, the less their superstars can do. To that end, Coloccini, Cabaye and Tiote will be massive if all fit.

No, I agreed. I thought we may concede but looked like we could score more. I noticed that what we do so, so well at the minute is a) keep the ball and b) use it when the space/opportunity opens up.

Coming up for this with Stu and James G, Neesy nearby too. Bring on the sellout and 2nd place.

Great avatar. Still licking wounds ..... Ryan Howard-shaped gaping, ill-disciplined wounds.

Man Utd back up CM - Anderson, Cleverley Chelsea back up CM - Meireles, Mikel Tottenham back up CM - Sandro, Huddelstone Fair enough, the perils of being in 4th I suppose.

This I reckon. Yeh I'm travelling up to watch Everton game on Saturday, if he's not playing I'll be plenty gutted.

Think Obertan will cause some problems for them. Don't think Wilson is a particularly nippy left back, could draw a few fouls, work himself some space to run in behind. I want to be positive and think he just needs one thing to go right for him. Looking at their side you hope Pardew's instructed us to just pass it around them. Would like to see Ben Arfa on at some point, although wouldn't be too disappointed as he'll get clogged.

Guthrie's fine. He's about what you expect from a back-up central midfielder for a team of our standing - decent enough, can do a job, not a world beater. However, when compared to Tiote, he is a massive drop down.

Great avatar.

Is it just a one game thing or long-term?

Etherington vs Simpson. Big chance to Danny to shut up his critics here.

Got both this and the orange change strip for my birthday, total coincidence. Home from parents, away from girlfriend's parents, Cabaye and Coloccini respectively. Talking incessantly about your football team to people who don't care pays off: thank fuck for osmosis.

Wonder if playing Cabaye in a more defensive role with Marveaux attacking in central would work? Note: I realise this won't happen, but if we were to try and win via tactics of ball retention, sweet passing, deft through balls and clever runs, those two in the middle would, for my money, do the job. However, they may get trampled by that herd, like pringles under bison.

I think we have every chance of winning to be honest. We just need to get the ball down and play a passing game, be calm. In my opinion teams come unstuck at Stoke because they either try to 'outStoke' Stoke or set up to defend against the constant battering ram. Stoke can only have so many chances for their standard aerial assault if you keep the ball away from them. That said, no Tiote is a massive blow then, as his ball retention is pretty fucking useful. Hopefully by dint of how good we've been, competition for places and improvement of individual performances this year, someone is going to step up. I take back all of the above if Alan Smith plays.

Surely missed out: one of best 4/5 central midfield pairings in the league this year? The development and maturation of Coloccini?

After watching Obertan today can't believe some posters insist that they're happy he's gone. Absolute steal for QPR.

http://www.bebo.com/c/photos/view?MemberId=1286137467&PhotoAlbumId=1286450926&PhotoId=1286450051 Nice rack if it is her She's his niece, she's a freelance assistant producer at SkySports. Used to work with her when I worked on the NFL.