Beren

Clattenburg is refereeing that one - poor Stoke(!)

[i got Jones too, btw ]

Yes, Mr Fantasy Football.

No Crouch then?

I like it.

Don't think he's actually hit his stride this season yet, IMO.

New forum rule right there, "if anyone posts a Tiote-face after one of your posts you have to change your mind in the most extreme manner possible in the following post".

Shola is priceless, it's true

Just saw this: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_6495425,00.html Fantastic quotes.

Tevez, Johnson, nice colour of blue, not Manchester United, Yaya Toure.

Four match ban for that celebration

It's not rubbish - I'm just trying to keep my feet on the ground. Just because we've won three on the bounce doesn't mean we're now the best team in the world - the way people on this forum instantly swipe at you the second you dare even think about a bit of criticism would suggest some think we are. Poor players don't become good players in the space of 2 weeks - I can't help but be hesitant. I don't think people disagreeing with your proposed changes means they think we're the best team in the world - that's a pretty big leap, like! Don't know where you got that from. Has it crossed your mind that your assumption about poor players becoming good players might be based on faulty initial assumptions? Even as a possibility, I mean? Personally I've never believed in the concept of over-achieving - you're either able of performing to a certain level, or you're not. These players are clearly capable of playing very well in the system we're employing over a sustained period of time (270 minutes and counting) - there's nothing deceptive or misleading about it. They may mistakes in the future, I'm sure they will in fact, but to then say they were playing above themselves seems irrational IMO. Not really. It happens all the time. Do you think we're better than Arsenal? Because I don't, yet the result shows otherwise - if they weren't playing above themselves then we're a better side than Arsenal. The FA Cup is a perfect example of it. Smaller teams beating bigger teams. They play out of their skin, fight for everything and get the upset. They're not good enough to play in teh higher leagues and if they did, they'd probably get beat every week. But for those games they play above themselves as footballers and get the result. I don't think it's irrational at all. You're missing steps in your logic again - I didn't say that was the best Arsenal could play. Are you tired? Step away from the forum and get a coffee man!

Good post, nothing more to add than that.

It's not rubbish - I'm just trying to keep my feet on the ground. Just because we've won three on the bounce doesn't mean we're now the best team in the world - the way people on this forum instantly swipe at you the second you dare even think about a bit of criticism would suggest some think we are. Poor players don't become good players in the space of 2 weeks - I can't help but be hesitant. I don't think people disagreeing with your proposed changes means they think we're the best team in the world - that's a pretty big leap, like! Don't know where you got that from. Has it crossed your mind that your assumption about poor players becoming good players might be based on faulty initial assumptions? Even as a possibility, I mean? Personally I've never believed in the concept of over-achieving - you're either able of performing to a certain level, or you're not. These players are clearly capable of playing very well in the system we're employing over a sustained period of time (270 minutes and counting) - there's nothing deceptive or misleading about it. They may mistakes in the future, I'm sure they will in fact, but to then say they were playing above themselves seems irrational IMO.

It was a different kind of performance - we actually managed to move the ball around quite nicely, especially in the opening period, but I think we soon realised that Arsenal were very dangerous on the break and had to revert to a less gung-ho attitude. Difficult to judge, but given the quality of the opposition (who incidentally didn't play half as bad as the media would lead us to believe!) I'd say this might be the best.

Jonny you're talking rubbish mate Another little subtle swipe at Barton too, I see - still prefer Guthrie?

Higher standards of accountability wouldn't go amiss, how the referee can not apologise to Stoke or anything after the replays is just stupid to be honest. If the media decides to retrospectively make a fuss over a bad tackle, for example, and give the footage a lot of air time/discussion time then the FA might act, but for other incidents which don't receive such media attention they won't. It's acceptable that people are human and prone to error, but consistency in retrospective punishment is not unachievable/out of reach IMO. The current system doesn't work or involve having parity for all clubs.

Decent minute-by-minute report. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/07/premier-league-arsenal-newcastle-minute-by-minute

No changes. Against Blackburn we can make subs for any weary legs - without the oncoming players being dropped in the deep end of a fantastic opposition side bearing down on them.

Cheers KI, not so much you Neil

Does MotD2 go on BBC iPlayer?

"No, not you" "I'll have a bit anyway"

Good 20 minutes left here. Will be tasty whatever.

Chelsea really stretching Liverpool. Goal imminent.

Liverpool are up by two goals, but they managed to crowbar 'Istanbul' into there by mentioning a Chelsea comeback.