Mowen

Plain and simply YES. Both were fat porkers before which was tolerated by the old regime even though there performances were also shite but the new fitness coach Ramos brought in is doing wonders. James is clearly directing that comment at us which dosnt really make much sense as theres definatly been an improvement since Ramos took over. I think that's why people are guessing it's directed at us; Sam is very high profile in his use of ProZone/Heart monitors etc., and there hasn't been a noticable improvement yet. Can't believe anyone would get particularly wound up over what he's 'heard' though

Robbo and Huddlestone are certainly looking more 'streamlined' these days.... is that just since Ramos came in?

How is everyone reacting so much to this?

Whilst bringing Owen on for Martins took away some of our attacking impetus, had we been able to create a half chance I'd have been much more happy to see Owen on the end of it than Oba. It didn't work, but it wasn't as terrible an idea as some people are making out, and it certainly wasn't a defensive substitution. We didn't really create much by the way of chances as it was when Oba was on, so if there are only likely to be scraps to feed off, why not have Owen there to feed off them?

I agree. I can see similarities to the side that only needed Bellas and Robert to promote us well up the table.

I'd make some slight changes to the team that started against Chelsea: Enrique in for Duff and Viduka in for Smith Given Beye Cacapa Taylor Enrique Milner Faye Butt N'Zogbia Viduka Martins Bench: Harper, Roz, Emre, Owen, Duff

The majority do. Alot of this forum falls into the minority that don't want him, alot of fans out there see him as the great one, the one to get us out of this mess. Don't think that's true at all Check the poll. Over 50% want Shearer installed as manager at some time in the next 5 years. That's the majority.

Quite a good read, as usual, from James. Surprised at that sly dig at Taylor though.

Very true. Robert's crossing was frustrating because it often didn't beat the first defender, but when it's put in lower and with such pace it will much more frequently result in a goal once past the first man.

The team cost about £90m to assemble.

Horrible news. RIP.

Ill apparently.

Faye is ideal for the daddy role protecting an attacking/creative midfielder. If only he wasn't our best CB as well... based on today's performance I'd happily see him in midfield protecting Taylor and Cacapa/Rozzy on a more regular basis. Might give Emre some freedom, or even just give Sam the confidence to play two wingers and two strikers every week.

Not at all. Was as bad as everyone else against Liverpool (actually in that game I thought he was one of our better players until a couple of errors late on) and hasn't been seen since. Bizarre. I agree. Looked reasonably solid defensively when I've seen him, strong and certainly not slow. Wish he'd play tbh.

Classic Milner performance. Can't be faulted for effort and commitment but lacks the quality necessary to make the difference.

We defended well in the last 10-15 today, and tbf Chelsea are still a good team who forced us back. A little more positivity would have been nice, but it's not like a defensive cock up was what cost us.

It was hardly positive. He could have brought Emre or Viduka (or Owen at that point) on. Bringing Rozehnal on meant we had all four centre-backs in our squad on the pitch, when Chelsea were there for the taking. I thought it was a positive change. Made us more of a threat going forward without losing shape.

Nicely and succinctly summed up.

That's the biggest load of bullshit I've seen spouted from you in a long time. Sam's substitutions didn't cost us the game it was a fucking obvious offside cost us we played better than Chelsea in the second half and we looked like the ones that were going to score more than them. This is true. The substitutions reduced our chance of winning, but given that we didn't concede a legitimate goal, how anyone can blame them for losing us the match is beyond me.

I quite like the tactic of playing two destroyers in the middle with two wide men away from home. Would have worked better had Smith played alongside Martins imo, and we all know Zog shouldn't be at left back, but promising from Allardyce until he brought Oba off. As has been mentioned, Faye gave us a lot in midfield. Could be our Papa Bouba.

Shop window.

Load of shit man, they've battered us with their reserve team and with their fans singing at their manager "you don't know what you're doing". 2-1 is not an unjust result at all. Battered? A total exagerration. Last 15 minutes I mean, and the majority of the first half. I actually thought we might nick it when we equalised. I really thought we were. Outstanding touch from Ben Haim (I think) to deny Duff. Good value for a point I felt.

I'll PM you your lines in future if you want. It's just embarrassing when everyone can see you've copied

You wouldn't want our consistency

Owen has no pace. True, but Martins can't finish. But if we can somehow combine the two,,,,,, We've already got Shola though!