Cronky

Some very tentative defending from the back four. It was like they were afraid to put in a challenge in case they got beaten. As a result, they were like training cones as Liverpool passed their way through us. We missed Bassong on defensive set pieces. Coloccini is lousy at those kind of challenges, and Taylor isn't reliable either. There's no point in playing Owen in a game like that. It was all hands to the pump, and we should have started with 4-5-1. We're continuing to suffer from this idea that Owen has to play, and that's one reason I wouldn't mind seeing him go. Given, Jonas and Duff were the only players who approached this game with any confidence, or any feeling that they belonged out there.

Good news. The timing may be prompted by the fact that new players may be reluctant to come if there's uncertainty over the ownership, and therefore the manager. In the current financial climate, no-one's going to lend anyone money to buy a football club. The only potential new owners would have had to pay cash, and we shouldn't be surprised that there's no-one in that category.

Good.

I can't say I'm that satisfied with any of our strikers. Carroll and Shola lack pace. Owen and Martins lack skill. Viduka's on his way out and I don't hold out much hope for Xisco, who looked a bit clumsy on his cameo appearances. It's an area we can realistically look to improve without having to spend megabucks.

This came up in one of those 'You Are the Ref' features in a paper only last week. Keith Hackett was quite definite. If you play advantage after a foul, and then a second foul is committed, the ref doesn't have to go back to the first foul.

That was a really mad tackle. Cattermole often looks far too pumped up. He's going to end someone's career if he doesn't calm down a bit.

On the bright side, Guthrie is looking better with every game. He seems a bit more streetwise now when it comes to keeping the ball.

No you play the advantage, then if they are fouled again give the foul...whats the point of the advantage if the only way you can get that advantage is by scoring? Correct. The ref isn't obliged to return to the original foul.

You really don't like him do you? I've nothing against the player at all. He's a professional and he can sign or not sign exactly in accordance with his own interests. In fact, all in all, he seems a decent enough bloke. I get riled with the fuss that surrounds him. When I made that remark, I was trying to take the piss out those who still see him as 'world class' or whatever. There's a big element of Emperor's New Clothes about the player. Looking beyond his reputation, now that he's lost his pace, he's just an average Premiership striker as far as I can see. He is much better than average. I think technically he definitely isnt one of the best strikers in the premiership but his ability to be in the right place at the right time is as good as you cant find. He has that annoying habit (especially if your an opposition fan) of being in the right place at the right time. I'd say you've pinpointed his main strength and his main weakness there. What I'd add is that his technical limitations often restrict his ability to convert chances, especially when the ball comes to him on his left side. That miss against Spurs wasn't an isolated incident.

You really don't like him do you? I've nothing against the player at all. He's a professional and he can sign or not sign exactly in accordance with his own interests. In fact, all in all, he seems a decent enough bloke. I get riled with the fuss that surrounds him. When I made that remark, I was trying to take the piss out those who still see him as 'world class' or whatever. There's a big element of Emperor's New Clothes about the player. Looking beyond his reputation, now that he's lost his pace, he's just an average Premiership striker as far as I can see.

They should hold auditions to find Owen's replacement. Give them the ball 8 yards from goal and see if they can get it over the bar.

Richards is a great talent, and is bound to come good in the end. I don't know why his form has slumped at the moment - maybe he wants out.

I really like these players like Beardsley and Bellamy, who can operate in a free role between the main striker and the midfield, working hard and creating things. We seemed to be after someone like that, with our interest in Arshavin, Turan, Aimar and Modric. I'd love it, love it, if somehow Bellamy was motivated to come back. And now that Rooney's a World Champion, he might be looking for a fresh challenge. PS - That last one was a joke.

Fucking sell! Providing we can use the money to get in another attacking player, definitely sell. That's what any sensible club would do. I don't think it would happen though because the club would be fearful of the fans' reaction.

Lighten up, guys. It was obvious I wasn't being serious.

If I were Ashley, I would pay whatever it takes to sign Bellamy. I would then walk up to Owen and tear up the contract offer into tiny pieces in front of his eyes. Finally I would hand him a mop and point to the floor.

The club has made a series of blunders with Owen. We shouldn't have bought him in the first place when he'd made it publicly clear he didn't want to come except on loan. He shouldn't have been made Captain when he wasn't committed long-term to the club. He should have been sold and replaced at the start of the season when he didn't sign a new deal. However, there's nothing we can do about that now. We just have to wait to see whether he gets what he considers a better offer at the end of the season. I very much doubt whether he'd get more money. He may get an offer from the likes of Villa or Man City, but I think they're both after Bellamy. We may well end up with him again, but I'd much rather have players who see us as a good opportunity, rather than as a club that they have to settle for.

Alisher Usmanov is a shareholder & as of yet Arsenal have not wanted to embrace him, in fact to save there own bacon the Arsenal board let American Stanley Kroenke join the board to keep Usmanov from taking over. There's something going on behind the scenes at the moment though, isn't there? Someone on the Board has quit. They may have realised that, like it or not, they need some fresh money to keep up.

He'd be a very good buy for Arsenal, so I reckon it's them. They've got some Russian investor as well, haven't they.... hmmm...

I think Hughes is struggling with a difficult situation at City. All this talk of bidding £50 million for various star names must be giving a very discouraging message to the existing players - ie it doesn't matter how well you play, you're going to be replaced. It must be very difficult for Hughes to motivate his team to go that extra mile. We need continuity, and Joe has shown that he's big enough for the job. He has the respect of the players, so I'd be happy to see him given him a longer contract.

I thought it was a fairly even game. We were a bit lucky to nick it at the end, but that makes up for the bad luck we've had previously with last minute equalisers. Bad miss by Owen. He's got no left foot at all. If you're paying 80k a week for a specialist poacher, you have to be able to rely on him to put those away. Bassong looks very assured for a young centre back. He's not afraid to make decisions and has a good turn of speed that can snuff out many goal threats.

A lot depends on what team they're able to field. When either Woodgate or King is out, their defence isn't that great, and I'd fancy our chances.

The never ending fascination of football is that every player is different. They each have their unique mix of qualities and it's a matter of assessing the package. No-one's perfect and there are different jobs to do on the pitch. My particular hobby horse is getting in a pair of strong centre backs. That's the foundation of any good side.

What a fantastic player Rooney is. He really pulled them through.

I noticed him pulling out of a challenge against Stoke. I think he's lost his appetite for the game. At the top level, anyway.