Sifu

Judging from the comments raised during the Fans Forum thing, if the Cups are really not the priority, will we see Ben Arfa start next weekend in the FA Cup? I'd definitely start him like, regardless of the competition.

Great start to the New Year then...but one can hope that we can regain a bit of confidence against Cardiff - we need some sort of momentum going into the City game at St. James'.

I guess the least said about today the better then? (Didn't watch the game you see).

Nah, completely new thing as far as I'm aware.

With the current squad and with no new additions/departures: 7th. With the current squad plus a new striker and no departures: 6th.

I didn't think we were too bad, we huffed and puffed as much as we could in the second half (after what was a decent enough first half) and I'd say we pretty much matched Arsenal throughout the game. Hopefully the players aren't too disheartened by today - the effort and work ethic was there. Unfortunately a mistake on our part cost us dearly but don't think we would have won the game really, both us and Arsenal cancelled each other out and I'd say it would have finished 0-0 on another day.

Whilst today could have gone a lot better, for us to be above the 2011/12 line at the halfway point of the season is still a canny achievement. Have to push on and have a somewhat productive transfer window. One new striker (a target man preferably to support Remy) and we should have just about enough tools to push on.

It's Chris Waddle. Enough said.

http://i.imgur.com/Xec1aaQ.png

I'm calm.

After his fifth red card in 18 months or something yesterday It's funny you say that, the L'Equipe article says that he's retiring as a player because "he's a target for referees."

Edgar Davids has officially retired.

He's blatantly going to appoint himself as manager. Tan's worse than those goons (the Italian guys) at QPR.

Philippe Auclair ‏@PhilippeAuclair 5m Big storm brewing in France about Anelka's 'celebration' of his first goal ag. WHFC with a - to say the least- a v. controversial gesture. This gesture, 'la quenelle', was invented by a comedian named Dieudonne, supposedly as an 'anti-establishment' statement. But it can also be read as an inversion of the Nazi salute, and has been the subject of an official complaint by anti-racist organisations. To use it at the moment is cretinous at best. Far worse than the finger aimed at MCFC fans by Wilshere, which was rightly punished.

Anelka's celebration for his first goal is causing a bit of a stir in France apparently.

Another Remy/QPR situation Don't worry, Ashley's got Pro-Evo for the PS1 ready.

This is pretty much the first MOTD I've watched in months. This will be a treat.

Ah.

A 5-1 score line, 2 red cards (3 if you count Mark Hughes as well), 2 penalties, and other possible penalties and red cards. Yet we are 2nd last on MOTD, aye right. Eh?

It's happened two games in a row now, hmmm. My theory is that if the game is pretty much won then someone else takes the penalty but if it's a pressure situation then Shola steps up? s*** theory I know.

From a floated set piece. It is written. Also, just seen your title - when did admin turn on you?

More than likely felt sorry for Stoke...

He's been decent these past few weeks imho and he is one of the reasons why we've been in such good form and getting these good results. His decision making was suspect today but there is no way I would advocate dropping him - we need his power and determination for the Arsenal game.

Well that turned out to be glorious. Performance in the first half aside, I'm going to enjoy this win very much.

Today will the day he scores.