Offshore

Just caught MOTD2.....sorry, she's gotta go, she sounds just like the pisstake of women commentators sketch I think they did on Soccer AM.

I lost count of the number of last ditch tackles and blocks that the back four had to make, and that was down to us gifting them the ball. I thought our problem was midfield, three men trying to do the job of four, now I quite like SWP, but he was anonymous for vast amounts of the game. Richards was far more effective on the right flank, but that left his area open. Gerrard didn't have a good game, didn't have a bad one either mind, but i'd put most of that down to the managers tactics. He was obviously told to stay back to support Barry, who had an ok game, and try to play in our front (short-arse) two using long balls into gaps. I guess the thinking (or hope) was that Owen and Rooney would be able to find space, get and hold the ball and the midfield (Cole/SWP) would get up to support. Never happened.

Aye, absolutely crazy situation, I mean what sort of club would want and actively pursue another manager that it is generally acknowledged to be crap and on his way out...... apart from us of course :-[

Spurs W Reading D Portsmouth W Sunderland D

tbh, any top footballer these days should automatically be able to hook a stunner, anyone of them who hasn't just isn't playing the fame game properly........or are called Mikel Beck.

Is this the same Beye who was thrown straight into the squad for Derby and has started every game since? I agree with jimmymag, some time to settle in is normal, even a bit longer if you're overprotective, but Enrique has been training with us for a long time now and he needs the games. Our easier games have come and gone, now we have Everton, Tottenham and the 'big four' still to come and he still hasn't started a Premiership game. Perhaps he's been injured for longer than they were letting on, who knows. Beye was a late sub then has played two games on the belt, Enrique has been sub, full game, then sub again. Not 'that' much diff tbh, if he continues to be a sub or left out the squad then i'll start to get worried about his fitness.

Given had no real chance with the goals yesterday, and i'm not blaming the defense for all three either, the Mpenza(?) goal maybe, but Man City played excellently and scored three cracking goals. Haven't seen the Arsenal goals but read/heard they were similar in that they were more good build-up play and cross/shot than the defence going to sleep. Wouldn't be losing any sleep worrying about whether Given or Harper was in nets. Get the right folk in midfield and we'll be better than ok this year.

He's being introduced to the prem in stages, same as Beye was. He'll probably get more than a half next game then playing full games from then on......

Lads man, we were just beaten by the better team, no more and no less.

Within reasonable timescales (probably shorter ones than many are saying - but definitely NOT in the immediate future) the above should be extended to include "Challenging seriously for the title" (as, most recently, in the Robson/Keegan periods) and then "challenging season in, season out" and then, winning the league and a sprinkling of cups, for a prolonged period. At this club (and with our new owners) we should not be so FRIGHTENED to say this - but do NOT expect Ashley/Mort/Allardyce to say anything like this. They are far too clever and professional for that. True, but I think we have to learn to walk first before we start running. I think our new regime are as well aware of that as you and I are. If not more so. amen

Within reasonable timescales (probably shorter ones than many are saying - but definitely NOT in the immediate future) the above should be extended to include "Challenging seriously for the title" (as, most recently, in the Robson/Keegan periods) and then "challenging season in, season out" and then, winning the league and a sprinkling of cups, for a prolonged period. At this club (and with our new owners) we should not be so FRIGHTENED to say this - but do NOT expect Ashley/Mort/Allardyce to say anything like this. They are far too clever and professional for that. True, but I think we have to learn to walk first before we start running.

For this season, and just this season: top half of the table. This season is a big change in circumstances and personnel both on and off the pitch and we need stability so i'll settle for a top half finish as long as we appear to be heading in the right way. Subsequent seasons: win a cup obviously, aim for and get top ten, aim for and get top 6, aim for and get inside top 4.

More plus points than negative. West Ham are a canny team tbh. Both their forwards are taller (I think?) than our centre backs so no real surprise they're winning most of the aerial stuff. Would like to see a dedicated LB on and Zog ahead of him, other than that and the obvious creative midfield, not too bad at all. Ashton looks class, him and Owen up front for England.

perhaps he was the hired 'heavy' to collect Chimbonda's loan.....

Spurs, man.....heeheeheeeheee...you couldn't make it up.

Don't have a problem with Taylor being dropped/rotated, but i'd like to see if his game comes on when/once we've got a pair of proper fullbacks instead of a left winger and Carr keeping those places warm.

He's wasted in a midfield 3 unless he's made the designated DM but even then we've got two better suited to that role than him. If we're going to persist in 4-3-3 then he's gotta play in the front three, he can trap a ball properly and can actually pass to a teammate. That and his energy and constant willingness to run all match would make him ideal as one of the two playing either side of Viduka. Owen and Martin can't play in a 4-3-3 so i'd drop one and move Smith up there instead. Big Sam bought him so presume he must have a primary role in mind for him other/as well as being a handy 'utility' player.

Wha? Guinness to be sure to be sure

To be fair it isn't just our fans who have high expections for us this season, we're included in the group of teams by the 'experts' that are expected to be competing for 5th spot. So for someone to not be too chuffed with what he's seeing shouldn't be all that surprising. I think I sit midway on this, on one hand i'm ultra happy what is happening off the pitch and realise you can't do a short fix to a long term problem. However, I didn't like what I saw against Villa, yes we appear to be sorting out the defence, but by fuck was it uncomfortable to watch. Yes, I know why he picked the team (midfield) for that game, as we're short of any flair atm, but I hope that its a short term thing until either Emre or Barton (or new attacking midfielder that comes in) can get us playing football that plays to our forwards strength.

Dunno if he's fallen that far but his purple patch was about 2 or 3 seasons ago, I think us and Arsenal were linked with him but the price was high, 8+m? Think he'd scored a couple of screamers in consequetive Sky games or something and Fulham were doing well at the time (I think). He seems to have been a bit quiet for the last season or so, news-wise, maybe a change of club will do him the world of good but i'd not be upset if he went somewhere else than us.

i'll have 2 West Hams, and 3 Spurs.

thats what I thought too. Laursen(?) had Viduka's number in the air but we still persisted in hoofing it up in the hope that he'd get lucky. When it was played in to his feet, twice I think, he turned and played someone in each time creating a chance. I know we haven't got a fit creative midfielder yet so i'm not too concerned with our lack of invention there yet. Taylor got caught in possession a couple of times in the second half while waiting for someone ahead of him to 'show' themselves, we can't allow ourselves to become too static................never mind its just like watching Brazil, its a copy of Bolton. I know he's the next to get replaced but I thought Carr didn't do too badly yesterday. Carr was caught out of position way too often. They rarely attacked our left hand side because Zoggy showed he could handle it. Carr couldn't handle Young and that's why most of their attacks came down our right hand side. I think we have to take into account the conditions as well. Villa are obviously hard to break down (as teams found out last season and will find out this season) but with the wet conditions, it made it harder for the players to control the ball and/or develop some slick and quick passes. It'll get better man. Relax. I don't understand why most of the fans seem to be demanding us to be title challengers instantly considering how the past couple of seasons have gone for us. Carr only got done when against pace, other than that he was ok (still gotta/gonna be replaced though). Zog isn't a left-back, he did a canny job but due to the lack of invention in the team yesterday it was only his and Milner's runs that got us going. Once they put Anglonher(?) on him he couldn't get forward as much. That'll be sorted once Enrique gets fit/playing, with Zog ahead of him on the left with any luck. Pre the season start i'd have been happy with a single number finishing position, still am, we've gotta adapt and build and i'm happy in that respect. Just don't like the 'hump it up front' at every chance, I know we haven't got any fit creative midfielders yet and that'll come, but I don't want them to get into the habit of hoofing it up in hope when we've only got one tall guy who can heed the baal and even he'd prefer it to be played to feet. On the plus side for yesterday, yes, Villa are a hard team to break down, and now also it appears are we.

The booing was disappointing, but so was the tactics.

thats what I thought too. Laursen(?) had Viduka's number in the air but we still persisted in hoofing it up in the hope that he'd get lucky. When it was played in to his feet, twice I think, he turned and played someone in each time creating a chance. I know we haven't got a fit creative midfielder yet so i'm not too concerned with our lack of invention there yet. Taylor got caught in possession a couple of times in the second half while waiting for someone ahead of him to 'show' themselves, we can't allow ourselves to become too static................never mind its just like watching Brazil, its a copy of Bolton. I know he's the next to get replaced but I thought Carr didn't do too badly yesterday.

If he could play with a broken jaw he'd be any managers perfect player.