STM

Played RW on Monday.

Disagree. I think Rafa would be perfect to sort Forest out. He only needs to make them hard to beat because they have some decent attacking players.

While I agree with your sentiment, finishing 9th means 2 sides from below us finish above us. Liverpool, ok that's understandable but which other side finishing above us, at this stage, wouldn't you disappointed with? That's it for me, it's not to do with being annoyed about league position per say, it's annoyed about sides I deem worse than us, finishing above us, if that makes sense.

You've completely misunderstood my post. I'm saying in 2 years time, when he's 32, he might not be first choice, in fact it's a certainty given his injury problems but even in that capacity he's a great option.

Belta. Even as a 3rd choice, in the future, he's a class act who would score goals with his zimmer frame.

How can you say if the trend continues we will be 10th, when we are 7th? The "2 wins" thing is only telling part of the story. 1 loss would be equally as telling. Don't get me wrong, our clear issue is going to be breaking down teams in tight games. However, the difference is that we will always be in games to begin with. The only issue, as far as I can see, is keeping enough of our potent players fit for long enough of the season. We can deal with one of Maxi, Bruno, Wilson, Trippier etc missing. When it becomes 2 or 3, we have issues.

West Ham were my biggest worry and still have the most comparative squad but I sense they will have teething problems all season.

Jenas is also a complete liar, who tries to pull the wool over people's eyes.

Just had a peek at the Villa forum. Turns out they have their heads switched on. They pretty much unanimously want him gone.

Out of everyone in football, I dislike Gerrard the most. He's a nasty piece of work, who's been deified by scousers, despite asking to leave them when they were largely shit. Loads of pundits talk about "Stevie G" being the best English midfielder but Xavi talked about Scholes, who I totally agree, was a class above. Gerrard played for Gerrard, Gerrard is now managing for Gerrard. He has no interest in his players or at the club he manages. His only interest is getting the big games at his beloved Liverpool. I for one hope that he somehow lands that job because it will showcase his entire lack of brains or class. I'm actually starting to feel sorry for Villa fans.

Those saying they would be happy with a 10th finish do realise that it would mean some of Wolves, Palace, Leicester, West Ham finishing above us right? We have to be realistic and accept that for most nufc fans finishing 10th, and below a couple of those sides, would be a slight disappointment. For all the "it's a transition year" stuff, it still wouldn't be any justification for being content at finishing behind any of those sides above. We have a better squad than all of them, a better manager, more momentum. Yes, not being a relegation battle is a bless, given the hell of the MA era but "top 10" isn't a target, its a default fallback position for sides that can't reach Europe.

Fuck Leeds nearly scored.

Lampards done a respectable job at Everton.

In many ways worse than a loss for Villa. Couldn't break down a 10 man Leeds.... if they don't score.

Fuck I hope Leeds hold on.

If Villa are going to leave Buendia out, we should make a bid in January. He's class.

Wolves have any sense they will go and get Rodgers. Leicester will surely comply. Rodgers would get those midfielders knocking the ball around. They won't of course, they will go Portuguese.

The only thing that could have made that pass better was if it was with the outside of the boot. 9/10

I like his keep a winning side stuff but... that doesn't include Murphy right? I think Howe has stumbled upon his first choice defence with Burn at left back. My guess is that we play the same side but ASM for Murphy?

Currently on 1.37 PPG, with a target of 1.5 being optimal for a shot at 7th position. We do have a set of favourable fixtures on the horizon, with even Man United and Spurs away not looking daunting.

While I'm always looking at the table. I'm fairly relaxed about it. Let's keep ourselves within a shout of 7th with 10 games to go. Perhaps get someone decent in January to give us a boost and see what happens.

It basically tells you that if you can be a possession based side, you will reap the rewards if the opposition has a player sent off. They were wholly unprepared and it suited us down to the ground. I still think we have question marks on whether we can break down a competent mid table side who sit back and attempt to soak up pressure. Although with Wilson involved that problem becomes less of an issue. The biggest positive is our base level of performance. Even on a poor day, we are a match for most sides and capable of taking a point and on a good day we can put any side to the sword. Jesus do we need a bit of luck on the injury front. Can we not have our best players available for like 4/5 games on the spin?

Type Tom Lynn SAFC in Google.

Tom Lynn is from Herrington and writes for a Sunderland fanzine.

Only Man City have conceded less.