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Agree with all of that. Our defence has just looked really calm and composed, looking like a true unit without anyone really standing out, which is awesome. Owen and Enrique have to be our best players though. Carlos Edwards has been marked out of the game by Enrique, but not only that, Jose's been popping up farther up the field and joining in with the attacks as well. But, the game has been scrappy and I'd like to see some more movement up front (from Viduka especially) because our midfield doesn't seem to know where to pass to at times. Saying that, 2-0 motherfuckers!

Kaboul's alright. And he's only had one season here so I expect some improvement from someone who's still quite young as well. Dawson, on the other hand..

How so? I think he has consistantly been our best player this season and it seems a lot think the same. As Apisith has said Owen and Martins haven't really been doing it all season but are probably getting votes because of the last few games. Jon, are you still drunk? I think tccambs is saying that Beye actually deserves more than 82.1%. So he agrees with you, you know

Nice 3-1.

Ridiculous that Martins and Owen have received votes. They've played well for 5 games and now they're contenders for player of the season? Recency effect in full flow here.

Any official team news?

Isn't Milner still injured? Edit: .com says he is. Anyway, in the event that he is fit, it'd be stupid to play someone who hasn't kicked a ball in a month in a formation he's never played in before in a derby. Phew.

I'd be more worried about smith in nicky's role, butt (hohoho see what i did there) its most likely bollocks anyway I can see Faye being put there. Edgar Cacapa Faye Enrique at the back That is if the injuries are true. Cacapa's done for the season (iirc) so that's a no-go.

I'd stick Barton in the middle and put Zoggy in Barton's usual place. Smith will be like a black hole in the center of midfield and we really can't have that in a derby game. Sure, we'll be way more attacking and the midfield won't offer as much protection to the back four as it's done recently, but it'll be a better bet than sticking Smith in there.

Shit poll But it's Beye even if you include the other contenders like Owen and Geremi.

No.

Not really. Almeria are only 6 points off of Sevilla and have been in good form lately (beating Real at home 2-0 a couple of weeks ago) whilst Sevilla have been really hit and miss all season. The Premiership equivalent would be Portsmouth losing to Blackburn with that scoreline.

Goal difference is actually a good predictor of future and current success (the current needs no explaining tbh), so my guess is that Reading's going down this season. Based on this, Birmingham's position actually belies the true quality of their team. They're better than what their position says they are.

Oh fuck off! Fucking cunts.

Shearer would have scored there That, btw, is the thing I say everytime Rooney misses a sitter.

Game on! Come on Roque!

We can go to Upton Park next week with the aim of getting into the top 10 Good shit.

Sidwell is absolutely pathetic. He's had one good season and cashed in on it. I'd hate to see us sign someone without any sort of ambition whatsoever. He is the exact type of player that we should be avoiding - no quality and hungry for money. No thanks.

No. He'll send the police to arrest them and then two days later they mysteriously die in their cells

There's no way Oba's going to get £90k/week. They're just throwing out silly numbers now.

Yeah I reckon clubs like Wigan, Reading and Birmingham will be looking to snap him up for a few million quid, and god do I hope it happens.

Of course it was done for his popularity. Thaksin knows how to play to the crowds - well, at least the ones that he gives a shit about. I think this is his way of saying 'I ain't gonna give Sven lots of cash' - he's trying to come out of it looking like a smart guy because if he keeps praising Sven and doesn't give him the cash, who will get the brunt of the criticism from City fans? Him of course. But, in this scenario, there'll be fans out there who agree with him being prudent and so he won't be pressured into spending that much money come summer time. He won't sack Sven - he's too smart to do that. Edit - I also think that he's not spending any money because of the uncertainty of his own future atm (possibility of jail time etc.) but when his cronies acquit him of all those charges and all his cash is unfrozen, he'll spend again.

Half of it has been spent discussing unrealistic targets though.

I agree that Spurs will do better than this season (which, Carling Cup apart, shouldn't be difficult) but one of the teams to watch along with Newcastle, City and Villa? I don't think so. Berbatov is 99% certain to be gone along with a couple of other high profile names and more upheaval will only delay progression. It obviously depends on who comes in, how they settle and how quickly Ramos can get them all gelled into a decent looking team but right now I'd be guessing 8th-10th, no better than that. Berbatov's going? To?