Doug

Silva & Aguero will undo any defence to be fair.

To McLaren I propose a bold experiment to get away from the Pardew type tactics of staying in games, content to ponce around with the ball in front of the other sides defence without penetration. We should start every one of the players who can go past an opponent, that means Aarons, Obertan, Thauvin, and Perez to see what could happen if we got at teams and opened them up. We may then find we actually score more than them, resulting in us winning. What a refreshing change that would be.

Game ruined after 15mns. Refs really should try harder to keep 11 v 11.

This result will inject much needed belief and confidence into the squad and help fans accept McLaren as a manager who knows what he is doing. My only complaint today would be why were we not playing in our famous B&W stripes, and I want them on the full shirt not half of it. Otherwise I am happy when I fully expected to be a miserable baastaad all afternoon.

MOM Put decent footballers alongside him without a hoofball philosophy and he will excel

Apparently Rooney has not scored for 9 games. We all know what that means, the drought ends on Saturday.

I went to the Coventry game last night. Armstrong started really well and saw a lot of the ball in the first few minutes. He made many intelligent darting runs into space high up the pitch but did not always receive a pass into him his runs demanded as the half wore on. He needs to start bossing his teammates and rollicking them for not playing him in as I could imagine a young Shearer or Rooney doing. However he managed to get a few shots off and his speed and trickery caused the big Crewe defenders problems. His goal came in the second half and was a great shot into the far corner after running into the box from the right. Crewe equalised almost straight away mind you as the Coventry defenders looked in vain for an offside flag that never came. Armstrong looks good at this level but I can't help feeling he is still a little small and lightweight and could get easily be bullied by better defenders. hopefully he will get stronger with more games. I have to say that the best player on view was another ex Newcastle player Brad Inman. He scored a great first equaliser for Crewe and showed pace, power and skill in getting the better of Coventry defenders on numerous occasions in a playmaking no.10 role.

Very well put, A small club like Swansea who obviously have intelligent football people running their affairs, continue to leave us standing when it comes to sensible decisions and appointments. God only knows how successful our club could be with such people at the helm.

Haidara was the only player who looked hesitant and not up for it at times from the starting line up. McLaren will have learned also that Tiote and De jong are not the answer when fresh legs are needed. Tiote looked fat and slow, De jong just stood in Mitrovics space up front. The substitutions made things worse not better when Anita (before injury) and Wijnaldum both tired early into the second half. Colo was not awful as I have been reading elsewhere, but was responsible for most of our long periods of possession football. (no hoofing).

Anyone criticising Colback on yesterdays performance is very unfair has he held the midfield together as most around him tired against a very well organised saints side.

I'll admit I haven't been able to bare to watch us for a good 2 seasons now while I thought Ashley and co. were killing the club, so don't really know what Collocini has been like. Prior to that I thought he was good enough to play for any team in the world if put among like minded footballers. If we are about to see a return to positive tactics, who knows, we may be about to witness the renaissance of what was once a class player. I hope so anyway.

I think Alex Neil at Norwich is going to be the latest to join the fine tradition of top Jock managers. He has been a success there and worked wonders at little Hamilton in Scotland by coaching their youngsters on a shoestring to the top of the SPL for a time. He wouldn't even come onto the radar of the clowns in charge of us of course, more likely to end up somewhere like Swansea who have football intelligence at boardroom level with a conveyor belt of good appointments.

Who would have thought we were going to finish above sunderland and the vile

What a hero, made himself a legend after what he has comeback from.

Prepare to enter screw up period

The longest 25mins ever, starting now

No backflips or posing get organised

How many reserves will play for Manu next week if they are happily in fourth place ?

Lets face it the only sensible hope we have is that Hull lose their remaining games. Any optimism that our sorry lot can save themselves has surely gone by now.

Good old Burnley, fancy having to rely on them

Are the subs warming up?

I find the paucity of our squad even with the injuries and suspensions absolutely shocking. This is a competent, relaxed WBA side fresh from winning at Manu. I think they will be looking forward to playing us and will win comfortably. Ashleys fault not poor john Carver

Shame he was talking about the Leicester NUFC match. Gem of a player. I know, I forgot they were playing Chelsea tonight first so I did'nt even get a bet on.

Worth a bump, I forgot they were playing Chelsea tonight before us.

Marc Albrighton for first goalscorer bet, Back from injury, settling into playing regularly for them, coinciding with their great form. Gem of a player given away free by Villa last season. Sunderland had the sense to try for him but he wouldn't sign. We didn't even bother as hes not French. He is due a goal the way he is playing.