Nate

I thought C.Ronaldo's was a nothing goal, to be honest. An instinctive flick I would have expected 9 out of 10 Premier League players to attempt in that position. Incomparable to Zola's.

C.Ronaldo's flick goal of the month...? I doubt the same goal from a different player would have even been nominated.

We've played shite sides so far, this was our first real test and IMO we passed it. It was by no means a dip in performance, we were just playing a better side. In some respects there are more positives from this game than there were against Reading. The team, the formation may have passed the test but i didn't think the individuals were as sharp in possession.

Pleasing that the inevitable dip in performance didn't lead to defeat. Overall i thought Owen was a little too deep, Enrique wasteful in possession and Beye nonexistent going forward. Those three need to perform for this formation to work.

Enrique needs to be given more options on the ball, he's thrown away a lot of possession. We also need to get Owen and Beye more involved in build up play.

So Keegan is going to walk because he won't be signing the players, we'll need to spend £80M to get 'anywhere near' the top six, the recent change in form has been due to Viduka's return alone and everybody wanted to leave before the Birmingham game. Right-o.

indeed. That goal was slightly better than decent. Bet you there's 2 or 3 better goals scored every month in the Premiership, at least. Yeah it's a great goal but because it was the final and because it was Zidane, it's made to be better than it was. I mean look at this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/1990830.stm Greatest ever goal in Europe? Was it bollocks. What are these 2 or 3 goals every month? I can't recall one Premier League goal in the last couple of seasons i would rank above Zidane's. A technically perfect volley from the edge of the area, on his weaker foot, with the ball coming from that height and no poor defending or goalkeeping involved. I'm not sure why the fact it was in the biggest club game in the sport should be dismissed either.

Chelsea. I really would hate to see them win the European Cup.

That run was probably the best piece of individual play i've seen from an Englishman since Owen's goal Vs. Argentina. It simply deserved to win the game.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/classinyc/Henry.jpg

Butt, Barton and Geremi were just excellent. No reason to change that front six for the rest of the season, injuries permitting. Cannot wait for the games versus Reading and Sunderland now.

Nice finish to an entertaining half. Beye and Enrique need to get to the byline more or start cutting inside and linking up with the midfield, we've lost a lot of possession from them pumping aimless long balls into the box from just inside Tottenham's half. No doubt we can win this if our passing and movement is a little sharper, i'd switch Viduka into the deep role and have Owen up top.

I wasn't expecting much after Capello dropped all the pace from the squad.

James Johnson Ferdinand Woodgate Lescott Bentley Gerrard Hargreaves J.Cole Lampard Rooney

I agree that it's great from a sentimental standpoint, but let's not forget that one Matty Pattison was a full South Africa international, and South Africa is a far more competetive international squad than Congo is. I personally don't understand what all the Lua Lua raving is about. He's got potential yes, but he's done absolutely nothing of note for the few hours he's been on the pitch for the first team. In the mean time, Milner has single handedly saved us from relegation and he's still a shit player with no future just because he's not running the 100m in 10 seconds. When was that?

mackems.gif Benitez using attacking tactics as usual I see. Ah, the tactical genius that is Rafael benitez. You have to laugh tbh. Eh? They were three nil down with ten minutes to go and Torres was on a yellow card.

I thought that concentrating on nullifying the threats of a team like Fulham, rather than on our own game, was what everybody slated Allardyce for? If we're playing well, dominating possession and creating chances then Fulham should be reduced to opportunities from set-pieces and Faye can always pick up McBride from there.

Harper Beye Taylor Caçapa Enrique Faye Butt N'Zogbia Viduka Martins Owen N'Zogbia pushing up on the left, Beye on the right. I think we can afford to move Faye into the midfield at home, he was our weakest defender against Birmingham anyway. Caçapa also gives the back four some quality on the ball.

Can't see Wigan or Middlesbrough getting dragged back into it now.

The problem with Fulham stringing some results together is that it puts them right in the mix too, and it suddenly becomes two going down from that mini-league at the bottom, not just one. That's not good news when we're in such poor form that we have been relying on the teams around us being worse. Not to mention the boost it gives them for the game up here.

Mascherano has much more of an influence on games at the highest level than Carrick or Alonso, for me. Although it is difficult to compare central midfielders with such different attributes.

It looked like the referee only made his decision after seeing the injury. A yellow for the high foot, yes, but surely there was no intent there.

A coincidence that Chelsea got the easiest draw, setting up a final appearance in Abramovich's homeland?

Any cominbation of Liverpool/Arsenal V Barcelona/Man Utd would be a good final, anyway. I only hope Chelsea don't sneak through with this draw.