Nate

Are we going to bump this thread everytime we don't win? In reality, given the state of the club when Allardyce arrived, this season was never going to be pretty and one of transition. Mort has clearly recognised that and is now planning for the summer with Sam, who will be judged on our performance next season. The only thing he actually got wrong this evening were the substitutions and at the time most people in the match thread agreed with them. We are not going to be in a relegation battle.

Again, with Duff and Martins (however poor his general play was) went any pace in our attack. N'Zogbia has been very quiet since being moved up. By the way, this has to be the most bias commentary i've ever listened to. To be fair, that clearly wasn't the game plan in the opening half an hour.

Did we score? Have I missed something? No, but booing after a performance like the one we produced against Liverpool is embarrassing enough, nevermind when we've been the better team.

'Supporters' booing after that first half performance need to be culled.

Somebody tell Milner you don't have to beat the same defender more than once.

Don't you think playing Beye against the fastest left-winger in the league might be a good idea?

So because she smiled whilst having her photo taken with two different people she's supposed to be happy with Barton sticking his head in her chest?

Given Beye Taylor Caçapa Enrique Duff Faye Emre N'Zogbia Martins Viduka Faye and Beye are actually very well suited to playing Elano and Petrov, respectively. I'd also like to see Martins running at Dunne, and Viduka dragging Richards out of position, linking up the play.

Everton 1-2 Arsenal. Eduardo again.

I thought Beye, Caçapa and N'Zogbia were all good. Faye in particular though, was excellent - strong in the tackle, powerful in the air and has a more ambitious passing range than Butt or Smith in that role - i'm just not sure wether Taylor is good enough at the back for him to play there permanently.

Are they not playing with goalkeepers at WHL?

Bossing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.. love it.

Martins has an incredible lack of composure for a centre-forward.

When Sam wins his first trophy here, we will look back upon this day as the turning point. Chelsea 1-2 Newcastle.

Nail and head Until he's had the job and done whatever he can with it the job is always going to be being kept warm for him. I'm firmly in the no camp and sick of his mention everytime something happens. And all this balls about getting them to play for the shirt.... if Shearer had really had this club at heart he'd have kept to his word and quit when he said he was going to and maybe we'd have won the FA or UEFA Cup that year when everyone was beginning to pull together. If he did get the job i see a situation like the one the mackems have got where no-one dares criticise him for fear or sullying the reputation. The press are so scared of the dog walker its unbelievable and brilliantly its doing the filth more harm than good. Get him in, if its a sucess brilliant, if its not then case closed and we can all move on. Is it? That may have been the case under Shepherd but i can't see Mike Ashley, who has poured millions of pounds into the club, allowing a complete rookie to take charge simply because he used to be a popular player amongst the fans.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6469/n5500969573024947326jj1.jpg

Fully deserved, Chelsea have barely got out of their own half.

That will be the team, salva has been right several times in the past.

Merry Christmas.

Given Beye Caçapa Faye Enrique Butt Barton Emre Duff Viduka N'Zogbia It would be nice to see the 4-3-3 with players who are actually suited to the wide roles, rather than one who cannot pass and another who currently appears incapable of taking the ball past a defender.

The fact that Emre, the closest thing we have to a playmaker, has been demoted to an occasional substitute is a concern. Is it possible Allardyce hasn't recognised the need for creativity in the middle at all?

The fact he looked a threat of any kind in 20 minutes, after being out for so long, was promising. Still unsure about Duff but he did at least remind me what a first time cross looked like today.

He increasingly looks like a sprinter who has just been thrown onto a football pitch. Can you imagine what N'Zogbia could have produced if he saw as much of the ball in that position? I appreciate it's an unnatural role for him, but his inability to make the most basic movement and complete the simplest of passes is beginning to grate.

I would have preferred Rozehnal or Caçapa with Taylor. Smith better not start in central midfield again..