Minhosa

Jonas imo - he's the only attacking outlet who can retain possession in the final third. As frustrating as he is. Really? He can run it up there but WILL lose it. He relieves the pressure though. Nobody else can - Tiote aside.

Whats with the Carroll/Campbell love in at the edge of the box for every corner? They're proper caressing each other ahead of the set piece.

Jonas imo - he's the only attacking outlet who can retain possession in the final third. As frustrating as he is.

Guthrie looks fucked already.

Sky doing their best to big up Carrolls foul. Thanks.

QFT.

There you go Scharner - I think we'll call that 2-1 to you now.

Tiote and Sol the only reason we're not behind here.

Which we can't afford to do with Shola on the pitch as he has no ability to retain possession or run into space for a long ball to worry them on the break. His inclusion is a big part of the problem in the early stages imho.

We're waiting for them to score before we start - same old story.

Isn't it Jara who should have walked against us last year due to constant fouling of Jonas?

Great turn Tiote.

All WBA here.

Sol looking a little hesitant here.

My money is on AC smashing him at some point. Expecting red mist at some stage.

Groin strain.

He looks fucking wired today. It's like he's 300% fitter and faster than anyone near him. Fucking machine.

Classic 'Let him know I'm there' challenge from Scharner.

QFT - Barton's been a revelation this season - a far better player than he's shown previously. We'll miss his set pieces too.

Wouldn't be surprised if Man Utd wanted him too.

Fuck it.

Jesus - worth a tenner of anyones money that.

£5 on us 3-2, £5 on them 3-2 - we're at 33/1 and they're at 28/1.

3-2 either way.

And 30 k a week. I would think that's a 50% pay cut for him. I doubt he'd take that when Villa would prob pay him £50k p/w. We are bothing chucking figures around here. But why would Villa wanna pay a wedge of money for Keane when he is over 30 now. Surely Houllier will be buidling for the future? Who knows tbh. Far more financial clout than us thanks to their Yank owner and he'll want to back Houllier by signing his top targets in his first window. Also, Carew is on his way out and will be on a good screw himself. You're absolutely right though - we're just throwing figures around. I could be miles off. I thought Randy learner was pulling in the spending a bit as thats why O'Neill walked. You may be right - I had a feeling it was because his attitude was more along the lines of 'every player has his price' and he wouldn't have rejected a silly bid for Ashley Young which gave O'Neill the hump. Only putting two and two together mind. It will be an intersting Jan, i just dont think clubs will spend money. I think arry may have to loan him out and seek a sale in the summer. That would be ideal for us, no question. He'd not be short of options if that was the case (Celtic etc) but I think we'd have as good a chance as anyone else in for him. FWIW I agree about Jan. The same few spending a bit, everyone else on the hunt for bargains.