Lenny

I bet he's hanging around the wage cap Ashley has supposed to put on new signings. You're probably right, but I would imagine there are others that quite significantly exceed his wages in our squad.

Harper is on a huge wage? Really, or is that a guess? Can't imagine its huge.

Good to see him doing well, would like him to keep progressing then come back to us though. I've always thought he's looked pretty decent whenever I've seen him. A brave goal keeper, doesn't look the brightest though...

Played well first half and his set pieces were decent throughout, but I thought he faded in open play second half. Agree with the comment above that he sometimes dithers on the ball.

I've not been as nervous and tense in a game as this for a long time. It really could have gone either way, gutted Jonas couldn't cut back for Carroll after that run at the end, and absolutely shit myself when the ball fell for Miller on the 83rd. Shame we couldn't have picked up the three points, but we didn't lose and can still give ourselves a healthy lead if we win our game in hand. It really was a good game.

Smith has been quiet but I thought Nolan went about his job quite well, played the ball simple, just didnt really do much that stands out. He has his limitations but I never really feel like he is going to give the ball away cheaply.

So what's Nobby then? I reckon even now, Nobby'll have a better touch on him than Nolan like. To be fair to Nolan, he has a pretty decent first touch on him. Apart from his fitness, pretty much everything about him is Premier division standard.

Him and Enrique have been our best players this season, surely your opinion is based on anything prior to this season.

I think Nolan will do exactly the job he is doing now no matter what division he is in. IMHO that won't be a bad thing if Smith raises him game next season. Thing is I wouldnt want a centre mid pairing of the two of them, and at prem level I think Smith, in his current form would offer more in terms of protection of the defence and discipline that Nolan would as an attacking, creative midfielder. But.... If they go up they will have earnt the right to be there so they would deserve a crack.

I'm personally beginning to be be a bit disappointed with Guthrie, I really want him to be a good player but he just doesn't seem to get involved enough. If he's like he is now I wouldn't want him to have a (main) first team role. I'd go with to start with: Harper Colo Taylor Enrique Smith Nolan Jonas Smith and Nolan would very much depend on whether they can take their form up a level. I actually think that given the confidence Smith has now, and his fitness, he wouldn't do a bad job. I'm not particularly sure about Nolan though.

I dunno what people are worrying about, we're gonna be holding the FA Cup with it as well so there'll be reason to celebrate

I'm sure you and a lot of others would, but if the guy genuinely enjoys playing football, money is pretty much irrelevant isn't it? Or you could look at it as, a guy has been able to do the 'job' he loves for half his life so far at the highest level. That particular job usually comes to an end by 35 assuming you are relatively injury free. He may have to give it up a few years early. "It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all". Fair point, but it's not just the fact that he's having to retire, it's also the multiple injuries he's had to deal with throughout his career, must be incredibly frustrating. There was a time when the likes of Dyer, Lampard, Ferdinand etc were coming through and at the time it looked to me like Dyer had the potential to become the better player out of all of them. Now I'm not saying bad decisions and his attitude weren't a big contributing factor, but injuries have played a massive part in how his career has not gone the way the likes of Lampard and Ferdinand's have.

I'm sure you and a lot of others would, but if the guy genuinely enjoys playing football, money is pretty much irrelevant isn't it?

He was my favourite player whilst he was with us, I think we took for granted just how effective a fast player through the middle was. The kind of player I'd love us to have now. He didnt have the best end product but scored some crackers for us. The goal against Everton, 3 touches of the ball from the halfway line. Can't deny it was a great bit of business getting rid though, and although he was a bit of an arse, I do feel a bit sorry for him.

Big LOL's!

Someone said highlights after the Liverpool game

They showing the goals anywhere?

Won't Arteta be eligible to play for England this year or something due to being uncapped and here 5 years?

He doesn't really bother me at all to be honest. The reporter sounds like an arse.

Hahahaha! Yes, he's known to be notoriously difficult, isn't he? Yes. This joke is very good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoaofHh7bp4

I love the second picture, looks like Robinho is staring straight at it.

I saw about 20 mins of the Santander game, and Xisco played the other striker in for his goal quite well, but other than that he looked pretty slow and sluggish on the ball.

not based on performances. Smith uses the ball much more intelligently and he's far stronger in the air. And tends to hold his position a lot more, and not try the hollywood ball 99% of the time, and wins tackles, and doesn't attempt random bicycle kicks, and actually plays quite well etc etc.

Shame we had no defenders around at the time otherwise the nearest one should have grabbed O'Conner's leg as he was about to kick it in.

it fucking was This has to be an in-joke or something