Lenny

That er... didn't, actually happen did it!

I thought Ameobi was better than Martins last night. He won most balls in the air and worked hard. Martins is the absolute footballing definition of an enigma.

I thought Coloccini looked pretty good again yesterday, though it looked to me like he'd been told to get rid of the ball if there's anyone near him. He seemed to hoof the ball away an awful lot more than he's ever done yesterday. He still tried to actually find a player though.

This is spot on, I'm a referee and that's how I go on. I've got no problem with banter as long as it doesn't turn sour. Unfortunately a lot of Sunday/Pub football referees don't share the same view as you. A lot of them like their little bit of power.

My mate got sent off a couple of years ago for exactly the same thing. If you mouth to the ref down here tho its a £35 fine and a 35 day suspension. Trapping off gets you a longer suspension than nearly breaking someones leg sometimes. Bloody stupid really.

Wasn't his last good game in the 2002 world cup???

If we get some stability (big ask), and Taylor can continue to learn from Colo, then a back four of Beye, Taylor, Colo, Bassong could be a solid back line. Stick an athletic, passing defensive midfielder in front of that and you have the foundation for a decent team.

He does look an awful lot like Darren Bent.

I know its not his preferred position but I am becoming of the opinion that he is a very decent left back both going forward and defending. I would at this moment in time like to see him stay there regularly. I wonder whether he would be imposing or vocal enough for centre back position.

I'm don't agree with player bashing, but I think in this case that the people who are sticking up for Carroll are missing the point. It the fact that he stood around and did nothing which has pissed people off, its not about whether hes a young kid up against experienced defenders, its purely about determination. Any athlete that has never played football in their lives could have been more effective at times just by closing the opposition down. And whether you've been on the sidelines for a week or a year, if your a professional footballer you should at least be able to run around for 15 minutes. Most Sunday league footballers who have spent a summer on the beer can run for 15 minutes on their first game back before a new season.

People with opinions like Poll's will mean that the card wont be rescinded. Completely and utterly wrong not to rescind it though.

Joey Barton wasn't actually playing.....

Caroll was lazy as fuck when he came on. Brilliant effort from everyone (bar Caroll) to be fair, its a hell of an ask to have 10 men hold off a team like Man City for 80 mins. Gutted we didnt win.

I'm not particularly a fan of Burley, but good on him for speaking his mind. The whole officiating today was fucking diabolical. How the fuck a linesman for a televised premier league standard football match can fail to see a foul from two yards away is just beyond me. Referee's should have a standard of fitness to be a pre-requisite of the job because he was miles away from the play.

Couldn't agree less there, he looks particularly good one on one, just waits and steps in to take the ball away. Looks like a top central defender in a team in disarray to me. Think I posted a similar response to this a while ago. Winning one on ones appears to be one of his real strengths. I cant recall seeing many defenders that win one on ones to the extent he does.

You would of thought Coloccini has had a great season so far with statements like that. Well I personally believe that statement will turn out to be correct. Not that it is actually saying much. Based on? Based on what I've seen of him of course. I think you are judging him quite harshly looking at what you've said above.

You would of thought Coloccini has had a great season so far with statements like that. Well I personally believe that statement will turn out to be correct. Not that it is actually saying much.

Beye will make more space for him now he's back by overlapping him, pulling the opposition out of position and letting him float some balls in from deep. Good point, hopefully you are correct.

Geremi tends to either lose the ball or give it away with a poor pass if he is closed down quickly. He's only really effective if he has time on the ball and he doesnt particularly make space for himself to have the time.

Beye has just recently said he's been playing on pain all pre-season leading up to now so I can imagine that would have affected his performances. I'm sure Beye will back to how he was last season after a few games back in the side.

I haven't seen anything from Guthrie to suggest he offers the side the defensive cover that Butt does or better positive passing then Geremi does. Not quite sure what Keegan saw in Guthrie personally wouldn't have him anywhere near the side. Wow, I couldnt disagree with this more.

I would personally be quite pissed off if Guthrie makes way and Butt retains his place.

Thats the lineup I just jotted down on a post-it (bored at work). I think Butt will probably be in there though. Edit: I had Bassong in for Enrique

Sunny Thanet!

I honestly fail to see how someone can feign a 6 month injury. If someone has lots of little injuries I'd be suspect but not a long injury. Maybe I'm being naive.