AyeDubbleYoo

Fair assessment. I would have liked to see Ferguson on the left to provide some genuine balance to the team, playing Barton out there was bizarre. Also in hindsight playing Ranger might have been a good idea, Loven was invisible against their defence. The Power Ranger also has something to prove after the West Ham game. Nolan had one of those games we know he's capable of, utterly invisible and bossed by more athletic players. The amount of times he was running back towards our goal, chasing a player who had gone straight through his position, was painful to watch.

What's dishonest about Smith? Genuine question.

During the game I wasn't thinking we were being outplayed really. They were doing well to make the game congested and close us down, and we weren't passing the ball around enough. It was basically a non-game that we took the wrong approach to creating chances and they got a boost from a highly lucky goal. We play a game that suits these lower-league sides... pumping balls towards their giant CBs was never going to work, but it's our main tactic at the moment.

There's no reason to think we'll play anything like today. It's a totally different ball game, the FA Cup away to Stevenage is such a different situation in so many ways. I've got faith we'll bounce back.

Is it the referee's decision whether to rescind it? I always thought it was independent.

How could there be an outcry for the player to be banned? He tackled cleanly, won the ball and didn't injure the player.

If we're not going to take the cup seriously and go all-out then it's never going to offer us anything but disappointment. I just can't bring myself to be too gutted about this result, we just didn't seem to be bothered about going out. Being 'free to concentrate on the league' is such a big thing now. The cups will be totally meaningless in a few years.

It's an error/inconsistency that a lot of managers make in these situations - they don't care about the cup enough to play their best team, but suddenly when they're losing they lose their nerve and bring on the big players. Look at Ancelloti when we knocked Chelse out of the CC... brought on Kalou and Benayoun and they both got injured.

It won't be overturned, but it should be really.

ESPN getting the wining manager on to do the post-match analysis, that's a new one

Don't think we were outplayed at all, both teams were terrible. We obviously don't care about the FA Cup, that showed on the pitch.

Absolutely never a sending off. We should never have brought Tiote on TBF - if we cared about the cup we should have played the first team originally.

Shouldn't it be "fuck's sake"?

I do chuckle every time I see Beckford like, his signing is comedy gold.

The bloke who runs the catering is class, always get a nice cup of tea.

Nee idea.

What about Jamie O'Hara from Spurs? Always looked lively, can cover LW and LB.

(Don't think Larsson will be anywhere near the left side of the pitch though)

I've always thought he stood out as one of their best players when I've seen him, pretty sharp. Although TBF I've only watched full Birmingham games a handful of times.

Loaning players to clubs in the same division definitely shouldn't be allowed IMO. If they want to give a player experience, send them down a division, if they're good enough for the Prem then play them or let them leave.

I don't want to write Guthrie off, but it doesn't look good for him. He needs to put some serious work in on his physique and sprint speed if he's going to make it in the Premiership. Not he will have many chances to play by the looks of things.

Agree with you mainly merlin, but a bit harsh on Ranger surely? His progress has been pretty good so far, and I don't get the sense he isn't trying. He's only been involved in very limited situations and for a few minutes at a time - a difficult thing for any striker, never mind one that's so young. The miss was terrible, but let's not overstate its importance... it happens to everybody.

He didn't deserve to get sent off against Arsenal IMO, very harsh. Sagna didn't either really, although he was more aggressive. A couple of yellows would have done fine.

Fack off (Joking)

I like Smith for the fire in his belly, but as a footballer he's poor and I'd be happy to see him depart. If he went I would worry about our DM cover, but then I worry about that when he's playing!