oldtype

How glad are we that James Perch is our CM option when we're down to bare bones instead of Alan Smith?

We got a draw at Old Trafford, no reason to think that we're not capable of getting something here.

The excuse would be not spending until we've played the qualifier. Given the sneaky, underhanded way we usually operate, I'd think we'd try to get as many players in as possible under the pretense of CL football before we played the qualifier. whats sneaky or underhanded ? Not literally sneaky or underhanded, but we do try to take advantage of everything little thing we can.

Thing is, we're where we are right now because of the things that Pardew is good at. We could get a manager that's better at certain things, but there'd be no guarantee that we'd keep the strengths we already have. I reckon we could probably get a more tactically astute manager from somewhere, but would the new manager would command the respect of the players or be capable of working with Ashley and Llambias like Pardew? In any venture "right fit" is sometimes more important than objective ability, and there's no doubting that Pardew is the right fit for the club at the moment. Wouldn't trade him for anyone at this point. God knows I don't trust Ashley to make another managerial appointment.

The main problem with Santon at LB right now is that Jonas is right-footed too, so we have no actual crossing threat from the left side. Wouldn't be that bothered if we had a natural left-footed winger playing alongside him. Then again, in the long term I'd probably move Santon to the right before I moved Jonas.

The excuse would be not spending until we've played the qualifier. Given the sneaky, underhanded way we usually operate, I'd think we'd try to get as many players in as possible under the pretense of CL football before we played the qualifier.

Always with the Koreans. I talk about what I know man Couldn't tell you the first thing about Phillip Lahm's abilities and deficiencies so I won't even try.

I don't care how much ability he has, he's never going to amount to much with that terrible attitude. It's blatantly never going to work out with him and an "angry old man" type of manager like McLeish. Reckon Martinez probably managed him fairly well at Wigan. (The "velvet glove" approach, as Roeder used to call it.) I can imagine him being a poisonous influence in any dressing room. Ultimately glad we let him go and glad we didn't re-sign him. May he wander through a heap of mid-table clubs for the remainder of his career.

I obviously don't have a clue as to what's really the case, just theorizing as to why left-back might be his preferred position. Maybe this lad is just bad at crossing and better at cutting inside? If his crosses aren't that accurate anyway there wouldn't be much of an advantage to having him on the right hugging the touchline. Lee Young-Pyo was one of the best players to ever play for South Korea, and he was a right-footed left-back that was terrible at right-back. He had the same problem: great running with the ball at his feet but not much crossing ability.

Just suspend your disbelief for a moment and imagine what the build-up to summer would be like if we actually finished 4th. We could replace "The Carroll Money" with a brand new concept: "The CL Money"

Xisco. Oh man what a complete holocaust of a day that was

Somebody remind me of some shit players who scored cracking goals on their debuts so I can calm down and go to sleep

3rd place playoff. Fuck, those are annoying

We'll sit much deeper for this one - which we need to (without Cabaye/Tiote). Aye, I'm pretty sure Pardew will adopt the "sit deep and long ball up to front two" tactic we used against Man U. Wait, does that mean Shola is starting?

No offense but I hope about seven of those players pick up niggly muscle injuries over the next week.

If Ivory Coast lose to Gabon/Mali on Wednesday we might... Nah, best not get my hopes up.

In first with the obligatory "Bale/Lennon will rape Simpson" post

Are they making a big deal about this bullshit over there as well? What yanks?

ONE POINT OFF FOURTH That doesn't sound too bad

Apparent foul by Luiz before the handball too. Would've been hilarious if a third pen came there.

Dear Lord, what an effort, what a save.

Seven years, 200 appearances, and Rooney still won't pass to Park

Park in his 200th Man Utd appearance. Such a great achievement for ALL OF ASIA

Strikers with that kind of positional sense can make defenders look really stupid. Really difficult to man mark. Like umm.. Darren Bent.

I suspect AVB might not be in a job for much longer.