Parsley

2-1 Saints. Davis again

Pretty sure Advocaat resigned like.

Down.

Yep, just. Tight though.

Wow. Brilliant goal.

Horses for courses. Play Shelvey against teams that sit deep, go with Colback and Tiote otherwise.

Filthy nutmeg on Wickham in the first half.

Do find it pretty presumptuous to rule Norwich out as many in the media seem to be doing. 2 home games against Watford and Man Utd - 4 points there isn't exactly out of the question - and a winnable fixture away at Everton on the last day. That would have them finishing on 38 points. Pessimistic thinking maybe, and I know that form isn't particularly on their side, but a strong performance against the Mancs could well turn it. 38 would require us to win our last 2 and for the Mackems to win 2 out of 3. A couple of twists and turns still to be had IMO, and the Villa game is an absolute must-win. Worryingly, they have started to find the net (2 against Saints last week, another 2 yesterday); with our away form being as bad as it is, it is far from being a banker. Win though and the pressure is right on Sunderland and Norwich to keep pace. I'm a 7 at the moment. Already bricking it thinking about next weekend though!

Thought he was fine - quiet, but decent enough on the ball when called upon. Did very well in the first half to put Townsend through twice. Most of our play tends to come down the right as well - first with Sissoko/Janmaat, now with Townsend/Anita - which probably doesn't help.

5 mins What the fuck for.

Pen in the Sunderland game.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/29/alan-pardew-accused-making-absurd-decisions-lee-chung-yong-crystal-palace

He used to play for them, came through their youth system. Barely makes it any better like. Suppose Dortmund did similar with Reus to be fair.

Bayern have opened talks with Mats Hummels apparently. Shameless

Eh? He got the Real job almost directly after leaving Napoli didn't he?

Not a chance he'd go to Everton IMO.

Rafa doesn't give a f*** about "man management". There is the plan. The tactics. The endless drills. Either a player is mature and professional enough to do his job, or he'll be replaced. He'll also be out if he's too dumb to follow Rafa's instructions. At Melwood, he'd spend hours holding the ball in his hands and walking about the pitch, while the players had to move into the appropriate position relative to the ball. Absolute discipline. And he doesn't f*** about. He didn't hesitate to replace Dudek with Reina, even after the Dude's legendary performance in Istanbul, and Riise was gone after his batshit header against Chelsea. Dry as f*** is Rafa, but Super Effective™. A lot of the players who've worked under him don't like him. But they all respect him. Carra once said that he'd never had a conversation with Rafa that wasn't about football. I remember Sid Lowe telling a story about Rafa and Fernando Torres - can't remember whether it was at Liverpool or Chelsea. IIRC Torres had just become a father and the next day in training, Benitez came over to offer his congratulations and a handshake...for carrying out his instructions correctly at the game just gone Strictly business.

Danny Murphy really is an insufferable cunt.

Unreal little burst of pace from Martial there.

Played a great square pass with the outside of his boot for that Cisse chance in the second half. Was his best performance in a while today.

Really good again today. Played a major part in both goals.

Great 2nd half.

Light up the Mitro, Rafa.

Never a foul. Fucking hate Marriner.

Gini's been good since coming on.