Neil

"I was going to make about seven changes to the game but when I saw yesterday's result I changed that because we knew if we got a result it would put us in a fantastic position." Quite the endorsement of his squad players.

Yup. £40 on them winning and £10 on the -1. Leave allegiances out of it - they were quite simply great value at 8/11 (5/6 some places) for the win and 2/1 for -1. Doesn't mean I was hurling all sorts of abuse at the screen when Naismith's boring fucking face appeared.

Man Utd did a job on us today, fair play. We were barely able to create anything, and Fergie definitely played defensively today, especially in the 2nd half. Can't blame him either, they won the game in the 1st half so there's no need to risk us coming back. For the neutral though that would've been shit. Don't think I've seen them play so defensively/rigidly at home in quite some time.

Completely went to script. Man Utd score early, we then play fairly well for 20-30 mins without doing that much, they score before HT to make it comfortable. Textbook performance from us at one of the big teams. Could get messy if Man Utd want to go for it.

Basically a full strength side apart from Carrick. Would expect nothing less. Especially after the 4-4, Fergie will have put a rocket up them to get the win today and even if we play very well, it's hard to make a case for us getting something. If you were in a bit of mediocre form I'd fancy it but not today.

Man Utd are, unfortunately, good value.

Carroll barely looks bothered. Shame as there's a real powerful striker in there but he's just not performing.

Hmm, I was hoping there'd at least be a couple of shots on target.

Worst half of football I've watched all season. It's all good and well putting your faith in youngsters, but Villa's youngsters are shit. Can't control the football, look scared to go forward.

Good point, think I'll take the risk too and transfer him out today, can see him losing 0.3/0.4.

Benteke anytime. I know Villa have scored fuck all at home this year but I think he's in really good form and West Ham have been very suspect away from home themselves.

Win to nil @ 9/4 -1 @ 2/1 Win both halves @ 4/1 Can't really argue with that, tbf.

Their price has been on the drift for a few days. Saw them at 4/7 in a couple of places earlier in the week, you can get 5/6 in some places now. Trust me there is minimal danger of us winning, but don't discount a draw. I guess Man City's result might have swung some people's minds - maybe some are thinking Fergie will rest a couple? I'd expect a full-strength squad regardless of the Real match and SAF to tell them to go out there and twat us.

Pique storms forward and scores a 6th.

Funf, Iniesta.

CGI.

At the right price, I would have him at Everton. I'm convinced if he puts the effort in there's a damn good player there. I dunno, I guess that flies in the face of evidence to the contrary but I really think he could be a very good footballer if he put his mind to it. Obviously will bow to the better judgement of those who've seen him more.

The Reading vs Villa match in a few weeks is going to be massive, especially if Villa don't win tomorrow. Reading win it and they will stay up in my opinion, Villa win and and I think they will stay up, if it's a draw then the winner will be whoever is outside of the relegation zone going into the game. QPR and Wigan are down, simple as that. Except it really isn't as simple as that. We all know there are some odd results near the end of the season when teams are scrapping for their lives - not least of all Wigan have shown that to be the case year after year. The Reading v Villa game will be big but just as much for confidence/momentum purposes as for the 3 points. Just because one wins doesn't mean the other can't catch them up quite easily.

Johnson is such an odd one. Perhaps he was overrated when he broke through and stupidly went to Man City but there's obvious talent there. Just can't seem to get any sort of consistency.

Like the wording.

A month or so ago I remember saying Norwich were in danger of getting sucked into the battle and I think that even more so now. Another game they would have thought they'd have a good chance of 3 points, only 1. Granted, Villa and others will have to pick up a fair few points but Delia's lot will be looking very nervously over their shoulders currently.

I just think Sunderland are in a long-term predicament. The players they've bought under Bruce and O'Neill, with the odd exception, have simply been different shades of shit. Mediocre players aren't going to get you anywhere in this league. It seems that for many, many years they've needed some proper creative drive from midfield. They need a Cabaye, they need an Osman, they need someone who can create something from midfield. Until then their main hope is nicking wins here and there (with the very occasional more comprehensive win thrown in there) but when the defence isn't up to scratch, they're screwed. Simply put, they need 3 or 4 very decent players if they're going to turn into a decent contender for the top 7ish. And by very decent, that doesn't mean Craig Gardner or John O'Shea. Couple of defenders, couple of midfielders. On the plus side, I think Fletcher is a good striker for a mid-table side, possibly upper mid table, and Sessegnon and Johnson on their day are very good players IMO. That's a good attacking trio to work off, but where's the support?

I definitely think IP has just pulled a funny there. I thought it was funny.

Thought Jenkinson's been quite good from what I've seen of him (not today obviously ) I'd have probably kept him in the team ahead of Sagna when he came back from injury.