Neil

Just a feeling?

Chelsea 1-0.

The lizard-fish hybrid saying Villa should have had a penalty.

A simple £2 on Sunderland-Villa draw Bolton DNB Swansea DNB Burnley Norwich

Chris Whyatt reports: "Rarely - no, never - a dull moment with Harry Redknapp's ambitious Spurs. But that looks like two points lost. 'Digging deep' is Everton's middle name." It's been that tone from the BBC today. Brazil 1970 vs defensive bulldogs. Get with the times. Edit: and again - Tottenham failed to beat battling Everton despite producing some vibrant attacking football at White Hart Lane. The visitors took a 17th-minute lead against the run of play thanks to Leighton Baines's brilliant free-kick. But Spurs levelled three minutes later as Everton keeper Tim Howard flapped at a cross which Peter Crouch bundled back for Rafael Van der Vaart to crash home. The hosts went for a winner, but were unable to break Everton down in a second half which ended in frustration. ----------------- Pretty standard stuff I guess - media look for a rhetoric and will hammer it regardless of whether its accurate. Spurs edged it today, I can't deny that, but it was miles from a siege and I didn't see that much "vibrant, attacking football" apart from the odd move - I saw a lot more hoofing to Crouch.

Looks like he thinks he has now made it to the top level and does not need to try It's the effort I'm concerned about. He just doesn't look bothered.

I didn't see the build-up. Malcolm Allison?

It was a shame, for both sides, the football deteriorated as the 2nd half went on. I can understand you lot being tired but we played some poor, hopeless balls ourselves. But yeah, I'll gladly take a point. Got a few very winnable games coming up so I'd like to think we can continue this little run.

Could I interest Peter with some apple with that crumble at the end?

That'll do.

You can tell we lack a lot up front. Yakubu can hold it up all he likes but he doesn't have a natural partner to find, Cahill can only offer so much.

Unreal refereeing.

We're living dangerously with Crouch, yes. But a lot have been 50/50s, we've got some and you've got some. In terms of the game itself though you can't deny we deserve to be level, we've played just as well as you for the most part. However I am worried, again, that we're giving you room for shots from 25 yards and we can't do that with the quality you have. Certainly miss Arteta and Fellaini.

Tiote and Barton get a hold of the game and you'll win this 2-1. If not, 2-1 loss.

Great half for the neutral.

Arteta and Fellaini out but Pienaar able to play, thankfully. Fucking BBC btw. Fawning over Spurs as Brazil 1970 and assuming we'll just hoof it long for 90 minutes and sit in our own area.

Scary!

Ferguson is a great manager but I see little to suggest "he was in it" or that he had full control here. He was a desperate man and will be fucking relieved Rooney has decided to stay - Rooney on form will save Man Utd's season from dissolving into nothingness (by their standards).

Moderate Cockney-ish.... Reactionist?

Fair enough. Well I can't see Cattermole or Riveros causing you problems defensively, and I don't think Malbranque will really do that much. I can see Bramble being absolutely up for the game, Elmohamady (or however you spell that crazy man's name) has looked impressive thus far so he could be as a danger. Otherwise, it is up to you, ultimately, as the home side, to win the game.

Obviously, you can never guarantee stuff like this but if we use Mick's assessment as a relatively accurate one, is it too much to say he'll be playing again by late February?

This really is a finely balanced game at the moment. I suspect people are saying the key is to "keep Bent quiet" but this is the thing, Bent IS often quiet, and takes advantage of goalmouth scrambles, or a single lapse in defensive concentration. I think even more key will be how you deal with Henderson. He has grown to be a regular in their starting lineup and is going to be England quality sooner or later. If it is just a straight battle between Enrique and Henderson then it shouldn't be too bad but I think Bruce will recognise Enrique's quality and ask Henderson to drift inside - will you be able to deal with him centrally? I don't think Perch will struggle against Malbranque because the latter likes to drift inwards most of the time. In fact, I don't rate Malbranque much currently so I don't think that position will be your biggest concern.

With a fit squad I would have put my house on Everton DNB but now I can't see us winning at all. That said, Jags was supposed to be out for 2 weeks and he turned up last Sunday.

About 0.1% chance of it happening but you should absolutely go all out for him. Not that that means you'd have the money or he'd ever come.

They do. He's a great weapon when he can be arsed.