Trumpet

Double digits for goals and assists in the league at age of 19 is impressive for any player, no matter they play for Liverpool or Norwich. Of course he'd look worse of managed by a dinosaur like Hodgson compared to Rodgers. He is a lot better central, and interchanging, but he was instructed to be strictly on the wing tonight which was disappointing.

Anyone else reckons Rooney at 18 was better than Rooney now ? I think he is hinderance to the team. Would be a great super sub.

^ Agreed with that, but thing is, Norwich are one team in the league that has not even had a 2-3 game decent run all season. I can think of every other of the 19 teams and think of an occasion when they got 2-3 decent results consecutively, whereas Norwich, is just Boom. 1 WIN, then wilderness and losing for 5-6 games. then 1 win as the manager gets under pressure. Not to mention their summer investment and the fact that they are worse off the team they were last year. I still desperately want them to stay. They are a nice little club, and usually Suarez is fond of them. Their first XI on paper is a lot more appealing to the eye compared to some of the shite in bottom half of the table, but they just can't get it together consistently, and it's probably down to the manager.

I have a grand total of 5 players available for selection next week. Anyone else facing the same problem? Massive H-2-H game ahead against bottom team, so I may fluke it, though it could decide the title. Any trick to get around this, and then revert back to normal next week ?

Norwich's last 4 games are Liverpool (h), Man Utd (a), Chelsea (a), Arsenal (h). I think 37 points will be enough for survival this year,so Norwich will need 9 points from Stoke (h), Saints (a), Sunderland (h), Swansea (a), WBA (h), and Norwich (a). Seeing they are absolutely shit away from home (How they won at Britannia is a mystery to all), They have to put up some wins on the board. Easier said that done. Fulham still have a minimal chance, but Cardiff are fucked IMO. Shocking team, can't score, and a disasterous defense. Can see them not reaching the 30 points.

Some very nice games tomorrow. West London derby should be good. Don't think it's as much of a banker for Chelsea as some people think. Magath's first home games, and Fulham usually put up a decent fight vs. Chelsea at home (last season aside). Stoke have lost 2 home games all Season, none of them to City/Chelsea/Everton/Man Utd , and really deserved a point last week at Etihad. Still in danger and will play out of their skin. They hate Arsenal, anyways and haven't lost to them at Britannia since 2010. Should be a good game Then West Ham who are the form team, and barely concede, against Everton who have forgotten how to score. Won't be as straightforward for Everton as it would have been a month ago. then Saints vs. Liverpool. Saints have won the last 2 games vs. Liverpool, but their home form recently hasn't been good (1 win in 7, shipping 14 goals). Liverpool's away form is not too impressive (Despite scoring the most away goals in the league) and they haven't won away at Southampton since 2003. Big, nervy game. Hull vs. Newcastle ? If I was a betting man, 0-0 for sure.

I've been dismissing all the title talk so far....but if we get our first win at Southampton since 2003 tomorrow, then #Believe, may Just be ON (And no, not the Justin Bieber album). All those Saints' players called up by Hodgson, will be right up for it and be buzzing. So they'd either play out of their skin a level above their actual ability, or just try too hard in excitement and it backfires. Hope it's the latter. Looking forward to Sterling vs. Shaw

Full article about Mel. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26350661 Well, WBA and Man Utd don't play this week because of Sunderland and City, but next week, they play each other at Hawthorns. Fair to say whoever lose, the manager's position will be under immense pressure.

The second game is their biggest game of the season now, and they need to win by 3 clear goals. 3 days after hosting Liverpool. They've won by 3 clear goals only 4 times all season, in 39 tries. Swansea (A), Villa (A), and Leverkusen (A). Only once at home and it was 4-0 to Norwich at COC Still think they'll scrape through though, but it's still very entertaining

Man Utd vs. Liverpool game is 3 days before the return leg. Hope Moyes rests his big guns there.

Grant Wahl and his pals before the game on Fox Soccer pre-game: "United have turned a corner with their last 2 results, and are only going to get stronger this season. I think they still have a very great chance of getting top 4 spot, and this should be straight forward for them" All journos/commentators/ etc still under the delusion that Fergie is manager. Will take a bit of time for everyone to face the reality.

David Moyes. one of my favourite people on planet at the moment

He is Iran's first choice striker. Has a nearly 1 in 1 record for national team, and scored the winning goal in Seoul for Iran to qualify. You'll see him in WC. So today's games. Klopp has gone defensive, and Olympiacos seem to have an injury crisis in addition to selling their best 2 players, but they are always good at home. any predictions ? (Kaka) ?

Not having it. My history here shows I am one of the most pessimistic fans around, always looking for a reason to moan, but the numbers don't lie mate. Ferguson retiring, Lukaku getting injured, and AVB being negative has had zero effect on our strike force scoring 70 goals in 27 games. It's a premier league record. None of Wenger's "beautiful football", "invincibles", "youth project" sides, Ferguson's title winning sides in Prem era, Keegan's Newcastle or even Ancelotti's free-scoring Chelsea side of 09-10 scored that many goals in 27 games. It's not a great record, it's a breathtaking one, that is all dependent on Liverpool itself, and not the rivals weakening. This has been coming coming for a long time. Since losing at home to Man Utd in September of 2012 (Rodgers' 5th game in charge), the team has lost 10 in 60 league games. We've lost one set of back-to-back fixtures with Rodgers, and that being away at City and Chelsea, separated by 3 days for an injury ravaged squad. Despite the indifferent defensive form, the team is not easy to beat the slightest, due to its attacking flow. On December 25th, we were top. If the league started on January 1st, we'd be top. It's time to compare the team with the 3 who people count as "dog's bollocks" I feel. We've been closer to them all season, than the 3 below. We could very well go on and implode now, losing games left, right centre, and lose the 4th spot. It could happen. Natalie Portman could also divorce her husband, and propose to me after weekend date. That could happen too. But evidence of last 1.5 years, and most statistical models and common sense says those 2 are unlikely to happen. The team has this position on merit, and not because of other teams' incompetence, in my opinion.

Think we'll do City at Anfield, but Chelsea is a different kettle of fish, but the game could be sandwiched between their CL Semi-ties if they are there, so that'd be a big advantage. More concerned about next week at St. Mary's though. They are a bit of bogey team for us lately, so it'd be a massive result if we get 3 points there. Also considering both Chelsea and Arsenal have tough away games on the same day (Chelsea play a local derby, and Stoke have lost 2 at home all season).

Poland vs. Germany in October 2014. Waiting for stadium announcements, but this could be a great game. Was a shame that Poland choked against Czech in last game of Euro 2012 group stage, because the stage was all set for the dream quarter final vs. Germany at Gdansk Arena. Would have been a cracking game. No one hates the Germans as much as Poles, so this game could be carnage. Poland have changed managers as well, so be interesting to see if Lewandowski will be more useful in the new set up.

Not good enough away from home and they are still playing without real pressure. I agree that our performances away from home leave much to be desired, but it's interesting that Chelsea only have 3 more away points than us with the same number of games played. City only 2 points more. Arsenal and Spurs have been tremendous away from home, but their away form is league dominating, as opposed to league title challenging.

Why would you say that ? Had a dip in form after his personal-life issues with a couple of random girls, and new contract got into his head, but seems totally committed in the game and very unselfish since December on the pitch. no more controversy off it either. A couple of examples now of him being selfish and ball greedy, as well as bad mouthing team mates that tell him as much. Fair enough. Haven't seen him mouth off team mates, he actually is Suarez' best pal in the team weirdly. Always hugging him first after goals and with him in all training pics. The one player that always mouthed off senior players in our team is Jack Robinson who's setting some red-card record at Blackpool on loan in Championship this term. It's also interesting that back in October, Townsend seemed shoe-in for England XI for WC, but now with Sterling and Ox in great form, Hodgson has some decisions to make.

It was Howard Webb to be fair. A bit like criticizing that Iraqi reported for throwing a shoe at Bush.

Yea. He's brought the swagger back to Swansea. Very impressed with them today, If Laudrup was still there, their heads would have gone at 2-0 and it would have turned into a toning. They were very sharp. Having said that, it'll be tough for them in Naples. They played the same team as thursday today and it was a high intensity game, they'll be pretty tired on Thursday as I am certain Rafa will rotate half of his team in Napoli's game tomorrow.

Why would you say that ? Had a dip in form after his personal-life issues with a couple of random girls, and new contract got into his head, but seems totally committed in the game and very unselfish since December on the pitch. no more controversy off it either.

Still longing for a good ol' solid 2-0 win with clean sheet. One day man, One day.

Looks like Sky picked the wrong game for broadcast. It's the first time ever I smoked a cigarette on Sunday morning after a sober Saturday night. Genuinely bad game for the heart. Glad you won as well !

Portugal and Denmark in the same group for 3536743th time this decade. Obviously, Bendtner will score a hattrick in their match up as per usual

Group I is pretty challenging. Poland Germany will be fun, and Christ. That's a tough draw for Iceland. Group A as a whole will be competitive I feel (aside from the fact that holland will dick everyone in qualifiers as per usual)