Altamullan

What would need to happen for you to change your opinion of somebody being s***? Not being a sheep, great. But that means not being a ewe or a ram, I.e. Keep battering your heed against something irrespective of how useful it is to do so. And the manager being 'wrong' thing, tricky one also. Overconfidence in their beliefs rings a death knell for failing managers, but at least they ... mostly ... have some basis to be confident in their beliefs. Every f**ker has a strong opinion about their football team. What differentiates Terry Venables from Terry F**kwit, IMO, is a bit of perspective and balance in the way the views are shared.

I think it SMc's call to choose the formation, if he is going to persist with a 4231, then I think Anita and Colback are the obvious '2' with Tiote as another option. Is this the best formation, for us, in general. I don't know; a lot seem to be playing it now. He changed this yesterday though, the actual tactical jiggery-pokery was beyond me as watching on TV, not at ground (which, depending on your seat, IMO gives you a much better appreciation of what we're trying to do tactically -- with and without the ball). I'm not against fans criticizing or disliking/preferring certain players, that would be madness. I'm just saying keep some perspective, monitor what you're saying to yourself, remember you are a 'supporter...' .

Well said. You can't tell if he's on form or off form, because he's the kind of player that does absolutely nothing of note. Maybe he'll never really be off form precisely because what he does is extremely basic. I don't mind that in its essence, as long as this basic stuff actually contributes to getting positive results. At the moment it's a total waste of a shirt apart from a couple of last ditch tackles. It's funny (weird not ha,ha) how once formed, a strong opinion doesn't really need much evidence to keep,it going, just about anything that happens can be grist for the mill. A crucial (and brave) challenge in the box becomes the risky action of a liability. A cracking pass just highlights the 'fact' he 'never' does this. I think Guthrie was better, and he's struggliing in the championship (well there you go then.' No arguing with that....) becomes evidence that we're evidently playing with 9 men.... You get the picture. It is great to see the passion and desire our team produces. And we all want the same thing, if we didn't care no one would get hot and bothered about their favoured scapegoat. However, it is naive, disrespectful (to the shirt holder)and on occasion to others who have to suffer the continual negativity, and just plain dodgy reasoning, to not be aware of your own bias. Jack Colback, and Vurnon Anita, for that matter, have been asked to play roles which are not the most attention grabbing/ swashbuckling or creative. Search for some comparative facts, thing you'll have to entertain the idea that they are both quite good at it. The former has around 130 top flight games under his belt, was called up 12 months ago for the full national team. Scored 4 and assisted half a dozen goals last year, a season in which his willingness to dig-in and keep going/pulled us out of the s**t on a number of occasions. The latter has just been called up to his national team. If you set your mind against them, you'll continue to see evidence to support their 'evident inadequacy'. Give the lads a break, even thought the shirt's still emblazened with the stamp of shame, it is still the shirt; please show the lads wearing it and doing their best for it, the respect they deserve.

Gini went out left when Petez went off. Still kept involved, and tracked back well./provided cover for Haidara. Whilst he may not have had many 'name checks' he still looked continually involved, from what I can remember. I would have had him alongside Anita as other contenders for MoM (agreed with Colo). Gini seemed involved in a lot of our more promising movements: with and without the ball. I particularly liked how he seemed to buoy up his teammates and generally strut/sprint around with a F***you-ed-ness confidence, a kind of belief that he was the best in his position and he would show that to all. Peacock tail in full show (..not Ala Dazza). I know, that may sound a bit fanciful and isn't a list of did this, did that, but it is the best I can capture in words my sense of him in that game. IMO, a class act; you wouldn't want to play against him, you'd want him on your side (pitch, debate, fight, trenches).

Really? Are those the only two reasons people could have a different opinion to you Sir Alf, Jose, Sir Bobby, Pepe... Oh! sorry, it's Shak isn't it. FWIW, I think the kind of player (role, not quality) Colback is, is the most likely to be unappreciated. Today, I thought he didn't perform as well as he usually does. Normally, I greatly admire his contribution. His statistics look good, as do his match ratings. So it seems there might be some basis to the JC is 'useful' hypothesis other than inattention or ignorance ( reading that sentence back -JC bit - makes me want to develop a Kenny Everett brother-lee-love thang, but I can't be arsed and MOTD is on!!)

[pulls helmet firmly down on head...] I am generally an admirer of JC. There you are, said it....INCOMING!!! However, I looked at his performance today and noticed the kind of things I've been tutting at on here. I do think he was up against top class opponents (thinking about who he mainly came into contact with) but bar a couple of good blocks, a tackle or two, and decent work rate I didn't appreciate his performance as much today, even when he pushed forward a bit. Whereas noticed/ appreciated Anita more than I ever have.

At least there are Man City fans out there who have been down the league's, and had to watch in as their rivals won everything. Meanwhile Chelsea fans were going round beating people and being thugs. Amen to that brother. I had two kickings from Chelsea fans (adults) before I was 16; home and away. The home one (Central Station) I wasn't even going to the match! My son supports City (local team ... Lucky BA....boy). And when I take him it feels far more tolerable (Particularly League Cup...) than the dreaded red alternative would have done.

Doubt we will play two strikers; at least not very often. Think I prefer Austin too, but underwhelmed as strangely 'bonded' to Mitro already. Actually since that pic at Hilton, when he looked like a proper Gateshead lad, just strolling out of Wheelers...albeit 20 years earlier (...must have Chancel). Attachment reinforced today, when raw as he is he was totally up for it and honest. What you see, is what .... shatters yer cheekbones!

The bar counts in my mind...in lots of ways!

Didn't notice him that much today, due to nature of the game/time he had. But I'm clinging on to that one move with Haidara, who missed great opportunity (otherwise H had some great moments) to return the ball into space for Florian to fly into. With time, and a fair wind, we've got some quite exceptional ball players in this squad. Looking forward to watching them work it out.

Still wouldn't be surprised to see Austin rock up, and Cisse slope off. Feel kinda strangely underwhelmed by both possibilities.

Suspect, for better or worse, this is the furrow he will plough. Love the guy already, but in the way I love my bounding sometimes feckless puppy. Thought he had a good game, not ripping up any trees. Loved seeing him helping out at right back, loved him moaning at our guys who hadn't been on the end of his misplaced pass, loved the strength, f**king loved the header. He's 20, we'll get him fitter than he's ever been. He'll have easier afternoons, and more crosses. Looking forward to seeing him develop: "come here Mitro, come on, Howay son..."

Gazza vs. Germany...

You make him sound like Ginola, and that would be just... Just.. .Peachy!

Good on ye Greg Satisfying for predicting head and supporting heart.

spot-on. Suspect this may be a feature of games against (perceived to be) better teams/where we are expected to be on the back foot.

There are plenty of teams who will run into trouble at Swansea. MU look pedestrian at the moment.

Scholes has the charisma of a poodle turd...unusual appearance which briefly captures your attention, until it turns out to be still just a ...

Thought the same: 'sliding doors' moment. Never know if it may have created a problem we didn't see, but felt sure Rolando would have joined Gini more quickly.

Mbemba looked deeply uncomforatble first 15, kept driftign inside, and was caught out of position at least three times. Played well after this. So this may change, but I'd rather see him at CB, and I suspect he would rather play there. Think we need to use our best players, especially if this doesn't involve playing them out of position.

Tim Krul interview: "We have some real quality in the changing room [now] we just have to start believing how good we are." That's what we want to hear. A bit of self-belief and arrogance creeping in into the squad.

AWWWWWWW man

Mitro knackered or injured?