OTF

Intentionally said 'some' of those.

I agree, but the real cause of the problem is FIFA and in this case the English FA who don't retrospectively deal with simulation. The application of the rules is such that players increase their chance of getting decisions in their favour when they overplay contact. In cases like this where the player anticipates the contact and reacts prior to it actually happening it's particularly annoying. Gerrard is a bandit for that style of milking it - probably tried to teach Carroll. Very seldom is there a negative reaction from a referee for that variety of simulation. Basically the reward is great and the risk is minimal and therefore it will continue. It was a penalty though unfortunately.

The answer to your question was in the Chelsea game. I do prefer that we try to play to best utilise our attacking players, but you have to appreciate the talents of opposing sides - particularly some of those with wage bills vastly in excess of ours. A fullback like Enrique would leave be with no concerns as he has the pace, strength and defensive prowess to not need the cover. At the moment we don't have that in either of our fullbacks. Santon is improving in high level terms (despite a relatively poor showing verse Chelsea) so hopefully we will have that from him soon.

My thoughts on this match FWIW. On the whole I thought we went there with the right attitude and a positive game plan, it wasn't executed properly on all front and here's why I think that was - Our midfield and forwards failed to work together throughout, the forward balls to Ba and Cisse often found their target but left them isolated with no direct outs. Cabaye in particular didn't play well in this respect. On top of this I thought Chelsea defended well. Our defense as a unit did well for much of the game, but gave them a few chances through lapses and poor positioning. To this end Santon was the weak link. His positioning and decision making was off. He made a lot of forward runs that didn't help and consequently left him out of position. On the other side I thought Simpson had a reasonable game. Chelsea are a tough team to play with Hazard and Torres in particular having the accelleration and control to burn past defenders. This meant that our defense - Taylor in particular game them a little too much space. Anita's let out for the penalty was soft and annoying, but was still a penalty. We can hope that he'll learn that in a league like this forwards are conditioned to play for that inside the box so stick your leg out if you're not 99% sure you'll get the ball is a bad decision. Other than this though he looks like an enthusiastic, skilled player with good accelleration and a great engine who should be of immense value across what should be a long season. Ben Arfa again showed the close control, skill and reading of the defense that makes him such a threat, shame that he kind of shanked it when he worked himself some space on his preferred left. He looks right on top of his game at the minute, making the right passing options depending where he is on the pitch (ie. not trying to dribble it out from the back). Overall I'm not too disappointed with the way the game played out, as others have noted three points from these two league fixtures is a solid start to the season especially if we turn over the Greek side at home. Krul 7 Simpson 6 Colo 7.5 Taylor 6.5 Santon 5.5 HBA 8 Jonas 7 Cabaye 5.5 Anita 6.5 Ba 6.5 Cisse 6 Subs weren't really on long enough to rate.

Wages would be ridiculous though.

I don't think 9 changes will be typical. At this stage of the season you can understand it, particularly playing weak opposition. With our squad not fully conditioned you risk fatigue and injury trying to squeeze that many games in over such a short period. The heat would have amplified it. On the whole it's a positive result. If we can't turn them over at home we don't deserve to progress.

Decent result, crap performance.

Encouraging to see Campbell so obviously enthusiastic.

He's just made a decent run as well. Given his first half anything he does that is decent looks great in comparison.

Did nothing special, but had some decent touches.

Somehow Obertan still out there.

Amalfitano/Cabaye for Gosling, Jonas for Obertan, Campbell for Cisse - not all at once obviously.

Lovely free-kick. Salvaged the first half. They'll be shattered. We still need to make changes obviously.

Thankyou Ryan Taylor!

Has been embarrassing. Should at least be running at them, but no, gets the ball, slows it down and oft turns it over anyway!

That too.. whoops. Sorry Tim

Krul shouldn't have come out also.. Hope this spurs us into life.

Crap. WAy too easy.

Obertan crap thus far.

Likewise please. Have one at atdhe dot tw, but could be better.

Perch would be hovering somewhere in between. Was certainly bad/ugly initially but since his second coming he's been in the good side. Limited yes, but for the price has done very well especially when you consider how horribly poor he looked. To this day I am still astounded with how far along he has come - but still not totally convinced that we'll see old Perch come out again on occassion. Given Santon's age and coming from a different league I don't thin you could say that his signing has been anything but good. The best part about it as far as I'm concerned is that he's continually getting better.

There's more to a players involvement than out and out attack, some people here proving and re-proving their lack of understanding.

How utterly embarrassing for them if that's the case, and come to think of it, even if that's not the case how utterly embarrassing for them!

He's the most fouled player in the whole of the league. Him getting 'tackled' more or less means we win a free-kick which creates a scoring opportunity - and equates to end product from Jonas. If other teams could handle him he'd not get fouled. That clearly isn't the case so removing him from the side would not only be taking out an everpresent who works his butt off and creates plenty of opportunities but would also be making it easier for other teams. Anita will and should be used for his midfield versatility and to cover for times when the likes of Tiote and Cabaye are injured/suspended/unavailable.

Couldn't see him giving two hoots if playing for Sunderland. Would redefine 'casual'. Of course he won't go there anyway.