OTF

Yep, part of me puts it at some sort of battered wife/stockholm syndrome effect in that after all the shit we've copped we're still somehow hopeful that it will all change and he'll suddenly start making the right decisions.

If we could I'm sure it would just trigger Ashley to sell more in the off-season.

Honestly though if the 35m was well invested next season and Ashely was prepared to [ay decent wages we're not that far off competing with the best teams in the league. Heck on our day this season we've been able to. We're extremely thin on in certain areas, but with some wise movements in the player market, increased wages (don't even need to be at the Michael Owen level tbh) and a continued good moral in the squad anything* is possible. Shame it's all a dream with that fucking fucking cunt in charge. * - By that I mean top 6 pushing for top 4.

Heres hoping.

I'll be gutted when Jose leaves. It's a fucking travesty that we don't have owners that are willing to build on that sort of talent. With Jose, Tiote, Ben Arfa, Barton and Carroll we were honestly not that far off being able to compete for a top 6 finish. Once you're there 4th is not too far off. Given our attendances and supporter base it's ridiculous that Manchester has two teams that compete on a different financial level. There's no reason why we shouldn't be above the level of Spurs.

...and after watching this game I'm glad we weren't in for Bentley. He's a hog who thinks he's better than he is. Seb Larsson was largely anonymous as well. I have a feeling we may head back there in the summer, though there'll possibly be a little more interest in him from others given that he'll be available on a free. I'd definitely rather we picked up a pacier option to play out wide.

I certainly wasn't happy that he went off. Was doing nothing for them.

Great result. I think it's safe to say that we're not going to be relegated, which is great to be able to do with more than 10 games remaining in the season. Jonas for me was MOTM in this one. Two very good assists and quality in possession throughout. He didn't put in any useless shots, and his link up play and vision with several players was very good. Noone really had a bad game for us, but several players could have been better. Colo solid at the back, though he and Williamson did a good job to nullify Zigic who has been in decent form apparently. Colo has value beyond his defensive ability in that he's a good passer who is confident and calm in possession (by contrast Williamson has a traditional central defenders mindset of getting rid of the ball by hoofing it as soon as possible, which in his case is probably best). Our whole defensive unit worked well together, playing the offside trap nicely. Enrique we know is very good, but Simpson too deserves credit. He's been in good form since returning from injury and rightfully has earnt his calling as a first choice right back. Tiote, class. For me summed up his value when he chased Bentley from within their half. Bentley passed it off, and had the return ball played nicely into his path beating Williamson in the process. Had Tiote not chased back Bentley would have been clean in on goal, but thankfully he did and was there to get a clean block on Bentley's shot. Kudos. If they'd scored there I'd say they would have been in with a good shout to push for an equaliser. Nolan didn't have a particularly busy game, but played his part making some tackles and generally making a nuisance of himself. Barton wasn't in the greatest form, but did move the ball around nicely for the most part. Birmingham are pretty decent at defending set pieces at the best of times, they didn't really have any trouble with anything from Barton here. Worth noting that Barton copped some very harsh decisions from the ref, but did well to keep his cool. Fantastic finish from Lovenkrands for the first. He tried hard, making runs and closing down while he was out there. Deserves credit. Best wasn't particularly good but worked hard at winning headers throughout. Went and did the remarkable by scoring off his head, though the cross did a lot of the hard work for him.

Martins off... Bad because he's done Nothing except be offside...

Jonas on fire... And what's this? A Best headed goal!!!! Amazing

Good cross Jonas, and a better finish from Lovemkrands! You beauty!

Should come with a refund option if all of the 35m isn't spent and accounted for in the summer.

Shut up TBH.

I'd prefer not to gauge our results off our possibly worst performance of the season. ...and Carroll scored in that match. The worst performance, by a mile, was the Bolton game. Man Utd away wasn't great either but that was the first match of the season and against a great side away from home so it can easily be excused. You're right... but I wasn't wrong

I'd prefer not to gauge our results off our possibly worst performance of the season. ...and Carroll scored in that match. He's injured anyway, so selling him hasn't cost us 2 points TBH Not saying it did, but you were the one who brought up Carroll. You could make a good argument that selling him without replacing him could have cost us two points, assuming we didn't buy someone else who was similarly crocked.

I'd prefer not to gauge our results off our possibly worst performance of the season. ...and Carroll scored in that match.

easily his best option in that spot, you'd have no doubt creamed yourself if it came off Attempting a back heel (and kicking the ball into his own leg and to a Blackburn player) was his best option? Sorry, but NO. Barton got frustrated in the second half and got progressively worse with his crossing, and set pieces. You can understand his frustration.

Just had a good chance to win it (West Ham). West Ham must have bottled it big time. Poor Woy (when he officially takes over). Edit - whoops

0-0 the one that got away.

Fucking ridiculous booking for Barton... idiot ref...

Kuqi on in the 90th minute..

Didn't know Bette Midler was a toon fan.

Salgado must feel like retiring after this match.

Kuqi warming up.

Tiote and Olsson? Tiote got a yellow for it, the ref was playing advantage. Tiote was reacting to the foul from Olsson on him which the refs missed.