OTF

Butt is right in what he says, that we have at times thought we were too good to work hard. Butt though is well off the pace himself, so him working hard usually just means that his tackles are a little harder. When the game is run with any sort of pace he can't keep up with it - I think regardless of effort.

In two weeks time it's incredibly likely that we'll be in the bottom 3. Portsmouth a point ahead with a game in hand. Our next match will be away against Stoke. Stoke's home record is miles better than ours, having won 7 drawn 4 and lost only 3 for 25 points (we've won 4 drawn 6 and lost 4 - 18 points). It's likely then to conclude that we'll lose that match and be firmly in the drop zone, as low as 19th if Middlesbrough can defeat Hull at the Riverside (which is a decent chance). We'll have lost three games on the trot and confidence will be at an all time low. From there it's an extremely tough ask with our playing roster and our piss-poor management team.

a good point, well made giver awar man it's the middle of the night awar there! btw, we are fucked. ahah yeah. That was supposed to say Hull were the better team in the first half. Almost 5AM here.

Hull were much better in the second half. We were better for most of the second, but have nothing to show for it. Hull had the better chances in the second half.

Don't really see any point playing him as a winger. He's good at beating his man and is usually good at maintaining possession. If he gets behind his man we need to have strikers attacking the front post. Then they'll be in with a chance of being on the end of his weak crosses. He's better in open field, but when you have Nicky Butt, Geremi and Alan Smith is your midfield there's no such thing as an fast break/counter. Had a shit game, but I still have him in my side.

Jonas was shite tonight alright. Communication problems, and an inability to cross shown again. No composure at all when shooting, no wonder he can't friggin' score. Effort was still there though. Better used when Enrique overlaps to put a ball in, seeing as Enrique can actually hit a cross with some power and movement.

Other results working in our favour thankfully. OTHER GAMES ARMY! OTHER GAMES ARMY!

Really missed the chance to put some insulation between us and the Championship. We know that we'll likely need as much of it as possible with our next two matches. Arsenal dying to get into the top four and Chelsea's title hunt rejuvenated by Liverpool.

Taylor's finish was Shearer like. Let the ball do the work. Don't want to look at the replay too many times though - probably came off a shin or something like that. Was gutted when they scored (was a decent cross and a top quality header), and was further depressed by the state of our play (and our midfield selection). When the game slowed later in the half Butt in particular was playing better. It was his searching ball into the box that Taylor got on the end of (after some actual football was played in the lead up work moving the ball around). Colo has looked shakier than Michael J Fox (sorry) at the back, hope he can regain his composure in the second half. Should not have gone to ground like he did even though he did plainly cop an elbow on the chin. Cousin IMO should be picked up by Bassong as he is the more physical of their two forwards. 1-1 is a very good half time result for us given the way the game was played. Now is our chance to take advantage of it.

Vidic with a Bramble moment Composed finish from Torres, though Van der Sar got a mitt to it. 3 goals, all from mistakes/bad decisions in defense. Manchester United / Liverpool or West Brom / Newcastle? PS - The passing, teamwork, movement, pace and skill are all far above anything we're capable of at the moment.

It's on the telly over here LIVE @ 1.55AM on Sunday Morning. Will watch the Manchester United vs Liverpool match beforehand. Hopefully it won't be like watching a different sport. It will be a bloody nervous watch, that's for sure.

I think that the player of the season could very well be decided between now and the end of the season.

I think we can do this. They're going to throw everything at us early on in terms of physicality. If we can ride through that we should have the ref on our side. Then our supposedly superior players should be able to do enough to get us a goal (though many of the last goals that we have scored have come as the result of errors from our opposition). We need Alan Smith and Nicky Butt (assuming they play) to avoid the ridiculous tackles particularly in dangerous positions where we've shown we're very likely to concede from set pieces. I just hope they play with a positive outlook and play smart posession football moving the ball around, rather than sending long balls up field. If we start doing that the best we can hope for is a draw IMO.

Tried to be as realistic as possible given our current predicament. Shit, but I'd be happy with that.

Could clearly see on the replay that Taylor didn't touch Ronaldo's face, which is what the diving bitch was clutching as he writhed around on the ground in fake agony in an attempt to get Taylor sent off. By my account Ronaldo's play acting is much worse than Taylor's foul. Does sound like Ronaldo had a fair point though, if what he said in the tunnel is to be believed.

Ryan Taylor all round had a complete shocker tonight. He's played pretty well in all of his other matches for us (the massiv amount that that is). In particular his dead ball work was hopeless, where-as it has otherwise been better than anything we've seen for some time.

If we don't pick up a point before the Portsmouth game, we're going down for sure.

Whoops, must have been looking at a non-updated table.

Tottenham spanking Boro was a decent result for us I think. Hull getting the late winner was not. Ultimately though if we manage to beat them (Hull) we will go ahead of them temporarily. Stoke winning was another thorn in out side. I think it's possible for us to nab a point off Arsenal or Chelsea, or even both as they'll have a lot of pressure on them (we will too of course). This is our complete run home. Hull City (A) Arsenal (H) Chelsea (H) Stoke (A) Tottenham (A) Portsmouth (H) Liverpool (A) Middlesbrough (H) Fulham (H) Aston Villa (A) If we win three of the four bolded matches I think we'll be safe, and will likely send two of Boro/Stoke/Hull/Portsmouth down. Two of them are away though, so I'm under no illusion that they are in any way easy matches. We're in the shit, big time.

You're right, but they're completely different players. Martins uses his pace and power, where-as Owen is a smarter player positioning himself in the right places to score. I'd take Martins athleticism and power with Owen's positioning, first touch and finishing. Neither of their injury records thanks. Even though they're both short they could work well together IMO. Martins troubles defenders when he's on the ball as he can pull a shot off from nothing, from just about any distance. Owen is a better player when he's off the ball, except when he's putting the final touch in for a goal/shot of course.

Christmas tree, you're a wanker. Enrique MOTM in my opinion. Bassong was good again, but it was Enrique who shone. Very good on the ball, made one bad cross where he hit it first time when he should have taken a touch, but otherwise was outstanding. Saved our bacon on numerous occassions including one time where Bassong was plainly stood up by a Manchester United forward. His pace came in extremely handy in him getting back to prevent the break away, and his strength on the ball meant that when he did get back he always kept the ball. He was an 8 or 9 IMO. Can't ask for more from a fullback as he also put a couple of very dangerous balls into the box, linking up with Jonas impressively on many occassions.

Far from a Manchester United fan of any shape or form. But have come to respect Ferguson (even though he does get the rub of the green in terms of referreeing decisions etc) not only for the way in which he manages, but also for the comments he made around the time of Keegan's exit, as well as the ways in which he mechanically yet whimsically gets rise after rise out of the Spanish Waiter that Liverpool call their gaffer. The more titles that Manchester United win, the less that Chelsea, Arsenal and more importantly Liverpool can. Am I correct in thinking that if Manchester United win the premier league this season (will be a big stumble if they don't) they will equalise Liverpool's record? I'm happy for Manchester United to be the club that others aspire to be like because it serves to show that stability and consistent investment are the only true ways to move a club forward in modern football.

Would have been funnier if it wasn't true.

11 vs 11 playing football, so yes we have a chance. Am I deluded enough to think we'll get anything out of this game? No.

Agree with this. Bassong makes some horrible grabs with his arms. He's been lucky on numerous occassions to have not given away penalties, the way he grabs the arms of the player he is marking. Did the same with the Heskey 'incident' only then the ball was so far ahead and the grab was so plainly obvious that it couldn't be missed. Bassong is a handy player to have, don't get me wrong, he's quick strong and is great at clearing danger. Even if you do all of these it doesn't matter at all if you're just as likely to give away a penalty. If he can get that out of his game he should be a great player for us.