Billy Dane

I think everyone is affected by criticism of themselves in one way or another. Who the criticism is from and how they react to it is the key IMO. The ideal, as someone has already said, is to use it as a motivator to prove people wrong. Unfortunately that doesn't work for everyone, and they need to be treated in a different way to get the best out of them. Criticism from fans is one thing, but when it comes from the manager it is another. For Pearce to come out and say a player's performance is shocking is an indication that he probably doesn't have a great understanding of man management techniques. It's one reason why I have a certain amount of sympathy for Cisse, he was playing for a manager who clearly didn't rate him. There was very little public support for Cisse from Rafa, and Rafa's way of managing him doesn't appear to have got the best out of him. The majority of the "blame" for Cisse not working out still lies with Cisse, but I would question if Rafa tried everything he could to get the most out of the club's most valuable purchase. If it was any other business this would be the question asked.

See Villa are holding a public training session for the villa fans today. SSN are estimating they have 10000 there. Great idea IMO in half term week. Got all the kids in, the future support etc.

Thought Guthrie and Peltier did well.

Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere - apologies if so. SSN ran a piece this afternoon looking at how often us, Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal have changed the team this season in the league. Chelsea and Arsenal have played the same team in consecutive games on one occasion, us and Utd haven't played the same team in consecutive games yet. Strange how it's only us being criticised for rotation.

What's the problem with teaching English properly in schools these days?

Anyone see the banner a Reading fan was holding up at half time? On one side it said "Get well Petr", which prompted Richard Keays to comment on how good it was to see, a great gesture blah blah blah. Then the kid turned it over to reveal the other side. I didn't see what it said, but it then prompted Richard Keays to say "Get him off, quick". I assume it was a derogotary comment about Jose, but anyone know for sure?

I think there are probably other players Rafa will get rid of, before he consigns Stevie to history.

It's the away form mate, and I don't think you can accuse the Liverpool fans of not supporting the team at away games. It's the lack of direction, lack of belief, lack of effort and lack of teamwork on the pitch that is the problem.

How's the weather in your world? We won't win the league this season, it's another season to focus on the cups I'm afraid. You can't afford to lose 4 game before the end of October and expect to win the league.

Don't think the Utd players had to break sweat to beat us today, absolutely woeful display. Hard to believe this was billed as a must win game for us as it was a spineless performance from the team.

well done Crouchie, at least he showed a bit of passion.

That makes sense, wait til we are 2-0 down and then bring on the only guy who seems to be scoring on a regular basis for us.

nearly as spineless a performance as the 96 cup final. still 25 mins left I suppose.

SSN reviewing the game tomorrow.... Champagne Charlie Nicholas believes Rafa changes the personnel each game, but doesn't change the formation...why?...cos he doesn't have a plan B. aaah feck, he's just forecast us to win.

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Thought it was funny to see all the Chelsea fans waving the little flags Chelsea had supplied them with at the beginning of the game. Presumably this was in an effort to produce an atmosphere at the ground.

Think he does bring something to the party;

Crouch is getting into more scoring positions than he was last season, and doing so more often than Bellamy.

at least give him detention.

Still waiting to be convinced by him tbh.

Strange he didn't do that with Crouch's goal against Wigan last year, when he insisted it was an og.