RedHarvest

Sean Dundee (...held a German passport)

A lot of people think it's the Zidane factor that'll swing it, apparantly ZZ's a huge fan of his

Suarez Enrique Carroll

Probably Odemwingie, but maybe Simon Cox

Sorted him right out, maybe a little of the same treatment might work on Stewie Downing

You have to ask why did Rafa, why does Kenny, why do the Dutch national team consistently rate and pick limited technical ability/streaky form player Dirk Kuyt for their most important games? Cos he's a warrior, a team player, a positive attacking force and a f***ing great addition to any squad morale. Armchair forum tactical dialectic rarely takes this into account. Come on within, come on without you'll not see nothing like the mighty Kuyt I love Dirk

Good post, this is Kennys project, it's early days yet and shaping up nicely on the whole. All this forumtalk, while often constructive, tends to the dramatic, the cynical and the lazy. Your point about our CBs is spot on and a real legitimate concern but I'd trust Kenny and Clarke have the same concerns and a plan to remedy it.

Overrated bullyboys Vs City - very enjoyable watch. Have to say Silva is just exquisite, and his workrate and tracking back is excellent too; he's absolutely world class

Dont agree with you. Enriques use of the ball and defensive positioning was consistently better than Johnsons yesterday. He started to wobble after the equaliser, as did the whole team

We're all frustrated, and I'm gutted after a result like that - but that's a bit harsh. It's an ongoing experiment that Kenny is entitled to carry out. I'm not gonna start panicking til we drop to mid table and start turning in tepid cowardly Hodgsonesque performances, which featured a lot of todays players...and Maxi. Still a lot to be said for the spirit at the club and I think our problems are mostly psychological. We need to remember what we're recovering from.

Suarez - could have had 4 or 5 on another day, brilliant as ever Enrique - Mr consistent Bellamy - always a threat, has goals in him

That seems like it to me. We were so down at that point we actually needed to make some kind of statement in the wake of Torres pissing off , Carroll was the form player just then, Newcastle bit our hand off - it hasn't worked out for us

f***ing weird, s*** game. The funny thing is that 3 or 4 of out 20 odd chances going in today and we'd all be talking title challenge here - yet the problems still remain: CB partnership is becoming critical Kenny doesn't want to play Suarez and Carroll together, therefore it doesn't work We dont have the self belief to win games we're pegged back in We haven't clicked as a team yet - how long can we afford not to before the pressure becomes unbearable?

Their goal was exactly how I imagined Downing and Carroll to be combining for us

Really? I think it's quite refreshing

Really cant see that happening, it'll just blow over and leave a bad stink around Luis. The damage has been done. I reckon the noble thing to do is for the club and Luis to release a dignified but strong statement along the lines of: We continue to categorically deny the claims; feel it was irresponsible and damaging to everyone, we're letting it go and moving on in the interest of not firing up the delicate and contentious ongoing issue of racism in the game etc...... ....ps: Evra's a c***

name pronounced "Wess"

I reckon we've really rattled them, this and the Evra business - which makes not winning the game all the more galling. It would've put a serious dent in their armour (said armour being the air of invincibility which so effectively neutralises most other premiership teams)

Agree about this, it was another thing that pissed me off about the game - De Gea gets plaudits in all the press reports for a pretty average display, only one good reaction save from Kuyt. It was an opportunity missed to dent his confidence and leave him vulnerable for other teams. On Henderson, I thought he was great when he came on, full of intent and confidence. Didn't think the volley was all that amazing but loved seeing him attempt it

This is gonna be a nightmare, the press must be delighted with their new bucktoothed foreign panto villain plaything

That's pretty overstated. IMO his finishing is not Fowler standard but it's a good 7 or 8 out of ten - added to all his other amazing attributes this makes him a devastating player. Sure he has room for improvement in that department, he's not perfect, just very close. Regarding that chance yesterday, it was a lightning turn of foot to make the chance and an instinctual hit, unfortunately straight at the keepers legs. Also, I agree with the above post - thought he looked a little bit sluggish by his standards, the travel probably taking it's toll

Kelly Enrique Gerrard - Excellent cameo from Henderson when he came on

Hi Charlie. What's your favourite Beatles song?

Stating the obvious here but Carras failings as a footballer are offset by his passion and commitment to the club and to winning games - as his career declines these failings appear in much sharper focus - all this compounded by the impression that he doesnt yet have an obvious replacement (with respect to Coates) coming through quick enough for impatient fans. All the same, personal opinions about the man aside, if you dont think Carra at his peak was a world class pure defender you're mad.

Exactly