RedHarvest

Unfortunately all the evidence is pointing to Skrtel not being up to it in the long run IMO. I have to stop myself from passing the same judgement on Insua cos he's done well generally but his positioning is naive and he doesnt have great pace - an essential element for an attacking full back.

...as opposed to blasting it at goal looking for either the net or keeper spill and rebound effort...definitely an improvement. At least it would be good to see him mixing it up a bit, his set pieces have tended to be predictable. Now if he could just have a look at his corner taking technique... Overall though i thought last night showed the beginnings of a return to devastating form from the captain.

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true, specially at the rate we're picking up the injuries. On the plus side City look brittle, N'gog is finding space, Yossi playing well and Gerrards on the field, we can win this.

Kuyts passing has been way off today... really hope we see Aquilani on.

6 mins injury time

Obvious I know, but Yossi is a huge improvement on Babel on the left.

just slap a placenta on it, should be grand for Tuesday.

We'll see who's top at the fag end of the season .......sorry

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It's totally embarassing at this stage; ridiculous, grasping desperation. At least there are elements in the media taking the piss too. Much as I hate to admit it, Keane is right, we had chances to win it and weren't good enough to punish a s****, ragged French team. Hopefully the bandwagoneers will f*** off back onto the rugby wagon.

That is a really stunning piece of art. Only the families affected could say if it's appropriate as a memorial or not, but as a sculpture I think its quite moving.

It is a crisis for the club, that's been apparent since the Klinsmann incident. Rafa and the team deflected all talk of that crisis by finishing 2nd last season while beating the top 3 comfortably and playing some scintillating football. Now we've hit a blip, inevitable because of the lies of G&H and lack of money. It was on the cards. We need to support our team through this cos there's no quick fix answer - no arab money, no major signings, no new owners...just the best manager available to us already at the club and an excellent first 11. I think we'll definitely finish in the top 4. Injury has done for our Champions league, but we'll survive it.

Babel has a bit more self belief though, capable of last nights goal. Voronin seems totally defeated. I'd play him Monday on the right, give Dirk a much needed break, maybe bring him on for Babel around 70 if (when) he reverts to type.

It's really now or never for Babel. I dont think he would've seen any more playing time before the Jan window if it wasn't for the blizzard of injuries. Hopefully the goal will give him some confidence. Voronin is just not an option.

Lucas Kuyt Reina

Thought we showed great attitude and application and deserved to win it on the whole. But we've suffered before from not taking our chances and it bit us again last night. I didn't dare to celebrate Babels cracker fearing the inevitable defensive cave in. Yes we were unlucky, yes we got f*** all from the ref and yes our back four was a patch up job, but, as any struggling side will attest, you dont get the breaks when you really need them. What a f*** up of a season. I still believe though. G&H out, Rafa to stay.

Yossi Carra Torres Special mention for Aurelio, he was devastating first half but faded a bit

Reina Kelly Benayoun

Skrtel Benayoun Johnson

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It's a question of consistancy - if he shows what he showed last night (hunger, application) for the next few sub appearances he'll play himself into the team. Be intresting to see his next outing.

First time in ages he's looked remotely dangerous - promising, since we're stuck with him and need all we can squeeze out of the squad.

There were definitely periods of strength, but it was inconsistant and against weak opposition. I wanted to see him kick on and show some class against Debrecen...that FK about 25 yards out was needless and might've been punished by better oppo. Anyway, I really dont want to add to his detractors arguments - I really want him to be good since he's gonna be a key player this season. In general I think he's improving.

Im not one of his major critics but I thought he was pretty sloppy most of last nights game. Mind you so was Gerrard.