Davvo

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How many games did Sami play last season FFS. Don't get me wrong, I miss the guy, but he was and would have been, 4th choice. Losing your 4th choice centre back doesn't result in a season like this, losing your midfield general does. Xabi contributed everything to our attack, because he was the man that passed the ball forward, and into Gerrard's feet, or switched play from one side to the other in an instant. With Aquaman out of action, Gerrard should have been in there from day one, leading and dictating. We've spent 4 months playing without anyone dictating play.

Bizarre isn't it. If the ball's 10 yards away then the foul's even worse, as it's ridiculously late. This nonsense about goal scoring opportunity etc, is only relevant when you're talking about yellow/red cards, it's still a foul.

Is right. The worrying thing for me yesterday, was that last half hour with Aquilani on to give us more balance in midfield. The lack of movement in the line of 3 behind Torres was appalling, and there were times when AA was looking to move into a nice position to receive the ball just ahead of the play, and the defence/Lucas just didn't see him. It'll obviously take some time for people to adjust, but we need more movement, particularly from the wide 2 of that 3, Benny/Dirk or whoever. I know most would have considered it too big a game for him, but I'd have preferred Pacheco on the bench ahead of one of the 4 defenders. If he'd have replicated his movement from the other night, it would have given us something we badly missed. To be honest, that one word sums up our play this season, and what we need to improve - movement.

That's what people keep missing. Yes, he is successful with the majority of his passes, but there's a fella stood next to him paid to do the same job. His positioning, and inability to pick up the advancing midfielder when he makes a run, has been hurting us all season. Some people just see him getting the ball, passing it to a red shirt, and assume he's one of the best players because of it. He's not been the worst by a long chalk this season, and I even think he's improving as the season goes on, but he needs to stop falling asleep when the opposition have the ball. As for the sub, it was clearly right to take off masch. He'd been struggling since the knock, and was threatening to get a 2nd booking.

Aye, as understandable as his fall from his throne has been, I'd be amazed if Chelsea didn't move for another "big name" in the next window or two, especially with the prospect of a transfer ban looming on the horizon.

Last minute fitness check I'd imagine ?

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aye that's it for me, would rather keep the ball off them, than try and win it back all game. He can go off after 60 or so with the job hopefully done. Granted, there's not a chance in hell of it happening, he may get 20-30 minutes.

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Delighted. Can't see us ever getting the best out of Babel, assuming it's still in there waiting to be freed, and I think Pav's just been unlucky his face doesn't fit with 'arry. If nothing else, he'd be great to have coming on when you need a goal last half hour, knows where the net is.

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a) These two are not unconnected. and b) Are we not desperate for some good news

What's the polar opposite of a conspiracy theorist ?

Can't be questioned at all, surely ?

Heskey's 2nd against Roma, everyone goes mental. I collapse in a heap beneath the jumping masses, and my mates assume my screaming and odd position are down to some bizarre and ecstatic celebration. Infact the exuberant leap tore my patellar tendon, and I was screaming in agony. Not at all funny on reflection, at least not to me, although everyone else found it amusing to see me try and find a comfy position to see out the last 20 minutes or so. Longest 20 minutes of my life that, and not just because of the score, couldn't even twirl me feckin scarf

will there be music too, and costumes ? I like costumes.

Oh absolutely, I'm not doubting the rug was pulled at some point, nor even the approximate timing. I'm just saying that we may well have had circa 6 million left to spend, but Rafa, and who could blame him, has had enough of spending such a sum on a player he'll want to upgrade again next Summer, so brought in a cheap as chips stop gap, in the hope he wouldn't need him too much anyway. * As for Distin, you know aswell as I do that being linked with a player is much more likely to be agent's match-making than anything else. * Apologies for the length of sentence, I blame Pacheco, he's had the same effect on me as triple espresso.