Davvo

He wasn't shyte today, he was just OK.

Aye, I could understand this if there were the remotest signs he might be a Hodgson, but there aren't. Some are giving him absolutely no leeway, despite protestations to the contrary, it's odd.

f***ing hell Rimbeux, you really dont buy this fella's message do you ?

Downing, we are led to believe, is about as weakminded as a footballer gets, yet public criticism helped him. Sterling too in preseason.

Depends on the league games round and about, plus conditioning, I'd guess.

Agreed. It's only the usual suspects jumping on it. and that one snippet of Mcnulty's wasn't his entire statement, but you know that.

Might we see Downing back at LB ? Reina Johnson Skrtel Agger Downing Gerrard Lucas Henderson Suarez Sturridge Borini Think I'd prefer Downing in for Borini, but not sure Wisdom or Robinson will get the call for this one.

Helps the more experienced players move on to more important games, makes the younger ones buckle down and work harder.

The £38M? Sturridge, Borini, Allen.

Speaking of which, this season is following a very similar pattern to Rafa's first in the league, in terms of regularly dropping points in games we wouldn't epect to. Infact, we're currently 3 points worse off at the same point. Hopefully we'll get more than the 21 points from the last 15 games we got that year, as we obviously wont have the ability to qualify for the CL by winning it as we did then. It's a decent first season thus far, given the debacle of the transfer window in relation to forwards. sIgn CArvaLhO

No one's forcing you.

There'll be no shortage of chauffeur's

And yet you agreed there that this wouldn't happen under Kenny/Rafa ? Also this is BR's first season is it not ?

It's more to do with people's outlook, perception, and prejudice really. Saying this season has been 1 step forwward 2 steps back is over exaggeration for a start, we'd be bottom of the league if that were true. It's been a few forward, then a couple back, and in general we've moved forward, especially when you consider how hamstrung we were for forwards the first 4 months. Those of a pessimistic, negative disposition, would probably be best served not commenting on defeats, unless they come 2 in a row, just seems people are too eager to put a boot in when they see a chance, don't get it at all.

Pessim...... nah never mind. Some of you lot must really enjoy being f***ing miserable.

Speak for yourself

Pass the razor blades.

I can't think of any way at all, that this result or performance has any bearing on whether we can or will finsih 4th. We've lost to s*** teams before, under all managers, it happens, move on. If you want to talk about the Aston Villa game that's a different kettle of fish, but today means nothing at all.

Nah, we've improved. A Cup defeat to an alehouse team's not going to change my mindset of 2 hours ago. Then again, that's the same as some on here not allowing a good result and performance to change their view I guess. The games against City, and particularly Arsenal and Spurs, will dictate whether we have a realistic shot at 4th, not the first 4 months of the season, and definitely not today.

Keep telling yourself that, if you're lucky you might be proven right.

Utter garbage that really.

Look at the last 10 minutes in here, or rather don't, not if you value your sanity.

Disagree. You're giving Spurs and Arsenal far too much credit there.

A) Why not ? and B) today is no barometer for the League.

That's about it really, this changes nothing for the League or Europa. On to Arsenal.