qwertyell

I'm a big fan of Tomori and think Chelsea have backed the wrong horse in going with Zouma over him, but he's not a player we need right now. Sure, if money were no object and we could indulge a big, deep squad, sign him up - long-term, he's a far bigger prospect than Bednarek or Stephens. I'm not expecting any movements from us in the transfer window unless we get a serious injury crisis or a key player is sold.

Why? He's too slow to be a full back (even before the serious knee injury he's had) and as a centre back would be our fifth choice. Flogging him for £16m was some of the best business we've ever done. He's not even bang average.

Gutted for Djenepo. He'd started the game well too. The boy loves his football but just can't get the body right. Chin up, kid.

He was immense. Great first touch, ability to spin away from close challenges, acceleration to drive forward with the ball, and defensively disciplined and focused. If he can deliver a better final ball, he'll be amazing. Really liked what I've seen from him so far. Looks a genuine talent in the making. Hopefully this gives the manager confidence that he can rotate his midfielders a bit to keep them fresh. I worry Prowse is going to wear his legs down to stumps.

We know how this one ends, but at least we've given a decent account of ourselves for a half. Leaving the defenders one Vs one against Salah, Mane and Firmino time and again is not a sustainable approach, imho. And, Jesus Christ, Forster's a total liability with the ball at his feet. Shitting bricks every time the ball goes near him.

It's coming. Not for us, though. Absolutely clueless going forward. Hopefully the manager watched the Leeds game instead.

Poor. Giving away West Ham too many set piece opportunities - playing to their strengths. We look shaky every ball that comes the into the box. Just aimless with the ball. No idea what the plan is to create chances when we have good possession. Once again, a desperate lack of quality in the final third. Walcott looks likeliest to make something happen, but I wouldn't bank on it. 0-1 incoming. Header from a set piece.

Welp, that's us fucked. We're not going to be one of those teams that performs better without the manager around. Ralph absolutely drives the boys from the sidelines. Thought his family were still living in Germany... Anyway, get well soon, boss.

Bit concerned by Hasenhuttl's post-match comments from the Fulham game where he said we'd have had no chance of coming back if we'd conceded the first goal. Weird thing to say. Does he really have no ideas up his sleeve to adapt Plan A according to the challenges any given game throws up? Anyway, West Ham will kill us in the air - Souchek scoring from a set piece. Or Antonio will play and thoroughly brutalise our centre backs like he always does. Happy new year.

Poor. Didn't deserve any better. Game management from the manager was a pisstake too - two subs after the 90 minute mark when we were playing so badly. Rubbish. Diallo was a positive - air shot aside - and a great block from Stephens preserved a point at the end there. Not a lot else to take from the game. If that's as good as we've got with a couple of injuries, we're going to be in for a rough month or so where we'll be glad we banked 25 points early doors. Officiating was pretty awful, but that's to be expected. To be honest, I wouldn't have been happy if the penalty shout we had was given against us. Bednarek might have gotten away with a similar handball in the first half. Where are we going to get goals from moving forward?

Pretty grim. Started to come into it more as the half wore on, but no quality at all. Diallo tidy, Stephens with some poor square passes, Long anonymous. Nothing on the bench to really give us much optimism. If we were playing anyone good we'd be in big trouble today. Scruffy 1-0 either way, I reckon. Edit: oh, and the ref's been terrible for both sides too. Where do they find these Muppets?

Fulham coped with Liverpool and Klopp's tactics pretty well the other day. I doubt they're having sleepless nights over a weakened Saints. It'll be a tough game.

Leeds fans say he's a highlights player; that he's only actually had about two good games all season. They're almost as frustrated with him as we are with Redmond. It's true that he'll never play for City, though.

I suppose from the club's point of view it boils down to whether they've got enough money to buy a replacement of comparable quality (hard to think of one off the top of my head) or whether to stick with the devil they know for a couple more seasons. I do think he's slowing down - and has been since he had some back trouble a year or two ago - but also that he'll still do a good job when called upon for another 18 months or so. I'd like to see Vokins given a few opportunities at some point to properly gauge his potential. He's only made two starts but was more than decent in both games. It's a shame he picked up a knock at the exact same time as Bertrand and couldn't get a run out against Newcastle. It'd be lovely if we had an in house replacement for Bertrand waiting in the wings.

Old school Italian negative, defensive football; managed a club who win the title whoever's in charge. The "glamour" clubs would rather not throw their lot in with him unless they have to.

Can't grumble - we were very good; miles better than we were in beating City last season. That's the way it goes. As at Arsenal, there's a wee bit lack of quality in the final third that makes it hard for us to chase a game, but you can't fault the lads for effort. Interesting to see how we approach this next stint without Ings. Will Walcott go back up top, even though he's really started to shine out wide in the last few games? Not sure Tella is close to being at this level. Redmond had a pretty shitty cameo today, but it's hard to single anyone out for a poor performance - we were decent out there. Vestergaard, Walker-Peters, Walcott probably the stand outs. Rest up, get ready for Fulham. If we can play at this level consistently, we'll get a lot more points this season. Merry Christmas folks.

Not sure there's anything out there for us today. City too sharp on the break, both midfielders on bookings and unable to make any more tactical fouls, Ings injured - the omens aren't good. They'll get in again. We've been half decent, though. Can't complain about the performance - City just have more quality. Obviously.

Take it. We lost the chance to win with a 15-20 minute period either side of half time when we lost our way. Too slow and unimaginative with our passing after the red card. Parking the bus is the only tactic Arteta is good at - our lack of creativity was laid bare. A point's okay, though. Onwards.

Very good 30mins before letting Arsenal back into the half. We need to be ruthless to get that second goal and slump their shoulders. Some of our decision making in the final third has been garbage. Lovely finish from Theo - he knows the way to those goals at the Emerates. I think Armstrong's worked hard and done okay. Yes, he's made some poor passes, but he's also had a couple of great driving runs too. More worried about Bednarek and Bertrand picking up cheap yellows. Doesn't feel like the ref is in the mood to do us any favours - another little ankle tap could see them in trouble. Be nice if we could get Ings into the game more. COYS.

Had a dream last night where I was checking the scores with about 10 minutes left, and we were 3-0 down. Weirdly, all Arsenal's scorers were Sheffied United players. And Liverpool were beating Spurs 2-0. If there are any premonition fans out there - something to stew on maybe...

Kept pissing himself under pressure against Man United and probably lost possession more in one half than any full back this season during that game. Great today, though - but still got plenty to improve on.

He's done more in five minutes than Long has all season. Curious how far Obafemi has fallen down the pecking order. His attitude must really stink.

Playing okay - much better on the ball than we were against Brighton. Armstrong back in some form. Not sure this is a game for Walcott. Someone a bit cuter on the ball - Redmond/Djenepo - is probably more appropriate for a very defensive, solid opposition. Vestergaard has been our most creative player, FFS. Sheffield haven't offered owt, but while it's only one they're just a mistake/set piece from stealing a point. Fans in good voice. No groans. Yet. Let's get that second and bank the points.

Well I'll still be looking over my shoulder until we bag 40. That we're halfway there with still another 8 games until the mid-point of the season is very encouraging - given that we've fought relegation in the main for the last 3 years. I'd be prepared to unclench at around 30 if we could get there by the end of January.

He's just got a really long signature. Has to take a break in-between names to ice his wrist.