Chez

he's 30 not 35. If the game was getting away from us, which is was, then Diallo and JWP were equally to blame and options to come off. Lyanco was shite. He didn't do a job at all. He was massively at fault for their goal, and in the Norwich chance before the goal, which McCarthy saves at the near post, watch how he dives in (its a fraction after Gilmour does his juggling on half way line) and gets done. Maybe all CBs get sucked in there, but its a regular thing that he needs to taper.

Slight difference being that Ings had one more year on his contract, so every game and goal helped add £s to his price. Forster walks this summer, so putting him in the shop window does nothing for us. It would be mad if Ralph is not picking his best keeper so as to ensure one signs for us in the summer. Pick the best guy each week and worry about keepers in the summer. If one or both want out, let them go. We have a great opportunity in the summer to upgrade. A shed load of wages will be available to get a new guy or two in.

I can only guess Walcott for Adams was because something had to change (the ball was not sticking up front) and Ralf thought some `pace' up front to run the channels might help give us an outlet. Lyanco for Romeo was to enable us to go five at the back, but I have no idea why Diallo wasn't the one to come off. Maybe Ralf thinks he tires quicker than Diallo. Anyone got any better ideas?

his game has always been based on blistering pace and lot of great off the ball runs. Last season he still looked quick and his work rate was good, getting up and down the line and doing a great job for the side. He was certainly no world beater, but he did OK. Without that terrific pace, and I've yet to see it since he has come back into the side, I am not sure he brings anything to the party. So the question I have is, is he still getting his full sharpness back or has he lost a yard never to return.

Let's hope our CBs can win every single header in the six yard box and no one shoots low. To be fair, he has performed pretty well in the cup games, but IMO we need two new keepers not one.

is that true. First 20 of second half we were shite, Norwich dominated and the 11 on the pitch were not doing their job. I didn't see any significant improvement after any of the changes to personnel or shape, but we weren't worse.You could argue that other changes might have made a better impact, but we will never know.

do me a favour.

Walcott wasn't dismal. He just wasn't any good, but he is getting far too much stick. I guess we need a whipping boy. If he was starting games I'd be moaning too probably, but for now, him coming of the bench is not the worst thing in the world. I get the impression he is still feeing his way back after what was quite a long injury. Whether he ever gets back to a player that can provide a threat at thus level I am not sure. equally, I thought Armstrong did well on the left, finding some nice pockets of space and cause them a few problems.

sure, what I was trying to say (in response to a post wondering "what does Ralph do to make us worse) is, I don't really know how a manager can make you worse by his half time team talk. It's all about what the opponent does. To be fair to Ralph, he has reacted well in the last month to when we have looked in trouble. He has made sub and changed shapes pretty quickly and sometimes to good effect. Last season he did nothing, maybe because he had no bench

Diallo was bad in the second half. Gave the ball away several times with poor passes and holding onto the ball too long. I'd of taken him off rather than Romeu. Walcott was brought on to play the `fast' striker (moving Armstrong to left midfield/wing). Is Walcott still quick? If not, then why is Tella not getting that role? I am not gonna slate Walcott, there's enough people on here doing that, but Tella showed promise last season. I'd of thought we'd of seen a few cameos of the bench by now.

It is baffling why we are so poor after the break so often. Not sure how a manager makes a team worse at half time. I'd of thought they'd be identifying areas weaknesses and addressing them during the break. In general, the momentum is lost by the interval and opponents make a few changes which changes the dynamics. That said, since these mangers have started standing up on the sideline shouting bollocks for all ninety minutes their powers to control a game of football have gone off the scale in fans eyes. Managers don't play the game. They can do a bit, adjust the shape, make some subs, but a large percentage of what happens on the pitch is still down to the players. Managers are important, but they are not miracle workers.

you are absolutely right. Three of the four goals were assists by the other. It would be good to know how may chances in total they have created for each other in the 12 league games.

Yep, McCarthys distribution ain't great. But is Fosters any better? Both make me nervous when they get the ball. Mind you, I'm not sure what keeper wouldn't. I can live with the ball being turned over if its a safety first strategy. Just kicking the thing in the rough direction of a Saint would be nice. I have to say the decision making has been better this season. Far from perfect, but keepers have not put fullbacks and centrebacks in trouble as much as last season.

I'm not saying they won't score goals, I just don't see much interplay between the two. Armstrong is very like Ings, in that he can dribble and shoot and doesn't need chances laid on a plate - he can make things happen himself. Che does need someone creating them for him. Maybe Armstrong will do that, but I am not sure. I think over the course of the season Broja, Redmond and Tella etc. will need to chip in too.

not sure I see this great partnership. I see Armstrong creating stuff for himself. Not sure he needs Che.

I do. It was Lyanco. He simply failed to do his job. The famous video clip of Colin Wanker giving Morgan a half time grilling for `not picking up the big man' comes to mind. I seriously hope someone is giving Lyanco a similar ear bashing.

were you not disappointed with our second half display? We struggled to get out of our own half, they dominated and the goal felt like it was coming. I'm not blaming Ralf for that, many will, but I didn't come away from that second half thinking we were unlucky not to win, I thought we got what we deserved.

I disagree. It is close. McCarthy has made a number of worldy saves this season that have helped us win games. When he makes a error that costs us, they are forgotten. He does make errors though. Forster has been better since coming back from Celtic, looking much more solid and I've not seen any errors, all be it in less games. However, I don't see him making some of the saves McCarthy does (which I think is perhaps why Ralph doesn't pick him) he still doesn't come of his line to claim crosses and doesn't sweep well. I'm not convinced by either.

not sure Ralph rates him. He hasn't exactly set the world on fire ad KWP has had a few good games in recent weeks at LB. Not today, but not sure anyone was calling for him to be dropped before the game.

Alternatively you could say we kept possession well and carved open a brilliant chance as a result. Maybe at the death you should go long, but we hoofed it long for the first 20 minutes of the second half it we achieved the square route of fuck all.

You are being generous. Lyanco's marking of the goalscorer was absolutely pitiful. Embarrassing. Check the goal out from all the angles. He is fucking shite. McCarthy should have done better, no doubt about it, but attention should be on the CB. He does nothing. Woeful.

brilliant patience. Great cross and Walcott got the opportunity to shove it down all your throats, but failed. Blast.

Armstrong continues to impress me. Makes things happen.

fuck me. Check out Lyanco there. Absolutely fucking shite.

yes, but at least he has reacted again as the side were playing utter shite