VectisSaint

Davis was nowhere near offside when he headed the ball back from the pass forward from Clasie to Bertrand. Both Koscielny and Mertesacker were between him and the goal (plus Cech of course). Granted Mertesacker was arguably level. See picture.[ATTACH=CONFIG]1895[/ATTACH] Davis contributed a huge amount last night, critical involvement in the build up to the first goal, superb long through pass for the second (to Long who laid it off to Mane who crossed for Long to score). Critical thing last night was that Ronald did not sub Davis for JWP (because he was already on) and so we kept up our pressing game with the high tempo that Davis drives. The midfield in general were superb last night, Wanyama, Clasie and Davis really made us tick, even JWP was good, though his indecision in front of goal cost us at least two more excellent chances. He was though battling throughout and contributed and didn't cost us last night, fair play to the lad who gets a lot of deserved criticism, including from me. Unlike Derry stated, Martina gave Walcott acres of room, but Walcott did not take advantage, he was poor all night seemed intent on helping his old team (my comment based on the first half when I had perfect view of Martina, it may have changed in the 2nd half when it is difficult for me to see him so closely). No matter, his goal and some other attacking involvement were excellent, but defensively he is very suspect and had to be bailed out several times by Fonte especially.

Sorry Whitey but Moss was appalling. He had it in for Long right from the kick-off and was clearly determined to get Long booked. He called so many decisions wrong, along with his lineos. He gave bad decisions both ways, though in the first half he called everything against us, he came round to giving decisions to us when he realised he was supporting the losing side. I can accept poor referees, they are human and doing a thankless job, but Moss was to all intents and purposes either cheating or totally incompetent. He always is. Ironically he gave a free kick to Long later in the 2nd half which was blatantly not a foul, Long stumbled over his own feet, the number Woss had wrongly called against Long during the game was incredible. I'll support referees usually, but that performance was inexcusable, thankfully it didn't affect the outcome (except we arguably should have had 5).

He wasn't. Not even close, he was well outside of the penalty area on our left having headed the ball back out for Bertrand to put the cross in, there must have been at least 5 Arsenal players between Davis and the goal. Long, Ward-Prowse and Mane were all in offside positions, but none were even close to interfering with play. Davis also set up the second goal with a superb through ball from inside our own half to Long who then switched it to Mane who then gets a superb assist for Long. Why has Bertrand not been taking corners before? His cross for the 3rd was perfect, and he followed up a little later with a copy book repeat which was going in until Arsenal cleared it off the line.

Jonathan Woss was determined to book Long right from the start, some sort of grudge I assume from a previous encounter. His refereeing last night was shameful, not big decisions but stupid stuff, his lines were shocking as well. He was so pro-Arsenal in the first half it was shocking, he came round to us later in the 2nd half when he realised he was supporting the losing side. How Wenger can claim Woss cost his side the game is just unbelievable. I don't often criticise referees, they usually do a job to the best of their abilities and it is a tahnkless task, but to have a cheat out in the middle is just wrong. Oh, sorry its Moss, not Woss, I mixed him up with a comedian.

Helmet in Chief and Ming of the Mongs. His titles are growing with every utterance he doth make.

This 745 kick off is a ****ing disgrace. Completely screwed Boxing Day.

He's harmless though. Unlike the real parodies, Chief Helmet and his buddy, who are just toxic.

Arsenal will go top if they win tonight. Will that give them extra motivation, if such is needed?

Which point, your delusion or Gorman? I think its 2 strong points.

Yes, but you are deluded. You still haven't grasped that Hoddle was **** unless he had Gorman backing him.

Of course, nothing has changed in 4 months has it?

Why? Cedric is perfectly capable of playing 2 in 45 hours with or without head bandage. Koeman might inexplicably drop him of course. I think Clasie will start today, more suited to the Arsenal game. May not start against Wet Sham.

I sincerely hope we don't.

Will he? He hasn't so far despite 100 apps. He looked better under Adkins to be frank.

I may be wrong but I don't think he is eligible until January (needs to have his player registration transferred once the window opens). Played in 3 Capital Cup games for Boro (including a very good performance against Man U) and 1 sub appearance in the League. Criminal that he was allowed to go on loan there and not be used. Can't see why Koeman would suddenly promote him into the first team, he rarely plays young Academy players this season, but at least he is now training with the first team squad.

No, last season was last season. It is largely irrelevant to this season. Koeman has not developed/improved/even steadied the team. We lost one key component to how we play and have not replaced. We have not brought anyone in to even maintain where we were. Koeman has also regressed fitness wise. No-one serious is denegrating what Koeman did last year. Its what he has done or failed to do this season that is the problem.

Need to cancel or convert one of our existing loans before we could take him on loan. Window officially opens on the 2nd. Will be at least 4th January before this could happen due to the holidays and weekend. Really not sure I believe some of the other stuff, 18 month loan for instance, that's not even technically "legal", and why would we agree to anything tied up with Vic.

Of course it was, you stated that Chelsea beat Arsenal. I pointed out that Arsenal only had 9 men. How is that not relevant? Sorry to **** on your parade.

Actually it isn't. West Ham have an extra 4 hours and 45 minutes to recover, which in the context of 2 days is approx 10% extra.

Even minnows struggle with 9 men.

Exactly, in hindsight one of our easier games, and nothing to write home about.

Enough for what? For the Board to take action and replace Ron, probably not. To put us in relegation zone, probably, or very close. I predict 4 points, DLW or LDW

He is in the Koeman pre-match interview training video. But you are almost certainly correct that he cannot play until 16. Thought this had probably happened as he has not been in a Boro squad recently.

Of which at least 2 were by Davis. Shows how badf our front three are, ie the ones who should be getting the lions share. Long must also have 2. Pelle, Tadic and Mane are not leading the line by example.