SuperMikey

1st goal - Can't really blame Gazza for that one. Yoshida was caught completely flat-footed and Dejan couldn't risk taking the man and getting a red, but Gazza could've at least come off his line and made himself big like Artur does in those situations. Maybe not the best plan of action because of the supporting Villa player, but at least put some pressure on the player rather than staying on your line. 2nd goal - I think Artur would have dealt with that a lot better. The header, although a powerful effort, was directly at him. Gazza just palmed it into the net with a weak-wristed attempt to push it away. Artur is a great shot stopper and although I can't say that he definitely would have stopped it from going in straight away, I think he would have at least saved the initial effort. 3rd goal - If Wanyama had been on the field, Delph wouldn't have even gotten near the penalty area. Nothing Gazza could do about that one. The 2 goals I referred to in my initial post that I feel Gazza was at fault for are Kozak's yesterday and Ba's on Sunday. Whether it's a lack of match practice or just nerves, I don't know. He developed a reputation for making errors last time he had a run in the team, and I can't really see that changing any time soon. One thing is clear to me - we need to sign a goalkeeper in January even if Artur is back and fully fit again. Somebody who can cover for injuries and not put worry amongst the team or fans.

Did the exact same thing. Still got 97% tho.

Smash-and-Grab adj Fair play to Villa though, they had their game plan which was to hit us on the counter. It's something we were weak against last season (Sunderland, QPR and Newcastle spring to mind) and clearly something we haven't improved on this season. With Artur and Morgan in the side I think we would've won, but we played pretty poorly last night and Villa capitalised well on the mistakes we made at the back. Don't want to come across overly negative, but I don't think we'll win a game until we get Artur back in goal - Gazza is f*cking w*nk. I understand he's young, but he's been directly at fault for conceding two crucial goals in the last two games. I would be tempted to give KD a go in goal when he comes back from injury.

I think they generally are domestic due to the deal being able to be struck sooner, but I don't think they're domestic-only.

Ref was very quick to book people, and booked Osvaldo for an excellent tackle. Seemed to give a free-kick every time a Chelski player fell over as well, and missed some dreadful shirt-tugging and climbing by Cahill on Lambert when he came on. Not the worst we've had this season, but close.

Casillas isn't getting a game at Real...

Less than a minute!

Boruc made a very similar save in the first half to the one that Gazza tried to make for their 3rd goal. Got down very sharply, made the save on his line and smothered the ball. It's not far-fetched to think that Boruc would have saved the 3rd goal - possibly not with his broken hand though...

This. However he hasn't played a competitive game for us for a long time now, so i'm willing to put that one down to a lack of sharpness. Today was going one way based on the second-half performance by Chelsea anyway, so if he had saved it it would've only been damage limitation..

Surely Cortese wouldn't sanction this signing, he is neither Italian or playing in the Italian league. It completely goes against his philosophy. Paper BS.

Would you cheer on the Under 9's as vociferously as you would the first team in a derby game? There's not nearly as much riding on it. Youth and Reserve games are a learning stage for our young players, and not really an occasion for fans to get whipped up about. Imo of course.

No, they're not. They're nippers playing in a youth game. It's not as important as people seem to think it is. Fair enough, it's in the cup, so that adds something a bit different, but i'm sure all the management and playing staff will be treating it like any other game - because it is.

It's a kids game - most people won't be interested in going. I'm going but not treating it like the big derby people seem to think it is...

No meat on them though. It's like eating a larger than average chicken wing. Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

Seconded. Also any pets like Goldfish, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs...what's the point? Just a money-hole.

As of Monday, i'm going cold turkey. Wish me luck!

Same for me when I quit for that month, was out of town with the family and barely thought about it for that time - soon as I got to my doorstep in Southampton I was digging around in my bag for the packet! Thanks for the advice as well Manuel, I do want to give up. It's all part of my "growing up" pact - quitting smoking, getting in shape and being more responsible with my finances. Should be a piece of cake... PS: I read the responses to this thread while I was having a smoke.

So, the time has come for me to quit smoking. Can't stand the coughing in the mornings and the stink, so i'm looking to knock the habit on the head. The question is - how do I go about it? What worked for people here? I did buy an eLite in an effort to cut down about a month ago but found I was puffing on it when I fancied a fag, and would then say yes whenever someone at work or my housemates asked if I was coming for one. Cold Turkey seems to be the way for me to go, I quit for a month once on it and felt fine, but I need some tips for resisting the temptation...

Only going with players i've seen play for us in the flesh, I would have Niemi in for Boruc, Dean Richards in for Fonte and Pahars in for JWP. ---------------NIEMI---------------- CLYNE---DEANO---LOVREN---SHAW ---------VICTOR---MORGAN--------- --------ADZ---RICKIE---JROD------- --------------MARIAN---------------

To be fair, if I get the opportunity to be lazy I take it, Turkish isn't a million miles off.

I'm doing very well in the call centre actually I wouldn't say the cross-section of people in their 40s on this site fills us with much more hope either though.

I found it hard to get into as well - if you start unemployed and skip over the first season it becomes pretty interesting. You can get Antonio Candreva on a free in June 2014, he is absolutely immense.

Eek. Their set in 07 is still one of the best i've ever seen.