SNSUN

I haven't seen Shaw play, but we've taken the plunge with JWP and Gazza, could it be time against Wednesday to take the plunge with him? Couldn't hurt. Fox isn't terrible, but he clearly has limitations. Adkins showed his testicles today playing Gazza, and it's bold decisions like this that could keep or lose him his job. But he's got to make them.

Good signing if true. Sad for Kelvin.

How much time did the Villa defence give Lambert for his first! Shocking defending, same for all 3 openn play goals actually.

Good win. Very happy. I mentioned about Clyne playing left back a month ago - if he's better than Fox, why not? According to the guy reading the scores out on Final Score, we're now called Southampton Town. Numpty.

"The season begins against Villa." We always start the season slowly, so that's a worrying turn of phrase! I think we'll beat Villa. 2-0. A hunch.

FFS We're going to be the laughing stock of the league. I was only saying the other day that we'd done well to keep the goal difference down... I hope we smash Villa!

Ok, I'm in. Our defence is shocking. Even Clyne who's had a few good games looks poor today. Yoshida does look OK, but it'll take more than just him. Still, Arsenal are quality, and judging by the Norwich/West Ham game earlier, we'll have our chances to pick up some points.

Fecking Buttner scores for United.

We can only improve. Can't we? Half time sub surely. Bring on Ramirez!

Jeez I've just been watching the stream and we look a shadow of the side that have played so well against the Manchesters. Could be a cricket score. Wish I didn't have a hangover.

I disagree. Adkins sacking would be greeted much more sternly. Pardew started the building process and gave us a winning day out at Wembley, but I really felt very little for him. Adkins has got us promoted twice, and has done it with positivity and a smile on his face. I like him far more than I liked Pardew, and would be gutted if we took the steps to sack him. Sure, if we appointed Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho as his successor it would soften the blow, but we'd be stupid to let him go so early in the season. I do think if we're languishing at the bottom come January, Cortese may be tempted to see who's available to replace him, though I hope and think we're good enough to pick up some points once this hard run of games comes to an end.

RIP. Only 54. The Green Mile is one of my favourite films.

I didn't mean for us, I meant in general. Liverpool could use him AND Owen. And Del Piero.

With our current crop of attacking signings, I can't help but think this would be a strange signing. It'd boost our media exposure when, on a personal level, I'd rather we stayed under the radar this season, he's knocking on, and his presence in the squad would mean others more concerned about their place. (Rodriguez of course, although perhaps it's make them play harder.) I don't doubt his ability, one of, if not the, best Italian of his generation, and seeing Scholes playing yesterday makes me think he could hack it, but I just think it's a bit odd. Drogba - now there's the best Bosman out there.

I reckon Yoshida will be our new Monkou, Richards or Killer. Based on wishful thinking.

He was excellent yesterday. The whole front six were. What a signing Davis could turn out to be too. And I'm pleased - I prefer Lallana in that attacking role.

We're two days too late for that. Kelvin is OK, and will be OK at least until January, but his distribution was woeful today. Just punt it up the field man, none of these stray short balls to the full backs. I did notice today his movement isn't what it was - one dive to his left reminded me of Dave Beasant, it looked very stiff, like an old man was doing it.

I'd actually have JRod up top and Lambert wide. OK, Lambert is an excellent target man, but he also has the footballing brain to create attacking moves, and his cross for Morgan was exquisite. That said, with Mayuka and Ramirez on board, and Puncheon seamingly in good form, it's touch to choose the front three.

I had the Japanese contingent near me in the Itchin/Chapel corner and one of them was wearing a Man Utd shirt. He looked like an OK guy, but I'd have punched him too, had I known I'd have been a hero.

He's got Rickie to learn from, he'll be fine long term.

If the odds of winning really are 50/50, I'd have bought one. :-p

Thoroughly enjoyed myself today even in defeat. We played brilliant attacking football, Puncheon, Morgan and JWP were outstanding, but there's a reason United paid £24 million for Van Persie. Lethal. We were unlucky with their goals though, Clyne's slip, the rebound off the post... Only their winning goal was really deserved, and Kelv nearly got to it. (and nearly got to their first too.) Play like this, and like City and we won't have any problems this season. We just need that first point on the board for confidence, and two weeks off and an Arsenal game won't make it any easier.

Really? At least two of Kelvins short passes went short of their target, and nearly got us into big trouble. I'd rather he just punted it up the field than put us in danger that close to our goal. I couldn't believe the booing when Guly came on. Unbelievable. No matter how limited a player he is, how inconsistant he is, or how much of a numpty he is for drink driving, you don't boo one of our own players. The team as a whole, at the end of a poor defeat, is borderline acceptable.

Which begs the question Why didn't we go all out to bring in another left back? Shaw's our only other left back besides Fox, and if he's not good enough yet, surely we'll be stumped if anything happens to Fox?!? Yes Seaborne can play left back, and yes Clyne has apparently played there in the past, but surely we should have brought someone in if Shaw's not good enough? Strange one. Fox it is, I guess.

Went to the game, stuck in traffic, got home, rewatched whole game on Sky +, watched highlights again on MOTD2. Puncheon was outstanding. Everything good went through him. Lallana had a solid game but needed a better finishing touch. Lambert as good as he ever is. Morgan was outstanding too and capped it with a great header. Steven Davis went under the radar but was solid too, a few attacking moves went through him. Apart from falling over a lot, Clyne was good at right back too and linked well with Punch. Fox was far from MOTM but he was better than what I saw against Man City. MOTM for me though goes to JWP. He's fricking 17, playing against the country's biggest team, and he's put in a fantastic performance. Puncheon or Morgan perhaps will win the plaudits, but this is my vote, and for someone who looked like he's played for years, he gets it. Well done James.