Sheaf Saint

There was another one in the first half that had already been flagged for offside so it did not count as a shot on target in the stats, but Gazza didn't know that and made a good save.

Illness

When you consider that Fonte didn't get booked for that very late tackle near the end, it's baffling how Mariner decided that was worthy of a yellow. Softest booking I've ever seen.

Gazza having the best game I have ever seen from him today. Yoshida doing well too. Our defence looks so much more capable without Hooiveld and Fox. Good times.

Amazing that an organisation which goes to such lengths to deny its racist tendencies would produce something like this. I saw somebody trying to defend it on the comments section when it appeared in the Indy the other day, claiming that if Bing Crosby is allowed to sing about a white christmas then why can't the BNP use it on their card? Staggering really that somebody would be so oblivious (or deliberately dismissive) of the clear undertones of the message. The way I see it there are two possibilities here... 1. That the BNP really aren't racist at all, as they claim, and that the people who designed and approved this card were just monumentally ignorant of the possible way it could be perceived, or 2. They really are just a bunch of racist thugs. I think I know which one I'm leaning towards.

Yes, they are. No, they don't. If you've watched any of the last few games you will know that with these clowns in the first 11 we are guaranteed to leak goals left, right and centre.

Nothing whatsoever to do with the absolute f***ing shambles of a defence in front of him then?

Yep, this. Don't know why I still bother sifting through endless "This message is hidden because XXXXXX is on your ignore list." just to find a few decent posts.

It's obvious that Fonte is still lacking in fitness otherwise he would be a shoe-in. Only a total simpleton could try and argue that Hooiveld is a better player.

I really hope so.

Even at his worst I've never seen him as much of a liability as Hooiveld. This is ******* painful to watch.

Who are we blaming this one on then?

Standing by that are you?

You had to didn't you!

In all fairness, I'm struggling to remember the last time he did make a significant contribution to a match.

Does he though? Fonte has been fit enough for the bench for the last two games, so why isn't he on the pitch?

Can I just remind all these morons who seem to have completely forgotten.... GAZZANIGA IS OUR THIRD CHOICE KEEPER FFS!!!!!! If you think you could do better then why don't you call Nicola and volunteer your services.

I have been just as critical of him as anyone recently, but seriously **** off mate. There was no way he could have stopped that it was like a rocket past him.

Fox and Hooiveld both starting. Oh dear.

Are you Dalek in disguise?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZjwCmJrnlY

Blokes wearing stupid Christmas jumpers because they think it makes them look cool but actually makes them look like twats. 'nuff said.

Seems to drift in and out of games, but has been outstanding for us ever since his England call-up. He has a striker's instinct to use his pace and nip into areas where he can create chances for himself, as demonstrated by his poacher's goal at Chelsea, and that is something we appeared to be missing last season. I really believe we should be using him as the lone striker up top because he has the ability to make runs behind the defence that Lambert doesn't have.

Agreed, when you consider we started today with 5 of our first choice back 7 players out injured, it could have been a lot, lot worse.

Fair result really. Both teams had chances to win it. Thought we looked poor in the first half but much better in the second after Lallana and Scheiderlin came on.