Cabrone

If we could get at least 2 points from the next 2 games then I might just entertain the thought that we have a slight chance of squeaking into the top 6. Top 4 is not going to happen with our current squad, it just isn't deep enough.

Two draws at best but if we were to beat one of these I actually fancy Arsenal, they may be brilliant at times but they do have a midfield that we can overpower and a defence we can pierce IMO. Hopefully both games will be crackers.

Dissapointing, not because we lost as Sunderland aren't a bad team (too much disrespect generally on here) but because we tamely surrendered a quarter final place in a major cup by selecting a second string XI. Why was Kelvin playing? He's at the end of his career - Boruc should have been on and if not Boruc then Gazzaniga - assuming he was fit. We should be going for it in all competitions otherwise what's the point? It's not as if we have a trophy cabinet bulging with silverware is it. Fans want to win things and the attitude that the league cup is irrelevant is pretty sad IMO.

Luther Blisset, Milan regular and Italian Anarchist pin up boy. Luther Blisset - anarchist hero

We aren't going to get top 4 but we could win this one. Silverware is good for standing and morale, raises the profile and gives the fans & club a buzz. Top 4, if it were ever to happen would take several seasons, a cup win is a stepping stone on that path. We need to take this one seriously, maybe swap a couple of first teamers out but put up a strong team. If we lost this one because of a weakened team I'd be gutted.

If what we have done so far was to be continued throughout the season 8th is doable and would be a realistic target. However if Ossie fires up and we stay clear of big injuries + strengthen in one or two areas in January then maybe, just maybe we could gatecrash top 6. Ossie is a key man, just a moderate number of goals from him ontop of our already stingy defence would add a lot of extra points. That said, the converse could happen and we could fall down to 12-14th. Top 6 = beyond all expectations Top 8 = realistic ambition 9th/10th = par for the course

Full strength, always play to win. This cup is our most decent chance to actually win something this season, need to give it our all.

Can't see Stoke getting more than 1 goal against us but I can see us getting at least 1 goal. Draw or win for us.

Very premature. As much as I like the guy and am impressed by him he's got to hang around a lot longer yet. Ricky's a legend and if Dejan cotinues like he has done for another 4\5 years then he'll be one too.

Palace - too weak all round Wham - goals? Fulham - old team on a potential downward spiral

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This is going to be a tough one. Fulham will park the bus and look to sting us on the break. With players like Berbatov they have the quality to do it too. The smart money is on a tight win but I wouldn't be atall surprised if Fulham leave with a point. It's games like this that test your credentials, if we are real about top 6 then Fulham need to be beat.

Struggling to believe this one, if he's unhappy he isn't showing it on the pitch, esp when we score. The club worked its socks off to get him over the summer and I can see why, he's perfect for us - just needs to bed in. The Don won't let him go without a fight. Juve had their chance over the summer and blew it, the only way he'd be going would be if he declared that he wanted out and even then Juve would have to shell out a fair bit of coin for him. He's too valuable to us.

We already have two that are capable of doing the job but as others have said they need the service. At this moment in time I'd like to see either Gaston getting a run out or Ricky being given the role in the hole. Ossie's undoubted talents are being somewhat squandered with the service at the moment. I guess this was the position that Banega would have filled had we signed him.

All this moaning about Osvaldo reminds me of the reception Boruc got 12 months ago, a class GK being constantly knocked without ever really giving him adequate time. Osvaldo is class, just take a look at his bloody goals if you doubt it. That goal against Denmark was mustard. Be patient and give him the time to adjust and just like Boruc he will deliver. I reckon if we signed Messi he would be hounded by some of the numpties on here.

I think their post Fergie aura is rapidly evaporating and other teams are looking at them prepared to go to their ground and give them a going over. The big boys don't like it when you put it up them as Saints are showing. They play Arsenal in 3 weeks at Old Trafford and based on current form they could get a right spanking. That would be funny. Also hilarious reading their spoilt fans and their divine right to beat teams like Saints. Fergie isn't going to save you anymore.

I think he's been a fantastic signing, an absolute wrecking machine of a midfielder and when teamed up with Schneiderlin a real force field that breaks up many attacks before they have even got going. His passing is nowhere as bad as those on here would have you believe and will improve. When it does we will have one of the very best defensive midfielders in the prem on out hands. I bet the opposition shudder at the thought of having to face him.

With their spoilt sense of entitlement they are going to fall really hard. Fergie was a freak and he won't be repeated which is good for the prem TBH. I think they'll go back to the post Busby - pre Fergie Utd which was a decent enough team but not invincible. It's going to be fun watching the implosion.

If we play to our very best then I don't see why we can't get something out of this game, esp if Van Persie is out.

That graphic is a dreadful prem record against them. Time to nick 3 points, redress the imbalance a bit and watch the death star implode. Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Cork Wanyama Davis Schneiderlin Lallana Ossie

That was a lovely goal, classy pass and an equally classy finish. Ossie's going to plunder a few prem defences before the season is out. He really is a top finisher.

One of those rare occasions when I'll plump for England. They'll probably stink the tournament out though like they usually do.

Well if there is a good time to play Utd it must be now. We ran them ragged last season without the end product, let's hope Dani and Ricky can apply the killer touches this time around. A win really would make the neutrals sit up and take note.

Yes, they looking granite hard at the moment. Keep up this rate and they could be even better than the miserly defence of 83-84. The defence back then was Shilton, Dennis, Wright, Holmes and Mills - also think Agboola played sweeper in that team. Finished 2nd that season on the back of a lot of 1-0's.

Good stuff, commonsense prevails. Next time just make sure you hide your beer inside a squirrel, the stewards will never get it.