Chewy

Who do I want? Banega. I really think he could be the final piece of the jigsaw. Who do I think we need? Not sure we need anyone, and few of us know enough about the youngsters to say if they're good enough replacements. We could do with a better back up keeper, and we need better cover than fox at left back. If the club think chambers and moving Clyne, or targett, are good enough options then fine by me. Who would want to join as a bench-warmer anyway. We could also probably do with another centre back, though I thought maya was progressing well last year so it's hard to judge. The only other area is probably among the front four, but whether isgrove, Rowe and Gallagher are good enough is difficult to say yet. If the club don't add here it suggests they think they are. Given that, I'd be ver happy with banega and a keeper and delighted with a quality centre back as well. Too many more might impact our team spirit which is a key strength, though if bale, Walcott and chamberlain decided to return I wouldn't say no.

It's surreal, but while my gut reaction thinks two defeats, my head actually thinks we can pick up points. Chelsea look a bit lazy and lethargic to me, kind of like Fulham but with massively more quality. If they turn up with that attitude I seriously think we can win. As for arsenal, this will be our biggest test for the high press. While we all know their back line can struggle under pressure, their front players might be skillful enough to break through our press and then they'll be in space. Also, I doubt Clyne and shaw will be able to get as far forward as normal. Could be a cracking game. Our best hope is that arsenal beat united and start to get a bit cocky. Best thing is though, even if we lose both we'll still be in the mix with 4 of the toughest 6 away fixtures out of the way. Any point will be a bonus IMO but I'm going to predict that we pick up 3.

The idea of staging it across Arabia rather than in one tiny country makes sense to me on a certain level. But ... This was not the bid submitted, nor was it a winter tournament, and the idea of Iran being involved is clearly bonkers. It is farcical, and he makes himself look more ridiculous every time he opens his mouth.

Guly has not been employed as a striker in 2 years, and helps the team see out matches in a simple and effective manner when called upon. His aerial presence up front and at the back has been useful at the end of games. I didn't know you were privy to wages but fair enough, you don't get any points for drink driving, and he has helped gain a number of points in league one, the championship and the premier league in his time here. Even if you don't credit him with any impact in the premier league, the league one and championship seasons were still rather important in getting to where we are now. You couldn't be more wrong, as usual, unless your name was Barry Sanchez.

Great news for the individuals and the club as a whole. Surprised by j-rod's inclusion and clyne's omission, but not too disappointed about jwp and shaw, there time will undoubtedly come and I can't see them figuring in Brazil (unless baines or cole get injured for shaw). Jwp will be involved after Brazil though IMO after Gerard and lampard call it a day if he keeps going as he is.

A lot of people did. But I have to say I wasn't one of them. For anyone who's watched any football he was clearly a class above Davis and gazzaniga even in those early days. Now he's settled and got fit he's a real class act. Wouldn't go quite so far as to say the best keeper in the league as someone else claimed, but he's not far off. An excellent signing.

I think top 8 is realistic ... Though it will either be 7th or 8th between us and Everton. The top 6 are beyond our capabilities over a season, but I can't think of any of the rest who are good enough. Toon are inconsistent, villa are young and developing, Swansea play great stuff but have already dropped a few points (and look like dropping some more today) and west brom aren't the side they were last season. Aside from west ham (and my god I hope we finish above that anti-football team) I think the rest are all in the relegation scrap. The next two months look tough so I expect to see us drop a few places but if we can maintain our level of intensity over the whole season I really don't see many other teams getting ahead of us in the table. Which is pretty astounding, really. Assuming the uefa spots from the cup come from the top 6, it's probably between us and Everton for the last place in Europe. It really is ridiculous when you think about it.

Was speaking to a villa supporting mate of mine and he said under o'neill they pressed a lot and seemed to hit the wall in March each year. The difference that he can see though is that when they had the ball they then played it forward very directly so they didn't retain possession allowing for any respite. He thinks given our ball retention levels we might last a little better. Will be interesting to see if we can maintain this or just reach a point when the players are spent.

It's quite interesting viewing and I could see the final table looking similar, but it doesn't really extend the current level of performance over the season. Mlg, if you have time what would it look like if you did that, so to explain if manure are -8 over 9 games, they'd be -32 over 36 games (times each by 4). Completely pointless speculation but fun all the same.

Simple, yet brilliant

No, I think Glasgow simply retired this particular wumming incarnation. Glasgow probably placed a bet on lovren being our player of the year ...

Afraid so, especially for Luke. Both Chelsea and United need long term replacement left backs and as he's clearly the best english prospect in that position he will naturally be high on the list. Much as we are all revelling in our recent ascent up the leagues, we have to be realistic about our status as a club. Both of those names are a huge draw for any player in the way we will probably never be, so it will be hard to keep him, especially as he's a Chelsea fan. Once a player knows he's wanted and wants to go its hard to keep them. I imagine cortese will ensure we get our money's worth but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't go by next summer.

1st half especially was as good as I've sen us play in at least ten years. Absolutely outstanding. Lallana my vote for mom but the whole team were excellent. Fulham aren't great but we really gave them nothing at all. To do that for 90 minutes against a premier league side is nothing short of remarkable. Well done all.

I put a pony on him winning a corner and won a fortune ...

Oct 26: Fulham (h) 1-0 W Nov 2: Stoke City (a) 1-1 D Nov 9: Hull City (h) 1-0 W Nov 23: Arsenal (a) 0-2 L Nov 30: Chelsea (a) 0-1 L Dec 3: Aston Villa (h) 2-0 W Dec 7: Manchester City (h) 0-0 D Dec 14: Newcastle United (a) 0-0 D With the added statement that at least one of the games against the big three will go far better than expected, and at least one of the rest will be far worse causing this place to meltdown. It could be today ...

I wouldnt be too hard on yourself. Great blog so you're allowed the odd senior / blond / whatever moment. Mind you, it was quite a glaring error ...

Lallana.

Game plan - don't allow them to shoot from 20 yards and we will pulverise them. Goal of the season already between tonight and jack wilshere. Other than that they've not been in it but what a couple of goals

Fair point, but if you live on the other side of the planet, what can you do about it? There are thousands of football nuts throughout Asia pacific and oz who can't possibly demonstrate their support in any other way, and while you could argue they should support their local football, it really isn't the same for them. We are spoilt by being in a nation with a rich football heritage, there's lots who aren't. However, plastic fans in England have no excuse, I'm afraid. Anyway, my tedious story - in oz my mates and I stopped at a drive thru off licence (can you imagine that concept here!!!) and the owner was a saints fan which kind of shocked me. Said he'd been a lifelong fan. Anyway, he asked us if we were drinking the crate of vb on the road, to which we obviously said no it was for later. "****, you're not??" He sounded genuinely shocked that we wouldn't be drinking whilst driving. He then decided to take the spare tyre out of its compartment, pack it full of ice, and put the beer in there. "Nothing worse than a warm vb" he said. I love the Aussies.

In fairness, Norwich did beat us. Come the end of the season I expect they'll be vying for Europe and we will be stuttering over the 40 point mark as usual ...

And rosicky and arteta. And United wonder why they might be left behind. I would happily take any one from that list off arsenals hands. Certainly preferable to Ashley young, though I don't think he's quite as bad as some make out. He would improve our squad and offer an option we simply don't have. Plus his diving with srl penalty and free kick abilities? Got to be worth a couple of goals! Seriously, he needs to play and play well to get back in the England fold so we might get him and with a serious motivation to perform.

I'm glad they included the picture of the newer statue

Actually, we could do with a better back up keeper as well.

Agree with this. Assuming we keep hold of players we don't need any additions amongst the back 7, so it's the front 4 that will get looked at. Depending on whether gaston goes (I like him, but he's not even on the bench so you have to wonder) it will be one or two I think. Depending on our and Valencia's respective positions we might go back in for ever benega and I'd love for us to get a quality wide player. Still, a lot of games before January and if we start dropping, our ability to attract players will lessen so probably best just to focus on the football for now.

Arsenal are the surprise for me too. While ozil (rightly) gets the plaudits, I think flamini has been a master stroke. They never properly replaced vieira and IMO that's the reason they haven't won anything recently. Not saying flamini is as good but a solid dm allowing their flair players to do their thing is exactly what they needed. Still think they need a striker which they may get in January, but with ox and Walcott still to come back they could have a genuine chance. Chelsea and City still favourites, though. Liverpool could also surprise. With coutinho to come back they look pretty tasty up top, but I think they'll get exposed at the back in some of the crunch games. Can't believe united have been so poor, yet looking at the players, aside from Rooney and van Persie, perhaps I shouldn't be - they're so short in genuine world class talent. Would Valencia, nani, young, clevrley, wellbeck, Hernandez get anywhere near the real or barca squad? And they have to replace vidic and rio too. Tough job for moyes there - he needs a big cheque book to stop them mirroring Liverpool once their domination ended. Spurs are a surprise but think once the players gel they'll come good. Could be a shout for the cup. As for the others I think villa and Everton are both doing better than expected as well as hull, the rest are pretty much in line with my expectations, I think the bottom 7 will be Sunderland, palace, hull, Cardiff, Fulham stoke and Norwich with palace and Sunderland obvious favourites for the drop. I still think we will be first or second in the next group of 7 teams behind the top 6 (us, Everton, west brom, Newcastle, Swansea, west ham and villa).