Tommy Mulgrew

How possible would Baumgartlinger be as a DM along with Romeu? He was excellent tonight. (I know nothing about his age, availabillity or club.)

It has to be Keane and the rest of the United team who mocked us and our players after defeating us and sending us down into the Championship. Disgusting attitude that made clear just what excrement they were. Much worse than any incidents in playing time that I recall. Supporters of a club that fielded Kirby, Walker, McGrath, Dennis et al can hardly complain about rough play against us.

We need to play like L'pool did tonight: effort, endeavour, commitment, bossing the midfield and going for goal whenever possible. Judas had a great game and was key to the victory. We need someone to play that role here. When we play our remaining games we need to play just like that, not like our limp-wristed display yesterday. Starting against Sunderland and continuing past City to Palace. And next year, too.

Creativity is not the only thing that we lack: mental strength and desire to win at almost any cost are what's lacking. Tonight,we were out-thought, out-fought, out-dived, out-scored and out-defended by Bournemouth. We were shockingly inept and deservedly lost. Neither free kick that led to a goal should have been given. No "tiger" at all from our players; didn't anyone tell them that it was a south-coast derby? We'll certainly have to buck up our ideas before Saturday. IMO, if we lose to Fat Sam, that will be the end of our season. Get a grip lads and back to winning ways. Long likely to be fit for Sunderland but Austin out for several weeks. And a fair deal from the ref always helps. (Why are the post-match threads closed?)

I've watched a replay and cannot see any foul by Fonte leading to the goal. He did stick his foot back but nowhere near the player and mote to try to stop the ball. A poor decision to give the free kick. Let's see how our enhanced midfield dictate the play in the second half.

I believe that Surman is the only non-defender to play every minute of EPL games so far this season. Will be interested to see how he gets on against our creative force. And whether Artur plays a blinder or gifts us the win. At least we don't have Lallana to take our penalty tonight.

Romeu MoM; Classy v good. Davis (except for one covering tackle in our pen area), Targett and Pelle contributed little. FF could have saved both goals. Ultimately beaten by a better team but we gave them too much space just outside our pen area. But they are a bunch of cheaters. Mane and JWP should have been on earlier and Pelle not at all. Let's hope for wins against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Although Ramirez is starring for Boro, Gaston plays in goal for Morton and kept a clean sheet a couple of days ago. What a versatile player! We obviously played him in the wrong position.

On the Shed, Chelsea supporters are mainly expecting this match to be a draw; one even thinks we shall win and a couple Chelsea will win. They are fearful of our form and Chelsea's inability to find real momentum in the League. In comparison, we on this forum are very optimistic. Let's hope we're right!

I forgot to mention that Cork had a good game and made some effective interceptions and tackles and, like Rom and Classy, was on the end of some strange decisions by the ref.

Boring but effective. Never looked like conceding. Should have been 2:0. Romeu unlucky to be booked and then, because of that, subbed; but arguably it was a more attacking formation afterwards. Pelle and Austin not up to scratch; otherwise everyone was on form. Our crossing was superb but finishing could and should be better. Defensive organisation was superb. Hard to name another EPL side that scores more headers and has a better aerial prescence. VVD MotM but OR came close and loses out by finishing the game early. ManUre now in our sights. Is it too much to hope for higher than 5th? 5th would be amazing considering how we all felt just before Christmas!

Maya MoTM!

Maya MoTM!

RIP old man. What a shame; I'm gutted for him and his family. I have many fond memories of watching the aforesaid forward line (post 12) from the Milton Road end. I think I shall now change my user-name to something else: it doesn't seem right for me to carry-on as "Tommy Mulgrew" any more.

"I" ushered in a short series of midfielders whose surnames started with the letter M. Sadly, most of them were better than "me". But "I" do hold that quick-scoring record and it cannot be beaten!

"My" memory is not what it was but I think "I" am the answer to the original question: on my debut, "I" scored the quickest ever goal at the Dell. See post 28. Unfortunately, it was downhill thereafter!

Having seen their spirited display against ManUre yesterday. I think Newcastle will stay up. The trouble is, I have not seen anything remotely like that from us for a long time. Until I do, I shall be worried until we have 40 points this season. Three tonight will do nicely but, given recent displays, I am not confident. Also, I note that the Radio London commentary team for the Palace match maintained that Palace would not have conceded the second goal like we did (the defence would not have switched off while the ball bounced towards the goal line as ours seemed to do); I thought that was an instructive comment.

Someone should show RK the match against Everton in which Reed excelled. Reed was perfectly capable of performing well in the EPL then; why is he not ready now after the benefit of another year or two of coaching in the under 21s and in the first team squad in the intervening period. The absence of Reed from the pitch in our league games this year has demonstrated for me that RK is not the successor to MP that the Board thought he would be. And that is a pity.

yet another game we should have won; the only plus was Martina, who yet again had a solid game, got forward well and played a superb pass through the defence to Long, who predictably missed the golden chance to score. We need to win a few games on the bounce now otherwise we'll be caught by the clubs that are in the relegation battle.

The West Brom Chairman has apparently refused even to speak to Levy and Spurs; I wonder whether we shall do the same.

I see, from the BBC Sport site, that Florin Gardos is looking for a nickname. Perhaps someone should suggest "two-bob bit" to him! (florin - geddit?)

ManUreout!

I hear that Gaston is playing for Uruguay tonight!!!

Why didn't Reed play?

Not surprised. Good on Saints for moving to protect our interests. Will be interesting to see whether RK bites.