Tommy Mulgrew

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.

Does anyone know exactly how the managerial and coaching duties are split between Ronald, Erwin and Sammy? I'd be interested to know and would be grateful to anyone who can take the trouble to explain it. Thanks

I'd be really interested to hear from someone ITK precisely why this obviously talented creative player, who is capable of providing incisive passes to set-up scoring chances for our other players in a way that is sadly lacking from all our regular starters and subs except Mane, is considered by our coaching and managerial staff so surplus to our requirements that we are apparently ready and willing to end his contract and allow him to go back to south America. Anybody able to tell us why?

Bewildered is right!

hopeless; just like watching a pale imitation of Stoke or Wet Spam!

Interesting to read "Van Hanegem"'s comments on here; thanks for them. IMO, what we really need to strengthen our midfield when Morgan eventually goes is someone just like the real Van Hanegem, striding around St Mary's hammering the opposition and stroking the ball incisively forwards to our more attacking players.

According to Ron, ManUre has not made a "serious" bid for Morgan. I might have missed it but I think neither has Arsenal or any other club. Yet we seem to expect him to go on Wednesday. Does anyone know what the truth is?

Thnx for the suggestion of cricfree. I've tried it before and encountered a lot of buffering and unwanted interruptions. But, in the absence of alternatives, I'll try it again.

I usually watch away matches on Drakulastream, which has now been closed down. Anyone know of a good free stream for Sunday, please? Many thanks in anticipation.

Pelle was in Skrotal's pocket all match and hardly won a ball against the sole central defender (Lovren rarely helped his teammate in marking Pelle - he did not need to!). In contrast, Kevin Davies completely bossed ManUre's defence, even when he had three close markers for the lofted ball down the middle of the park in the recent FA Cup tie, and won almost all the balls played up to him. Pelle is jaded and without confidence; his attitude is sharp contrast to earlier in the season, when he scored regularly. If he gets a couple of goals his confidence will return. But will he be able to boss an entire defence the way Kevin Davies did for Bolton (and sometimes for us) and does for Preston? Perhaps a bit of Davies's aggression would help our Italian stallion.