BotleySaint

England have defended poorly last couple of games. Comes from having substandard players at the back really. I mean, who actually rates Smalling?

Adam seems to thriving on the expectations of him to perform. Really pleased he is being given another chance and if he continues to improve you can see him being integral to England. England so often lack creativity even when they have the pace of Walcott and Chamberlain and that is what his game is all about. Trying clever turns, passing and movement. He and Townsend have shown more creativity than most others and might actually make us interesting to watch at the World Cup. If they can both keep consistent. Rather than the usual dire performances, very few chances and a sneaky goal to keep hopes up followed by self destruction at the penalty shoot out.

Given the injury to Welbeck who would have been a starter and Roy's comparison to Rodriguez; you'd expect him to start in place of Welbeck. That is unless Roy has watched training and realised Rodriquez can actually control a football and is nothing like Welbeck.

Whew, we need to get this game back under control!

He doesn't look too pleased with the trophy. I guess he knows the stigma surrounding it. Guaranteed defeat against Hull!

That's interesting as he's been coming on off the bench a lot. I wonder if T. Lee will get more of a chance?

Depends what kind of person he is. He might see the whole thing as a challenge, to train and work harder, to try and force his way into a very exciting side currently on the up. He might think why leave to go to somewhere where nothing exciting is happening?

J-Rod has exceptional pace and dribbling skills plus a few goals so I'm not surprised to see him in the squad on merit!

If Osvaldo is fit I think he's more likely to drop Lambert. Didn't he already do that this season?

Well, second string got a 2-1 away at Sunderland doesn't sound too bad. But feels like a wasted chance to get closer to Europe via the cup.

2-0 - Can't help but feel we've wasted a great chance to get to a final.

Obviously not prioritising this competition. Shame, today was a great chance to get to the quarters with Hull on Saturday.

Not looking too good. We can't muster even a shot, let alone get back into it.

Hmm.. looks a tough one to come back from now.

Always going to be fairly dull with the Saints team not playing together much. But doing okay up till now without creating much. More embarrassing for Sunderland right now.

Ramirez, utterly wasted.

Their first team today is it?

Solid start so far. Excellent possession football too.

What a performance by so many players. We rode our luck and Utd were below par. But a point is a point!

Yes!!

We have played very solidly. But that goal looks like it's going to be enough. Osvaldo guilty of wasting a lot of chances.

All about keeping the goal difference down now?

That's the difference. We dominate and have a few decent chances. Man Utd destroy us.

If Boruc is out we have no adequate backup. We need him back ASAP or to get someone in to cover.

Does that mean he's played more minutes for them than us this season? ;-)