S-Clarke

Outstanding response after a little bit of a disjointed first half, although we were always the better team throughout the match. (over both matches, to be honest). Inter played very similar to Chelsea at the weekend, players behind the ball, allow us to play in front of them, but cut of the channels. We needed to be quicker and somewhat more direct, which is how we started the 2nd half. Virgil was unlucky not to have scored just before, as it was a great save from Handanovic - but he got the luck he deserved (and the team). We kept pressing them after that, forcing them into more mistakes and making it a lot more difficult for them through the middle. We took advantage of a fair few loose balls and we totally unsettled them, you could tell. The 2nd goal was the result of more direct and quicker play, we got down the side and put a terrific ball into the box (Mcqueen I think). But it was very comical defending from Nagatomo, he wouldn't do that again if he tried a million times - I'll take it though! We closed the game out very professionally, well managed by the team and also Puel with the substitutions which I think changed the game in our favour. JWP was my MOTM, similar performance to the one he put in at the San Siro - he ran that midfield and used the ball better than anyone else in there. Mcqueen outstanding, he's come from no where and has seemingly jumped ahead of Targett. Hojburg grew into the game, but was very guilty of taking too long over a pass and then mucking it up as Inter had players back. I like to see him in a 'rampaging' midfield role, as I think he's excellent running with the ball. So, 7 points it is. No idea how the hell Sparta are sat top with 9 after what I saw at St Mary's. Prague will be a very interesting away game.

Time to start going then. Not even man flu is keeping me away from this one....(apologies in advance to anyone who has to sit next to me)

But you've been calling for Gallagher to be recalled, so what's the difference? Both young lads, but part of the squad. We have Long, Jay, Austin as three first team forwards - add Redmond who has played in that role and also Olomolo - that's plenty of numbers. We need to quicken the play up to open more oppertunities, I'm still of the belief that the players we have the players to score goals.

Nothing wrong with our squad depth, what other teams at our 'level' can change teams between cups and the league as we have done and maintain the competitiveness? We're in a position where a lot of our players are of a similar level - so changing personal doesn't necessarily have such a big impact. I think for a club of our size we've managed the squad really well and have put together a nicely balanced and competitive squad.

Neither are first choice, we rotate them. I like Hojburg, Clasie still doesn't impose himself enough in the 'big' games. There's no doubt he can pass the ball and has good technique, but he struggles up against players like Matic etc. Not sure that will ever change, but he's a good tactical player in terms of holding a position and tracking players.

Why do people think a striker is the solution? If you don't move the ball quick enough and create clear openings, then it doesn't matter who is up front. That was the case yesterday, just a little too slow in the buildup and it allowed Chelsea to regroup and block the avenues - so the service was never really there for Austin. We'll score goals if we move the ball quicker, not sure why people want to reinvent the wheel after yesterday. We're not a bad side as it stands.

Really well set up away team to be honest, behind the ball, close the space and break quickly when you win it. They played an away game perfectly. Conte has them setup a lot better than they were last year, it looked like there were always more Chelsea players than ours - but they were just tactically a bit sharper than us, fair to say Conte had our number from the first minute. We could have played till tomorrow and there still wouldn't have been openings for us to score. We were too slow in possession and the game was crying out for someone like Long up front to stretch it, Austin tried but is just too slow for that kind of role. Fair play to Chelsea, they did a number on us. Onto the next one.

I notice BT sport have binned Owen as co-comm, but why the hell have they put Hargreaves on there? I want to smash my speakers every time he speaks in.the.same.tone.for.90.mins

Bailly is only out for a month or so now, nothing that bad.

They've broken through once, it's just a matter of how many it will be for Arsenal. Sunderland are an embarrassment to english football. They'll be giving their lowest points total a run for it's money this year.

JWP has been diabolical tonight.

We scored against City because Redmond pressed well, anticipated well, showed composure and executed a great finish.

He's a very good player, but so was Toby, Lovren, Morgan, etc etc etc. We know how to replace players, we're the masters at it. He's not going to be impossible to replace, I'm sure we already have options. Anyway, what's the point in even discussing this now. Lots to look forward to as he's our player.

He's using the squad well, he's gone beyond the first team and looked in the U23's and has even altered players positions and they've done well. I think we've got our strongest squad, since, well...ever. You can change midfield options around and we're not much weaker, you can change Tadic/Boufal/Redmond/Jay/Long/Austin around, and we're still threatening. We've got good options with Yoshida, VVD, Fonte at the back - I think Yoshida has done well in the EL games this year. We've got two excellent goalkeepers, and 5 capable full backs. No real question over the squad, it's now just a case of using it well and getting the most out of it - which Puel seems to be managing perfectly.

Berahino? Just a thought. Reckon we're biding our time with this one as we did with Austin.

Why would anyone do that?

Why would anyone do that?

I think Mcqueen needs a rest to be honest, he was stretching out so much today, looked to have a bit of cramp. Maybe Targett will be ok for this one.

I think Mcqueen needs a rest to be honest, he was stretching out so much today, looked to have a bit of cramp. Maybe Targett will be ok for this one.

Absolute player.

Absolute player.

What do they expect when they keep playing Fellani in midfield? He's dog ****e. He's frozen out players like Morgan and Bastian for no reason, and they are so much better than Fellani and Carrick. Still hard to say who is going to win the league to be honest. City still look a bit fragile, Utd are weird, Chelsea are a bit hit and miss, Arsenal are, well, Arsenal. Pains me to say it, but keep an eye on Liverpool and Spurs. They look the more organised sides up there this year.

What do they expect when they keep playing Fellani in midfield? He's dog ****e. He's frozen out players like Morgan and Bastian for no reason, and they are so much better than Fellani and Carrick. Still hard to say who is going to win the league to be honest. City still look a bit fragile, Utd are weird, Chelsea are a bit hit and miss, Arsenal are, well, Arsenal. Pains me to say it, but keep an eye on Liverpool and Spurs. They look the more organised sides up there this year.

We're a very, very good premier league team to be honest. Results like this aren't a surprise, as we give everyone a game. Our organisation is excellent, the professionalism and work-rate of our players is exceptional - you don't get a team that gels in that sense that often. Some of the breaks we had in attacking senses were majestic, we play some excellent football this year and seem to find so much more space for the likes of Tadic and co to operate in. As I knew we would, we're improving Redmond and getting the most out of his undoubted potential. We'll do the same with Boufal as well, and there's obviously a hell of a lot to work with there. We're in a good place right now, we really do look at home as a top 8 team.

We're a very, very good premier league team to be honest. Results like this aren't a surprise, as we give everyone a game. Our organisation is excellent, the professionalism and work-rate of our players is exceptional - you don't get a team that gels in that sense that often. Some of the breaks we had in attacking senses were majestic, we play some excellent football this year and seem to find so much more space for the likes of Tadic and co to operate in. As I knew we would, we're improving Redmond and getting the most out of his undoubted potential. We'll do the same with Boufal as well, and there's obviously a hell of a lot to work with there. We're in a good place right now, we really do look at home as a top 8 team.