S-Clarke

It's a real advantage for us to have at this stage if I'm honest, especially in the run-up to the busy festive schedule. We'll have the advantage over Sunderland in terms of freshness, that's for sure. Whether it effects our sharpness is another thing.

Good player, not quite sure of Stoke have offered him a new contract yet - but there is talk that they're trying to tie him down long-term. If he does move it's going to be to one of the established big boys anyway.

Do you have a life mate? Going back through the summer picking people up on posts, for no reason. I don't get your point. Get out there and get yourself a job.

What's your point? It still stands. Once he's settled I believe he can be. Not sure why people are criticized and brought up for being positive about a player. Hey, sod it, they're all a load of ****, we've wasted ****ing millions on a cart horse. Adkins out, useless ****. There, sorted.

In a few years, when the big clubs come calling with £25-30m offers, we'll realise what a decent deal we had. Top class player, who is only 22. Full of ability, more than anyone else in our team. He can be inconsistent throughout a game, but some of the stuff he can do - and most importantly, see - opens up our team to a completely different level.

In terms of consistency, Alpine is right up there!

Classy defender who is coming back into form. Looks more composed, and his confidence is growing as it looks like he believes he can now play in the PL. (same can be said for alot of the players TBF) But he's dealt with some pretty decent strikers in recent weeks, Cisse, Ba, Holt, Saurez, and he's done his job pretty well on every one of them. I always believed he had class, and was confused at the back end of last season as his performances were uncharacteristic. But you never lose the class, as they say - form is temporary, class is permanent

It is a good point that you make, and one I didn't ever imagine anyone worrying about 10 months ago. An astonishing turnaround in fortunes if I'm honest. Would expect that the club are on top of this though. They're usually very quick to tie down players.

If we'd have achived what Alpine had predicted, he'd be all over this thread (and 100's more) posting his drivvel. I just find it really, really odd that you only hear from himn when things are going bad. He silentley slips into the background when it's all ok. I don't think he's a troll, I think he's a genuine fan - but he has serious issues. But this run of form has been terrific, we're starting to perform like the side I believed we were at the start of the season. I think our attack is top half mid-table if I'm honest, and now that we've got the ''balance'' sorted between attack and defense, we look a much more drilled outfit. We looked much more inline with the premiership than Reading did yesterday for example. This season will probably still be a struggle, but the important thing for me is that we've got our heads above water going into a busy Christmas period.

Reading some of the Tinpot fans comments, it makes me laugh. We're ''rubbish'' on that performance we're ''going down'' we're a ''poor side'' So on that basis, seeing as we won, and are 6 points above you, what the hell does that make you? Jeez.

That was a stunning reaction save for what it's worth, watch it back again. Obviously you're not going to waiver your opinion, but you're clearly out on your own here.

Oh, totally. If we do go down we'd lose a hell of a lot, which is why going down will seriously halt our progress IMO. Gaston, Lalalna, Shaw, Clyne, Cork, Lambert, Puncheon, Morgan - could see them all going based on how they've played this year.

Glad a fair few watched the same game as me then!

Next July, he's not been 17 that long believe it or not!

There's a 5 1/2 year contract on the table for him once he turns 18, and by all accounts it will be signed.

Stunning prospect. So mature for a 17 year old, but very strong as well. Reads the game well, positions himself well and is very rarely beaten. A 17 year old kid has solved our left back crisis. We've been lucky with the LB's we've produced in recent years, but I'd say that in his tender years Shaw looks the better defender at his age than either Bale or Bridge looked. Bale was a joy to watch in the Championship, but often left huge gaps in behind him which were exploited - or miss read defensive situations. Shaw, first and foremost, defends. That's what I like about him.

Last 3 home games, esp. Newcastle and today, have included god damn awful refere's.

lol, very good.

Very odd last 2 points, if I'm honest. From where I was sat, Lambert won most in the air. Pulled their CB's all over the shop, and was pivotal in the buildup to our goal. It was a trademark Lambert performance today, lead the line like a true centre forward. Guly did well, best I've seen him in the premier league. Touch was great, whereas Rodriguez's wasn't, movement was very good, and he could and should have scored. There wasn't a wrong decision made there.

The run of fixtures we've had have contributed to our upturn, that cannot be denied - but we've taken advantage of other teams limitations and have got the results in the games we've needed to get them in. Can't ask for much more than that. Although tactically I think we've tweaked things, possibly since WBA away to be honest where even though we lost, I felt we had a bit more of a solidity about us. Would be interested to see us play a ''Top'' side now, as I think we'll make it a bit more difficult as we're not as open as we used to be.

His movement is top class, always has been. Will cause most teams problems. Just lacks in a bit of strength at the mo.

Same as before, a CB, LB and another winger. Sorted.

Tin pot, all over. Poor fans, horrific championship team. Will do well to still be in touch come March.

Fonte was immense for me, looking every inch the PL cb in recent weeks. Still unsure what the 2nd half of last season was all about!

His knee seemed to twist, one of those innocuous injuries. 2 week break is good timing, but I doubt we'll see him again this year based on what I saw close up.