Bobbyboy

I wonder if that's it for Gaston?

It's a little scary when you see our (possible) bench has four regular internationals, including two international captains. Doesn't seem two minutes ago we were talking about Hammond, Harding and Wotton.

The key point to me is that Rickie knows he won't be alone in his chasing. One of the most interesting and insightful pieces of commentary from the NBC coverage on Saturday was Alro White and Lee Dixon (no, seriously) talking about what the trigger is for the Saints forwards/midfield to start the pressing - eg is it the first sideways pass by the opposition, or is it that everyone watches Lambert and when he goes, they all go. Dixon talked about how that was George Graham's big thing at Arsenal, getting the defence in particular to stay together like that - everyone knew what the trigger was and they were so well-drilled that it worked. If it doesn't work it's a farce of course, and you end up either with Rickie doing everything on his own Berbatov-style, or with big gaps everywhere. Anyway, it made me think rather more than your average Clive Tiddlesly commentary ever does.

Cortese

Two things I thought of while watching from the comfort of NBC on Saturday: 1. He was much deeper than I expected, really another one alongside Morgan and Wanyama in that line, and covered very frequently for Clyne, esp in second half - he was almost playing right-back at some times. But he was perfectly good there. 2. We don't have anyone else quite like him. He has excellent delivery (yes even better than Fox), doesn't dribble/run too much, really good at short/long passes and always seems to have a lot of space around him (which the best passers often do). There's not really anyone else in the squad like that, or at least as good as that. I'd say fatten him up and turn him into Jan Molby.

Definite gap beginning to open up above Swansea. Only Man Utd trying to define what 'mid table' means.

I've thought the same. The only thing I can think is that it reminds me of when ITV Digital overpaid for the football league rights, nobody ever watched it and they went under. Not that this will happen here, but I keep telling people here in Louisiana that NBC paid all that money and all the games are live and online and by the way a team called Saints is the best (that goes down well here in Louisiana).. and nobody cares. Nobody cares at all. And my fear is that at the end of the deal NBC will say well, forget that. And then there'll be no football at all over here apart from that stuff with the lines all over the pitch and them throwing it forward and hugging each other. At which point I'll suggest we move back to the UK.

Doesn't he play front sweeper or something?

Felt Sturridge had his moments but Welbeck certainly did not. How on earth is he an England regular?

So anyway, how far are we away from the next set of events with some toast potential?

I'm sure Brendan Rogers will be so very happy with the revelation that he was tapped up and was happy to accept the position.

NBC also hinting at him wanting to leave, citing Daily Mail and Sunday People: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/06/pablo-osvaldos-slams-premier-league-says-he-wishes-to-play-elsewhere/

The key question is whether she's a better option than Fox

Just back in US from visit to the UK, watched the Palace game online (laptop and iPad) and quality was excellent. Impressed so far.

Might just be the accent, but agree with this. There's a humility in there that you don't always see, and you never used to be able to say that about Cav.

At the time most of us agreed with this. Even now when he isn't *quite* on top form it's amazing to see how far he has come even since joining us. True legend and fought his way to that reputation. And I'm still curious about how we reached the 95th minute of injury time.

I suppose we could make up some rumours about injuries, unconfirmed selections/formations and player fallouts and see which ones make the national media outlets?

Real shame. I was hoping he'd have far more games lost by the time he was sacked and Sunderland would already be as good as down. Unfortunately this gives them a fighting chance of staying up, depending on who they appoint.

Blayney's save remains the best I ever saw. Did more in that one moment than the rest of his entire career.

Actually thought Davis was a key when he came on. Gave us shape in midfield. Also found interesting when Clyne consistently outpaced Liverpool players, can't help wondering how Punch would have done. Still, very positive, and loved Shaw's run. How much did that add to his potential value in Monday's rumours? Ha ha!

Trevor Francis is a pretty dreadful commentator.

Problem with that is some refs give that as handball.

Didn't Osvaldo play with Papa Mango at some point? Maybe a return is on the cards...

How do we know it's fake? NO WATCHES.

Or indeed the Framley Examiner: "Met at Paul Weller gig. I flirted. You sand and played acoustic version of 'That's Entertainment'. Who were you, mystery man?" Is this heading to the Lounge or Muppet Show too quickly?