5string

I think the issue is that we know we can be a lot better than we were - we've proved it recently with a good run of results... no, a great run of results. Some of our players don't always seem to put in the performances we know they should. That's disappointing from a fan's perspective. Maybe we are being too hard on them, though. As you say, Sunderland are fighting for their PL life and they have a manager experienced in PL ways. Nevertheless, I still think we're good enough that we should have won. It could be seen as a bad day, with a relieved ending providing some satisfaction.

Well, having seen only [most of] the 2nd half, I was pleasantly surprised to get a point from the game as it looked like we were sinking badly. So, a 'good day' I suppose. Looking at the bigger picture, it is a fairly disappointing result. We should be beating teams like Sunderland with a degree of comfort at home, like 2-0 or 3-0. I thought our play was lacking energy, even though we clearly have the quality to win and retain possession and do something with it - several players seem disinterested at times, for some reason (Mane being the obvious one). I'll never understand that approach from any professional footballer. At least some individuals are giving it their all. Anyway, other teams around us had relatively similar results, so no real damage done. Onwards and upwards...

Dearie dearie me. Not taking our chances up front, then letting in goals like that. Don't really deserve to get results, do we? Need a boost of... something!

Yoshida on for Mane.

Seems to me that refs find it easy to penalise Saints with loads of cards this season. Fonte got the ball there.

Is this the curse activated? Hope not.

I've only been watching the 2nd half, but it seems to me our midfield are working hard, attacking well, but nothing ever comes of it because our forwards are playing rubbish. Or is it more accurate that our midfielders aren't feeding the forwards well enough?

No. If they're going to win it, I'd rather they did it without beating us. I'd be pleased for them if they won the PL, and I'd rather Leicester won it if it's between them, City, Spurs and Arsenal. But I really don't like Saints losing - spoils MoTD, for one thing! The only way I would grudgingly accept a Saints defeat in those circumstances would be if: 1. our position in Europe is already secure 2. we don't drop any places in the PL (see point 6) 3. we only lose by one goal, eg. 2-1 (retaining our decent goal difference - sorry, Fraser!) 4. Brighton fail to gain promotion 5. Pompey get relegated 6. Spurs lose by many goals and drop below us in the PL on goal difference 7. Liverpool are already way behind us 8. Chelsea get relegated in the last minute of the last game of the season Then I might, just, maybe accept it as an "ok, at least [all of the above] happened."

Especially this. I always felt having semi-finals at Wembley diminished the final itself. With improved grounds nowadays there are plenty of neutral venues to choose from all around the country.

Well the last 6 minutes have contained 1 Forster save and 2 Arsenal yellows. Maybe they'll get 2 reds and we'll nick it...?

Ok, 10 mins + stoppage (surely loads of Wenger-time tonight). Hold on for 7th place. Sneak a winner for... er... 7th. Let in a scrappy (but deserved?) goal for.... 8th. Lots riding on this, then!

A special strike.

I live near The Excelsior Stadium, home of Airdrieonians (the mighty Diamonds), so I hear their games a lot. Not been brave enough to go and watch 'the team that hates everyone' yet, though.

Good thread. Based partially on stats, but mainly on 'gut feeling', mine is something like this: Manchester United Arsenal Chelsea Manchester City Liverpool Everton Southampton Tottenham Hotspur Newcastle United Nottingham Forest Leeds United Derby County Sunderland West Ham Aston Villa Wolverhampton Wanderers West Brom Stoke City Coventry City Leicester City Narrowly missed out: Sheffield United Middlesbrough Ipswich Town Bolton Wanderers Maybe should've/could've/would've.... but didn't: Blackburn QPR Swansea Sheffield Wednesday Fulham

Fantastic result today. We played perfect tactics and I thought we were good value for the win. Forster solid; he really is an asset and a boost to the whole team. Defence unmovable, Fonte & Bertrand's tackling, VvD's general 'attack from defence' mode. ManU had very few attacks of note. Clasie superb, Big Vic had his best game for a long time. ManU were clueless in the middle (how is that possible with Morgan & Mata?!), mainly due to our good play. Attacking players in midfield & up front made ManU very uncomfortable all game, even if Mane couldn't get the ball to run for him. And all without Pelle. Looking forward to having him back on the pitch. Good show, lads! Proud of them (& Ron) today.

Yup. They've been heading down since last season!

1-0 Fantastic result!

Yaasss! Excellent goal. Fairytales do happen!

Is this Austin on for Mane? Come on! Fairytale time...

Surprised Tadic is off. Clasie has worked hard - don't want him to be a liability in the last 20 mins. Next change should be Austin for Mane.

I thought it was an excellent dangerous cross in, put their defence under pressure, with 3 attackers bearing down. Unlucky not to make something from it

Quick break from ManU, Bertrand tracking back brilliantly. £25m?

Kept em waiting start of 2nd half. Argentina v Holland 1978, anyone?

I do agree that having a 'solid' (for want of a better word) 'keeper gives the rest of the team a boost. If you know the last line of defence is dependable, it gives you the freedom to play with more confidence.

I hope it's not the same as the Murrayfield pitch a couple of years back - parasites were the problem. Treated with garlic, before getting a re-turf [i think].