BigWalrus

Our midfield was struggling badly when Marveaux came off. Although I don't agree with taking him off for Perch, something had to be done. Pardew was wrong to point the finger at the fans, but I fucking hate our crowd sometimes. It's embarrassing sat amongst a group of grown men booing because one average player is being replaced by another. The booing of the Cabaye switch was ridiculous too - this is a bloke who has just had TWO MONTHS out following a groin operation. Have any of the crowd actually played football at any level at all? Do they know what it feels like to play 90 minutes when you're fully fit, never mind after surgery. We're in the shit - no doubt. But booing our own team makes things far, far worse. The fans who walked out when Reading scored their second can fuck off too. There was nearly 20 minutes left on the clock for fuck's sake. Dickheads, the lot of them.

We can't keep a deal quiet if the selling club leaks it. It's in their interest to start a bidding war and unfortunately that's out of our control.

I very much doubt there's a significant link between life expectancy and how good you are at football. The first step is undoubtedly the physical attributes which allow someone to be athletic. A lad at work reckons (I have no source, nor am I going to scour the internet for one) that people of African origin generally have quicker reflexes because they have more fast-twitch muscle fibres. In comparison, white British people will have more slow-twitch fibres. This makes them better sprinters and improves reaction times in situations like turning, dribbling etc. After that, much is down to upbringing and nurture of talent. South American coaching tends to focus more on ability on the ball and taking players on than an English coach would. I know our school team training sessions consisted mainly of fitness training and stamina building, with about 5-10% of ball practice (which probably explains why we were shite). Essentially, in the modern day game at the highest level, you need to start off by being an athlete but also be coached into the right habits and techniques while maintaining the fitness levels. I don't think the standards in the UK have become any worse - it's more that some of the previously lesser nations have overtaken us.

I called into the Silverlink store at lunchtime. I'm after the Bond blu-ray set...which wasn't included in the sale. £100 is a bit much but I might have done it for £75.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21021073 Another one bites the dust. 92 years.

He's a French lad who wants to play for the biggest French team (who also pay the biggest salaries). No surprise that he has a desire to one day play there. I imagine he'd have the same desire regardless of whether he played for us or Man Utd. He's also under contract with us - if they want him, they'll have to pay big.

Touché.

Two sides who are both attacking with very few bodies. We're generally faced with five or six defending against our two or three. I'd be looking for Anita to push on further forward as I think Perch is playing the holding role fine.

We're winning the midfield battles, but Marveaux and Obertan are offering nothing in terms of service to Cisse. At least we haven't conceded.

He always sounds like he wishes he was dead. What a man.

Aye, bollocks to quality, just lump it in and let the keeper have it.

Horrendous.

Never hand ball, what a stupid decision.

You just said he was shitting himself under pressure! He's done nothing of the sort so far, but it would clearly make you very happy if he did.

Obertan leaving Debuchy with two men to pick up again. Does he ever learn?

He's been rock solid so far. Couple of very assured touches too.

Aye, I'll drink (tea) to that! This side is good enough to beat Norwich.

If we had an aerially strong front line, I'd agree, but any of Cisse / Marveaux / Obertan would be no match for Turner and Bassong.

Ferguson's game is simple - down the flanks and whip balls in. Unfortunately I think he needs to add more to his game to justify any extended run in the team. PL defenders are wise to him and push him on to his right, forcing him to play the ball backwards and the attack breaks down.

I hope we've practised defending set-pieces. Bassong must be worth a bet to score against us.

The Norwich team is: Bunn; R. Martin, ©, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Pilkington, Johnson, Tettey, Snodgrass, Hoolahan; Jackson

Decent side - nice balance between being solid and having some attacking options.

Above all else we need to be solid defensively - that's at the back as well as in defence. We are creating a reasonable amount at the minute - hence scoring 7 goals and hitting the woodwork three times in the last three league games.

Yep, Gerrard is a horrible scouse twat.