OTF

On your last point I strongly disagree. If we don't make Europe this season it could conceivably be an excuse for letting go of some players, where-as if we do make it the (albeit small) increase in revenue will hopefully fund some inbound movement, or at the very least make departures less likely. Plus, I'd never say no to any form of Europe as it increases our continental profile and provides additional options for the development of promising young players who otherwise aren't seeing enough competitive football.

Ben Arfa's explosive pace was too much for Enrique. He goes from 0 to 60 in no time. Over 100 yards I'd fancy Enrique over HBA but over that first 5-10 yards it was no contest. Enrique had a very ordinary game by his standards but most of that was down to Ben Arfa absolutely terrorising him. I'd like to think that's why he put his hand up to go in goal, because on the face of it you'd expect someone like Carragher to be the one. Ben Arfa's touch is phenomenal at the moment, and he's not pushing things too much as well which is great. It's no surprise that after a run of a few games in the side he's really gelling with his teammates... makes you wonder what could have been earlier in the piece?

Pieters and a centre back in.. and noone of importance going the other way...

The atmosphere translated to the TV viewing experience as well, but damn it must have been a great game to be at.

I don't know what's more embarrassing, the dive itself, the fact that he dove when he could very easily have scored or the way that he has since claimed that it wasn't a dive. Face should be matching the colour of his shirt after that showing, particularly as it didn't curb his enthusiasm later in the match. Have to say that it was a classic Steven Gerrard style dive, just not done as expertly as the high waisted DJ decker, who would also have sprung to his feet and got in the referees face gesturing for a red card.

Reina's headbutt, although weak as piss, was a straight red every day of the week with any referee. There's no two ways about it. Any sort of violent conduct like that will see an early shower. Honestly I thought it was a handball from Simpson off the line. was lucky that he was close to the post as that would have blocked the linesman's view and Carroll and Williamson would have likely been obscuring the ref's view. A yellow for Perch was also the right decision, it was nothing to do with him going down and ebverything to do with his silly trip on Reina. I though Perch was kind of lucky to stay on the pitch after he grabbed someone's shirt in the last 5-10 minutes. Technically that was a yellow but it wasn't given. Perchy really went up in my estimations yesterday, he's playing with some real confidence and the timing on his slide tackles is spot on. More than happy to eat my words based on the way that he's playing at the moment. He surprising more than a few.

Yeah, was the same with Robert and the alternate with Solano. When their preferred foot is so damn good they barely need the other. Remember that outside of the right foot curler from Solano against Everton?

After watching that I don't know what I was worried about! Great game from our midfield in particular, but everyone played their part. Enrique going into goals was comical but ultimately was a bit of an anti-climax. Wonderful result.

Something about Bellamy against us... Carragher is their weak link defensively, not very mobile and thinks he's better than he is. Flanagan doesn't get a lot of action for them sohopefully we look to target him rather than Enrique. Enrique's weaknesses are marking off the ball and keeping the line in defense. Hoping for a good performance from Perch and Williamson.

In roster comparisons West Ham are the Real madrid of the Championship... what was that you were saying about managing Real Madrid Sam?

Seeing as I am a frequent 'reader' of this here fine thread I feel duty bound to post the following: Uncle Scoopy's Top 20 Nude Scenes 2011

That's a fair set of questions Fish, will have a go at them later. Get on over there Fish and post them up. Good questions and would be interesting to see the responses. Give the non-stereotypical fans a chance to respond.

I'll go on record and say there is no chance that Chelsea will win the Champions League.

What's the take on 'best' defensive line-up to go into this game with? Is Santon capable of playing in central defense? Will Perch or Simpson be played there instead? None of these options inspire me with any confidence. One particularly big worry for me apart from their defensive frailties is the abaility of that back four to play the ball out. If they revert to hoofing the ball up the pitch then it's likely that posession will be turned over and the pressure will be heaped on. If we can't get the ball consistently to where our strengths lay then our weaknesses could well be shown up. Cabaye (and Tiote if fit) will be key here with a responsibility to help play the ball out from deep. Basically my take is that the best form of defense for us will be attack. The more chances they get playing into their final third the more our defense will be shown up as being inexperienced and out of position.

Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea Everton 2-0 West Brom Fulham 1-1 Norwich Man City 2-0 Sunderland QPR 0-1 Arsenal Wigan 0-1 Stoke Wolves 1-1 Bolton Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool Tottenham 3-1 Swansea Blackburn 1-3 Man Utd

Thread closed.

There'd only be 21 points to play for at that point. What we don't want to do is play Liverpool back into goal scoring form courtesy of our severely weakened defense.

Not getting ahead of myself but we'd need mainly defenders. We have some promising young players that could be given a chance in other areas - Vuckic, Abeid, Sam Ameobi, Ferguson, Obertan , Inman.... with some off our fringe players and the odd first teamer we should be able to put out a somewhat decent side if we gain some strength and depth in defense.

If he consistently plays like that he won't be at Newcastle for long. That's the sad reality of it.

Started watching the Hangover 2 the other day. Pretty damn crap so far, really not enjoying it. Stopped watching as I had somethign to do, will probably finish it out of completism only. Watched parts of Uncle Buck on telly the other day, now there's a classic movie. RIP John Candy.

Noone is disputing that Krul did poorly, but even with his lack of communication Williamson should have just put the ball out. He's done the same thing before in positions where Krul was never going to be able to get the ball. It comes down to the fact that he panicks when put under the slightest bit of pressure. Whilst Steven Taylor is out, and until we have another chance to strengthen in the market he will be one of our best two central defenders. For someone his age he really hasn't played a lot of football, and that's part of why he lacks the technique. If he was 6' he'd still be in league one.

Was just about to say no he was at centre back but Jesus, you're right. I give up! It wasn't a good game to get a read off. West Brom's wing play was more or less absent, and they barely had the ball on the deck down our end. He didn't do anything particularly wrong, but he didn't need to do much at all. His best position is in a midfield closer role when he can get about without the permanent marking responsibility closing the ball down and generally stopping their play developing.

I'm not. He cannot mark. He didn't have to do any marking against West Brom. When he played fullback for us previously he was so often ccaught well out of position as he pushes high up the pitch even when he's not going to get the ball. No doubt he could be coached to be better than he has been in the past, but it just isn't worth it.

That's always been the way with Jonas. He's at his best with short passes on the deck, when it comes time to cross he doesn't get the pace or movement on the ball that is required for them to be dangerous - particularly off his left foot.

Krul is laregely responsible for Williamson not knowing what was happening, but Williamson was largely responsible for the fact that West Brom scored. So in terms of the question undoubtedly Williamson is at fault for the West Brom goal. However if Krul had properly communicated that he wasn't coming for the ball then Williamson presumably would have easily dealt with it earlier thus preventing him from being in the position to gift them a goal. Two separate stuff ups that conspired to the goal, without the first the second couldn't have happened, but without the second the goal wouldn't have happened. In other words even allowing for Krul's lack of decisive communication Williamson still should have dealt with it. As a defender if you don't know what's happening you send the ball into the stands.