I think Souness would've liked to bring MGP off, but when Amoruso got sent off he had to bring on a defender and then we'd used all three subs already. I agree with everything else you said tho 1864, except that the ref wasn't quite as bad as D'Urso. Before the game I would've been pretty happy with a draw. But when it was 1-0 at half time I would only have been happy with a win.

He's played in a vastly inferior league, has been at the club for two days and was up against Neville/Ronaldo. Can't really expect him to put in a great performance right away.

We played well this game, I'd say it looks promising. Obviously they were gonna pile the pressure on when we had Amo sent off, and United are renowned for late equalisers/winners, while Rovers are famous for conceding them. Positives: Emerton, Dickov, Stead, Friedel. Thought both Ferguson and Tugay did well. Defense was ok too. So practically everyone MGP has been at the club for two days, and was up against Gary Neville who, regardless of what you think of him, is one of the better RB's in the league. He did provide the ball for Dickov's goal though. Friedel was absolutely immense. We should beat Newcastle when we play like this.

I can't see where those 4 minutes added on came from. And then we're harshly done by yet again. Last week a penalty that should never have been, this week a blatant INTENTIONAL handball.

Thommo got a knock, but it wasn't his knee so I don't think it's much to worry about. He played on for a few minutes so it wasn't anything serious by the looks of it.

Looks good, except I'd rather see Gray or Gresko at left back.

Sounds good. I feel we've been missing that dimension in our games. Now there's only a dozen more missing dimensions to get, but we're on our way

The best thing is that Man U were looking at him, and I know at least some Utd fans who were disappointed they didn't go for him. So if he sinks United tomorrow it'd be great

Not sure about the fitness of Thompson and De Pedro, or how MGP will play when thrown right in, but I'd play this: Friedel Neill Amo Short/NEJ Gray Ferguson Thompson Tugay MGP/De Pedro Dickov Stead And on the bench: Enckelman, Matteo, Gally, Emerton, Yorke. It's mainly the left side I'm not sure about. De Pedros crossing is absolutely brilliant, and he put in a great cross from a free kick vs Arsenal. Would be great to have him in the team to provide some good balls to our forwards, but if he isn't 100% fit then he shouldn't start. What favours MGP is that he's certainly match fit. Gresko could ofcourse play there too.

He wasnt.. pardon me. goals from,Thierry Henry in the 50min, Gilberto Silva on 58min and Reyes in the 79 min. Fabergas (or however it's spelt) apparently touched it in just before the line. Yep he did. Hit his knee and changed direction. The player on the line (I think it was Gray) may well have saved it otherwise.

He just can't win, now can he? People has been nagging 24/7 about him not challenging one-on-one from midfield, and when he does his crosses doesn't come early enough? I haven't been whining about him at all. It's just that today he DID go past players on some occasions and had a good chance to cross, but didn't. Or waited until a defender closed him down.

I would (And have) pay(ed) almost ten times as much to go there from Sweden if I had the money and no school tomorrow, and according to you you're the real fan here.... It would probably take just as long to take a plane from Sweeden to london than a coach from blackburn to london. And who says I have not got to do things tomorrow Because you'd make it back in time without problem? Getting to London I suppose it's quite easy, and there may be a cheap flight. But when flying to Manchester it takes time, and costs more. Add to that hotel rooms and it's quite a lot. While you pay for the ticket and a cheap coach ride. Anyway my point is that it's apparently OK for you to brand everyone living outside the UK as not being a real fan without ANY basis whatsoever, and yet you yourself don't go to games and noone can question it. Oh, and it's spelled "Sweden". Shouldn't be so hard now should it, especially not when it's in the post you're quoting.

I would (And have) pay(ed) almost ten times as much to go there from Sweden if I had the money and no school tomorrow, and according to you you're the real fan here....

Matteo is useless in midfield. Awful distribution, and it was his horrible backpass that resulted in their third goal. And the one thing he should be able to do there, winning tackles and regaining possession, he's even worse at doing. Gresko didn't achieve much, Tugay should've played higher up the pitch IMO and Emerton was decent IMO but he should cross earlier. Stead didn't do much, but then again none of the forwards got much service and they did what they could with what they got. I don't know what's up with our defense, huge gaps everywhere. That could perhaps be excused vs Arsenal, but it was the same thing vs WBA and Soton. Anyway, I think that with no Matteo in midfield, Amo at the back (Has more presence, makes a bigger impact) and a fit De Pedro or MGP on the left, and with Thommo on the right we'll be a better team.

That's exactly why we need a central midfielder, to be able to put Matteo in defense. A defensive, holding midfielder would be a great partner for Ferguson. We don't have a player like that, at least not one of high calibre.

Accy Stanley are making it I think.

Really no point for him in saying that it shouldn't have been a penalty as the decision stands anyway. I've seen players deliberately miss when they thought it really unfair, but while this should never have been a penalty it wasn't the worst I've seen so Beattie himself doesn't have to feel bad about it. Although it is nice in other sports when people do these kinds of things. Some Swedish handball player told a ref that his goal should've been disallowed because of some rule violation despite noone really protesting, and it's possible to reverse decisions there. Stuff like that is always nice to see

He's left-sided, right? And we don't really need another left back/defensive-minded left midfielder, as we have two of those already. MGP is a far more attacking player. And I can't see why Spurs would need him when they just signed Edman?

Good one

Not directed at you specifically, just seeing this misspelling over and over again. It's a G goddamnit! As for the game.. really can't see us winning. If Southampton could make our defense look so disorganised, then imagine what Henry, Bergkamp and Pires can do... Although we could snatch a draw if we play a sensible, balanced formation. But 3-1 Arsenal. Henry x2, Pires and Dickov with the goals.

I certainly don't like this tactic, but play either Ferguson De Pedro Thompson Matteo Or: Tugay De Pedro Thompson Ferguson and it should work OK. I haven't seen much of De Pedro, but I think he could work pretty well there. Thommo would fit in there too. But it shouldn't be completely narrow ofcourse, some width is needed. Basicly play it quite narrow off the ball, a bit wider while attacking. That being said, I would prefer a flat 4-4-2.

Seeing as you're such a real good fan living in England; why aren't you at the game???

Only good thing to come out of this game was Dickov. And Emerton wasn't awful at least, but could still do much better.

Useless D'Urso I didn't really think Dickov deserved a penalty earlier but that was still 10x more of a penalty appeal than this ever was. There are dozens incidents like that in EVERY game and it should never be a penalty.

1-1, Ferguson. Good run and pass by Dickov, good run and finish by Barry. All in all, an excellent goal.