Like the first day of the season I left West Ham with a bitter taste in my mouth. Few observations... Reid playing superb at the moment - seems to be improving with every game. We do suffer without Nelsen. Bentley started the game well - needs to try and keep involved during more of the match though. Again I think he needs to play games to improve. I know we can't carry passengers but he would be a good option off the bench when we have a full squad fit. Axe did well - but the combination of him and Savage does not offer much going forward. Pedersen seemed tired to me. Stating the obvious but a quality striker would make us a really good team. Hard to find though and cost cash, not enough time in the window to get anyone decent in my opinion.

Conceded quite a few goals over the years when tugay has been caught in possession - he did not have that good a game either but then again he had few options up the park. Bentley shows glimpes of class and I can see why Hughes persists with him, need to get him more involved in the game - not sure if tonight when we were so direct helps. Gray got caught out for pace - he does some nice stuff 80% of the time but can be clumsy. Reid seems to be developing all the time and is now an important member of the squad. When Brad retires (a long way off I hope), we have one hell of a goalkeeper to replace. All in all a good committed performance, we are a team which never gives up. However, we are just lacking a bit of quality to make us a really good team.

Look, lets stop fuc*king about thats non-sense. We have money with the walkers and we have a great manager!!! Lets spend the money- if not now then when? He has shown great initiative up to noe and i dont think anyone can disagree!! "HE IS A GREAT MANAGER ON A VERY TIGHT BUDGET, BACK HIM OR FALL BEHIND" Lets give him some time to build a team that will be a strong forfe with many years to come.................. we have the choice now

you can read probably too much into it - but he is saying he has taken us up a level but if we want to go further we need cash.

I know this is mentioned in another thread - interesting to see Sparky's comments. We are onto a good thing with him in charge, we should back him as much as possible. Bigger and better things will come calling for him in a season or two but he can leave a legacy... come on trustees.. lets set some good foundations under our bright, young manager. http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/lancashi...rt/ROVERS1.html

Guys - get real. Souness signed a lot of the players who have performed well for us. He did well for us and we even won a trophy under him. Ok he left us in a mess but thankfully we got out of it and we are looking strong again and overall it has worked out well.

still cr*p is he???

Hughes has created a powerful team. Reid has always been capable of that - he has a cracking shot on him and as he says he should get more goals.

Sad news but cannot be too surprised. Always thought and still do that he is a talented player. Thanks for the good times Matt.

The Wigan game will be tougher than tonight's match, plus it is away from home. So I think overall it may help us with relation to fitness and freshness for New Years Eve and the Pompey game. Obviously, very annoying for the people who were going to the match though...

Cup Game Boro's firepower in-depth does worry me. This is actually a massive game for us. Throughout this competition we have put out our strongest team. Hughes comments today shows he wants it badly. Would like to see Thompson start and (if he is fit) it would be nice to have Bellamy on the bench at least.

Kuqi has not been particularly impressive when he has started games but has a presence when he plays. Bentley showed a few nice touches but struggles to impose himself in the game. One of his best bits came when he dribbled from the right and beat a few people – at least he has the confidence to do so… How much longer will Hughes persist with Emerton? Thompson is desperate to come on and he must be thinking ‘what more do I have to do’… I would understand it perhaps if he was being kept back from a fitness point of view. However, he has been back for a while now. Mickey Gray does an adequate job but he seems to be playing too many pointless long balls to no one up front. Too many sloppy passes which go to the opposition invites pressure on us. Hughes in his post match interview re-iterated that we like to get the ball down and play (which we do)… whether we have the players to do so is another matter.

From The Mirror. Blackburn striker Matt Jansen may quit Rovers next month anyone see this at all? quotes?

Hardly surprising that our defending was awful, a complete new back 4 which have never played together. As for dickov - he certainly earns his pay. His work ethic alone is fantastic plus the fact he seems to get goals. Of course though, some of the t*ts on here will never give him the credit he deserves.

Bentley playing in the hole behind Dickov. Mmmmmmmm

Jansen back in from the wilderness?

Great, just as he was getting a run of games together. Got a busy and important schedule over Xmas as well.

Simply can't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone know if you can get beers in the concourse at Highbury?

We are not the same side without Tugay - hope he can make it. Hughes says he is doubtful for Arsenal. He is so important to us.

Arsenal have looked uncomfortable defensively this season. However, they can still slice teams open with their quality of passing combined with sublime movement. They can make good defences look ordinary. I would go for Nelsen and Zurab at the back. We need to set about them and get in their faces, as they don’t like it. Having Bellamy is a fantastic asset to have and although not in the Henry class, he still poses a threat and opposition teams are wary of him. Left back will be a problem for them so hopefully Emerton is fit and raring to go – nice to see an improvement in his play but there is still more to come from him. Thoroughly looking forward to it.

They seem to be picking up a lot of injuries, wonder if Souness style training is becoming the fashion these days.

Think it is pretty obvious that he is not in Hughes plans - on big wages so I am sure if anyone comes along for him he will be off.

I saw that as well - ridiculous!! Thank goodness that never came off!

Stupid question it may sound, but where are most people (if any) sitting for the Chelsea game.... Upper or Lower tier??