Derby was a real good game, City should have been out of sight by the time they gave you the keeper error! Was just a great game of football. Mourinho made totally the wrong team selection to begin with, very very negative.

Showed a lot of fight at the end, like against Hull, which was very pleasing to see. I was a little worried we'd see a bit of the trademark Mourinho bus carpark when we appointed him.

 

Feeling more positive than I have the past couple of years. It'd be nice to have a good Europa run given we've never won it before.

Derby was a real good game, City should have been out of sight by the time they gave you the keeper error! Was just a great game of football. Mourinho made totally the wrong team selection to begin with, very very negative.

I disagree. Mkhitryan and Lingard on paper were good creative choices with a lot of pace. Most pace and attacking intent we've started with yet, in hindsight perhaps neither were fit enough to face City.

Yeah I was (excuse the Manc-ism) PROPER BUZZING to see Lingard on the team sheet. It could've worked. Both him and Mkhi looked like they were miles off full fitness.

Yeah we had to give Micky a run-out sooner or later but I don't think Lingard was quite ready yet I'd have stuck with Martial. The issues for their goals were at the back, Blind had a bit of a stinker which was a shame as he'd looked good alongside Bailly so far.

 

I'd push Blind up to CDM & bring Smalling back into defence next week.

I was actually really surprised Blind was caught out in such a fashion for our first goal. In terms of footballing intelligence and being able to spot something ahead of time he's streets ahead of anyone in our squad. Was disappointing to see. Maybe a lack of concentration?

 

Apparently he got a bit of a touchline bollocking off Mourinho too and bit back. Wouldn't be surprised if he sat out the next few.

It'd be a massive shame if he did because he's the perfect counterbalance to Bailly. Think Blind was fairly unappreciated last year but he's continued to be largely solid this year.

 

He's not perfect but given that he came to us as a midfielder he's turned out to be a pretty good centre back and solidly dependable during last years injury/general debacle.

He is very good I agree. Would be disappointed if he was dropped, especially considering Smalling is just as prone to the occasional horror moment. Would also be disappointed if he was redeployed into a possible midfield three, although that would balance out as I would be just as intrigued to see how well that would operate.

Redeployment I could happily live with. Just as long as he's still on the pitch! :lol: His influence seems to be very important in that defensive third and if he was to be more of a defensive midfielder, that wouldn't be a bad thing I don't think. Did well there for Ajax, it's why we bought him after all!

 

Blind had the occasional horror moment last year as well, usually in a co-ordinanted total f*** up with Smalling, so I'm not too concerned about him getting dropped for it. Can't see Bailly working as well with Smalling/Jones at the very least until he starts to get a decent grasp of English. (and Jones isn't even fit to wear a knock off united shirt)

Meanwhile Liverpool back to their magnificently inconsistent ways.

 

You have to feel Leicester will put all their eggs in the Champions League basket this season (I hope so as I'd make a nice bit of money if so!)

Meanwhile Liverpool back to their magnificently inconsistent ways.

 

You have to feel Leicester will put all their eggs in the Champions League basket this season (I hope so as I'd make a nice bit of money if so!)

 

Burnely aside, I think we've largely been fairly consistent. Lots to work on still, but really encouraging.

If Liverpool maintain this form then there's no reason why they couldn't challenge for a Champions League spot.

On a different note, I'm seriously disillusioned with the matchday experience at West Ham nowadays. So much wrong with the organisation and the standing issue is creating a toxic atmosphere.

 

Saturday was my last home match before university. To be quite honest, I'm fine with that.

Another match, another controversy for Diego Costa.

 

 

He should have been sent off in every single game so far, beyond a joke. Glad Chelsea didn't win today.

This could be the season where the ship sinks for Sunderland bar another Lazarus escape.

 

No doubt they will turn into Barcelona around late March, however they don't have the 4/6 guaranteed points from Newcastle this season so ironically could it be that that sends them down?!

The curse of David Moyes :lol:

 

 

Seriously though Sunderland's luck will run out at some point, they've had relegation owed to them for at least the past 5 years now! Without Jermain Defoe they would be toast for sure.

Don't think Sunderland will go down! Stoke could though, they look a mess. Probably Burnley, then the likes of West Brom, Hull, Bournemouth even West Ham will be down there.

I've hesitated to post this because of Saturday's Manchester derby result but this video still makes me laugh regardless so here it is for you to enjoy if you haven't seen it already :lol: