JoeQuince

^What Steve_E said!

Can the Naismith hate stop now? The guy just sneaks in and scores out of nowhere.

I'm pretty pumped to see Oviedo start a match. Disappointed to see Gibson hasn't made the squad--hopefully this doesn't mean he's had a setback, but that Moyes just isn't rushing him back. And, minus Hibbo and Mucha, it's great to see how young our bench is. Gives me some hope for our future.

I'm slow, and MikeO (with his amazing Ossie England shirt) beat me to the subs, and I didn't notice until now.

News:

I think we did seriously miss Phil yesterday. As much as I like Hitzlsperger for all of his brains and attacking qualities, he has always lacked a certain toughness. Phil's got the toughness and plays a no-nonsense game. He just isn't very pretty with it. But Neville can really take charge of a game, as a captain, which Hitzlsperger never reeeaaally did for Stuttgart. I feel like Neville just looks like a passenger, more so than he actually is, sometimes.

Sorry if my language offended you, man. I don't really wish a life-threatening disease on the man. But, seriously, fuck him. Gooners article says it all. That said, we can't blame the loss ENTIRELY on Atkinson. We were wasteful. Could have used his helping hand as much as Reading did though.

Get AIDS, Atkinson. You fucking tard

Again, I feel people have been too hard on Naisy. He's not the fastest, doesn't always have the best touch, but he's sneaky and has a knack for being in a great position to score. Really could have had a few more this season in his limited time.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Linked yet again, it seems.

I think people have been a little harsh on Naismith. Sure he's had some bad touches and gifted the ball a bit, but he's also had some excellent touches and created some chances. I like that he's a bit unpredictable and seems to come out of nowhere to make something happen. The aggravating flip side of that is that he's sometimes out of position trying to force mistakes. But he's been doing well considering the circumstances of the games he's come into.

These quotes are so old. Why do people keep giving this (non)story new life?

Ah, wasn't aware.

Maggie had a huge game against Sunderland at home last year. Goal and an assist, I think (my memory for this stuff is admittedly terrible though). I'd love to see Kennedy get a run out. Exciting that he's only now 18. Looks very promising.

Maybe? Would the games he's missed not count, since he isn't under contract here any more? How is the Joey Barton situation playing out?

Tried to sign but, alas, as a US citizen I can't. You have my support, regardless.

I'm just saying don't count the kid out, as he's still very young for a keeper. Also, when Howard was playing in the MLS there weren't any Henry's or anything like him. He went to England at 24 (I think) and did well. Hamid is playing against tougher competition at a young age. Let's see how he develops. I have high hopes for the kid.

He's only 21. And things like that happen when you're playing against Henry and have shitty defenders.

Bill Hamid?

So, I guess we'll see. Hope he's okay. From summer I've been really pulling for him to have a big year.

I really don't know why Pienaar wasn't subbed out for Oviedo. I was expecting it the entire 2nd half. Still can't figure out why it didn't happen, especially when we were trying to defend the lead.

I suppose, considering our level of play yesterday, you're right. I just don't think Diarra's performance was exactly noteworthy. He gave the ball away deep several times and committed a few needless fouls because he was frustrated.

Just got carted off with what looks like a knee injury in the U-21s match. The Vic we know and "love" may be back, I'm afraid.

...except Diarra was even more ineffective and porous than Neville