Cornish Steve

What was the topic again?

Reading manager comments after the game, you have to give credit to Pellegrini for being absolute class. Despite what appears to have been poor refereeing for the first Palace goal, he won't be drawn into it.

I thought Long was being recalled.

December? At this point, I expect to be in that range by the end of the season.

When, not if. I can't believe for one moment that he'll be playing for Everton next season, and you can take that one to the vault!

I can't remember the number of posts a few months ago hoping for "ugly wins". Now we get them, and it's deflating! Just look at United. They have played terribly all season, yet they've made ugly wins their trademark as they move into third.

Tim Howard with a couple of marvelous saves to preserve the lead.

Congratulations to Elston Gunnn and Romey for each collecting 5 points today. Romey predicted the correct score but not the correct goalscorer, whereas Elston Gunnn predicted a one-goal difference and identified Jagielka as the first goalscorer. For the season, Romey has extended his lead, and he's caught Deacs for Points per Prediction. Incidentally, apologies for the empty white space in the table. Something happened to my Apple laptop, and I can no longer select 'Custom Size' when doing Page Setup (I had to reduce the font size to 11 and choose A3). If anyone knows how to fix this, do let me know. Thanks.

Laces a fraction of an inch away from the surface of the ball, whistle in mouth as referee inhales, and...Btay makes his prediction!

Move further ahead at the top of the table since the international break, move up to 11th place, and we're going to finish above West Ham. Looking good. (Can't believe so few people are posting to this thread. Who cares that we can't finish in the top four? Each position up the table means a million or so pounds, right? Stay focused!)

A bit of a dying breed, maybe, but I don't believe in the mantra of winning at all costs. Teams can win by spending billions in cash. They can win by intimidating and threatening. They can win by cheating. Some just look at the final score. Rightly or wrongly, I don't.

So why is Besic way up there in our MotM season totals?

If being belligerent or a bully is the mark of a captain, all I can say is that we have a rather warped view of captaincy.

Lost all respect for him after his antics for Holland against Costa Rica.

Yes, I think you are right. In that case, I apologize to Patto for misinterpeting his comment.

Everton 1-1 Southampton Barkley

I didn't think so at the start of the season, but now I'm sure that Jagielka should remain as captain for as long as he's a regular starter on the team. He's led by example on several occasions. Acting like a bully to the ref is not part of the job description. Leading the team, encouraging the team, both on the field and behind the scenes, is what matters. Who can forget how Jagielka rushed up when Oviedo suffered that terrible leg break?

Jagielka and Barkley (together with Carrick) received the highest player ratings for the England game against Italy.

...or good pilots or good doctors or good professors or good accountants or... After all, these blacks just aren't as smart or gifted or hard-working as we white Anglo-Saxon Protestants. As for female referees, they just can't understand that pesky offside rule; maybe they need to stay put in the kitchen. And the stereotypes and the discrimination continue.

Timmy's twin brother?

And you prefer him as a defender? I'm confused.

If he gets to play for most of the remaining games this season and does well, would that change your mind?

Wonderful sentiment, but history reveals it don't work. To remedy past discrimination, affirmative action is generally needed - no matter what the sphere of life.

So what exactly is your problem with Joel? Hasn't he proved, in a month-long series of games, that he has the potential to be a great replacement? The grass always looks greener, as they say, an attitude that's been behind many expensive mistakes.