Newty82

God, that was a crap half of 'football'. Baggies are clearly pressing to win the ball back quickly, giving us no time on the ball at all. We need to respond to that...so far we are too slow, look a bit too relaxed and slightly disjointed. Good thing is we lead...we aint played our best yet...but I think baggies have played as good as they can. Oh, and that Anelka is giving us a 'mare!!!

Not a strong argument that....howard, baines, jags, distin, coleman, miralles, pienaar, osman...and the rest...have had to adjust. Cant see why Fellaini would struggle. And I say that because I thought the same at first!!! He's a good player...would have been ace either in Barrys place or alongside Barry.

How it effects our long term goals is the slight, and I emphasise 'slight' niggle for me. Dont get me wrong...lovin' these players being here, the football etc. But you have to think...apart from Barry who is a freebie at end of the season...how much would it cost to buy Gerry, Luckylucky and 'another' quality loan signing? Looking at at least £50mill. To gain continuous success you need continuity. Just a thought.

Tell you what is pissing me off....the amount of shite being linked to us. And I know its pissing others off too! Relegation threatened teams get linked to all sorts of shite....teams with around 20k at home games get linked with shite...but a team chasing CL footy? Oh fuck off! Is it a true reflection of finances though? That does make me wonder! I'd rather we just wait until summer than bring in some shite arse.

Looks like he would be awkward as hell to play against. Knows how to play with his assets...height, strength and gangly legs!!! I know peeps say 'mah, its only russia'...but believe it or not, every team in the EPL definately dont have the best defenders in world football...absolutely not!!! Downside for me is also that it is another loan. Monaco have just brought him, like last week, so aint gonna sell. That would be him, Barry, Gerry and luckylucky all on loan...bit too much 'short term' stuff that.

You've already drummed up a bit of self interest.

To be fair, Bainsey deserves to earm top whack. Fortunately for us, he doesnt seem to be a total mercenary, say like Ashley Cole would be. So we may get away with paying him less than he deserves. However, Im not a big fan of playing devils advocate with already fragile club finances, so I hope we have worked out a ceiling of what we can afford now, not what we might be able to afford if we do 'this, this or this'...and if it aint enough, then sell on. No hard feelings. However, I am pretty sure it would be easy to say 'we'll give you xxx now, xxx if we get into europa and a fat xxxxxxx if we get into CL'. Happy days.

Think the market we trade in makes jan extra tough. Either pick up a couple of 'squad fillers' (although in my view you should use youth) or wax 10-15mill on that one signing you really need...but probs be paying over the odds. What martinez has shown in such a short time at the club is that he can get players into his system no problem. Alcaraz (?), Stones, Oviedo have all filled in with ease.

Nah...find this hard to believe. Gotta be an agent playing stupid twats. The only other possible thing is a short term deal to summer, when we can say 'thanks for taking a shirt number, but no thanks' and then go on and get who we want in the more vibrant and lively summer markets. Thing is, RM is a clever footballing guy, 100% head screwed on. IMWT?????

Good luck Jela!!!! I think he'll come good at Hull, they'll play him as he needs to be played...straight down the middle, there to bang them in the net not run out wide and cross it in!!!! As for a 'replacement' and panicing about options....well, if you guys havent learned to trust martinez and his insights, philosphy etc yet...then I guess you may have some anxious days/weeks ahead. Me? Totally relaxed.

Amongst all the arguing, I made quite a valid point about the lack of atmosphere at GP...is it a sunday thing? Fans expecting too much? What u reckon it is? Also, as its 'Movember', hows about ToffeeTalk organise a charity boxing match? All proceeds to testicular cancer. The boxers? None other than Zoo n Avin'. Of course, they'd have gloves on so the usual hair pulling and cat scratching will have to be replaced with more manly behaviour. Hey, heres a wee story from sunday...on one of our bus pick ups on the way down, a bloke got on who had been living it up all weekend, looked a bit knackered to be fair. Anyway, said bloke took a seat in front of us once at GP. Looked down at his balding crown, and there was a big red cock drawn on there!!! should have seen him tryna rub it off!!! Made me laugh anyway.....

Are you guys really arguing about our performances this season? About the manager? Style of play? Players used? Have a word. There aint one team in the league that hasnt had a bad game or two. Today, first half we were shit. Utter shit. No need to compare to this, that, him, her....we were just shit. Because it happens. But, while we are pointing the finger and talkin about bein shit...lets take a look at the Goodison 'faithful' today. Who were also shit. Ive travelled down to that game today, and yet again am dissapointed at the total lack of atmosphere. Spurs fans were loud n happy all game...it took to around the 50th minute for the first full on Everton chant to take off, and it was short lived. Whats goin on? I think thats 3 games in a row like that for me. Im starting to get a complex, have I upset 30000 blue noses?! Its terrible. All we did was grumble. Boo. Hiss. Abslute bollocks it was...shameful.

Managed to get down again today...but cant pick an MOM. That first half....on my oh my oh my.... Just cant think of anyone who stood out. At all.

Okeydokey...at best I expected a draw here. Im not disappointed with the result. And yes, ref was appalling...but we should be able to get over that. I am disappointed that yet again we only seem to be able to play for, at most, 45 minutes. And it concerns me...in training, have we focused too much on passing and left fitness behind? Are we losing that 'edge' or 'snap'? One to watch I think. We were just poor today...a load of players had a bad game...we gave the ball away umpteen times in the 2nd half. It was just aweful to watch. I was interested to see how RM would react to us being down. But I didnt notice any sort of plan B. Hopefully just a bad day.

McCarthy for me. Just did what he was meant to do, but crucially did it for 90minutes...too many of our players seem to think its a 45minute game.

Coleman for me. Owned Ben Harfa in the first half...was solid in defence and solid going forward. A brilliant all round performance. It would have been Lukaku but he was aweful in the 2nd half...gave it away far to much.

Fuck me!!! What a game. First half hour I couldnt believe what I was watchin...we were immense! Passing with real positive purpose...quick and direct. We go 3 up...then it just slows right down...we relaxed too much...got lazy, maybe tired...couldnt believe how much we started giving the ball away. A good win...but we have a few things to learn there. And...we are still getting used to a new system, new players etc....great stuff!!!

Barry for me. Defo. Did everything I expected him to in this team. He's gonna be a rock this season...the steady guy we need while the creative fellas get it going up top. Also a shout for Martinez...Chelsea were a machine...and Martinez allowed us to keep playing, left us with attacking options. Brilliant.

Somemore middle finger for the doubters...today we showed we can defend solid. And those whi didnt want Barry in our team...too slow, wont bring anything...u fuckin idiots.

Great play by the 3 villains!!! Chelsea very wasteful. Good. Would like to see McCarthy on and feel we need more pace up top...so Gerry please! Not much wrong today...playin a top class team.

Im also of the thought that he is a great addition to the team...and will be solid while McCarthy and Barkley do their thing. Wages wise...really dont care about the ins and outs because we defo wont be paying 120k per week...it would have been structured to suit us.

The way I see it is that on one hand we praise Martinez for picking Barkley based on what he has seen pre season, in training and fitting in with his tactics. On the other hand, we wonder why some players aren't included....the clue is in the reasoning for Barkley being picked. It realyt isn't that hard to suss out people.

Overall, I think I am on the happy but curious side. In... Baines...to me he is in! So glad we kept hold of him. Will be ace again this year. Barry...Yeah, pleased. Got experience. Going to be our 'steady ship' while the other mids go on and create/score. Lukaku...Over the moon! Exactly what we need. Now some of those chances will actually go in!!! McCarthy...very highly rated in the game. Gonna be big for us, no doubt. Out... Fellaini...We knew he would go. And what a great fee!!! Brilliant bit of business. Anichebe...Didnt see that coming! But fair play...he'll do well at WBA. The bits I am curious about... Loans...too many. They are gooduns...but only short term solutions...hopefully we have a more long term plan??? The Money...much debated already. And this is where I feel a bit dismayed. So RM said, as did BK,that the money for McCarthy was already there...so take that out of any sum. People can second guess about this fee, that wage etc...the bottom line is that there is a pot of cash which I expected more of to be used for straight up signings. So, lets keep an eye on that money. Because we still need it...

We need quality in depth. We have a real good starting 11...but beyond? Its a bunch of 'normal' players. Also...I suspect Lukaku, Barry and Gerry'la will star this season...but they are only on loan.

I've had enough now...Im off to bed...and Im taking my likes with me. Im gonna line each 'like' up and give them a shot up the jaffa...helps me sleep.