sm1

Soumare in the 2nd half played more forward passes, then he has in the entire 4 yrs he's been here. It shows he and others can do it, they need encouragement. Even if a few of them dont work out, keep trying to get the ball behind the defence quickly. It isolates defenders, giving us our best chance of scoring. The reason we looked more threatening in the 2nd half was a change of mentality, the same mentality we have to start all games with.

He's a trier, which is more then most of our other players. Just that one characteristic makes him more appreciated then others.

Marti never wanted to play him in the first place, and will now use the red card as an excuse. Dont think well see much of Aluko.

One manager has just beaten Barca 3-0 in the Champions League, the other has lost to Southampton 3-0 in the Championship. There's no comparison between the two. Like you say, Marti has made every player worse, resulting in one of the most rancid teams in the division, a team that can't defend or attack.

He gave them a free kick for minimal contact and then awarded them a goal that was off side. Exact same contact and he waves it off, allowing them to hit us on the counter. Ref definitely having a bearing on the goals we've conceded.

Where can you watch the game?

We play the ball to Daka's feet, expecting him to hold it up. That's not his game, he has neither the strength nor ability. Nonetheless he gives his all no matter how unsuccessful he is. It's obvious he needs a big striker alongside him to rough up the CBs, allowing him space and time. He'll never be successful in a lone striker role.

I get as much satisfaction seeing Barnes score, as I do City.

The most maligned players in the team, Luke, Skipp and Daka all having their best game of the season.

Saints are proving what a good manager can do with the same players.

Birmingham showing some ambition, good for them. It's better then winning the league and having one of the top teams in Britain, and still sitting around doing nothing.

Spot on

Oh come off it. You're telling me you dont enjoy 90mins of pointless backwards and sideways passing.

Personally, I think we should try to get Steve Walsh in for the new role.

Im surprised Gill didn't come out to bat in either innings, Pant came out to bat with a broken foot and woakes with a dislocated shoulder.

It's simple, keep Rudkin away from contract negotiations. In fact any changes that still give Rudkin authority and responsibility aren't going to be successful. We need competent people at the club with strict accountability.

Looks like we've found our striker

He got injured in the first half, but Marti kept him on until 60mins, when he couldn't move and let them score the 2nd goal. Great management

We should've promoted Brian Barry Murphy instead of getting Marti. We should've got Nacho on loan instead of Carranza

I expect zero business In January. Top and Rudkin will probably be on an extended holiday anyway.

That's because we have no unity. Just look at the response that chant over the weekend has got. All the club have to do is play the victim, and half the fanbase will go to war with the other half, to protect Top and Rudkin.

The club's distain of it's own fans has brought this on. It's unfortunate, the language is terrible, but I dont have any sympathy with the club or Rudkin.

2 things come to mind from that Spartak game. He had Nacho as a 2nd striker and balls played into space for him to run onto. We always seem to play balls to his feet and we all know he's not a target man.

I think fans know their players better then most. When he came here Fulham fans were pretty disappointed to see him leave. He certainly needs a run in the team, preferably at CAM.

We've got a squad good enough to be mixing at the top. The majority of the team that walked the championship is here plus we have JJ. Yes, there are glaring issues at striker, but that's where a top coach comes into effect. When Enzo moved Ndidi to CAM, most felt it was a wrong decision. He made it work by giving him a clear role. Mavs and Fats looked much better because Enzo isolated them 1:1 with opponents. Even Daka had a golden period just before Afcon. The longer Marti has been here the worse we've got. He's shown zero ability to solve these conundrums.