The season to date

[alunevans]

Still averaging over 2 points per game without hitting form yet, not much to worry about if you ask me.

I think a lot of you are underestimating just how much of a boost that derby win will have been to our confidence.

I expect us to kick on from here and beat Arsenal on Sunday.

if we do we're right in it. i really think sunday's game is a crunch match.

[Morph]

Every team has their key players that can **** up their season if they get injured.

We have Reina and Agger.
Arsenal Toure and Fabregas.
Man U Ronaldo and Vidic.
Chelsea Terry and Drogba.
Man C Elano and Richards.

Arsenal and Man C have not had any of their key players out injured yet. They will get their dip in form when that happens.

You think Agger is one of two most key players? not having that at all

[spud_gun]

Nice comparison there.

I don't think we've played well all season save the Derby game.

I watched MOTD on Saturday and Man U and Arsenal both looked a class apart.

Why can't Rafa has us playing like them?

[Womble]

You think Agger is one of two most key players? not having that at all

Well in that case we have had injuries to Stevie G, Alonso and El Nino too. Surely some of these must be considered our key players

[Nicey]

22 October 2006
Played 9 Won 3 Drawn 2 Lost 4 GS 9 GC 11 GD -2 - 11 points

22 October 2007
Played 9 Won 5 Drawn 4 Lost 0 GS 16 GC 5 GD + 11 - 19 points

At the moment we are not playing well, but the difference is we are still picking up results, something the Scum have been doing all season, and that is being completely overlooked.

Arsenal's start to the season has been incredible, even based on last season they would be three points clear at the top, but their 9 games include 6 at home and 3 away. Ours are 4 at home and 5 away (where coincidently we are 2 wins away from matching our away wins for the whole of last season)

6 weeks ago we were the best team in the league and were going to walk home (bull****); 6 weeks later we are the worst team in the league, Rafa has last the plot and we'll be lucky to qualify for Europe (bull****).

Rafa's decision to take Stevie off, like it or not, worked with Momo staying on the field. I was shocked for all of 30 seconds until I noticed we were more calm and a lot more threatening. SG was trying to do too much, when what we needed was sustained pressure of 11 men against 10, we got that and we on won. (And don't say it was because of 2 penalties, because Lucas had scored in open play before the son of Neville Neville pulled off the save of the season)

We are in a far better position to win the league this season and I can see signs (first half against Spurs; periods against Everton) that we are slowing regaining some form.

The way I see it we are coming out of a dip with a few scratches, but still very much in the battle.

Arsenal at home is a huge test for as, but it's the same for them, and we will have Alonso, Agger and Torres ready for battle, the fight for the title is still very much on.

I'm not blind to the fact we are not playing well, but neither have I failed to notice the late goals, grinding out results when needed and signs of improvement.

Holy sweet mother of Jehovah common sense prevails ! This man is spot on and everybody else who disagrees with him is a numpty ..... exit stage door left

[Nicey]

Nice comparison there.

I don't think we've played well all season save the Derby game.

I watched MOTD on Saturday and Man U and Arsenal both looked a class apart.

Why can't Rafa has us playing like them?

Bollox ManU have been ****e all season, I missed last weeks game but the rest of the entire season has been a pile of wank, useless, clueless and completly in effective, as normal lucky to grind out a number of 1-0 s

[dww]

Bollox ManU have been ****e all season, I missed last weeks game but the rest of the entire season has been a pile of wank, useless, clueless and completly in effective, as normal lucky to grind out a number of 1-0 s

I think that is a limited assessment of United. I think they started terribly but have steadily picked up form. They struggled to score but dominated matches and knicked 1-0's for a while but against Villa they added a cutting edge to their previous good play.

It is an exaggeration in my view that they looked a class apart but they are definitely finding their form again and are an exceptional side. They still look like they would be vulnerable to a team who could deny them possession and had confidence in attack.

I think this an important period of the season - we need to keep picking up points and hopefully then we will improve our play in the way United have. Winning breeds confidence and I think in large part this is what is missing in our team at present.