striker

After watching replays on the two "hand balls" there are major questions. Expecially on the Austin cross, that looked pretty blatant and would have been a penalty shot. The Mane one you could argue that it was unintentional, but then again it would have been a goal if not.

Agreed. I think Austin has about 5 total games, and only 1 where he played more than 25 minutes. The guy has scored in every division, on every team he has played for. He just needs to get time and stay healthy.

We have nothing up front. On the other side though, this is a huge result for Sunderland if it sticks. Norwich is losing.

I'd play Long & Austin up front the rest of the season. Mane as a sub. The Long/Austin combo is good for 3 goals on Tuesday

Absolutely agree with RK on this one: "long is working well, on form and a dangerous player at the mo scored a fantastic goal Austin was working well, made it difficult for chelsea" The two worked very well together and kept Chelsea under pressure. Once Pelle came on all attacking stopped and put too much pressure on the D. Long played really well and Austin was a threat (his runs kept the pressure on). I think they compliment each other very well. The difference with Pelle, and then Mane, was very noticeable. If Long can't go please play Mane, not Pelle.

Austin had a close shot in the first half, and I thought we could have been given a penalty kick on Austin's run in the 2nd half.

Agree with all this, spot on. Even the announcers noticed when Long and Austin were gone we weren't making runs and opening the field. As stated, the ball would come right back in keeping the pressure on, and giving our defense no break. I don't fault the defense, although it wasn't at its best. However any team constantly resetting the game from the just outside the box is going to score

Absolutely no options up front. No relief for the pressure from Chelsea.

Agree with the announcer here. Big difference when Long & Austin were in.

This will be a long 10 minutes.

I'd like to see one more goal before parking the bus. Chelsea has some gas left in them.

Good half. We are causing problems for Chelsea with out attack, I think we have one or two more goals in us.

Beautiful finish

We look dangerous. Goals will come.

I agree with this too. I wouldn't mess with the 3 in the back because of our recent success. Want to see Austin in for Pelle, I really want to see Long and Austin together. In their short times together we have generated a number of chances. Its time for CA.

about time

Top notch defense. Played with a lot of heart. Only 3 pts from Europa! Still need scoring from the forwards though. I don't think Pella is the answer. Lets give Austin and Long a shot.

What, super Pelle coming out?

Defence looks good, Yoshida played very well. Forster was great as usual. Mids played fairly well too. The forwards did nothing, especially Pelle who did less than nothing.

We've had a striker score once in the last 3 games, and that was Austin in his big 20 minutes. The squad needs the front scoring threat, that's why I would like to see him start and play all/most of the match. He brings something that is missing.

They are a number of PL clubs who have done this is varying measures. Some teams have just created ties with US Youth clubs, which it sounds like this plan does. The most aggressive has been Liverpool, who actually "bought" US Youth Clubs and now has Liverpool America FC. They also sent over ex-players to coach, for example Jimmy Melia is a coach in the Dallas area (even though he is now about 78 yrs old).

Like this but with Austin in for Long. Might even try Mane in place of Clasie, and move Clasie into Romeu's place. See what happens with Mane, Austin, and Long on the field together. -------------------- Forster ----------------------- ------- Fonte ------- VvD -------- Bertrand ----- Cedric ------------------------------------ Targett ---------- Wanyama ------ Romeu --------------- ---------------------- Clasie ----------------------- --------- Austin ------------------- Mane -----------

Ok. My post was poorly written. My real point was that with Austin we are challenging for a top 5 spot in my opinion. Without him we are more like a 10-12 team, again just my opinion. We create and play good defense now, its the finishing he brings that gives us a step up. I certainly didn't mean to say we are the equal of Villa and Sunderland, that was my mistake in the way I wrote the post.

Austin needs to be on the field, he's the difference between us being a top team and a 11-20 team. We are very good up until the point of puting the ball in the net. Austin is exactly that guy, we may have won today with him.

Seems that we're more interested in Saturday, and not looking for too much today.