mitch01

Definite dive and I wish it wasn't part of the game, but if its a choice between 0-0 draw without the dive and 1-0 win with it - I'll take the win every time. We will be on the receiving end of it plenty of times, and there have been a couple of stonewallers we haven't been given this year, too.

I genuinely don't think WHU or Norwich are any better than us when we each have a full squad to choose from, but their points advantage at this stage is still significant and they won't be going down for that reason, IMO. Would be great to drag one or both of them into the mire, though.

Awesome display at Villa. Stepped up to the plate as Captain. Long live Sir Rickie!

I thought Lambert was absolutely superb, so composed on the ball and from the spot. Morgan and Shaw were both good too. Excellent result with two of our most important players injured.

Huge Nigel Adkins fan. I would be absolutely devastated were he to leave our club.

Great news. Good decision, Luke.

Good result for us before the weekend, but its still going to be very tough with AL and JF out injured. Villa know how crucial the game is and if we think we are in for anything but a very challenging afternoon we are kidding ourselves.

I'd be amazed if we got £4m. Massive fan of the guy and he was vital for us last season, but I just don't think he's cut out for the level we're at now. If he becomes a good PL striker in the future I will be happy to admit I was wrong, but I don't think he has the all-round game required for this league. The player that 'comes alive' in the penalty area is a dying breed, they need to have much more to their game. Javier Hernandez, for example, has pace and the ability to beat a man as well as clinical finishing. You just wouldn't see the likes of Earnshaw or Chopra, for example, getting a sniff in this division anymore.

Yeah, thats probably why we haven't been very successful in the last few seasons...

Ha! Just saw this. What a bizarre thing to say. Anyway, back on topic. I think its also worth noting that Lallana's (generally excellent) set-piece delivery was sorely missing vs Sunderland especially, where we had plenty of corners but failed to threaten from any apart from one by de Ridder. The kind of quality he consistently provides in the final third is absolutely vital for us to make clinical use of our openings, and this might even be more vital away from home where we have less of the ball in the opposition's half. While Puncheon's form has been both surprising and impressive this season, I stick don't quite put him in the same bracket as Lallana in terms of technical ability and composure in pressure situations (although admittedly I am as guilty as anyone for writing Puncheon off before - and should be careful not to do the same again). Just another reason why I think there is almost no case for dropping our captain, regardless of the occasion.

If you strictly mean 'under certain circumstances' then I am more inclined to agree with you, but still not completely. If we were to drop a 'luxury' player for games like Stoke, for example, then Ramirez should be the one to make way at this stage - although that may change. I have always been extremely impressed with Lallana's work-rate and his ability to make crucial interceptions to disrupt the opposition. That being the case I don't really see him as a luxury at all, in fact the only area where Guly at LM would be beneficial is from set pieces IMO. (Not that I am anti-Guly particularly, he has done very well in the last few games). I just think Lallana is a 'must-start' player for us, and can adapt to whatever job Nigel assigns to him. Out of posts now, I'm afraid my budget doesn't stretch to £5 - especially after a lovely $100 fine I picked up over here in Canada on NYE for consuming alcohol in the street. Still fuming.

I'm genuinely flabbergasted that the issue has even been brought up. Lallana is an absolutely huge player for us, and has been crucial to our season so far. Perhaps my post came across as patronising - I didn't mean it to be - but I was just trying to express my disbelief that one of our best players' contribution has been brought into question. A*, thanks for asking. Although that was some years ago now.

Saw the thread title, no need to read any posts. The answer is 'no'.

I thought we were absolutely excellent today. The whole back four was great again, but especially Yoshida.

Don't. Talk. Rubbish.

He has a case of the nerves, he's not ****. Lets just see how the next 75% of the match go shall we?

Yeah I bet Adkins told the team to stop playing in the second half and just defend. Or maybe it had something to do with the presence of another team with other ideas on the pitch. Yesterday was disappointing in one way, but still highly impressive in most others - on another day we win that game 3-2 or even 4-1. Arsenal will be tough but I trust Nigel to get the team well and truly up for the occasion.

He hasn't become a worse keeper, last season he was as good as he has ever been. Its just that its still not enough.

If you truly and honestly think you are a realist then you have a very warped view of the world indeed. After a couple of hours of reflection and cooling off, I feel I am ready to comment. Great to get a point from Stoke. Excellent tactics from Nigel and very well carried out by the players. Stoke were always going to come at us at some point, and I felt we resisted very well apart from Kelvin who really struggled to deal with Jones' threat and that affected the rest of his game I think. Defence were all excellent, although Fonte was lucky to get away with a blatant handball. Guly was good at left midfield, but made two crucial errors at crucial times when he failed to help out Shaw for the first goal and then missed a great chance in the second. Harsh to criticise him too much, he put in a very good shift. Lambert's use of the ball in the first half was very clever, but I thought he gave it up too easily once or twice in the second. Still, his goal and assists demonstrate his continuing value to us. Rodriguez did well but should have done better when crossing to Lambert in the second half, his miss was as much down to good goalkeeping as anything. Nigel's subs were spot on I thought. Richardson is a great option to have as he is defensive-minded but still got up and down the wing and sent in one particularly good cross. A late goal is very tough to take, but it was an incredible strike. My worry is for how the players will react to the blow, as they were so close to a huge result, but if anyone can keep them buoyant its Nigel.

He wasn't to blame for the result, I don't even think he was at fault for the second. Its not about today, I just don't see him as a Prem keeper and never have. I just don't know if Nigel will want to change our first choice keeper yet again.

Love the bloke, superb pro and a credit to the club - but he isn't a Premier League keeper. Very very lucky with that save in the final minute.

We don't have a stable goalkeeper, none of the three have adequately stepped up to the plate. But we do have a stable team, or as stable as you could possibly expect in the PL.

Always said Boruc, although Nigel sees them most and I trust his decision. I doubt we will sign a new one.

Sharp was a great goal poacher for us last season, but didn't contribute that much in open play. I really think he would have struggled badly in this league, he just doesn't have the all-round game or physical attributes required. I am confident that Mayuka and Rodriguez will improve over time.

Have always said Boruc is the best out of the three if match fit. I doubt Nigel will make another change though. His position is being made increasingly difficult by the fact that none of the keepers are playing like they want to keep the shirt.