Lallana's Left Peg

No excuses with this game, Swindon are dire, out of form, and there for the taking. I expect a two or three goal margin of victory and a good performance as well.

4-4-2 or a diamond?

I live in Manchester which is 30mins away from Rochdale and while we've had rain I cannot believe the impact it has had on their pitch. My Sunday League pitch can take much more rain that this and still be playable! May be a blessing in disguise as they are in good form and depending on when the game is rescheduled I may well fancy our chances a bit more. Plus lets not forget we've got Hartlepool on Tuesday which now becomes more appealing as they play today while we get to rest.

Would have taken the draw before the game, disappointed to lead two goal leads slip twice, but not disheartened in any way. The state of my heart watching that match has only been matched in recent years by the second-leg of the playoff game away to Derby.

Great effort, very proud. Onwards and upwards!

Wenger tonight after the game on AOC:

If he is going and isn't returning on loan, then I can't stress enough how disappointed I'll be if a few players don't arrive within a few days. The speculation is rife and the club must know bids are imminent. Even if they don't want him to leave there is always the chance he will ask to go. We should be succession planning right now and making enquiries accordingly. Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving is disappointing but understandable. To not have replacements lined up is criminal from the club.

If we need someone to help us retain possession, then Dale Jennings isn't our man. He gave the ball away far too much today, particularly in the second half, through silly flicks and blind passes.

Just back from the game. Two long ball teams, a terrible game. We offered nothing, Tranmere had 5 in midfield and one of them was just in front of the back 4 helping head away every hopeless punt from us. When we passed it we looked half decent. We rarely passed it. Harding and Richardson were also very bad. I blame both Fonte and Davis for the first goal. Fonte for calling for the keeper to come (the keeper should always decide) and Davis for not deciding to come - the ball was high in the air and landing in the 6 yard box - what exactly did Davis expect to happen!

Just back from the game. Two long ball teams, a terrible game. We offered nothing, Tranmere had 5 in midfield and one of them was just in front of the back 4 helping head away every hopeless punt from us. When we passed it we looked half decent. We rarely passed it. Harding and Richardson were also very bad. I blame both Fonte and Davis for the first goal. Fonte for calling for the keeper to come (the keeper should always decide) and Davis for not deciding to come - the ball was high in the air and landing in the 6 yard box - what exactly did Davis expect to happen!

That is a relief.

Credit to him!

There are a few players who have a massive impact on how we play - the likes of Lallana and Lambert so we're wise to keep quiet about those two. The rest, not so much.

Very versitile player, would be a good addition to the squad. Have seen him play well at right-back and in midfield for Saints, and he looks after the ball very well.

Lovely - the price goes up if Man City are involved - whether speculation or not!

I thought we'd got the stage where we could play badly and win, but we've got a bit to go by the sounds of it. Looking at the bigger picture, nothing to be worried about - lets not forget the form Notts County were in. A good chance next week to get some goals and ANOTHER clean sheet (which is a nice habit we have also got into).

The loan window is open until the end of March, that is a safety blanket. While you need a decent squad, you can't have a massive one full of established pros, it just won't work unless you are one of the best and biggest clubs in England where people would want to stay.

We don't need the money, so what would we do with £5m right now? We couldn't attract a £5m replacement in League 1. No point buying a load of new players with it - what is the point when the squad we have is good enough right now? You think £5m is steep for a League 1 player and it is. But what price we hang onto him a few years and he helps back to the Premier League where you get something like £30m a year just for being there? The only grounds that we sell are if he wants to leave and his performances suffer as a result. But selling to get money - silly.

credit to the players

Yep, really enjoyed that. Without wishing to sound arrogant I think we could play even better in the final third, but Jaidi and Fonte were brilliant tonight and that gives everyone confidence. Appears to be a very impressive spirit and mentality in the players - some aspects of tonight felt like 'business as usual'.

Looking forward to Tuesday. Oldham are going well so I can't see them playing too defensively at home. May be a few awkward moments but in an open game I'd fancy us to score one more than them. Not entirely sure what formation / system Adkins will go but the good news is that we appear to be adapating to several with success so no reason to be downbeat about this game at all.

Why are people so wound up about this? If Brighton want to manufacture some sort of rivalry with us then that is up to them. I don't consider them rivals in any other aspect than going for the title. In fact it will be refreshing to see a different team make a go of it and their new stadium will help them - whether they have the fanbase to fill it or not. The fact they've got a massive reaction from some of you is all they were after and you've obliged.

Hammond isn't the reason we lose games, and he isn't the reason we win games. He's a hard working player and team captain for that reason.

It's clear Puncheon has quality but it is also clear he doesn't apply himself enough. No-one doubts our quality in this league, but in the back of my mind ahead of every game I wonder what sort of application we'll see from the players. I'd feel happier seeing Chaplow in the team ahead of Puncheon even though I know Chaplow doesn't have as much quality. I have no issues with this move.

7 out of the next 9 points would leave me very happy. This is as tough as the other two games, no doubt. Just hope we start well and don't allow Carlisle to impose themselves on us in the first 10mins.