Nibs

And that brings us back to that age old debate, what do us supporters really want? Look at Spurs again last night - another 3-2. I've lost count of the goals they have scored and conceded in the last few weeks but at least their fans are getting value for money. Compare that to our extremely dull 1-0. I think some of us are quite happy to watch 1-0, after 1-0 as long as that means we pick up trophies season after season, trophies at the end of the season are what it's all about. But I think we'd all like to see a bit more entertainment and for me if that meant the odd defeat or 3-3 draw, so be it.

I think one positive to come out of last nights game (other than the 3 points) was Kalou. Sure at times he was frustrating - 2 or 3 times he appeared to have the better of man City defenders, only to then take more touches and get tackled. But he's young and will hopefully learn sooner rather than later, when to release the ball. I'd rather see Kalou stay in for a bit and get a decent run now, than have Sheva. At least Kalou gives us a bit more pace and we don't look so predictable.

Tim has already mentioned sounding like a broken record and once again I find it hard to single too many players out for either praise or criticism as we looked pretty average yet again and yet again just did enough but nothing more. But Ballack? We can just be thankful that Man City had players all over the park who gave the ball away just as much as our illustrious German. How can a player as bad as this keep lasting 90 minutes - it really is beyond me The rest were much of a muchness.

Glad we never signed that Richards!!! That was a pretty dull and uninspiring 45 minutes. Thank God City are as bad as they are.

Loz, I know what you're saying re the diving - I detest it too. That's why it took me ages to warm to Drogba (who has thankfully improved 100% in this respect, although still from time to time behaves like a big tart) and why I still get very pissed off with Robben. I even admit that Joe goes down too easily at times, but thankfully nowhere near to the same extent - Robben is the worst, as he seems to look for the dive 9 times out of 10. But with Messi - I've seen a fair bit of him and I wonder what you are basing your opinion on? He is a wide man and a very skilful one at that and he's there to be got at. Sometimes he may go down but I have seen very few occasions where he has blatantly dived a la Robben.

What praying that he gets his pace back and we sign him? WHAT?! Sign Messi?! I feel sick... You honestly wouldn't want Messi? Are you mad? Give me Messi over Robben any day. In fact, whilst we're at it, my starting line up next season................... - Cech -Diarra - JT -Carvalho - Bridge -Essien -Lamps -Mikel -Messi - Joey - Drogba That would do it for me!!!

I used to quite like Barton. He is actually a decent player when he puts his mind to it and he at least shows passion. However, I must admit he is getting rather too big for his boots and would love it (as Gem would say!!) if he gets done big time by someone soon - preferably by one of our boys tomorrow. As for Pearce, he seems to be yet further proof (as if any were needed), that just because someone does well as a player and they say all the right things, it doesn't necessarily make them management material.

Just I think on the whole we saw the game the same and a lot of the marks reflect that. Where we beg to differ is your total assasination of Carvalho , whereas I see you are loathe to mark Essien lower than a 6, even though I felt he was bad yesterday. I'll let that go as I know Essien is one of your favourites and it would be similar to me having to give Joe Cole anything less than a 9 One thing I would add with Carvalho though, I know he has these rushes of blood and at times his play does appear a bit kamikaze, but when we were 3-1 down and heading out of the cup, he did show drive to get us back in the game and was always looking to carry the ball forward and played a large part in us still being in the competition this morning for the third goal. And I think some people on here really under estimated Spurs. Look at the run they are on right now and the goals they are scoring both home & away. There is not a more attacking team anywhere right now and it only takes a few players on our side to be off their game, both in midfield and defence and we saw the result. Thankfully, their defence is pretty poor too!!

Think you're being harsh on Carvo Just. I really don't think he was any worse than any of the others today and a lot better than Cole & Essien. Don't like to have a go at Essien 'cos I know he is playing out of position, but he was poor although not as bad as Cole who was playing in his favoured position and was dreadful. As for the third goal, that started when Robben was once again shrugged off the ball and then sat on the ground moaning whilst Spurs broke away and went 3-1 up. I think all three goals were bad today and the blame needs to be spread collectively - not just one person.

Agree with just about all of that. What was worrying was how we were being so outplayed at times today. It again reminded me of th CC final when some of our guys - in fact nearly all of them, looked so much slower than Spurs. Spurs broke with some great passing and good pace and we were all over the place. They nearly went 4-1 up when Lennon had the one on one - thankfully Cech came to the rescue. We could have easily conceded 5 or 6 today at home to Spurs I've gotta give marks for that and great comeback it may have been and great game to watch (second half) but our marks have to reflect just how bad we were at times today. Cech 7 Didn't have much chance with any of the goals and kept us in the game. On a bad day, possibly out MOTM. Paulo 6. He looked shaky. Ok so did all the defence, but of late Diarra has looked more solid at RB. A Cole 3. Terrible. Lennon gave him a torrid time and he was all over the place. I'm also getting fed up with his constant snarling at the ref. Carvalho 7. He wasn't great today, but still made some very good tackles. Also again did well (better than others) at carrying the ball forward and put in a great ball for Drogba for our all important 3rd. Essien 4. Struggled today and underlined that he might be a good stand in CB from time to time, but the sooner we can get him back to midfield the better. Diarra 6. Thought he struggled defensively but was as usual, pretty composed on the ball and passed the ball better than others. Lamps 6 But for the goals and the comeback that would have been a 4 but he did get better as the game went on. Ballack 7 Started badly with a fair number of mis-placed passes but got stronger as the game went on and definitely had one of his better games. Robben 4 He troubled Spurs a fair bit early on but never really troubled them as he should and as Lennon did us. And as for the diving? It's time he cuts it out once & for all or he can clear off Drogba 7 Was very worried it was gonna be one of those days for DD. Couple of little knocks early on and he really didn't look interested - back to the DD of a couple of seasons ago. Looked like he might actually go off at one point. Thankfully he didn't and was good in the second half - did great for Kalou's goal. Sheva 4 I know he trys hard but at times he appears pretty clueless and he just doesn't seem to be on the same wavelength as the rest of the team. Few times today, if he'd had the legs..............but no point going there 'cos he hasn't. SWP 2 If Sheva isn't on the same wavelength as his team mates what does that say about SWP? Does he know what he is trying to do most of the time? He has to go. Kalou 6 Another one who seems to run around a lot without really knowing what he's doing. However, at least he knows where the goal is and that finish alone is worthy of a 6. Boula 5 Did ok - nothing spectacular - but the guy always gives me the jitters. COME BACK JT!!!

I know what you're saying Loz but we got taken apart today just as we did in the first half of the CC final, when Maka WAS on the pitch. I don't think you can say if Maka had played today we would not have conceded three, because we were collectively bad. I thought Cole would have a good game today against Lennon but he was rubbish. And Essien has done a great job filling in at CB, but today he was exposed time and time again.

Huge thanks needs to go to Jol for taking off Berbatov and bringing on Mido Once they made that change and then Lennon went off, I thought we always had a chance.

Not harsh at all. SWP was given a great chance to prove himself today and he was totally pants. Sorry, but he has to go in the summer - he just ain't up to it.

Hear Hear - looked liked only one team really wanted that 1st half and it wasn't us. Can't name a player on our side who can escape any blame - ALL have been bad at some point or another. Not worth singling anyone out, they were all pretty shocking. We need a second half of absolutely massive proportins here otherwise this could be our biggest embarrasment for years.

BJD - I blame YOU for that scoreline

What praying that he gets his pace back and we sign him?

Great News I love the bit in that article about Mourinho having his son's mates back to his house after school and having a game of 4 a side. Top Bloke!!

I thought SWP was just beginning to ok a few weeks back but can't say he's figured much since before the CC final? Where has he gone I prefer Bridge to Cole on the whole but for this game I think I would rather see A Cole up against a very quick & tricky Lennon. As for JT, I think if he is anything other than 100%, I would stick with Essien as I don't like the idea of JT playing against a very lively Spurs attack if he is not 100%. Spuds are on a bit of a roll at present but hopefully the fact we have had a couple days more rest than them and not had to travel will tip it nicely in our favour.

Good point - but I don't think Ballack is the solution. Believe me, I would be more than happy for Ballack to stroll about the way he does and for him not to make any tackles during a match, if he was a playmaker. But other than a couple of passes that spring to mind, most of his play seems to consist of passing it sideways or backwards. However, both Mikel & Diarra have recently shown signs that they are good on the ball and can spot and execute a good pass, so hopefully we'll see both develop and that problem will be solved.

I've had a good time taking the piss out of Gooner supporters today and I can't wait to speak to my father-in-law - definite pay back time for all those defeats we suffered pre Mourinho. And Gallas? He was a legend for us and I loved the bloke, but now he has got all he deserved - nothing. Only caught brief highlights of the game but that included one glaring Gallas error, so perhaps he isn't as good when he dons red & white. But how must he feel, only just into March and his season is over. F***kin Great!! Wouldn't be surprised if Henry leaves now either. That said, don't want to get too carried away, as they do have a pretty good little squad and I don't want too much piss taking to come back and bite me on the arse next season, especially if we lose Mourinho. But I will enjoy it for now.

Understand what your saying Nibs, but the fact that we have plenty of cover for Essien and not as much for Drogba does not affect the ability or peformance only the importance of the player. Yeah, I totally agree. Thing is, it is such a close thing between the two of them as both have been excellant, so I guess what I was trying to get at was who could we NOT have done without, that's why DD gets the nod for me.

I voted Drogs. As good as Essien has been, we still have plenty of cover for him (albeit not as good). We couldn't have coped without Drogba this season - his goals or his defensive abilities.

I'll be gutted if Mourinho leaves. I want us to emulate Man Utd & Arsenal with Fergie & Wenger and continue to build on the success already acheived - not get some new guy in and start all over. But what of the players? Can anyone see a situation where the likes of JT, Lamps & Drogba come out in support of Mourinho and threaten to leave if he does? And what would the clubs reaction be?

Those ratings are exactly what I'd jotted down so you've saved me the job!! (Other than I gave Mikel 8.5 as he got my MOTM). What also pleased me is how well we saw the game out towards the end. Knowing that Porto only needed to get a late goal and we'd have been buggered, you always worry that you'll concede a late goal. But it never looked like happening. We kept the ball in their half so they couldn't threaten and Drogba in particular did well to use up much of the 4 minutes injury time. What a relief!!!!!

I don't agree that he gives us zilch - a large amount of our attacks are started by Maka doing the simple things well and releasing the likes of Robben, Lamps and Ballack. That's what Maka does when he is at the top of his game - but he hasn't been for a while now. Don't get me wrong, I agree that Maka had a better first half than bothe Ballack and Lamps, but when you need two goals to stay in a competition you are not gonna take off players than can provide that goal and in situations like that, Maka is a luxury. Mikel came on on it was the positive switch that totally changed the game.