Chippy

I like Shurrle, there is a lot of room for improvement but a run of games could well help with that, he's often pretty direct as well but for me he is still behind Wilian who hasn't done much wrong and is usually good at winning back possession and keeping it (although less likely to score at the moment). I don't think Shurrle is giving much different that will change a game as he tends to drift inside and shoot the way Hazard does so that leaves his main competition Wilian who is winning it on work rate. I'm sure he'll feature but a lot depends on how Salah takes any chances he gets as he is more likely to stay out wide and not get drawn into the same area as everyone else.

We all see things differently Nibs although I too am gutted looking at Citys strikers, I can't fault Eto'o on last nights game and think he was the only one until Lampard came on that looked to run into the right spaces, those spaces being blocked by half a dozen defenders made it difficult for him to get on the end of the few dangerous crosses but he was on the right wavelength to know where to be. Hazard and Oscar were a handful but beating a couple of players and then kicking the ball into yet another gaggle of defenders legs wasn't the way in last night, a good ball to someone running into space (if there had have been any) looked the only way to me and I felt Eto'o was trying to do that while managing to keep hold of the ball and lay it off without giving possession away while he was at it. There was no stand out man of the match for me but I thought Eto'o was just about the pick.

I really am surprised at Eto'o getting stick for last nights display, he linked up well and moved into what space there was well, was the only player on a few occasions that was nearly on the end of a dangerous cross although running through a wall of eight defenders to get there made it difficult. His turn and shot from Oscars shot that went straight at him was superb and he was certainly no passenger. Agreed he didn't have as many shots as the midfielders but that's because he was getting into the box to try to pick up scraps and not racking up attempts from outside the area that just clattered against the multitude of legs in the box or went over the bar. For me Eto'o links up best with the attacking mids and moves into space better than Torres, he dribbles better and loses the ball less, Torres on a good day can look stronger and gives something different but I always get the feeling with Torres that if his first couple of touches are bad he drifts out of the game but with Eto'o its never a confidence thing, he could hit the corner flag with a penalty and he'd step up for the next one if he could, you get the same effort from him all game.

If your lot had have played as well as we did tonight in the game against Southampton you'd be a couple more points ahead, West Ham defended for their lives and got away with it, we'll still end ahead of you. West ham had one plan and they packed their area every time we attacked, they had one shot on goal to our thirty nine...what were the stats in your last game?. Edit: Southampton 13 shots Arsenal 7.

I thought Eto'o had a decent game, got into some good positions, linked up well and showed he still has quick feet, the shot that Oscar hit straight at him that he turned on was Eto'o of old and deserved a goal. Hazard was good as was Oscar but I think Eto'o shaded it for his willingness to get into the right positions in an absurdly crowded area.

I suppose we all see things different but for me it was the introduction of Frank that helped raise our tempo, I thought the first few touches Matic had were poor and he looked like he needs a few games, Mikel got forward quite well and did nothing wrong in the opposition half (which strangely is where he had most of his touches. For me today Matic was no improvement whatsoever on Mikel, not that I don't agree with your point about Mikel not being an obvious choice against West Ham at home, I do but for the part he played today he never played badly or slowed things up noticeably in my opinion.

I wonder if Spurs losing 6-0 to City at away under AVB means the improvement shown in the 1-5 home defeat proves that sacking the Manager was the right thing to do?

It's a squad game though mate and the team Jose put out was good enough to win tonight without Frank who could easily have been being rested with a big game coming up. Had we gone in at half time 2-0 up (not unreasonable even on first half chances) then Mikel would have played until Matic replaced him and I doubt we'd have seen Frank. I don't think the managers team selection had a big influence tonight, we needed a bit more cutting edge and they played out of their skins defensively, we'll play a lot worse against far better teams and win.

I've got nothing against Matic at all and think he'll be a good signing and I would have started him but I must say that today he looked no improvement whatsoever on Mikel and Mikel had a decent game before going off. Jose is doing the right thing gradually bringing Matic in and I think he was a bit slow to react a couple of times today and needs games, I hope that run out has sharpened him up because he'll need to be more alert if he plays against City. To be honest and looking at the way the game went, with hindsight I'd have started Frank.

I was frustrated watching that but still managed to give credit to the opposition, I've never seen so many defenders throwing themselves in the way of everything and they never stopped the whole game. Oscar and Hazard again were pulling the strings and to say Hazard was our only danger is just plain wrong, Lamaprd should have scored twice, Eo'o was fairly sharp and linked up well, and porr Mikel done sod all wrong in the first half to be spoken about as if he shouldn't have started...Matic looked like a player new to the league and wasn't for me any improvement. Ramires was the most frustrating, bad choice of ball and niggly fouls added to unnecessary yellow card and although he ran about as much as ever, I thought it was a poor game from him. 38 shots tell the story, we outplayed them and they came for a point and played like it was their cup final, they got the gameplan spot on but had we been more clinicle...picking a spot wide of the keeper instead of at him (easily said from in front of the TV with nobody crashing in to you) we would have won. We're out of nothing.

I thought I'd give Spuds boys a boost by showing a bit of misguided faith...the weight of my two quid will get them right up for this one. 29 Jan 2014 - Tottenham v Man City - First Goal Scorecast Gylfi Sigurdsson / Tottenham 2-1 @ 100/1 Stake : £2.00 Estimated Returns : £202.00

Bets for tonight, half any winnings to the site 29 Jan 2014 - Chelsea v West Ham - Correct Score Chelsea 2-0 @ 6/1 Stake : £5.00 Estimated Returns : £35.00 And 29 Jan 2014 - Chelsea v West Ham - First Goal Scorecast Eden Hazard / Chelsea 2-0 @ 16/1 Stake : £4.00 Estimated Returns : £68.00 Come on boys

Just thinking about the prize made my perspiration bring the wallpaper down

Good player but I'm sure if Jose couldn't get him to fit by now than it was likely always going to be detrimental to results trying. We've got a better no 10 for the way Jose wants us to play and we have better players for the spots he would have had chances in, I'd add that people who feel he has a great football brain should be wondering how he thinks UTD can still win the title . Nothing really Mata's anyone can see nothing really Mata's Nothing really Mata's...to me. any way the wind blows.

Maybe we could revert to the Christmas tree and play him at the top of the pyramid?

He seems to have a pharaoh shot on him.

I thought Negrado had a shoulder injury? do you think he'll be back for the game?

any one know why all the cross channel ferries are booked up for the next two weeks?

Doesn't really matter to me, the way I look at it is it's not only about the big teams, its great for the others who can and often do get up and cause upsets and that makes the competition what it is. I wonder if City thought the way you do last year?

Nobody wanted the draw we got but I'm sure its not the one City wanted either, I'd have been more confident at the Bridge but these are for me the two stand out teams this season and the two likely to be battling it out in the league come may...the game up there will be a battle but these are matches that to win anything you need to get out of the way. Bring it on.

Oscar for me, closely followed by Hazard. Matic had a strong debut too which is nice.

I wouldn't have said Shurrle was poor, a bit short of match sharpness but nearly came away with a goal and and assist...certainly happy to have him in the squad and think he'll get better.

One nice pass from Shurrle that put Hazard off down the right...hopefully he'll sharpen up, Lamps first game back and he still gets in those positions, I think used sparingly he'll still be very useful by the look of him.

Oscar...best no 10 in the world

What a strike, perfection