Tim W

My mistake - BTW what did you make of Grant at right back? I like Grant he's got a firm tackle and uses his body well, do you think the move to RB is temporary or a case of reschooling as we also have Cork who plays the holding role (when not on loan). Van Aanholt's cross for Cummings' goal was also a touch of class. Of course the playing surface is a step up from Aldershot as well which helps.

Chordless

Point taken and I bow gracefully, but he still sounds like uncle Kerry when he's commentating the reserve games, "slightly patronising but with a glimmer of hope". Not yet, the reserves have only played twice and a lot of players are away with u17 and u19s, saying that with so many of the older youngsters on loan I reckon everyone will get a chance soon or later.

Picking the "McCreadie 3" off now

Van Aanholt and Bridcutt impressed in last night's reserve game against Derby. Sinclair must be getting a reputation as Derby had two men on him all night. And as a second half substitution we saw Kakuta, the lad doesn't speak a word of English (yet) but his feet and mind certainly know how to play football - could be one for the future. Uncle Kerry's motm was young Jimmy Cummings who after playing much of last season at right back returned to the centre forward position and played really well, even Brendan Rodger's likened his performance to a young Drogba although he needs to eat his Shredded Wheat ten times a day to grow to the right size. (Van Aanholt plays left-back; Bridcutt holding midfield, Kakuta a more creative midfielder).

So the French primary school in North London have no problems then as they have been there since the age of 11.

It's a bit early doors to start calling the odds.

Does anyone listen to footy podcasts? The two I listen to are the Guardian and the Times Any others?

I think you'll find Ballack has had two ops since he return to Germany for treatment before the end of last season. Obviously something is wrong and if the rumours of nerve damage are true (I not sure where the referred pain point is, at a guess I would say lower back) it could well be a long time before we see him again in a blue shirt.

I seem to be living on the "Mike O" planet

You're not rattling you're expressing your view like I am and I respect your view. I agree with you totally about Paulo - he should be playing week in week out. The only reason Belletti is here was to to spit in the eye of the Sevilla chairman and nothing else and now JM will play him at the expense of Paulo to prove a point. The same thing happen with Cole A and Bridge last year, even Cole admitted he was below par. We could go on to discuss others but I don't want to go down that road, knowing in advance the accusations that will be thrown. All I want is to see the best from our boys, but at times I get a distinct feeling that politics go over team selection. And by way of an end, I do not mean to imply I know more that JM or SC or any of the backroom staff; cause none of us do.

We'll see, I expect he'll get more than a fair chance to show us what he can do. On the other hand I still don't think Johnno got a fair chance. And rather than bring in Belletti I think we should have kept Mancienne instead of loaning him out again to QPR and play Paulo and have Michael as understudy.

Belletti's half hearted tackle for their second made Johnno look like George Cohen at his best, and explains why Barc benched him. Nevertheless, we dropped points early doors last season to Boro so the defeat is insignificant - my worry is our crab-like build up play. Forwards, sideways, sideways, sideways back and Cech woofs it upfield. Reckon I'd be pissed of if I'd paid millions for that.

I used to have a vid of that, me and the mates would watch it Friday night after a few beers. Its since been binned as it was overused. Not sure how much 'real' football it is, certainly not Roman wants. But it could be used to teach unarmed combat, the DVD extras could have combat colour commentary by Webb and Harris. Maybe Hunter et al also. Not real football but an attitude - I know Drogs has almost stopped diving, but yesterday he was flicked by Larsen's shirt sleeve and he went down like a ton of bricks. For God's sake his 6' 3" built like a brick sh*t house. I know he has/is answering for a lot of our goals, but I hate this part of his game and I really think he needs to put his house in order.

We have won games we should have lost and lost games we should have won; I know, let's call it football. PS Can someone send Drogba a copy of the 1970 Cup final - both games - he needs to see a real football match

RIP (We now need to win all 4 in BB's honour)

G4 I know I'm old but I wasn't talking about Noah's ark now go back and do it properly. I had suppressed all memory of those toilets - I think I'll have to make an extra appointment with my shrink now. Didn't the bar staff in there work in slow motion trying to give the impression the pub was busy?

Didn't Darra made it clear a while ago he wanted out and that he wanted to join Le Arse? No point keeping players who don't want to stay (same goes for Robben)

Perhaps the decision to let him go was for the good of the squad, keeping a discontented player in the squad could have a big effect on others on the fringes of the starting eleven.

They have to walk through security at Heathrow

Probably will join the long list of players failing or standing still after their time at Chelsea - shame but he only has himself to blame he needed to give 250% not 95% but I really wish him well and hope he proves his doubters wrong.

I thought living halfway to Trondheim would mean travelling to the away game would be a breeze - how wrong can you be. Even travelling to Valencia would involve taking a couple of flights to get there. Have to settle for a home game or two.

Well you won't get me in Glasgow for that one

Shouldn't that be Chocolate Vienna?

Only trouble for my part is I don't have the same opportunity to get over to Glasgow midweek, lack of direct flights, so if it ever happened I would have to make do with the battle at the bridge.