Eddie

Are those your player ratings? If so I can't see a team that you seem to think will play so badly winning 2-0.

I think MGP has a pretty decent work rate and does have the ability to play some pretty amazing balls, seriously we had enough knee jerk reaction after the birmingham game we don't need more. It is true people got pretty worked up about him but a lot recognised the weak spots in his game and said it was pretty much only his goals that was making him such a valuable member. He isn't the best left midfield player and but he isn't a horrible player either. He's a very talented prospect who with a little effort could turn out to be a very good player. I'm happy that we have him.

The defence reached it's ultimate stinginess last year when Nelsen came in. Plus, we aren't playing 4-5-1 anymore which is why we are not as tight at the back but also scoring more goals.

One of the most successful managers in england history. Rather sad, but true.

I don't think so, if that were true I don't think he would put up with the crap that he has for so long, everyone in football knows just what a big job it is and the passion of the fans is famous around the world. I just don't think the national team plays British football, doesn't even have British players (in style I mean), so why do we have to go back to the old British manager? Best man for the job I say, for me that isn't an Englishman. If Scolari or Hiddink were English then no one would be talking about anyone else, forget where they are from.

What's wrong with having a foreign manager?

I think it is also testament to just how hard they have been working over the course of the season. I still think we are outworking our opposition most games and have more of the ball, but whereas we would be 20-30 percent above them now we are perhaps only 5 or 10. This to me can make a lot of difference as to whether or not you are able to close them down everytime they get the ball or just put in that bit of effort that creates or finishes off a chance. Ten days should be more than enough to get them rested and repaired for a very important three games.

I've been reading more about Scolari getting the job, he's a good candidate in my opinion. If you want a man with good international experience and who knows what it takes in big competitions then there are few better. If you could get him in with a good English assistant, one of the lost of McClaren, Curbishley or Pierce (probably best to keep McClaren on if he would) then I think that would be a great solution. For me it is a dangerous game to play when you are going to use the international arena to make your manager. McClaren and Pierce and even Curbishley, despite all having been involved in the game for years, have still to develop at the top level and haven't even managed major club sides, you're asking an unknown to step up to the plate and with a job like the England position I don't know if that is the greatest idea if it can be avoided.

I don't think there are many on here saying that he is rubbish and should be dropped. One of the few places on the pitch where we have a positive silection dilemma is in the centre of defence and I can see why some people prefer Todd and others would like to see Zurab playing. I do think though that he isn't our best captain and after the recent event it has simply highlighted the fact that there are others more suited to the job. I don't find what he did insulting or think that he did it to insult the club, fans or other players, but you want your captain to be able to keep a cool head and not let things get to him, Todd struggles with that at times. Don't tell him I said that though.

I'll give you pretty good odds and take your bet if you want.

Great preview. Going to this one and really looking forward to it. Hopefully the boys won't let us down.

I agree with you about the burn out. As for reverting to 4-5-1, it might be a good tactic against Chelsea but I'm not sure I'd like to see us employ it against City or Charlton.

I just think he has happened to hit form when ballot time has come around that is all. Over the course of the entire season the mest and most reliable player has been Nelsen. Against Liverpool Nelsen was there making important tackles, Bellamy was running around bitching. I've never come away thinking that Nelsen has had a bad game, I have felt that way about every other player on our team at least once.

Have to add though that other than that I totally agree with what you said.

Shame...thought I was in for some easy money.

That's not really fair. It's like saying I would have chosen Bellamy but Kuqi and Dickov have been ###### this season.

I'll bet 50 pounds with you that we get no more than 9 more points.

Also it seems pretty obvious to me who leads at the back and the player who seems to do well at putting in a word with officials (not that it does us much good) and that is Nelsen. He appears to be a natural leader and I don't think any fan would say he doesn't deserve it. He's always there and can always be counted on and is exactly the kind of character you want as a captain. I like Todd, but he is prone to the odd rush of blood to the head (although less frequently now) and so is perhaps not the player you want with the armband on. Also from a simply PR perspective while Todd is still regarded by much of the media as being a bit of a thug, albeit a rather decent defender, Nelsen is held in quite high regard by most writers and commentators.

Any news on these? The plan was that we would wear it in the final game of the season, I think, any news Lee on when it might be out?

Please no one say that it is good that we haven't made the Champions League or don't make the UEFA cup. What kind of a theory is that?!?!? We need all the money, exposure, success and experience we can get. Were Boro or Bolton embarrassed this year? Are we a better side then they are?

Oh dear god, this is all such a bunch of nonsense! We are a good team and we deserve to be where we are, we have a good manager, good players and we have done well and you know what I'll put a bet on with anyone who wants it that we finish top 6.

Also for the first goal, after Heskey fluffed his shot there was nothing we could have done to stop Gray getting to the ball, however, why did no one follow the run of Butt and stop that from being an option? We had about 4 defenders back and only one of them got any sort of a challenge in.

I think the worst part about this all is that I just want the season to end. If it could end now I would love it. Give us our 6th place and I'm looking forward to seeing the transfers in the summer.

I always enjoy seeing some of the great knee-jerk reactions on here. In a strange way they always make me feel more positive, by reading some of the overly negative stuff it gets it all out of my own system and become a bit more optimistic. Please, can a few more people predict relegation and tell us how we are probably the worst team in the league. Forget about the past 34 games, just go on the last 90 minutes.

Yeah, wouldn't want to do another Boro.