Thanks as always for your comments and analysis. You may recall we had a discussion about the officiating in the Carling final – does this change your perspective at all? The real question for me is did Webb not see it as a penalty, or did he see it well, but for some reason, decide he would not call it.

I don’t think the officials are corrupt. But is there at least a subconscious bias in favor of the Big Four? Or against having a game “decided” by a penalty (as if not calling it decided it any less).

Same question regarding Terry – he is not “supposed” to be redcarded, because he is Terry, it seems. I agree that is absurd to consider whether the victim is a potential English national player – is it more acceptable to do this to someone else? But you have to at least wonder what the call would be if a frequently carded player (for a relegation-level team) had done that.

i think your observation about milner’s comfort level on the ball is fair too, although i’m not sure i follow the suggestion that he could fill a DM role.

it might be that he appears rushed because that’s simply his high octane style and all he really needs to learn is how to relax a little. in that sense, there’s something he could have learned from gareth barry who was quite adept at buying himself space and time with little more than his body positioning.

he’s got the attitude, the vision and range of passing, he just needs to chill out a little and realise that he can become our midfield general if wants to.

We were denied a nailed on penalty but this is not surprising. Two Wembley appearances against members of the big four and the refs fluff crucial decisions to our cost.

I thought Carew caused them all kinds of problems but our final ball at times just wasn’t good enough. Carlos was outstanding and Warnock always offered himself as an attacking option.

In the second half they came into the game a bit more but we were still comfortable and Carew almost got a decent connection from a corner. Their goal was really tough on us, Dunne probably should have got more air on the headed clearance, but then for Terry to scuff the shot and Drogba to turn it in was heartbreaking and we really didn’t deserve this.

After this we had to take a few risks and fair play to them they caught us ruthlessly at the death with two goals. 3-0 was harsh. I was proud of the display.

I have one or two concerns and the first is James Milner. His touch and close control really need to improve if he is going to be a real top class midfielder. I was never comfortable watching him on the ball and he always looked rushed and about to cough possession. People are putting this down to tiredness but I think that he just really needs to work hard on his touch and control and it could be that he finds his natural position is as a defensive midfielder.

We are lacking strength in depth and this will be addressed. When we needed to call on some one from the bench to change things our options were really limited. There is young talent but they are not ready yet. Heskey brings some good attributes to our play but it was always unlikely he would make a big impact.

So we were beaten by the Champs elect, but I am not too down hearted and with a bit of fine tuning and investment we are not too far away. Keep up the good work Martin.

But it’s what you get when the “Home of football” whores itself to every penny it can get in the way of rugby and concerts etc.
Disgraceful, imo.

The reason I heard (Butch Wilkins) was that it was caused by being watered while it was hard underneath????????????

Well, why water it then FFS?

I’ve never understood watering the pitch and it never used to happen.
It can only be to speed the game up and hide the British game’s lack of technical skill imo.

something i forgot to mention here – the pitch. what an absolute joke. it was worse than the carling cup final. apparently the 10th time it’s been relaid this season?? wow, something’s seriously wrong!!

nah. he lacks the minerals to ever nail his colours to mast. he’ll just continue in his usual duplicitous manner. someone once described his blog to me as “sub-tabloid horseshit” and that’s exactly what it is. he’s a conman, nothing more.

the sun might be the UK’s best selling paper, but it’s still just a comic with boobs.

Well done lads.

Drogba off for Anelka?
This is the difference.

I’m saddened, but not distraught, as the lads played well.
Indeed, better than I expected.

I spoke to a nose mate of mine and he conceded it wasn’t a 3-0 game.

Says it all.

No doubt the aforementioned knob will heighten his MON out campaign