Keep the faith

It was a dissapointing result on saturday, and everyone has seemed to turn gloomy all of a sudden. I don't think there is a need for us to panic. Everytime this young team has suffered a setback , they HAVE bounced back. When we look down, they find something within themselves to conjure up a brilliant performance. We have the perfect chance in our next league game against Liverpool.

I didn't think we were as bad as people were making out. Ebanks-Blake should have put us ahead, but he missed that soley on confidence not ability. In that first half our best performers were Milijas and Mancienne. Hahnemann saved us after Stearman stupidly gave away that penalty, there was no need for it and he left us deep in it.

The second half started better. We controlled for ten minutes but then we were caught out. What Webb was doing I do not know, it was terrible. When their guy Thomas was sent off I thought 'yes, we are back in it' but the Wolves team obviously thought otherwise. We didn't go for it, and let in another.

Hahnemann - 9

Stearman - 5
Mancienne - 7
Craddock - 6
Ward - 6

Foley - 6
Milijas - 7
Henry - 7
Jarvis - 6

Doyle - 7
Ebanks-Blake - 6

Subs: Iwelumo - 6, Jones - 6, Surman - 6

Wolves v Wigan preview

Two wins from our last three home games suggest good home form. Ok, so the wins have been Bolton and Burnley but they are the teams you have to beat at home. Wigan definitely fall under that category, especially as this could be our chance to get our first ever premier league double over a team.

Wigan have been the most inconsistent team in the league. Their win on the first day at Villa was followed up with defeat at home to us. They beat Chelsea, lost nine one to Tottenham and then the next week kept a clean sheet.

There is no doubt they have some quality players though. On their day, they can play some terrific football. Obviously that has come with their manager Roberto Martinez. Rodallega has been their main source for goals, while Jordi Gomez and Charles N'Zogbia provide him with the chances. Their defence has been nothing but leaky, despite having one of the best keepers in the league and some not bad defenders in front of them. Mario Melchiot is a great player, with the experience while Titus Bramble is slowly proving those critics wrong. They have just signed the SPL player of the year Caldwell. Their left back, Edman has done well except against Aaron Lennon.

On to the Wolves. We are probably favourites in this match and will have some expectations. This doesn't really suit us, but we have to step up and get ourselves up that table. If every result goes right we could see ourselves at the lofty heights of twelth.

I think our line up will be pretty easy to guess, unless Mick just changes the whole side.

Hahnemann

Stearman/Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Ward

Foley
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis

Ebanks-Blake
Doyle

I think all of us are desperate for Sylvan to score, and I'm backing him too soon. I predict a 3-1 win, Ebanks-Blake, Doyle and Milijas.

West Ham game off

The match tomorrow at Upton park is off. I think it is mainly because of safety around the stadium.

Another weeks rest for the boys instead then. Bring on Wigan!

100% record so far.

We made hard work of it but we earned a tie at home to Crystal Palace. A decent draw I must say, Palace mid table in the championship, we should send them out of the cup.

It was a good goal, the pass by Milijas was sublime and the finish equally as good by Matty Jarvis
A better team would have scored at least four. They had a few chances but they weren't as good as us on the ball.

Hennessey - 8

Stearman - 7
Mancienne - 7
Craddock - 7
Ward - 7

Foley - 7
Henry - 7
Milijas - 8
Jarvis - 8

Ebanks- Blake - 7
Iwelumo - 7

Subs: Vokes - 6, Elokobi - 6, Halford - 6

Despite his moment of madness, Hennessey was superb. He made two fine saves and commanded his area well.

Onto the new year.

What does 2010 bring us? Will we end the year in the premier league, or in europe? Maybe a cup run is on the cards. I'm content with premier league football, and this month could prove vital. We need to make the right signings, and I'm confident we can.

A french winger Mansare is supposedly in talks for a loan move. He is probably a right winger, with Kites and Edwards injured. I'm not sure why Mick wants him because they are back pretty soon.

FA Cup Preview

An away trip to Tranmere is what the FA cup draw brings us, a team struggling since the end of last season. John Barnes was brought in after Ronnie Moore took them to seventh, it's all been donwhill since then. Barnes has been sacked, they lie third from bottom too.

Usually I feel very worried of an upset but I don't think I really care. We have more important matters this season, and a cup run might even be bad for us! Mick will field a storng eleven, but I doubt a full strength one. He will give some a chance and rest some fo our star players.

Of course it is unusual to watch on the internet and it be legal, we are the first ever premier league side to play live online. While I won't be bothered if we lose, it might be good for confidence if we get some goals.

I think he will start with Ebanks-Blake, he could easy get some goals which will leave him mich more confident for the West Ham game. Vokes has been brought back from loan, and will most likely be sub. The Hof could start, but he might miss due to illness.

Elokobi and Mancienne were very good at centre back at Man Utd, and I expect Mick to play them again. Zubar and Hill should fill the full back places. Kevin Foley will continue to get some games and play right mid. Castillo and Jones could make a good pairing. Last season Jones was our creator and contributed massively, he will want to take his chance to show us why he should be in the team.

I reckon the team will be this:

Hennessey

Zubar
Mancienne
Elokobi
Hill

Foley
Jones
Castillo
Surman

SEB
Iwelumo/Maierhofoer

I'll go for a 3-0 win, SEB to get two and Jones to score a curling freekick.