itk_FACT

There's no chance we'll win this. Whilst we're level we're just going to preserve what we've got and not commit anyone forward. We're struggling to get attempts on goal at the best of times, so should we have something to hold on to at Old Trafford, I really cannot see us getting enough players forward to score and take the lead. Unfortunately Megson doesn't see attack as the best form of anything, let alone the best form of defence. Having said that the players owe the fans big time and if they put in the gutsy performance we deserve from them, I see a glimmer of hope of a 0-0.

we're out of this now. i'm afraid the last 6 days really did happen.

couldn't have put it better myself.

too right. basing an attack around kevin davies stopped working in 2006. we are so limited. even if we'd been awarded a penalty in the 2nd half, i would not have expected any of our players to score past kirkland from 12 yards.

with his back injury...

inexcusable. 9 changes - but the same ineffective, sluggish performance.

anyone know what jussi's problem is?

not for me - i reckon we've got to win this tie in the first leg. whilst a clean sheet is really important, we've got to score goals. i'd gamble and would take 2-0. i thought we'd see al-habsi in nets tonight, but i'm glad helguson is fit and starting again. come on you whites!

Cisse recovered from 2 of those.

I'm never the best at estimating this, 500? There wasn't much noise from us either, especially in the first half - apart from the 2 dozen yoof!

An excellent win, and many positives!!! When I saw Reading starting with Lita, Kitson and Doyle up front I was concerned but I didn't need to be - they were all crap. On that performance Lita isn't worth ?7. Our midfield started sluggishly, Davies picked up a card after being outwitted by Hunt and we were being over-run. But step forward Cahill and Steinsson. Throughout the game Hunt was Reading's main attacking threat but Steinsson rarely gave him a look in. And Kitson barely got a touch thanks to Cahill. Both look real quality, classy defenders. Cahill in particular made some great tackles and won everything in the air. It's only one game but it seems like we've got a defender we can rely on. All of a sudden AOB looks like the weak link at the back. Up front Heidar was in and out of the game, though he had a few opportunities to score before his goal - all attempts were off-target. His goal was at the far end so I couldn't really see what happened, but the Reading players seemed to stop and he had all the time in the world to run on to the ball and tuck it under Hahnemann. Their fans were up in arms about it. Davies was his usual self and spent much of the game on the right flank - no sign of a goal from him but he got the assist for Nolan's strike. Taylor played OK but his penalty was at a comfortable height for their keeper to save. As time went on we looked really comfortable. Steinsson had to clear off the line from a corner but I can only recall Jussi making one save. After those two drab goalless draws it was pleasing to see us continuing to attack whilst leading. No, we didn't sign a replacement for Anelka, but if the midfield and attack have a defence they can trust, maybe they will play with more freedom and contribute the goals to keep us up.

If we don't do that at home to Fulham, we're not going to do it at Reading. I agree with you though...

Presumably he'll be desperate for first team games to ensure he gets in Switzerland's Euro '08 squad...

It's difficult to tell what's going on, on Sky - thanks to Paul Merson's non-existant punditry skills.

Great Scott, Heidar's back and Andranik's on there! Jussi, Steinsson, Gardner, AOB, Michalik, JOB, Nolan, McCann, Taylor, Guthrie, Davies Ali, Samuel, Helguson, Andranik, Cohen. No Campo or Stelios - wonder if they're off?

There's only 2 days to the window shuts. Assuming this Eidur link goes nowhere, I'd rather have Miller in than nobody!

Kenny Miller would do for me. Derby are a sinking ship and they only paid about ?3m for him. I'm not saying he's the long-term answer but he's got the goals in him to keep us up, and his work-rate would meet with Megson's requirements.

A goalscorer will make little difference to a team that struggles to create chances. We need someone to link up our now defensive midfield with our lone striker. A skilful player who can run with the ball and also create openings for themselves. I expected Wilhelmsson to be doing this but he just hasn't performed. Vaz Te might even be this player if he finally starts playing with confidence. We need a younger Stelios. Zoltan Gera, anyone? I'd be happy with that kind of player plus a centre-half. Don't forget Helguson should be fit soon. I know most on here have written him off on the basis of 3 appearances but I think he'll be extremely useful in easing the pressure on Davies.

hooray, he has signed. at last - someone with premiership experience, and even though he's a wing-back he knows where the back of the net is.

i think i'm with you. what struck me was that roberts - their 4th choice striker - was more threatening a player than anyone in our whole squad.

Megson for Newcastle!!?!

I recall a Freight Rover tie with Wigan abandoned at half-time due to fog - late 80s.

oh nando's, he's going to send us down in the final game of the season isn't he.

Jansen? Probably doesn't give a sh*t.

I'm afraid that the Premiership is the most exciting league in the world - but only for the armchair fan. However the spectating fan has to put up with a sanitised 'matchday experience' at a sterile, out-of-town, identikit stadium - BWFC being a prime example. Over the last 20 years the development in TV coverage (build-up, special effects, hysteria, wall-to-wall coverage) has been immense. Meanwhile the BWFC 'matchday experience' has slumped hopelessly, in spite the upturn in fortunes on the pitch. I think the board need to consider why 5000 fans are prepared to spend ?350 on a couple of days in Munich where the game is the fundamental reason for their visit, but aren't prepared to spend ?350 on a season ticket getting them into 19 home games.