Not having known about the game being on Sky, I forced myself to sit through the ITV highlights, and what stood out for me was how simple the kakkems make it look. The point's been made elsewhere that they rely totally on munch and quin.

I agree totally, but ain't that what a game plan's all about ? Play to your strengths. I wish we had something even remotely similar. And yes, they probably (hopefully) will be in deep doo if munch and quin get injured, but I'd be riding my luck as well, in the same situation.

Much as it galls to admit it, three of the finishes were world class. One touch to get the ball down then a goal scoring shot. Okay, munch's second was helped by a defensive mistake, but he didn't fanny around.

Whereas, we looked dire in the first half, and not much better in the second. Okay, only hightlights, so maybe not really a valid basis for a considered opinion, but if there hadn't been enough postings already summing up how we were, my first would have been to ask if we were as bad as we looked on the highlights.

And, to cap it all, it was down to me Villa scored. Sneaked a look at teletext just before half time and was happy enough being at 0-0. Carried on with what I'd been doing then decided to listen to what was left of the game on the radio. Switched on to something along the lines of 'Oh dear, it's bounced off his thigh and into the net'.

Strongly tempted to take the apoplectic approach to turning off the radio, but the thoughts of having to go downstairs and into the garden in the freezing cold to retrieve the radio, the repair costs, plus the cost of a new double glazing panel, managed to register in time.

As for the goal, it was the old, old story. Where the fcku was our defense ? So the ball stotted off his thigh into the net ? So what ? He was in acres of space anyway, and if he'd controlled it properly, it would have been harder to miss.

At least we don't have to go through that boring rigmarole of getting to the final and losing. We can now give our wholehearted attention to concentrating on avoiding relegation, which will be much, much more entertaining. :-))

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Answers

The goal was very unlucky. Villa were getting more anxious throughout the match and the most frustrating thing is that we could have scraped through this tie if we had played better and had the players fit.

There is always next year. Robson said in his post match interview, something along the lines of it is not our FA cup year this year and we must now concentrate at looking to consolidate our position in the league.

7th. I'd be very happy with 7th with the injuries we are enduring. An improvement on last year and offering some hope.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Our league position is false. Games in hand for others will put us down to 10th.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

10th? Schmenth.

The league doesn't lie. We'll finish where we deserve to finish: on merit, ability, tactical manouverings and physical and mental strength amongst other things.

It won't be won in the papers, on this BBS or even this side of an FA Cup game, it won't even be down to Monsiuer Dummi or the injuries we've been suffering.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001