Oh well it goes on, be interesting to see how Arsenal get on on the 21st when they play Everton away.

It will be an interesting comparison of the 2 teams.

A shame that the next game is in the FA cup, however at least its at home, which hopefully might make a difference.

Maybe

Well my conscience is clear - I was calling for 'Arry to go this time last year. His man management skills have gotten him this far - it sure as hell isn't his tactics - but even that's going down the sh"tter as it seems many of the players can't be arsed at the moment.

But Spurs are overachieving aren't they? Given they don't spend megabucks and aren't one of the recognised clubs expected to be contesting that top 4?

No, this is a myth put about by pro 'Arry apologists. There is nothing wrong with the squad in terms of competing for the top four, indeed I still think it's better than Arsenal's, for example, in terms of depth. 

No, the problem is three losses on the trot caused in part by playing players out of position and getting the tactics wrong. Today's fiasco was the worst of the lot. 'Arry's response - post-match - included the gem ' it was one of those days'. I think he said that last Sunday too.

I certainly never expected Spurs to win the league - that would be the ultimate delusion.  But questions need to be asked.

As I said before, I don't think there's much wrong with the squad. And it's certainly significantly better than last year. Chelsea have seemingly gone backwards, while Arsenal, given their injuries, have hardly set the EPL on fire.

And yet:

THFC performance against the other top four teams

2010-11 - 7 points out of a possible 24.

2011-12 - 4 points out of a possible 21.

So, no improvement there and certainly no 'overachievement'. The improvement has come from beating teams this season we should have been beating last season.

The London media loves old saggy chops - always good for a quote - just don't call him a wheeler dealer.

But it can't gloss over the fact he has the tactical nous (at times) of a concussed slug.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has accepted £210,000-a-week terms to join Manchester City, according to Sunday's papers.

It is being reported that Van Persie has accepted an offer from City.

The Times makes the claim, although a transfer fee has yet to be agreed between the two clubs and Arsene Wenger is adamant that his star man is going nowhere.

City's mega-rich owners are willing to make him the club's highest-paid player once Carlos Tevez is off the wage bill this summer.

Wenger faces a similar situation to that withSamir Nasri last summer, as Van Persie will have only one year remaining on his contract and the Gunners' board is expected to cash in rather than allow him to walk away for free a year later.

The Netherlands international has previously refused to discuss a new contract until the conclusion of the current season.

I mentioned this in one of the football threads recently.  One or two people I know here (it's almost the local team and a lot of the players live in the area) who follow Arsenal much more closely than I do had led me to think it was certain that Persie would go. Shame IMO.

City beaten at swansea. Not really too much of a surprise as swansea have been outstanding at home

If correct then very disappointing, Wenger and the board would have shown arrogance two seasons running and stupidity, the only plus side could be the transfer fee and with RVP in his late 20's and with a history of injuries then it would be a better deal than what Arsenal got for Nasri.  I had hoped he would have gone abroad rather than up North to M City, there really is no matching City's money.

And another outstanding performance from Caulker. He's going to be very good for us next season.

It's a great feeling to be back on top of the league. Great atmosphere in Manchester today, City fans on one side of the pub United on the other made for an entertaining afternoon! 

Swansea have done well at home...but any team who have visions of winning the prem crown with 10 games left to play surely would have taken something from Swansea..?  It is now squeeky bum time and City have faltered. Utd have been there and done it over and over, the "know how" factor comes into play and there is no better team in the prem at this stage then Man U.

Interesting article here i thought on the different roles of manager and assistant manager and how promoting the number 2 is often not a good idea

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/mar/09/the-secret-footballer

Who knows Matty

Depends on the board and how much money they will spend

What happens when Frank Stapelton leaves ?

What happens when Ian Wright leaves ?

What happens when Thierry Henry leaves ?

What happens If RVP leaves ?

Answer.........................life goes on, with another striker other players might step up to the plate . Many great players have left but the club keep going. Arsenal will never match the likes of M City or Chelsea for money , but only eleven players can play as Swansea showed, for me the key is how strong the bench is, Arsenal have been very short in that department this season, hopefully Summer spending might change that .

RVP is 29 this year, it's his best year since joining the club, he could well notch 40 goals this year, can he do it two seasons running??  Will Arsenal take 35 - 40 million for him ....................probably, it's what they do with the money that counts.

P.S A record created by Arsenal tonight becoming the first side in PL history to come from a goal down in four consecutive games and end up winning.

Hate to break it to you mate, but all those have already left, a couple of them many years ago. Admittedly, Henry is back for a stretch

I guess what I'm saying is how much longer will the fans continue to accept mediocrity? Retorical really as there's no real answer,and it's not meant as a put down in any way. Arsenal have a strict wage structure as we all know, but is that at the expense of success in the form of silverware? There was an instance a few weeks back when the fans even turned on AW when he subbed Oxleg Chamberpot. I'm sensing a growing frustration, and the rise of Man City will only enhance that if Arsenal's trophy drought goes on?

I agree Matty , but if true how can Arsenal pay the money City are offering ???? They just can't match i.

What is mediocre? M City have spent a fortune and could end up winning nowt, Chelsea could well win zero. There are no gimmes in the PL , fans have to understand that . I get very frustrated with Wenger and the Board, last July/ August especially as AW was still saying Fabregas and Nasri are going nowhere, it was laughable but here we are after selling the pair of them  just about in the top four , would Arsenal be any higher if CF or SN had stayed?? not too sure .

A very good point. One thing's for sure though, if Ferguson was managing Shiteh, they probably would have wrapped up the title by now.

Well a slight exaggeration perhaps, but a reflection on Mancini. I've never rated him that highly and still don't.

For the Liverpool fans on here; how good is Sterling? I know he's rated, but it's always best to get it from the horse's mouth.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2114060/Raheem-Sterling-targeted-Tottenham.html#ixzz1oxQIoMs1

He lives about 2 miles from my house and goes to school nearby (where I got my one and only red card in my rugby career!

It's not the first time it's been reported that he's unsettled, but all parties concerned have been quick to rubbish such media rumours - at best they're basically just column-filler (at worst, the London media trying to unsettle a London-born/bred youngster who's been nabbed up north)

Well that's a blow Liverpool 1-0 against Everton

Well that's it Liverpool 2-0 up now 

Is that a freudian slip