[BatChainPuller]

Good analysis as usual Paul (and thats not a bid to join you and NPs clique btw ;-) ). I'm just not looking forward to going into work tomorrow, especially as I had been taunting mancs all week I felt so confident... its true that we usually beat them when we think we have no chance and lose when they're there for the taking.

I would say that the Rafalution is 'fragile functioning', as they say in psycho -babble - when the confidence is there we are capable of taking on anyone but change a few factors and we are back in ged-world. We're still very dependant on a few individuals in terms of creativity. Alonso is proving to be a big loss, probably more than SG was when injured. Have to admit also (being one of his critics) that Kewell (the one we saw in his last three or four games) is also a loss in terms of creativity or at least making space for others.

I think Garcia needs a bit of bench-time but will come good - rather see FSP or even Nunez on the right at the moment.

From all accounts Didi isn't one to mentor the youngsters - shame because the man has huge experience and could have been the new Gary Mac - really must be time for Welsh to get a few run-outs in Xabi's absence.

The Rafalution has taken casualties but surely our noble new comrade Commandante Fernando will take his revenge when the objective revolutionary conditions are right. Let the young Rafalutionaries step forward to slaughter our foes in the mud-bath that will be Burnley !