Louis Saha’s name has been mentioned by some as he is coming to the end of his contract and could possibly leave in January so Everton can get some money from their asset. The obvious problem would be his injury record

Urggh I hate the cold, really detest the thing, but hey it is part of life. A little like watching us get through the third round of the FA Cup and Manchester United losing to a side from league one! *burst out into evil laugh* I stopped off in a cafe this morning before I headed off on my journey and in front of me sat the Sun newspaper, after glancing at page three (just kidding Miss Lean) *ahem* I checked out the Arsenal review written by Shaun Curtis.

Interesting stuff. I am not quite sure what game he was watching because in that game that he saw our team apparently lined up like this.

The result was the same and the score line was the same so maybe I missed something there. Do these guys really get paid to do their work? I suppose you could mistake the work that Song puts in for a flying winger.

Ok, enough of the nitpicking for a moment. The first half wasn’t very good was it? But the second half was a big improvement especially with the introduction of Diaby and Nasri. Wilshere and Merida seem to be getting a hard time from supporters last night and this morning. Merida labelled as not good enough by some. I feel like I am waking up repeatedly on groundhog day. Lessons not being learnt from the progression of Alex Song, Diaby, Gibbs, Traore, Ramsey etc.

Both Wilshere and Merida are inexperienced and will only improve to the required level once given time on the pitch which will, of course show inconsistent form in the process. That is life as a young footballer. Only the lucky few hit the ground running and remain at a high level. Only a handful of players like that jump out at me from the football I have watched over the years.

More on the game HERE

Abou Diaby has spoken about speaking to the boss in regards to replacing Alex Song in the defensive midfield position. I am not so sure that it will be necessary as Denilson should be back for Bolton on Wednesday. What we will need is the strength and power of Diaby playing just ahead of Denilson. Even though Diaby is a more attacking player than Denilson or Song I believe that he has improved his tactical discipline and could do the job and probably do it well.

I want to talk about the transfer window because I haven’t really mentioned too much of it this season. It is clear that Wenger is looking at a center forward, I am not sure I agree with the theory that we need a big large powerful center forward to make our season count. I think back to when we had a fit and health Robin Van Persie playing for us *tears stream down my face* and his powerful hold up play isn’t something that I remember very well over the season. Come to think of it, I cannot remember one time when the ball was played long to him whilst being isolated with two central defenders kicking away at his ankles and Robin holding the ball up and waiting for support.

The Robin I knew his intelligence and dropped away from his marker, pulling into midfield areas whilst Arshavin, Bendtner etc took his place as the center forward. How many headers has Van Persie scored this season? I think people are getting a little caught up in the large man problem solver. What I believe we need is a center forward who knows the role, has good movement, great touch and ability to bring others into play just as Robin did.

Watching the Stoke City game at the Emirates, I thought the role was made for Arshavin, a player who has all that I described above but it hasn’t worked out for him as yet. Perhaps over time he would adapt to it in the same way that it took Robin a while but with games coming thick and fast, we may not have the time to wait and a ready made replacement could be drafted in.

Louis Saha’s name has been mentioned by some as he is coming to the end of his contract and could possibly leave in January so Everton can get some money from their asset. The obvious problem would be his injury record. Their is no point in getting a player to replace our injured forward only for the new player to go down with an old niggling problem. I suppose he would fit right into our squad.

Right I am off to conjure up an egg and bacon sandwich. Yum yum.

Back again tomorrow.