The Barry and Mirallas goals were sensational -- Barry's worthy of MOTM I thought -- and I think Pienaar is worth a special nod for his close-in work... they just couldn't get the ball off him even while double-teaming.

And it's easy to see why we were interested in Fer last season... he is lightning-quick to the ball and an excellent tackler. Their best player I thought.

He is going to be a very special player in a position that takes many, many years to full mature into but he looks like he has been playing at this level all his life. To think he was playing for Barnsley this time last year...

Full credit should go to Martinez for his faith in him, though, too. It's virtually a given that Heitinga would have played the last three games if this was last season and I just love that the new manager has the confidence to blood these youngsters. It must really help their self-belief.

So if the Distin/Alcaraz injury situation is the same in eight days, would you consider it "punishment" if the kid were dropped in favor of Heitinga at West Brom? Seems to me if properly handled it wouldn't impact his confidence, and they're a much tougher challenge in attack than Norwich.

How long can we get away with replacing two experienced centre backs with an inexperienced youngster? Why all the silence around Alcaraz? How long will Barkley be out? Is Pienaar Injured? How many weeks before McGeady is fit to play? etc etc etc.

On the plus side, we played some lovely stuff for 70 minutes with Barry, Pienaar and Mirallis outstanding. Jags also did well after his injury and Howard remains in top form. A good all round performance from a hastily shuffled pack but the lengthening sick list is a major concern. Such a shame when you look at our lofty position and appreciate the hard graft thar got us there.

On Stones, we'll have that problem soon. Distin is 36, and Alcaraz seems to be injury prone. Stones will need to step up alongside another, either a transfer or another young lad. I prefer some of the youngsters than straight out go buy another defender. Unless its another Coleman/Oviedo.

If BK really wants to help the team at this moment in time, he will ask Roberto who he wants and move heaven and earth to get them players. If however, Roberto feels he can get through the rest of the season with the players we have - we will have to abide by that decision, but I think it may be a bridge too far to cope for the last 17 games plus Cup-ties with the current players.

I suppose the other niggle at the back of all our minds is will someone bid for Barkley or indeed has someone already done so - Hansen and company were alluding to the fact that Man U need quality additions and being a cynical old git I wouldn't rule it out completely - but that would be a blow to the fan-base and a terrible blow for Roberto and his reputation.

On that note, does anyone remember that we have that many injuries this time last year? I somehow think its about the same...

Have we forgotten the famous backpass that cost us the FA Cup semi-final?

Stop making stuff up, Rahman.

Derek, yep. Things seem simpler now and players look much more relaxed playing in the current system. By no means they are fully accustomed. My ideal scenario would be to have the team create goals like the one Wilshire scored against Norwich. That would probably be the next phase of our team's growth.

Stones is inexperienced and needed an old head with him but he will definitely come good. Coleman had his hands full once Redmond came on. McCarthy was about average and Mirallas blew hot and cold. Lukaku needs better service as he ran into really good positions but was rarely fed.

We played well for 60 minutes but, once Osman and Pienaar came off, we lost the midfield from an attacking sense. I thought Oviedo would have come on for Pienaar as he would have maintained the team's balance.

I think this has something to do with the fact that every other fucker around us in the table just keep on winning, including them lot from across the park.

The gap to the top three is growing slightly, and Spurs and Man Utd are creeping up on us too.

So despite our greatest points haul at this stage in PL history, we still know that just a little blip could see us back in 7th. And our growing injury list make that little blip all the more possible.

This time last year, 41 points would have seen us 7 points above Arsenal and 10 points above the shite. If that was the case right now, I think we'd all feel that little bit happier.

Harold, arm-eater reminded me of the tank comment you made. He looked like a cross between a boar and a wolverine when smashing that second goal...But yes, RM did mention Stones is kinda emergency inclusion. I worry that Stones would not have the experience to handle the cheatery and aggressiveness of the rs frontline. If the match is 18 months from now, I have no doubt Stones will be able to hold his own.

Just case in point, who do you consider a tank of a striker? Crouch is a stick, Aguero, probably, Dzeko, probably more, but the only guy I can really think of is Drogba and Crespo.

Also, rs never ceases to amaze me with the amount of points they get off shoddy refs and cheating.

RS had three goals gifted to them today by Lady Luck, terrible officiating and defensive buffoonery. They seem to get more than their fair share but I don't think there is anything truly sinister about it.

I'll need to search for replays of Man City. I agree Dzeko is not a tank, though my memory of him is very little, like, was he wider or bulkier...Anyway, not important since they are not our next opponent.

Hopefully we get bodies soon that can be plugged right into the team...

The reason why OFM went ballistic is because he refused to spend one dime on referee's cooperation?

I mean the big four would've been sardines if it wouldn't be for the referees, thus far.

The RS third goal was simply a crime. IT looked like Sterling ram his leg against the defender.

Maybe we should start paying the referees?