Agree on Tomkins. He has been nothing short of imperious thus far and, while Reid is coming on well, Tomkins is the lynchpin. Will be watching out for reports on his status.

Listened to it on the website and came away with the impression that we should have won it but it was not a cakewalk. Very pleased Baldock got on and he sounded lively and made an impact. Obviously we are looking to him for goals but he sounds as if he brings more than just poaching to the team. And despite the miss, I think Bentley will come good. Also, for me, Faubert is really showing some ability. Don't know if he can sustain it at Prem level but, at this level, he seems a man among boys. A bit concerned about Nolan's apparent anonymity. Still, difficult to judge based on hearing commentary. Hopefully he was more involved than it appeared. As for Millwall, they played their hearts out and a had a couple of good sounding lads (of course it's hard to tell for sure when you can't see them play). Agree with leehammer that Millwall played like it was their cup final and, given that, we demonstrated our quality in not letting them get the three points but we should have won.

I like the look of Lansbury. He plays with skill and passion. I'll admit I was unhappy when I saw he'd signed the new contract but am now hopeful it's part of a plan to ensure a good fee. Regardless, despite my initial reaction, we must use him if he is the best option. Given the number of games to be played we will need the squad depth so he will not take all the playing time away from Collison and Noble. They will all be needed as we move forward. And I very much like how Sam is trying to ensure one or two person depth at each position. For me this is a no brainer when building a squad. Versatility and depth are critical to success in any sport. Look at American football, each position has a depth chart which includes players that can play more than one position. Sam thinks like a coach and acts like a coach.

Agree with the plea to all to keep it civil. The lads don't need the distraction as this will be emotional enough a game. I fully expect Millwall to come at us as Portsmouth did and I wouldn't be surprised to see them kicking us up a bit. We must be strong and not get drawn into retaliation. It's the lad who reacts that so often gets the punishment.

A little surprised by their manager's post match comments. They played well but were never the best side on the park and the penalty was correct. I thought hey came out the second half ready to throw themselves around to include some dodgy diving at near miss tackles trying to steal fouls and cards. Tal Ben Heim the worst of the lot with his nonsense at the end. We will have to stand up to the physicality of this league and Portsmouth played very physical but, for me, they started playing about in the second half which detracted from some good football on their part. As for us, I am encouraged by the attacking play but we must tighten up before we become Keegan's Newcastle! I think we have a keeper in Lansbury and I hope we have a good option clause to buy him because, if he keeps playing like that, he'll be in Arsenal's midfield next season.

No. Piq not good enough, Carew still to prove he's got 90 minutes and goals in him. Baldock exciting prospect but unproven. Cole scores, works hard and is committed. A bid earlier when we could have turned the money into a proven goal scorer is one thing but this is too late. And this event is another comment on world football governing. I do not like the window, I think it has done more to inflate fees than anything else has. But if we must have it then European football transfer windows either need to be common or the rule should be that when the window shuts in a given country it shuts both ways! We just settle down to our new look team and now we have to deal with this potentially unsettling a player and upsetting the manager. And, we can't do any business to address the loss if we were to accept it. Like others here I also think Cole will want to stay but we shouldn't have to even be dealing with this now.

I agree he is sacrificing money to move to Spurs whether that be as you say (I'm not sure what the rules are here) or through a salary cut (or both) and I appreciate his priorities. He's probably not short of a bob or two anyway but that doesn't stop modern athletes from trying to squeeze out the last drop so good for him putting his money where his mouth is. Agree he wanted nothing to do with QPR. And, as much as I'm unhappy about him going to Spurs I think I'd have been more upset if he had gone to QPR after that so called West Ham fan bought the club and made his first act a run at our club's inspirational leader. No doubt Scott is a class act and believes he must move to further his England career which is why I have an issue with the FA as they, through their England leadership, have contributed to the desire of our player to leave. All in all though I agree with you that it's probably for the best that the saga end and he move on as his heart is set on the move. I've no doubt he would continue to give his all if the move falls through as he has since the season started but we are going to be more than okay without him and he will be happier to be at the club his father supported.

I've nothing but respect for Scott. Just wish he wasn't going to Spurs. I'm disappointed that he felt the need to put in a formal transfer request. It is clear that the club were dealing honourably with him and trying to get a deal done at terms fair to the player AND the club. I have no doubt his words to the fans are sincere. I do think the club have grounds to take the FA to task for allowing the England set up to further unsettle our player. Bottom line, I don't agree with him that he needed to go, I think he'll regret it in the long run, but I respect his decision and he has behaved more honourably than most players seem to these days (Modric anybody?) Good luck Scott. We'll see you next year (unless Spurs go down!!!) :D

On football: Don't know much about Lafferty but what I've heard is interesting. Still think we need to find a proven goal scorer though. We've brought in too many in recent years with potential or glimpses of quality. If we learned nothing else against Cardiff we learned that a proven goal scorer, a genuine poacher, was the missing ingredient. As to Barrera, I just don't see him going right now. Sam has spoken of his quality and had positive talks with him and his agent. Looks like another boring recycle of old news to me.
On the riots: God bless the innocent victims of mindless thuggery. I was in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots and, after the first protest all the rest of it was lawless thugs taking advantage of an opportunity to steal and hurt others whom they had grudges against. The people that can least afford the damage and looting are the one's most often victimized.

Really though Sears had a poor game and was expecting to see Barrera second half. Would have made a difference. And was even more surpsirsed when that wasn't the fist sub made. I thought Cole did well off the bench and was pleased with how quickly he popped back up after falling flat on his back. Showed some passion there. Trying not to be hard on Illunga. He had a pretty good game all in all and watching it it over again on my DVR I think he's got a shout for a foul by the big French lad. He was throwing himself about a bit. Still, we never should have given Miller that space in the middle. After a good defensive game that was a lapse at just the wrong moment. Still no one out there with the close control Scotty shows on the ball and I was enjoying Matt Taylor. If he plays like that all season he is going to be a Hammer of the Year candidate. Great with the ball at his feet and a wonderful turn from free kicks. Cole/Carew in the lone striker role for me. Piq worked hard today but he needs more help up there and he has about 45 minutes of quality and guile and then he falls away. That won't do in the Championship.