Not that I took much notice until he scored against us, but wasn't there a Spuds player who made a 'dream move' to the 'Pool and was still dreaming last week? Well apparently it's catching.

With our next Premiership opponents twelve points behind us and having played a game more, another Irishman seems to have been imbibing too much of the black stuff or something and has also become delusional. Doyle, for it is he, is reported to have said ahead of our visit "It's been three big draws, Aston Villa, Everton, Stoke, if we can perform like that, we should have no problems." Huh? In what parallel universe does drawing with a team we beat 6-1 suggest they should have no problems? I guess this is going to be the way from here on in. Now we appear to be less vulnerable to the 'smaller' teams they are going to have to talk a good game. Obviously they didn't take note of what Arsene said about talking, but at least they should keep it in the barely believable territory.

I have to admit to replaying Cesc's goal quite a few times since Saturday and grinning so inanely I hardly dared going out for danger of it being misconstrued by the general public. I have to say I was expecting a match, but in the end, just as must happen to their own fans, the Spuds disappointed me. 'Appy 'Arry managed to be far more myopic than Arsene is accused of when he claimed there still wasn't much in it. Maybe he should've gone to Spursavers.

Anyway, enough of the comedy supporting act, Robin wants to 'play' against Citeh and 'gain revenge'. Not so sure that's a good idea considering what happened to him last time. There appears to be something a teensy bit dark in his psyche which suggests that his desire may not be entirely about scoring goals. As he's now a happy family man obviously he wouldn't seek personal retribution..... Loved his quote about loving Spuds to lose whomever their opponents are, but it being especially sweet when we beat them. Who said the foreigners don't understand local rivalries?

I think there is little doubt that Arsene will still field a predominantly young side in the Carling Cup, but he's been a tad smarter this year and has included more mature players from the start. That way if he parachutes a few first team regulars in, it won't look like he's changing his philosophy. Still it's not until the start of December and I suspect a few of our injured players will need a bit of a run out by then. Be nice to see Citeh off with some of our emerging stars.

Important though winning the Carling Cup is, we have a small matter of that minor competition the Champions League on Wednesday. All we have to do is chalk up a big win. I think it unlikely that Alkmar will be in terribly expansive mood but whether they attempt to park the bus or get after us, this year we have the will and skill to do for them. Hopefully big style. Then we can play the under 18's for the last two group matches.

P.S. Sorry you have to see Shrek below.