I don't know. We haven't won at home since the day Southgate was sacked, and have only one away win in that time as well.

I think you have the barcodes next, don't you? A win over them would cheer you up...

Charlton have got Millwall next...

A win against tha barcodes would be great, but I don't think it's realistic. They are nearly 20 points above us now and although our away form is currently better than our non-existant home form, St James' Park isn't the easiest ground to go to and we don't have a very good record there.

It may not be realistic, but it is still possible... The localness of the encounter often means the form book goes out of the window, regardless of current form/previous record at St. James' Park...

I hope you do well against Millwall. You know my view on them.

Yep, I know your view on Millwall!

Thanks for the good wishes. It's the most local of local derbies for Charlton, so I hope for a handsome win

Reading have parted company with Brendan Rodgers...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ing/8417263.stm

Car Expert

Don't think that sort of uncertainty is exactly what Reading need right now...

Absolutely...

Now, who would I like to see as Reading manager? I know - Coppell!

Realistically, it'll probably be either Magilton, Southgate or Darren Ferguson...

Car Expert

I want Southgate back... I never wanted him to go.

I have to admit, though, that I could see him suiting Reading. There are similarities with Coppell. I would love to see him back with a team.

Reading salvaged a draw at Bristol City in yet another game they seemingly should've won...

Quote from the BBC website:Seems like a new rule has been brought in - does that mean players aren't allowed to celebrate goals anymore without receiving a booking? A bit harsh I think

Car Expert

4-4. Looks to have been a great game, but the result's a tad disappointing, especially as Leeds and Norwich both won...

Anyone else think Mark Hughes has been rather harshly treated?...

*suspects Claudia and Flossie are not online, and are probably watching the TV...*

No. Flossie was at church. Flossie doesn't have a TV.

We're nose-diving down the table.

Your goalkeeper seems to be very low on confidence ...

Our goalkeeper isn't really very good.

He was flapping at anything that was more than a simple catch. First barcode goal shouldn't have been allowed, but I'm afraid the better side did win...

This is normal for him.

Oh dear : so in the January transfer window, you think Boro should be buying a new keeper as a matter of urgency... The trouble with a keeper with low form is that it makes the defence twitchy, thereby forcing the keeper to work harder, and make mistakes...

I think Coyne should be given some games, then we could see how he does before rushing to spend money we don't have.

Why was Coyne dropped? Anything to do with the heavy defeat against West Brom?

Partly that and partly Jones coming back from injury. He wasn't actually at fault for all of those goals. Coyne commands the box better than Jones and seems to communicate better with the defenders.

I'd email Gordon Strachan with that comprehensive info!

Without a doubt, yes. He definitely hasn't been given enough time to build a good team, and I'm not sure Mancini will do a better job than him...

Car Expert

Apparently the powers that be had decided to sack Hughes 3 weeks ago... Not good...

This has echos with the way Southgate was treated. Not a trend I would like my team to be associated with.

When Southgate was sacked we were in 4th place, 1 point off the pace. Now we are in 14th place and 20 points off the pace.

The Boro sacking looked like a panic measure. Look where panicking gets you... Manchester City, take note...

1-1, Charlton down to nine men...

Make that 2-1 to Swindon. Nine men, and Charlton are playing really badly

Ended 2-2. Charlton deserved nothing, so I'm grateful for the one point...

3-0, woop

back into the top 10 for you...

Still only 10th though.

Leeds win 3-1

Liverpool win 2-0

That will keep me and my dad happy for a day at least.

It's a significant improvement on being bottom half of the table, though

Let's not talk about football - Derby were awful again today

Disappointed that Craig Levein has left Dundee United to take on the Scotland job. However, despite his ill health, I would love to see Paul Sturrock take over at Dundee United if his health would allow. Any thoughts on whether this might be a possibility?

Not particularly knowledgeable about Scottish football, but I think Sturrock would be a good appointment.

Thanks for your reply, Barry. Sturrock was an influential striker for Dundee United in the 1980's when United were a force to be feared both in Scotland and in Europe. They were European Cup Semi-finalists ( in 1983 I think?), and UEFA Cup Finalists in 1987. Sturrock has had managerial experience at St. Johnstone, Dundee United, Plymouth, Southampton, Swindon and (less successfully second time round!) Plymouth Argyle again.
If his health is sufficiently satisfactory, I would love to see him bring his experience back to Tannadice - a club which I am sure he holds close to his heart. It would be great to hear other opinions on the issue, as I feel that Craig Levein has helped make Dundee United a significant force in Scottish football again. Who is going to progress the club further?

Darren Ferguson? I know Peterborough relieved him of his duties, but I feel he's up and coming.

Meanwhile, Charlton only managed 1-1 away at Brentford today. Could be worse, I guess, but Leeds have stretched further away...

Didn't Charlton play yesterday as well?

They played Saturday. A 2-2 draw at home to Swindon.

I see Boro have reverted to losing ways...

I thought we were playing tomorrow.

I seem to have lost a day somewhere. I thought it was Monday today, not Tuesday.

'fraid Boro lost 2-1 at Barnsley today, Flossie

Just took this from the BBC website...

------

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan, after seeing his side lose for a sixth time in 10 games since taking over, said: "We won the football match in the first half and they decided to turn it into a cup tie and then won it. We were disappointed to lose the game but we couldn't match them in a different game."

I thought we were playing them tomorrow. It is monday today, isn't it?

It is Monday, Flossie Christmas makes me forget where we are in the week, too...

Somehow Derby remembered how to play football and held Newcastle to a draw.

Preston have sacked Irvine. I thought he'd done well for them.

Liverpool managed to win again, not very convincingly though.

He had : though recent form wasn't terribly stellar. Still seems a harsh sacking...