Managerless, at times clueless but now not winless. After the total turmoil of the last few weeks we finally took three points away from a game (oh and Shearer scored from open play). What do we learn from this? I don't think a great deal. We've actually played pretty much this well at other times this season. It's just that this time it was against a team who are actually now worse off than we are/were. The loss to Blackburn of their manager has obviously affected them worse than the loss of ours (and gain of their's) us. They looked like a struggling team without leadership. Which is pretty much what they are. Of course we should beat them. Does the fact they miss Souness bode well for his taking over us? Don't think so, they were worse than us when he was there too.
I'll try and restrain myself from the swearing that was caused by learning that Dyer suddenly decides he will play right wing. At least he was something of a threat there and better than Bowyer, who looked much better back in the midfield position he ought to play. Whether connected to Bobby's departure and a sudden wish to impress or the fact that there wasn't much opposition, or just randomly, Robert seemed to decide to play well again. Hughes once again proved his versatility with a spell at left back. And so we one a game, with ease in the end. But it means nothing. It has to build until it becomes a surprise to lose a game, rather than a surprise to win it. We should win on Thursday, with the new manager in charge, against an unheard of team. It is the bogey team of Southampton on Sunday in front of the TV cameras that will be the test. There are signs that a corner may have been turned (and some debate whether it may have turned anyway without the upheaval). Though given we should have had at least one and probably two penalties our luck may not have turned with it. The jury is however still out on both the team on the pitch and that off it. Hopefully we won't be guilty of a huge cockup.
Oh, and just because it's us, John Carver, the man who led us to that victory, has been released...
(@16:09)