‘Hold’ mode never likely to work twice in a week

Excuses out of the way first. One of these days we might get to go to Old Trafford without some sort of squad-decimating drama depriving us of essential players.

The discovery of the enforced absence of our BFG and the resulting re-organization of our defence was a serious blow to our pre-match bluff and bluster.

One sensed this might be a make or break game for our returning club captain and although Thomas Vermaelen didn’t exactly do much to stamp his mark on the game as our team leader, he did at least acquit himself sufficiently well in his defensive responsibilities for us to feel somewhat encouraged about his ability to perform as adequate cover.