babel

Couldn't really say I was that enthralled about our win over Trabzonspor tonight.

It reminded a little too much of a Benitez-era European game where there was too much keeping hold of possession and back-passing rather than taking these supposed-minor sides to the cleaners.

Aside from his fine goal, Ryan Babel did nothing as usual. What I will never, ever understand is how a player of so much natural ability is so capable of looking so ordinary. Yet, just for a moment there he came out of his shell and gave another tantalising glimpse of what he's got in his bag of tricks.

Christian Poulson made a solid debut, and gave a passable impersonation of Didi Hamman. I didn't know much about Poulson to be honest, and what I did know was found on a notorious Youtube video of a game between his then-Juventus and AC Milan where he man-marked Kaka - basically kicking the shite out of the Brazilian for the entire match. But Poulson had a decent game tonight, and had a perfectly good goal ruled out.

The return leg in Turkey will be a challenge, but assuming Roy plays all the big guns, I can see us comfortably qualifying for the UEFA Cup group stages.

Famous last words..........