Suddenly it's not enough to have a frugal defence - one goal conceded in 12 home matches since Plymouth departed on 3rd January (and that a cruel deflection off Djourou's shin from a Barmby hit-and-hope) while scoring 22 goals in winning nine games and drawing the other three. Now we must not even allow the opposition the merest sniff of a chance. I wonder if Manc supporters are equally demanding; if so, they'll be apoplectic at conceding 10 in their last five appearances at OT. The applause for Eboue's assist for Cesc's second v Boro has already abated. If not the pass of the season, it was pretty close.

But the weekend game that most got my attention featured our dear and deluded North London neighbours. Some Gooners will always wish them ill, even when playing Moan Yoo. Perhaps these fans have a keener sense of history or nostalgia (which ain't what it used to be) than me, but I prefer to be a pragmatist - i.e. wanting what I perceive to be in Arsenal's best interests. Getting two texts just after 6 o'clock on Saturday evening from a fellow ManU-hater, I decided to turn on my wireless set and simultaneously text a Spuds fan: "Don't expect any favours from the referee now". Lady Bracknell would probably have opined that it's a misfortune to take a one goal lead at Old Trafford so early, to take a two goal lead is carelessness (it gives the officials too long to get their beloved home team back in the match).

Tuning in to that imbecile Alan Green reminded me of the late Kent Walton and ITV's unspeakably bad Saturday afternoon wrestling programmes in a bygone age. Walton was adamant as to the authenticity of his "sport". Green, not dissimilarly, often states that (refereeing) decisions tend to even out over a season. What nonsense. Having heard him predict incorrectly that Ronaldo would get booked for one challenge, I said: "No he won't" to an empty room. I've been living alone these last few years, you see ... Evra was also "lucky" to escape a card while a Spud was "harshly" cautioned. When Scholes came on, he committed three fouls in quick succession, each apparently worthy of a booking. Green either feigned surprise that Scholes could feel hard done by after his third indiscretion punished or he was genuinely hypnotised by what he was witnessing.

It took more than 20 playing minutes for the misfiring Mancs to be given a lifeline by next month's FA Cup Final referee, Howard Webb. Penalty! Green and his cohorts were incredulous. Do these so-called football experts suffer collective amnesia? I turned off at 4-2 after being told how upset Harry Redknapp would be and also, as an afterthought, Rafa Benitez. Harry has every right to feel aggrieved but it's no use Liverpool fans carping; their team have been getting the rub of the Green since before the days of grunt and groan.

What I'd give to see Mr Green as the meet in a sandwich with Giant Haystacks at one end and Big Daddy at the other.

Have a good week... till next week.