I must admit, these kids still surprise me every time.

The Liverpool Carling Cup game was their toughest test yet and they came through with flying colours. With a defence of Senderos and Silvestre you might be worried but Ramsey (who i think is the heir apparent to Cesc) and Merida ran the midfield, Nasri looked like he had never been away, young Eastmond was class (I would play him instead of Diaby any day), Kerrea Gilbert was solid (although I fear he may be moved on next summer) and on the whole apart from Liverpool's goal, which was a cracker, the defence held firm.

For the neutral it was a perfect game. End to end, three great goals, no bad tackles - maybe Rafa should play the side he put out against Arsenal every week. So long as the boss keeps his current group together then in about two years time the squad will be quite strong. It’s a shame Wilshire and Vela were absent as I think we would have won by a bigger score had they been playing. The performance of the players on duty should have a few first teamers looking over their shoulders.

Saturday’s draw will be interesting. Manure, Citeh, Chavski, the Spuds, Villa, Pompey and Blackburn. Home or away these are tasty ties. I would love to have Citeh at the Emirates. Would Ade-barn-door even contemplate playing? For me that would be the perfect way to extract revenge. Losing to them in the league was bad, but knocking them out of the cup would be a great equaliser.