This was definitely a point gained

Nov 30 2010 By Paul Dixon, The Journal

I DON’T know what it was like were you where sitting, but the methane being created in those last 20 minutes of Sunday’s game against Chelsea in the seats around me could probably have done the work of 10 snow ploughs.

This was definitely a point gained, despite going a goal up. The ‘new’ central defensive pairing gave Chris Hughton a selection poser, as they rarely put a foot wrong.

Ably supported by Danny Simpson and Jose Enrique, DiVier Drogba and his partners were largely kept at bay.

Wayne Routledge is frustratingly typical of many modern wingers.

He has pace to spare, can put a decent cross over, yet infuriatingly stops in mid-flow and cuts inside, or passes back.

Why not have the courage of your convictions, and turn the defender?

We probably deserved the point for hanging in there, particularly after the shambles last week, but it does show that once you get past our strongest XI, it is all pretty ordinary.

The coming transfer window will say a lot about the direction we’re taking.

If, as has been intimated, talks will begin on extending Hughton’s contract, and he’s allowed to bring a couple of players in, then it looks like Ashley is here for the duration.

On the other hand, any delay, and subsequent inactivity in the transfer window, suggests changes in either the boardroom or the manager’s office.

Here’s the bit I don’t get. The match went ahead after lots of hard work, but all that could have been scuppered by the police deeming the surrounding areas unsafe.

Why is that? What has the condition of the pavements away from the ground got to do with the club?

Around the ground, fair enough, there’s a certain duty of care. Would the same principle apply to Marks and Spencer or Primark?

Or do the authorities have more faith in shoppers over football supporters, to navigate the icy pavements? Maybe the older shoppers are generating their own snow-busting methane as well.