Recently by Mike Reynolds

I am sure you all agree when I say there was some great news this week with the reports that Phil Jagielka has started some light ball work. Seeing Phil flat out on the deck with that horrible knee-injury left me feeling numb for a week with the realisation that our centre-back would not be out on the pitch at Wembley. Here's hoping that he will soon be back in that first team squad.

We also have other good injury news with nobody picking up problems whilst on International duty - something that our friends across the park weren`t so lucky with. Of course, earlier in the month we had some good reports on Mikel Arteta's injury progress and Victor Anichebe is also due back in November. There is even the possibility of Phil Neville returning at the end of the month and, hopefully, Steven Pienaar being back before October ends. However, amidst the optimism of the returning players I have just realised something...

After we lost three of our opening four league games you could understand the frustration amongst the fans. We were playing poorly and, even worse, the much-lauded spirit of our lads seemed to be departing - showcased in full during our collapse to Fulham. The forums were a buzz with this not only being the final throws of our side, but the end of our manager.

Five wins on the spin later and do you think the mood of most internet whingers has lightened? Don't be silly; the same dithering Davey rhetoric is kicked about; Osman and Hibbert are continuing lamented; new signing Bilyaletdinov isn't good enough; our standard of football slammed and the tactics abused. Well, ok, perhaps it has slightly calmed as some of the bile spitters have withdrawn; probably just working on the next venomous retort when we have a bad result (and there will always be bad results).

Following the defeat to Fulham I was gobsmacked; pretty much incapable of reading about my beloved blues, let alone blogging. Last weekend's game was so uncharacteristic of our side under David Moyes that it really took me aback. After a solid first-half and with our noses in front, we fell apart; dropping deep and failing to defend as a unit - ok, when we went forward we did create a couple of chances but the frailty at the back was what concerned me. Upset, I ignored football for a week, stuck my MP3 player on and tried to forget. Until yesterday when I decided to prepare a blog in response to some of the postings on (un)fan sites about our starts to the season.

Then came last night's game and a much improved performance, albeit against a vastly weaker side, so I've decided to ditch my planned post and go through a couple of things I noticed last night.

I can see it now: Johnny Heitinga winning a crunching against his opposite number to start an attack that ends with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov ghosting past two defenders and firing into the corner of the net, past a despairing goalkeeper - goal of the season style.

Like most of you, I am dying to see are two latest signings in action. However, we may need to curb the enthusiasm for a while because David Moyes is as pragmatic as they come.

There is no doubt Moyes rates the two newcomers extremely highly but he also has a history of slowly bedding players into his side. We have only just introduced Sylvain Distin into our back-four so I can't see Heitinga coming in at right-back, nor will our manager alter the spine of the team by bringing the Dutchmen into a defensive midfield position. Our left-side also has the excellent partnership between Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar, a combination that won't be broken just yet. On the right I expect Leon Osman to be given another chance - hopefully, the competition for places with give the little man a much needed kick up the arse.

"Like a dog lying in the corner, it could bite ya and never warn ya"
Common People, Pulp.

The Lescott deal is finally done and dusted but, despite our speed in the transfer market, I still can't help feeling utterly betrayed. I've certainly not felt this way since we lost the last 'will he, won't he' transfer struggle, then I think back to that year; how the struggle led to anger and stubbornness - two things that re-invigorated our football club.

Remember that year? That was when Moyes did what he does best: turning adversity into triumph. The season started miserably with that transfer (I still refuse to name that player) and a heavy defeat at home to Arsenal, before we got it together to go on an amazing run, eventually finishing fourth.