THE BAGGIES

Moyes faces another big test in a season of tests which at times have been the footballing equivalent of a Masters in Astro Physics.

How do you win games with no strikers?

How do you cover over more gaping cracks than Liz Taylor's make-up artist?

Our manager has excelled himself already this term, and more than earned the enhanced terms of his new contract.

On Saturday it was hard work looking for the positives but Moyes' comments after the game were the most comforting part of the afternoon (aside of course from that vintage Saha finish.)

"We haven't got another artist like Mikel," Moyes said. "We've got other types of players that we can mould and you have to find ways of doing it. It's not easy to fall into it.

"I've seen what I have to do now."

They were words of authority and I believe in them. I think the manager has already started to hone a way to win games without our creative pulse.

It might not be pretty but at this point in the season I'll just take the wins thankyouverymuch. Especially if it keeps our hand in come May.

Elsewhere, I've got to echo the thoughts of Si on nsno.co.uk. What is the point in Lars Jacobsen if he can't get a game at right-back when Hibbert goes off injured on Saturday and we instead re-juggle midfield and bring the still half-fit Ossie on? Odd.

Equally, what logic persuaded the manager to bring on the increasingly Hapless Castillo?

Castillo watch, a new game invented by my Gwladys friend Tay, actually brightened up the last 20 minutes of Saturday for us no end.

Just watching the lost looking Ecuadorian bumble round the pitch was as amusing as it was slightly worrying. He seems to lose track of his opposite number, not move with the play, and not even get goal side.

Passing simply to a blue shirt looks beyond him. All this too, without the constant crowing pressure from some sections of support that Hibbert and Neville have had to put up with at various times.

Even though we'll miss the comedy, I hope the amiable looking Red Star Belgrade import won't be getting a contract in the summer.

Finally, at least kit man Jimmy Martin had one less strip to wash afterwards. Fellaini didn't break a sweat all afternoon and his susbstitution was a welcome formality.