The cost of the Law-Charles swap is that Beckham's presence isn't as compelling as it used to be. Pat/Skizzo using footballuser probably doesn't help either, sharemytactics just looks so much better and more impressive... I used to really like the now missing Lennox arrow.
As for EAP, I've always rated his defence, probably more than he does himself (in reality, not in his posts). His midfield five is fecking brilliant, the most creative and balanced one in the draft at this point, hands down.
The problem is he started with a ridiculous setup and that most likely will have cost him. It's not just recovering the goal(s) but the morale blow of seeing your manager throw you to the lions with Nobby Stiles holding a toothpick. Moreover, I don't think this was a game for Mark Hughes, not against Charles and Moore, Owen's pace and movement would have kept them pinned back and on their toes. Hughes? They'll handle him, and there aren't enough goals coming from elsewhere to turn this around.
You always start conservative and find your feet in the game, being exposed at this level is punished. There's always time to go up a gear. EAP should have started this game as he is playing it now, his most conservative and hardworking side, then brought Owen on if he still needed a goal or to stretch the oppo and exploit countering opportunities once ahead. In that case I would have found it impossible to vote against him and most likely would have voted for. As it is, it's the opposite, I fidn it almost impossible to vote for him and most likely will vote for Pat/Skizzo.
44 goals in 44 games, with 2 of his 3 most prolific assisters on the pitch, and he's a secondary threat
), it was a good game 
