Chez

I think Maskell was year before and Widdrington year after.

Hope they get smashed. Don't ever want to see them win...ever. ****s.

Pretty much ran the game from start to finish. Very composed, very dominant in midfield and very solid at the back. Vvd is now as dominant for us in the prem as he was for Celtic. The only thing missing at. The moment is that option off the bench in attacking areas.

He got injured on June 30th, so he's been out for quite a while. With Wanyama now suspended he is going to need to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Kelvins penalty saving record during our rise back up the leagues was unbelievable. There was a period when he seemed to save almost every one. Less talented takers than in the top flight of course, but still outstanding.

incredibly arduous warm up

maybe the tickets are too expensive? £47 for my seat raised an eyebrow.

I disagree. JWP played out wide is not an option IMO. I do agree that Tadic is not a right sided player though. Looks like we could do with a right sided player going forward. Happy for Ramirez to replace Davis when injured or towards the end of games, but your post said you'd like him to start at Bompey in the hole, which means you were suggesting dropping Davis.

I put the ever worsening atmospheres down to the fact many (not all of course) beer drinking lads that are happy to shout and sing all game have been replaced by less intoxicated fans that are more reserved.

start ahead of Davis in the hole? That's bold. I'd of started him ahead of JWP in the hole last night, but not sure I'd dropped Davis. I'm not sure RK had a great deal of choice but to play him on the right side last night. There wasn't really anyone else he could play there having decided to rest Tadic.

I don't want to side with someone that slates him no matter what (i.e you), but I can't argue with those comments. I really wanted him to shine last night, but he just didn't look strong at all. Maybe you can put that down to lack of match fitness though.

I thought Target looked poor, especially in the first half. There was a 30 second period early on when he failed to clear properly and gave the ball straight back to Villa about three times in a row. Better opposition would have punished us. The Bacuna chance came from him getting the run around. His crossing, certainly in the first half was terrible. Like the side as a whole there was some improvement in the second half (keeping the ball better and slightly better crossing), but overall I was far from impressed. I certainly wouldn't say he was good. In his defence its not easy coming into a side for the odd game. You need to get into a rhythm and get your confidence up. Personally I think the first team action has come a little early for him. I don't think he is quite ready yet. Having said that, it's nice to have another youngster coming through.

I thought he was terrible in the first half. He looked unhappy playing out wide and sluggish. Maybe he isn't match fit as he certainly looked to be pacing himself. On the ball his touch wasn't good enough and he gave the ball away a lot. He was exactly the player people who don't rate him paint him to be. Second half he looked sharper and much more of a threat.

Fair point. I was surprised that RK didn't give him more of a chance. He tried to get him out the door as soon as he arrived. He must have been given the heads up on his arrival or Gaston made a seriously bad impression in the first week of pre-season training. Water under the bridge now. I for one though hope he has one or two great games in the next few weeks forcing Ron to consider his options going forward.

perhaps imports should be given the same time and grace? I know 23 is old for a footballer in this day and age, but for some players their best days are still in front of them and Gaston could well be the one of those. I'm not for one minute saying he has justified the fee or that he has good reason for not shining, but I still don't quite `get' why fans on here wrote him off so quickly. I guess its hard to get over the fact he costs so much, despite the fact we don't really pay his wages these days.

he was decent at Fulham the week before the Arsenal game as well. if he had come through our ranks (and thus without the price tag and wage) I wonder how differently he would be treated on here? Likewise ff we'd spent £10m on JWP would he have more fans on his back on this forum?

How much would Lallana cost to buy, say at the end of the season, I wonder?

would you drop Pelle (like Wenger has done) to play him (Theo) down the middle, or would you play him out wide (where he doesn't really want to play)?

How about we try to win this bloody cup or are you holding out for a Champions League place again Dalek?

I'd go with as strong a side as possible, but possibly Fonte, Davis and Wanyama need a night off. Ronny will know best their of course. But I don't want to see another line up/display like at Sheffield. Stek Cedric - VVD - Yoshi - Bertrand Romeu - Clasie Juanmi - Ramirez - Tadic Pelle

I've always liked him, but then again I often have a soft spot for flair players disliked on here. For me he's the ideal player to come on to replace Davis after 70 minutes, especially if we are chasing the game. He can be frustrating, but he has genuine talent and can unlock a defence. Not sure why I am bothering singing his praises as everyone has made their minds up about him now haven't they?

Shilton and Hately played against USSR in 1984 a few weeks before the skate joined AC Milan

You are right, I retract my statement.

By the way, £113.7m of revenue yet we put season ticket prices up. Disgusting.

£62m of debt looks manageable whilst revenue is £113m, but what if things had gone pear shaped last season and we had been relegated? I guess the majority of the debt being to Kat means we wouldn't have had anyone breaking our door down to get paid.