Chez

Good news. Madness to sell Cork.

Cork was my player if the season. It's early, but I am currently struggling to understand why he hasn't started the season alongside Morgan ahead of Wanyama. The Cork Morgan pairing was perfect.

It's only three games, so it's far too early to make massive judgements, but in the games so far I would say that as good a player Wanyama has looked, he does play very deep and therefore doesn't offer much offensively. Cork might not be quite as strong or neat and tidy, but his off the ball runs stretches opponents and creates space for others. Cork was my player of the season last time out yet doesn't make the starting eleven. There is a subtle change in the Cm balance. This isn't the only reason for our lack of goals but it does form a small part of it. The change in shape is another reason. We were very effective when Puncheon and Clyne linked up down the right, overlapping and creating problems. We played through the middle a lot last season too, but this wide play provided great variety. That is missing now. It pains me to say it, but without Shaw in the side we struggled last season a fair bit to unlock teams, and despite the money spent that still remains. With a side playing narrow, it's down to full backs to cause problems down the flanks. I don't see Fox and Chambers doing that so far. I don't see JWP with the guile to unlock teams either. It's a long season. Teams go through patches of struggling for goals. Give it a few weeks and we'll adjust the balance a little bit and suddenly we'll be taking about how to stop conceding.

Considering booking a holiday in Brazil. Was thinking along the lines of Rio, Iguazu Falls, Salvador. From my research this seems to offer what I am after, but am I missing a trick? I'd appreciate any advice. We're going this year as I imagine the World cup will send prices sky high. The strife is pestering me about safety. She has an apple white tan, so will stick out like a sore thumb. We're not daft, but at the same time we usually like strolling around cities. This seems like not the place to do that. Any advice, tips?

Having Hammond, Cork and Morgan covering the two CM slots was critical to our promotion. I didn't think Hammomd had the pace to cope with the Championship, but his lack of it didn't show up at all, which meant we weren't weakened at all when he came in as cover or on as sub. I think Adkins was right to bring Davis in to replace him as I think the Prem is a step too far, but happy to see him get a decent move. Players from that double promotion side will possibly become legends in time. And he will be one of them.

I am amazed any professional footballer is willing to take a 3/4 pay cut for the sake of missing one season's worth of footie. Perhaps he thinks he can make the World cup squad. Total respect to him if that is the case. In my humble opinion he wasn't anywhere near as bad as people make out. He could have been a lot better if he had been a bit more decisive and direct. I thought Adkins treated him poorly by not starting him after a very good substitute performance or two. At times when we were struggling to break a team down he left him twiddling his thumbs on the bench. Having said that de Ridder didn't always impress when given the chance, so Adkins quite obviously felt he could not trust him. I think he also felt he didn't track back, which he didn't to start with, but quickly added to his game, but Adkins never seemed to forget the early performances.

He makes it into many posters' Saints all time worst 11. He was absolutely ****. He was so far out of his depth it wasn't true. Interesting tweets from him about Baines/Shaw. Would Shaw actually move to Everton should they try to replace Baines him? Everton are a bigger club, but are they big enough?

Excellent draw. As with every season I want to see us to try win this competition not just use it to give the reserve team keeper some playing time, so avoiding a Premiership side can only help.

I missed Saturday's game in favour of a non event at the Oval (followed by an abandoned game at the Valley), but was JWP played at right midfield again and was he very good? I ask because for me he was ineffective at WBA for me and showed the need for a right midfielder/winger.

interesting idea, but won't the likes of Chambers only get `some' game time this year with Clyne being first choice? The other youngsters (Rowe Read and Sinclair) you mentioned also have plenty of other players in front of them already. It's not like we will be relying on them the whole season.

listening to Ince he seems to want a club that will ensure he gets plenty of game time, is going to take his career forward and possibly located near to where he is now to ensure his family life is settled.

#meh

5/1 seems high considering how well they did against us at our place last season. We create very few chances at WBA last week, so it's not as though we have been on a run of tearing teams apart.

Malumbo had a great game for WBA. Wanyama was undoubtedly the best player in the first half, but Malumbo was the best player on the park in the second half for me. Why Arsenal haven't come in for someone like him I will never know. I know they have Diaby, but he's always injured.

I think `clearances' must be long passes to absolutely no one, because I certainly remember a lot those. He had a shocker with the ball. Did OK without it.

I don't think Sinclair is the same sort of player as SWP. SWP is like a headless chicken, whilst Sinclair seemed much more composed at Swansea.

Sinclair always played on the left side for Swansea, so is he the natural replacement for Puncheon anyway? I actually think both a wide left and right midfielder would be nice (one someone capable of switching) as all the current options we have actually prefer playing more centrally (Lallana, Cork, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Guly, JWP). They all can do a job, but I don't see JWP as the answer to our RM needs at all.

I am not sure I agree with you on that point. He scored a great back post header at Everton, a relative tap in against Newcastle, he slotted home cooly against Arsenal, offered a sublime chip against QPR and smashed home into the roof of the net against West Ham. Unlike Lallana, Ramirez has a hell of a shot on him.

Moses would be an excellent signing. We really need a right sided player IMO and he would fit the bill perfectly.

feels like a 0-0, but then again I have Ashes tickets so perhaps I am just hoping I won't miss a 5-4 thriller.

I was surprised United didn't try harder to sign Bale (I know Fergie called and left a message offering peanuts) and they clearly dropped a ball with that one. Quite frankly I'm surprised they haven't come in for Shaw this summer. Absolutely perfect for them. Hopefully they will get Baines and Chelsea will spend a fortune on some other waste of space Russian left back and we can all relax for a few years.

We were toothless down right side on Saturday, so to let an attacking right sided player out on loan must mean we have a replacement lined up. Can't see Prowse playing there on a regular basis.

When Newcastle got thumped by Liverpool at the end of last season they were in absolute free fall. Carrying over poor end of season form to the next one often happens and usually ends up in relegation or near as damn it. They have signed yet another injury prone player in Remy to add to the likes of Taylor and Ben Arfa. Lose Cabaye and if Tiote has a season as bad as the one he had last time then they will be down there if you ask me.

Once Agbonlahore got it together, and with three up front, Villa looked a real threat going forward. This took the pressure off their back four, which without Vlaar was mistake ridden. Delph looked a quality player at their place. They just needed a decent player along side him. I also thought Baker looked a real prospect at the back. He's only young and will improve. Keep Vlaar fit and they should do fine. They seem to have carried over the end of season form. I wonder if Newcastle have done the same as they looked doomed at the end of last season and not much progress has been made this summer. WBA without Lukaka AND Fortune are a very different side.

£40m the pair. That price sounds remarkably similar to the one being bandied about for Fellaini and Baines.