Chez

Not the best game in the world, but there were certainly positives to take from the game especially how we managed to close the game down in ht efinal ten minutes. We had been poor in the second half and they had got a hold of the game but the tactical substitutions worked totally and no further chances fell their way. Davis 7 nothing to do, one terrible throw out James 4 some poor crossing, got completely beaten for pace by a slow forward and bottled a tackle. Thats about it. Thomas 5 doesn't dominate in the air, is slow and not so sure abot his positional play either, didn't get tight enough, not impressed. He should be stand out against Blue Square attackers Perry 6 did not win a header all game and if he did it didn't clear our lines. One fantastic block in the second half Harding 7 solid as ever but went missing when their best chance was created Antonio 4 he's a sub, use him as a sub. Lots of poor crosses, not enough quality Hammond 6 some good, some bad. I question some of his positional play, but workrate decent Schneiderlin 7 some great, some periods where he disapeared Waigo 3 just looks lost out wide. Did next to nothing. When he gets in forward positions I want to see him going at the fullback. He doesn't want to do that, so what is he doing? Lallana 7 very busy, high workrate, played as the lead striker playing on the shoulder of their CB Lambert 7 my only concern was that he dropped in the hole, which is where Lallana ought to be in this partnership, but what a free kick. He really is a goalmachine. Patterson 7 bright, powerful energetic display. This is the player I said was a diamond last season. Very impressed and so glad he put that poor display at the start of the season behind him. Gobern 6 controlled cameo in the middle. I've said all along he is a Carlton Palmer like CM and at last it has been spotted. Lancashire 6 not on long, but for some reason I felt more confident with him than if Wotton had come on.

They have yet to buy Aruna Dindane, never mind find a buyer for him. He was on loan and if he played 11 games then Pompey would then be required to buy him from Lens. As yet they have not paid Lens hence their Chairman going spare. This is common knowledge so the accuracy of this entire article comes into question if you ask me. Shame.

which Grant is that?

they have cut their wage bill in half and so long as they stay in the Premiership the money will continue to roll in. Can they hold off the creditors until the summer and stay in the top flight though?

maybe, but if the club bares the debts, and the two Al's get £5m worth of land for the £1 they paid for the club, then they've done pretty well (assuming the land is not a PFC asset). As far as I understand it Gaydamak still holds the cards when it comes to the land.

I don't think there is any doubt about this is there? He loaned the club the money, spent it like it went out of fashion then cashed in the loans that they could never afford to take out in the first place. The two Al's effectively just bought the debts perhaps in exchange for the land.

very good point, but £650 to watch CCC standard players is a bloody lot and when our side was asset stripped the summer before last (meaning we were watching League 1 standard players) it lead to a major decline in our own season ticket numbers. Christ, if we had stayed in the top flight and ticket prices had risen to £650 I think I'd have to think twice, and that's from someone that goes home and away, spending a small fortune.

I thought Trottman and Melis were the only ones going back with antonio almost certainly staying? Neither were in Pardews preferred starting 11 in recent times. Our form overall has dipped in the last month or so, so perhaps these slight changes to the squad have come at a perfect time as the squad needs freshening up

you're both right and I think Pardew knows how good/bad he is and will be bringing in another CB, be it Trottman or someone else, and not relying on Lancashire. He's coming back as temporary cover.

no I was happy clappy already thanks.

to be fair are the ticket prices comparable? £650 for a season ticket at their place. I paid £288 I think.

ian Goodison. He was terrific in that game, great in the air and quick as well. I was amazed to find out that he was 37. He's been up there about 7 years. I can't see him leaving them now, he's their top earner and a fans favourite - I think he wins their player of the year award on a regular basis.

I just love the way you shoe-horn in the term Happy Clappy to ensure your opinion stands above that of those that might see something in the lad. It's Lancashire by the way.

a Limited company owned by Al Faraj

one really poor game against Brighton and then dropped, not sure there was a huge drop in form. He played pretty well in the recent games by the way.

Sol Cambell is another skate I'd accept here.

its on SKY, tickets will be easy to get hold of

is he out yet then?

consider it done.

any particular reason why me old mucker?

perfect task to undertake whilst watching the Guns of Navarone with the world's worst hangover. Who said Guinness, whiskey, Jaigermeister and wine shouldn't all be drunk on the same night? They were right.

Smith was lightweight and in the early games he was extremely casual. Instead of starting games sharp and snappy, he would be on his heals and was second best to everything. He didn't show not nearly enough desire for my liking. I'm not talking about guts and bottle, he didn't have either, I'm just talking about a will to win. He looked like he wasn't all that fussed. Yes he had a great trick or two and he could beat a man - the second hardest thing to do on a pitch, and the more he played the more dangerous he looked. But we needed every player to give everything and more. Compare his, and while we are at it, Lee Holmes' work rate and desire to chase back, to that of Antonio, Waigo or Lallana. Flashy skillfull players can work hard backwards as these three do. Smith nd Holmes don't. agree full about Molyneux.

but we signed Trottman afterwards as well. Strikes me that we had the funds and the opportunity, but I would guess that Whitbread wanted to play in the CCC to giv himself half a chance of making the USA WC squad.

Kenny Jacket said after the P'Boro deal fell through that no other offers had been made.

we were totally skint. Every sane person knew it and expected us to sign no one. Despite this I was still dissapointed with those two signings.