Chez

I thought I'd see Arizona on here before long and despite my lack of love for Saga he has a point regarding his stats. Saga has scored goals at times and these balance out the times when he doesn't. During those quiet periods I don't remember him missing hundreds of chances. If you want a striker to put away chances perhaps he is your man, but if you are looking for a striker to create something himself then he certainly isn't. I have to say I was dissapointed he didn't get on to at least one of the three hundred flick on's Lambert managed to win. Perhaps they need more time to gel, or perhaps Saga is just not the right partner. He likes to come short (as Lambert does) and we need someone to go beyond Lambert. I won't say he is ****e, even though I have never rated him, but he certainly poses little threat right now and I'd much rather mark him than any of our other strikers. Things change though and with the back four solid the midfield will get a little more freedom to attack and the chance might start arriving. Its a long season, we are going to need Wago, Saga and indeed Patterson to contribute at some stage so lets give him another game or so before chucking him on the heap.

I'd lie to add that he didn't just win headrs, when he won them they went bloody miles. Really clearing our lines and reducing the risk of opponents picking up the pieces in dangerous areas.

we weren't sloppy or crap. We just don't seem to have an idea how to create chances. e were lucky with the pens. Seen us play a lot lot worse. Seen us play a hell of a lto better and lose.

Obviously happy to get the win but in all honesty if the ref hadn't gifted us one or maybe both penalties (first was a dive, second may well have been handball after all) it would have been 0-0. We controlled the game well and dominated possession, but we didn't get to the byeline ever or cause them hardly any problems at all in the final third. Saga was poor and Waigo should have got longer. When he came on we at least got behind them a bit. Still we look very solid indeed and perhaps the attacking potency will come as a result. Davis 8 solid. Good catching from crosses and handled long range stuff with ease. Thomas 7 solid. Got caught once but more than happy with him at right back. Jardi 9 very solid. Powerhouse. He will get caught for pace somewhere but accept that and enjoy him winning headers all day. Trottman 7 like Thomas got caught once but solid. Stupid booking for kickign ball away. Harding 6 Gave the ball away more than any other player. On a different wavelength sometimes with his passing. Pretty solid, but never tested by the right sided player. Schneiderlin 8 first half 4 second. Lack of stamina is a concern as we often take him off and fall apart (we didn't today). Hammond 8 Was everywhere in the first half. Really gets stuck in but has ability on the ball. James 6 played in three positions but mostly at right midfield where he offered little going forward but was solid (again). Held an end so to speak. Not the answer at right midfield if you ask me. Lallana 6 With so many defensive options we need more on the attack, but there was little creativity. Some decent free kicks. Corners better bu not great. See Mills. Lambert 8 Won so many flick ons its not true. In the end two mean challenged him for every high ball. Decent pens. Saga 4 Get on the end of a flick on FFS. As I have always said, not quick and offers little unless chances are created for him - which we aren't. Offside a lot. Too similar to Lambert in that he drops deep. Lambert wins stuff in the air and Saga need to get on the end. Maybe they need more time to get a partnership going, but as soon as Papa came on we looked so much more dangerous. Mills 7 great corners. A real threat. Why he did not take them all (Lallana grabbing one and chiping it straight into te keepers hands) I willnever know. The boy is going to go far IMO. Papa 6 offside about 15 times in ten minutes but just that extra bit of pace and willingness to run beyond Lambert and get their centre backs turning was great to see after suffering Saga all game doing **** all. Looking forward to seeing more. Looks like he has a first touch.

very good point. They all even out and if they don't, well, such is life.

Embarresed by the first one. I honestly found it hard to even celebrate. I can't abide cheats and having f'd and blinded at that Arsenal cheat on the tele the other week I found it impossible to celebrate that rediculous dive. I'm amazed the ref gave it. From my angle in the Kingland/Northam corner it never looked a pen. I'd have no problem whatsoever in seeing the FA ban Saga for 3 games for that.

jesus some of you are a little harsh. He was terrific. He won everything in the air and showed exactly what we have been missing over the last few years - a ****ing brick **** house. I was actually surprised by his fitness and pace. At brum last year he was clumsy and as slow as can be (but still impressive I might add) but I thought he looked composed on the ball and was never done for pace. He did give away some free kicks but I'm happy with that. We need a centre back that gets stuck in, ruffles a few feathers and makes life tough for strikers. If he gives a few cheap free kicks away we are going to have to live with that. Besides he and Trotman snuffed out all of the free kicks any way. Great debut, great signing. I know many of you love Perry, but the difference between the two is startling.

2-0

I like your way of thinking. I thought Palmer-esque, but you've gone one step further and gone for Viera. Have we signed him on a five year deal yet. If we believe he will cut it we need to get him signed up long term.

some of those points are fair but how about thinking along these lines: Gobern goes out on loan, gets the valuable experience he needs at this level and then when he comes back he breaks into the side, and because of the time away he has improved just enough to make that little bit of difference that subsequently earns us an extra point to take us into 6th position.

rangey, leggy whole hearted central midfielder. He looked to be a beter tackler than dribbler which makes me wonder why we play him out on the wing, but then again I've not seen him a great deal.

he paints pictures throughout the pitch. Actually he's more Carlton Palmer.

Interesting that the MK Dons think he can do a job at this level. When moved inside against united he looked a genuine Charlton Palmer Mark II.

I agree with both of these statements. So long as he is ahead of Wotton then at least we know Pardew's eyesight is OK.

Man City's gelling period has been pretty short and I agree with Steve Claridge when he says that it doesn't take decent players any time to gel. Right backs know how to play right back, strikers know how to play up front etc. For me its all about the balance and lack of pace and quality in the side, not the gelling in period that has held us back. As time goes by better quality players are slowly getting in the side and that's why we are perhaps moving forward.

but he was out of contract. Schneiderlin and Lallana both have contracts so no one else can sign them until the next window - or was that what you meant?

what if we fail to win but the `old team' are the star performers?

I'm expecting us to dominate the game - pretty standard for any home game if I'm honest - but that doesn't mean I expect a win. This side clearly has enough talent to beat anyone but we have to go out there and do it. Its all very well AP sayign we are almost there and the side is coming together, but football tends to kick you in the teeth and a loss when the side is on the turn (for the better) is going to knock another load of stuffing out of us. Saturday offers no opportunity for excuses. I hope we don't lose a player to a sending off or suchlike and can go out and show to the fans what the side is all about. Looking forward to it as always

we never ever get to the byeline. We also lack pace up front.

Charlton were winning games long before they went down. Don't you recall them coming to SMS towards the end of last season and looking like one of the best sides in the CCC? For me they were easy favourites to go back so long as they kept hold of the likes of Bailey.

did he personally place the bet?

so more of a fibber than scammer? Can't see why MLT would mention it or allow it to be included unless it was totally accurate. Graham Hiley wouldn't make it up either. Making money by defrauding the bookies and then making money telling the world about it seems a very strange thing to do by a man happier to stay in Soton than to follow the available cash.

I have to say that I am very dissapointed. No matter how irrelevant it is to the final result he should have his mind focused purely on winning the match.

Cos Jaidi, he’s gonna be the one that saves me Cos after all, he's a ****ing brick wall (Wonderwall)

lose Thomson for Meilis.