suewhistle

I'd forgotten this was on and only saw the lads from when they were chasing the game, so saw both cracking goals but didn't get a full impression of the game. I was also impressed that the full back Valery was able to make a break towards the end of the game, run the length of the pitch and force the keeper into saving and conceding a corner.

2-1 Saints!

He had a touch of cramp, I believe. Surprised j-Rod didn't get some as well, he worked so hard and looked exhausted at the end but was still defending from the front. He seems to be playing himself back to form and it was good to see him get 90 minutes. Their keeper had quite a number of hasty clearances to make when we stepped up our pressing. Even Martina was better today: he didn't dwell on the ball so much and pushed forward to make the cross, helped by us having more players pushing a bit forward. The principal emotion is still one of relief, but that goal was icing on the cake of Bouffal's quick feet. When he and the team fully click there are going to be some delightful moments.

Southern Railways and their staff doing their thing hence a substitute bus service which is to be avoided. Pre-match anaesthesia is hereby suspended as I'll be driving. Hopefully I can rush home to celebrate...

yeah, VVD's attitude in not scoring was appalling... Anyway, on what shall I spend the money I earmarked for the next round, new skis or new bicycle?!

He was playing in front of me in the Itchen on Thursday and had the beating of the full back, and I was shouting (pointlessly but in that stress relieving fan's way:-) ) to cross with his left whilst the defenders were still back-peddling or out of position slightly. I think he crossed once with his left, and for a professional player it really isn't good enough - even Sunday players can cross with their weak foot. He is working hard and he had a great run in the first half (think he won a corner?) but his decision making is appalling and I agree with your points. Somebody else mentioned that Sims is more unpredictable and he seems an intelligent player, and being two-footed I think he'll develop more with experience, but at the moment Redmond is just frustrating. He isn't hiding though, for all his predictability, and that is a good sign.

If what we read in the press is correct.. I suppose Saints in signing him (or renewing his contract) in the first place may have had to compromise on a low release clause amount, but I'll wait and see if that is the case.

If JS=50M VVD = ?

It must be the weather but personally I feel a little Bleak.

Against Everton when Sims came off and Sam came on the singing from the crowd underlined that that is a widespread feeling.

With the exception of a few (long and expensive) treks to the East I'd be happy going to most of those. But first there's that big IF. I remember Mydjjtland last season...

More in The Guardian today on a general article: Ed Smethurst, a lawyer for a couple of the complainants: "There are specific allegations against specific individuals, many of whom have been rumoured to be involved for a very long period of time, some of whom still work in the senior echelons of football, and it’s extremely worrying.”

The name is in the public domain and is one we _all_ knew_ (those of us of a certain age..). https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/04/southampton-fc-trainer-named-in-connection-with-abuse-allegations

I've mentioned this on the meltdown thread but please be cautious with your modals... ;-)

Think that's obvious. Although Fonte could have chosen a different option it wasn't a pass that put Foster under real pressure, he just had a brain fart. Frankly if he'd been under _more_ pressure he'd have probably tonked it long without thinking. It's not as if Benteke was showing any real conviction in his closing down, he was just doing a bit of defending from the front to close an avenue off. Once that goal went in I think it ruined any game management we had planned to conserve our energies in view of all the matches we have. Our concentration also went for a bit. I reckon we'd have racked up the intensity later on; as it is we had the possession and the passing stats, but not the shooting on target or goals. No manager can or should plan for such an eror. We could do with another goalscorer but perhaps the fact that JRod still hasn't re-emerged as a solution will encourage action, although I can't see anybody worthwhile being available in January. Anyway that, boys and girls, is why I don't make definite predictions either way, and when I do tend to use the weaker modals..

Well, next time you see a terrible mistake by a keeper in your parks or women's football team, you can reassure yourselves that the professionals do the same or worse!

Does double jeopardy exist in these cases if new information comes to light? If there were a retrial or new trial based on new evidence it would be best if the names weren't bandied about as the defence could possibly claim press coverage was prejudicial.

To be fair to Chelsea I've read that the non-disclosure agreement at the time was also intended to protect the player and that they have waived any requirement on their part for such agreement to be enforced, depending on the wishes of the player.

He's been to the Venice Carnival for his hols..

Dunno, when I went last time we were given _no_ chance! :-)

My thoughts exactly! But at least I can empathise..

Well, there was some great attacking football at the end there. Long may not be having a good game but he's being a nuisance as ever with his pace alongside Boufal. The latter needs to have sleeveless shirts as they're constantly pulling at him. I'd like to see Sims alongside Boufal: in fact there's a number of new combinations that look really promising. Martina managed to get caught in no-mans-land just when I thought his positioning was looking better but he played a good part in the last attack in injury time. Please don't throw it away Saints...

That's pretty much my view. If anything you could argue VVD needs a rest, but he's been playing within himself so perhaps that's OK. I'd certainly agree on rotating Rom and Austin who are vital players for us. What happens if they are injured and we have no choice in the matter: this way we have players who've a bit of match practice. Tadic is injured so you can't complain there, Jrod is out of form and may come on. For penalties we've JWP to come on if necessary. Many of you are behaving as if this hasn't been thought about and that the physio team haven't had a say in the matter as well.

Didn't Giroud take Debuchy's word for it? Is the game on the telly?

Managed to catch the game down the pub, with much muttering from me, partly because I was driving later and couldn't anaesthetise myself from the pain. My first mutter to no one in particular was when I saw Martina's name on the team sheet: "He's our weak link", and so it proved, although plenty of others didn't play to their potential. It's all so safety first and predictable. Let's hope I'm not three hours late on a Southern train like last Saturday, and manage a few pints this Sunday, they might be needed.