suewhistle

A few more random points: I don't think anybody had a bad game last night, even Rodrigues who still doesn't seem back to 100%. Tadic looked fine after his last appalling friendly appearance. McQueen is not a fullback (yet) but he seems to be growing into the role and he certainly has a mature physique to cope if lacking in raw pace. Both fullbacks pushed up but we could do with some slightly better crossing. Redmond looked willing and sharp and will benefit from playing in a better team than Norwich. Austin got a header and a shot away but he's not a Pelle in his hold-up play. Hojbjerg looks the business and I'm not sure we shouldn't play him further forward with his driving runs with close control. I don't think that our midfield will be a problem. Yoshida's passing was great in his proper position and he was never put under pressure to make one of his characteristic mistakes. All in all a good work-out against a decent side, and a lot better result than the last time we played Espanyol..

Besides I've been to watch football there. Many, many years ago (er... nearly 40, come to think of it) I got a cheap flight via dad (who was BA) and had a few days in Nice. Wandered over to Monaco on the train for a mooch, see the marine museum etc. By pure chance I noticed a poster on a ramshackle open ground and found out they were playing Nice that evening so got a cheap ticket, and then got the train full of football fans back to Nice that night. Chatting to the lads on the open terraces they were telling me that the team only survived based on money from the casino, and judging by the small derby crowd that seemed true. I don't want Anderlecht for similar reasons (1977 Chanson d'Amour, dumdiduddidum..) although Brussels is a nice enough city. Apart from those, anywhere in Italy, Spain or somewhere easy to get to. I've got nothing against exotic locations but they do appear a bit expensive to get to and as I like to wander around on my own have to use a bit of common-sense. Given the homophobia and nasty types there perhaps not Russia.

Were Fonte and player X chatting in Portuguese together? Better than earlobes, I'd have thought..

Think I'd prefer Fiorentina: better cultural sights to see, and food; I'd probably take a few days for a city like that. No complaints about Milan, mind you.

Yep, but which game? Tonight's probably not, maybe the Sunday friendly against Bilbao (bigger crowd) or the sell-out first game of the season (probably) against Watford?

Thanks. I'll see if I can trace the place I used for the Citeh game for our first back in the prem. Think it was uni accommodation but possibly cheaper.

Fortunately my luck was in as I was able to book on Friday. Now to book cheapo accommodation... Any recommendations? I'm up north on a fishing/visiting friends jaunt so somewhere with parking.

I remember seeing you can order for postal delivery 3 days plus before a game. I ordered last Friday and hope they arrive tomorrow..

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One away last season and I got my ticket on Friday (thinking about Europe as well...). You may be able to get one on Monday, check the OS, although there were only a few available in my block 230 (ISTR?).

A few random thoughts.. what was up with Tadic, nothing went right for him and his touch constantly let him down. Perhaps it was the tiredness Puel talked about? Hojbjerg looks the business and has a bit of steel about him as well. Good to see Austin getting the sort of goal we expect him to. Both our full-backs can control the ball when it gets to them courtesy of a long pass, but their crossing lacked a bit. The kid Yan Valery looks like he's got what it takes and both Alfie Jones and Turnbull were able to cope easily with that level of opposition. Reed will do a decent job for us when called upon. Gallagher had a few touches but he still looks as if he hasn't quite grown into his body yet. It was a bit flat as a game and it's a shame the referee had to send the guy off: I don't think Saints would have wished that. I presume Bertrand wasn't even on the bench after the sports science guys ran the rule over him. Perhaps he suffered depression from having to suffer Roy's training methods?

Interesting in that video when Black talks so positively about the set-up at Saints. He's obviously not going to make any direct comparisons or be negative about his previous employer, but it would be easy to make such an inference from his words.

Fair enough. I was purely talking of local traditions as I live deep in PO territory...

Wasn't one of their first choice full backs badly injured in a pre-season friendly? Only saw a newspaper report and it was fairly critical of their full backs. We play them end of September so here's hoping.

Pity we haven't got Fourpast still to let them have...

At a guess does this involve the consumption of alcohol and then inappropriate behaviour? Taxis are reasonably cheap in Portsmouth, he should leave the car at home. I'm purely guessing so enlighten us if I'm on the wrong track.

First time in the group stages, if you want to be pedantic. So you're not interested in the Europa then, too dull for you? Don't you fancy the odd trip to somewhere interesting or a famous ground like the San Siro? Am I dull in looking forward to that? Perhaps you've got the attention span of a goldfish and need constant stimulation, but do tell us what the club should be doing. We'd welcome some positive thoughts, not just an early teens moan of 'I'm bored'...

I think everyone is assuming our three nice days last week were summer, but you are correct. I suggest everybody go to the Pre-season and Europa cup threads: less existensialist angst.

After clearing your cookies, I hope... :-) How about a PM? (#olderthanyourmumflirt)... I'll probably only do one away, to be honest, and I'll leave Armenia and the like to you. :-)

Preferably a frozen one, it's amazing the difference that makes. Or even tinned. Or a big jar of those maatje ones..

KO 19.00 local time tonight, and not in the main stadium so I hope Big &&&& Last makes the right ground! Can't see any Youtube stuff atm.

We're expecting you to do better than that, The9! ;-)

My occasions, training and playing with my team, the reserves. most are around a third my age (or less)! It's not quite so bad with our first team as they have some players older than 20, 25 even!

Yeah, it seemed a really rumbustious crowd, very wise. :-)