suewhistle

Can I suggest that they do their training on the civil service ground at Chilcomb, on the downs above Winchester. Very well drained pitches on the chalk there. Mind you, I suspect the CS club would want paying in advance so that might be an obstacle...

The fans didn't seem very happy on 5live, mind you, nor did the Liverpool fan I heard!

In the first leg one of their players went down with cramp - or it may have been simple timewasting... - but we can hope that we are fitter. Get Long to make a nuisance of himself first half and then bring on Mane against tiring legs. I wasn't giving the u-21 game my full attention today, but when I noticed Juanmi his passing and control was very good. He came off at HT I think, so it might just have been a tune-up game.

Those sorts you don't mind so much as they're self-aware enough to realise it, and it's always good to support your local team. As the main board shows, a poor start and we've got our own fairweather fans too!

Against 'Boro, on at the moment on Youtube. currently 1-1, Boro just equalised.

It could be something fairly minor, but the fact that it's been mentioned is hopefully a good sign. If it's something like glandular fever he could be out a bit depending on how bad it is.

When he was on the touchline on the ground he then got fouled again: you could see his whole shoulder move with the impact - the sort that makes the spectator go 'ooof' in sympathy. He was obviously targeted, and I'm not surprised our bench were angry.

The9's points seem perfectly reasonable, especially when everything is scientific as it is these days. I can assure you that even in my team almost at the bottom of the football pyramid the older player has a different warm-up routine to the kids.;-)

Thanks, mentally filed away to bring out if I ever get any grief living over here in a PO post code...

Joking aside, stay in the market and stay in your house. In other countries rental gives good security - 4 year contracts and the like, but in the UK you'll be insecure with all the implications others have pointed out. It's all very well saying you'll be stuck for 7 years, but the alternative _could_ (might not if lucky) be a fortune spent on house moves, deposits and general disruption. Have a look at the Money Saving Expert website which has loads of ideas for money saving and additional income ideas. If you could get (e.g. part-time job) or save £40 a week that's a couple of grand a year against debt/emergency reserve/living expenses/frivolities..

Yeah, but you'll be living in a rented ramshackle hovel.

Even The Grauniad have caught up with this, so Manchester Utd's media team must be busy..

Good summary Eric, it all adds up doesn't it? I'm going and will try and save a bit by going by car instead of train (not so good at that time of night) and only costing in the petrol. I'll save around a tenner on beers but that will go back in the budget for later rounds (we hope!). I'm not sure many people can afford to go to all the potential extra games.

How many tickets will we get for the final?;-)

Think I'm going to cut that phrase so pasting it will save me some typing next pre-season..

I don't normally use it, but LOL!

Whatever happens I'll be waiting for The9's update, quick decision as whether I want to go (is it close/easy to get to/will we go further and get a better or more interesting team etc.). Then I may join the rest of you with the easyjet/Ryanair/BA/Eurostar/ferry websites open in different tabs trying to book travel. Then worry about the ticket! I'm just going to wait until after Thursday (Tranmere, Watford...shudders)..

Suddenly? I always thought... Ah, never mind, perhaps he's just getting old.

if it's that Burnham I'm sure they used to play in the Slough and District Industrial League, or similar.. Sure it wasn't Burnham on Crouch or Burnham on Sea both of which must have a bigger population? Nah,you're probably right: it's far closer and the coach would have cost less..

"Forgets" - that's a polite way of putting it: you mean dropping off in the sun after a couple of beers..

Well, in 1993 there were only 80/90 girls teams in the country. I wasn't in a position to play then and didn't live near Southampton and was only kickabout in the park level, but Southampton competed at the top more or less until support was withdrawn when SFC was relegated. I remember seeing them play at Totton's old ground. I believe their reserves/youngsters are in my team's division: certainly the manager said he'd seen them play, commented on their fitness and our fitness training was notably stepped up this week! I just hope to get on the pitch at some stage this season as my knees are crocked but I can't really complain at my age. It's just good that opportunities to play are much more widespread now although you still get crap male attitudes at times. It puts some of the youngsters off and the others develop a tough skin. This season there are 30 teams in the 3 Hampshire County divisions after which you go up to the various southern region/south-western combination leagues (not sure of the exact pyramid).

I'm going, although having already seen a competitive match makes it feel strange. I'm not driving like on Thursday night but training it so a few beers with friends, pick up a few bits I need in Decathlon and only a fiver for the ticket. Chance to see some of the secondary players too, plus hopefully J-Rod starting. Seems a reasonable day out to me, even if not the buzz of a competitive match.

Same here. I often avoid places with lots of Saints fans.. As I like a decent pint I may go to The Bodega which seems good and well placed for the station. Look for the tall centre-back/forward type lady!

More likely a ceremonial burning of the pay cheque and contract which haven't been honoured by the club..