suewhistle

I'm a bit worried 'bout what goes on in your head Bearsy.. But I'll get a couple of quid on before your hot tip impacts the market!:-)

The journalist was John Steinberg, by the way. Seems to have his finger on the pulse.

In The Guardian article 10 things to look out for at the weekend I think the section on Saints is a pretty fair comment: Southampton performing at home Sam Allardyce's West Ham are precisely the sort of side that Southampton dislike playing against. Although West Ham will be missing Andy Carroll, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing – laugh it up, Liverpool – at St Mary's, they are likely to be tough, resilient and all too willing to ensure there is nothing particularly super about this Sunday. Under both Nigel Adkins and Mauricio Pochettino Southampton have found it difficult to break down sides who are happy to leave the south coast with a 0-0 draw, partly because they can lack natural width, while their defence's habit of conceding sloppy goals in matches that they are controlling is one they need to eradicate. JS

I bet my neighbours are wondering what was the mad cackle from next door over breakfast?! What it must be like on Trouser's morning commuter train gawd only knows! Jeez, talk about deluded. Ok, players, next time don't accept the compromise agreement and you'll get all the parachute payments in a timely manner, not over 4 years... "Now on the way up"? Yep, chasing AFC Wimbledon. Envy?! Ha.. Still, it's good to get some air deep into your lungs of a morning.

Confidence is often rewarded on here! Weekend coming up, a match day, meetings in pubs, loose tongues, bush telegraph working overtime, pieces of the jigsaw put together, no names no pack drill, and the sight of chortling and giggling (that'd be me) Saints fans all over the place. I'm looking forward to the weekend!

Are you just referring to what tends to happen on this thread or do you have a specific scandal in mind?;-)

Did you also notice that he concentrated his attention on the better passer of the two centre backs so that their balls forward weren't as good?

Not sure if this has been posted, but saw this fair summary in The Guardian: Lambert starved of service The Southampton striker had to endure what seemed like endless patronising ahead of the biggest night of his professional life. Yet the truth was this was a move up for the 31-year-old whose England career had got off to a flyer with two goals in his opening two games. By the close Lambert could walk off having returned a display that hardly sparkled but did not disappoint, making the most of a contest in which he was given scant opportunity to add to his international goal tally. He provided a reliable target in the lone front-man role as the ball generally stuck to him whenever aimed his way, and he offered further evidence of the football brain that is required for this level. An illustration of this came when he hooked an astute round-the-corner pass into Theo Walcott that had the Arsenal wide man in on goal.

Might change if Ricky scores tonight! I've no idea how sales go in the 5 days before a match though, but I'd expect them to be reasonable . But the way the economy is going [recovery my ar.se] saving £30+ on tickets and transport and watching down the pub will hold attraction to many. Looks like such considerations are impacting the WH fans too, and they've always bought a good crowd when I've been there.

Does that mean you won't have internet access?

Was that Taiwan? I'm sure you've got others..

Hasn't he ever played in Wales?

They have, but nobody will hold it against you.:-) Anyway, down the local (Portsmouth) pub tomorrow for this, or maybe the social club which does a lovely pint of Summer Lightening and where I made such a scene of myself during the Scotland friendly...:-)

There's always the John Westwood option...

Chocolate! Great chocolate! Some interesting boutique fashion shops and excellent beer, although they serve the local draught far too fizzy and cold and it was better when served as a real ale in Wetherspoons once! There was a beer festival when I was visiting, but as I was ill I couldn't partake.. looked interesting though. Can't help on the red-light district, and have no money for diamonds, but it's got an interesting central station:

If you like Amarone you might also like Masi's Campo Fiorin, available in Majestic.

Did they cover their costs last night - coaches, overtime for physio, ambulance etc. or was it like local football where you all turn up to away matches piled into players' cars?

Doesn't anybody know any other Italian wine other than Chianti, harumph?! It might have been a Barbera Vivace, or a Barbaresco or an Aglianico delle Vulture or a Torrette Superieure or Nus Malvoisie or a Valpolicella Ripasso.. Incidentally, having seen some of the UK prices my car's going to be pretty laden on my next trip over. Many of them are stored under the stairs next to my gas meter, so iss not really off-topic...

I'd agree, but I reckon he's been thinking about his next England appearance. He probably doesn't want to be a one match wonder..

What was the reading when you moved in? Surely that's the critical thing? I moved back to my place in July and changed the key meters back to credit and since the reading on my new gas meter is 3(!), and 51 units for leccy. Probably helps having solar panels though!:-)

Well, I wouldn't have said that exactly , what with being so well bred n'all... But no, I don't believe Saints wouuldn't release Sharp to another Premiership team. I can't see any such team being a threat anyway and certainly they'd like to get the wage bill down. It just doesn't figure.

I'm not sure why people are so black and white about people coming back from injury and being on the bench. Perhaps Clyne said that after Barnsley he was ok but feeling it a bit, Shaw likewise. There's never an absolute cut-off when returning from injury unless you are so cautious that you hardly play anyway. It's all about the management of risk and it seems perfectly feasible to have someone on the bench who _ideally_ you would wish to rest but not play unless necessary. As it happened Fox didn't let us down and Chambers (and JWP) were caught out by raw pace and a little inexperience. I'd prefer Clyne but Chambers is a great back-up to have, and he'll have learnt from the experience.

..and we can't count The Ox as he was so slow..

I certainly won't be going. With a tenner you can just about convince yourself to ignore all the other costs by saying "It's only a tenner". You might even persuade a friend to come along on the same basis, or take a neighbour's kid as a treat. At £18 they won't see _any_ of my money, and I really hope the marketing people are reading. I think they'd be surprised at the growing sentiment against the cost of football, and how with current prices they really aren't recruiting the fans of tomorrow. As short-sighted as politicians.

What? The sailor's hornpipe?