suewhistle

If only indeed.. I've removed the smiley because his comments on this thread are all of a piece with his normal unpleasant posting style.

So if it's a boring 0-0 draw I presume the chant will be "They're getting sacked in the morning" by both sets of fans? With the early kick off I'm thinking if we win to go for a few drinks afterwards before getting the train. If we lose I won't bother and travel home sober and grumpy!

Well, the local pub did show the game, amazingly; there was another Saints fan there too, but I'm not sure whether seeing that games was a good or bad thing.. At least I stayed to the end, spent a bit on a few beers and had some interesting conversation with some non-Saints fans. But what a hard watch: poor passing, often behind the player even when not under pressure, early on a bit of movement by the forwards but no early balls to them, then later no movement at all. I really shouldn't shout at the screen like I do! So many players receiving the ball when static which doesn't help when you are attacking, a cross by Kamaldeen (I think) with about half a dozen players back in midfield (more shouting at the screen..). I'll be there on Saturday but it's very difficult to be my normal optimistic self, which is amazing in itself, having been a Saints fan for 50+ years!

Blimey! That is an attacking bench! I'm going to wander down the pub and see if they can split the screens and give me a black and white one in a corner, seeing as the main ones will no doubt be showing Sandcastle in the Champions League. If they can't a quick drink and home to look for a stream, so any suggestions welcome. Not sure I'd bother following with the depressives on here.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/24/david-squires-on-sir-bobby-charlton-munich-air-disaster

He'll tell you afterwards, just like all the gamblers here tell you about their wins afterwards..

Pample, I think it's meant to be poetry. Here is my contribution: When we are good we're very very good, And when we are bad we are horrid

Yes, no chance of having it on down the pub which is my only option. Dodgy stream it is then..

Preston? My gran once played football at Fulwood barracks in 1916 when she was working in the office sending out telegrams during the Somme.. Some of the depot officers started the team (this was at the time of Dick, Kerr Ladies) but gran didn't last long as she didn't like the early morning training!

If Stewart can just finish a few it would be an improvement. Adams in the same position as Smallbone yesterday wouldn't have scored. Instead of steering it in naturally with his left foot using the pace of the cut back he'd have tried to get it on his right foot and blast it straight at the keeper! I've no complaints about spreading the goals about amongst the team but an additional dimension to our game would be great. Good use of subs again, and I wonder how he'll play it for the Wednesday game this week? S Armstrong might be better coming on as a sub as either age or covid has definitely reduced his ability to do 90 minutes.

No, it was the effing home grown chillie, whaaaa.. seriously! 🙂

I suspect he finds it as easy as you find your own posting style. Unfortunately I'm not in a position this late on a Friday night to elucidate..

No wonder some fans are fat if they are taking cabs for those short distances! Sounds like some good pubs in that list. I have a Hull fan as a friend and she wasn't going to tell me which pub they were planning to use for their Southampton visit but I managed to guess first time.. it's one I often go in for the decent beer, but probably best not to say which one..

Blimey, you've been traumatised by inverted full backs! On a more general point can I suggest that the more cynical posters on this thread, and that seems to be their default position on anything, go to one of these events in future so that they can give their own first hand impressions and maybe even ask a question or two? There really is no point people giving their accounts if the replies are going to be the same predictable moans.

Since I was passing by I thought I'd watch his show reel for the first time. Unlike Adams he seems to be able to head a ball (accurately and away from the keeper), use both feet, finds space well and even manages to make decent contact from scrappy balls at short range. Seems like an improvement then if he can replicate for us..

Interesting article about sweeper-keepers.. Judging by the comments BTL a lot of fans worry about faffing around at the back and passing to a well marked defender: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/16/premier-league-sweeper-keeper-onana-ederson

My thoughts last night too, and I was wondering whether I was being unfair..

I know Adams has done well to get where he is but he's no natural striker and I find him frustrating as a player in that position who is so one footed. Correct me if I'm wrong but has he ever scored with his weaker foot: something you'll see even at the lowest levels of football? His effort is (was?) there, but not the natural finding of space you get from the best players. I'm hoping Stewart can offer some of these qualities since we made enough chances against Rotherham, cut backs in the box and so forth but nobody there with real finishing abilities.

I had a quick look at the video of the Watford game on the OS. One thing that impressed me was the number of away fans, scattered all round the ground; a decent away following. Shame about the red for Millie Mott, but no histrionics argueing with the ref.

No wonder the Rotherham fans are depressed: sponsored by a hospice! Actually I quite like it: a real local link. Team looks OK, with a decent bench to liven things up. I'd have liked a nipper or two there to give them experience if we are in a comfortable situation, but no real issue with that. Edit: is DT in a hospice?

What about South Stoneham House? From my time at uni I recall being told that at 16 storeys it was actually 4 storeys over what it should be based on its position near the approach. With my yachty cap on I can say that the Double Diamond advert ashore at Torquay was quite confusing when we drifted in there once after the engine had seized and there was no wind.. This was in the days before GPS and chart plotters..

As I referred to above, it's the sheer confidence in their own opinions that I find so amusing, particularly when they get it so wrong. How much did they lose at the bookies, one wonders..?

Yes, I think most of us were a bit surprised, but maybe a big lump up front to disrupt was the plan (as well as protecting some other players). The squad is generally pretty lightweight physically, including the U21s coming through. It's the sort of role Lyanco would have taken if he were still here.

I was worried before the game but not with the absolute certainty that some of our regulars have that we'd be stuffed, to the extent that it seems they'll be disappointed we won. I vaguely remembered the 3-4 scenario but didn't think there was ever that danger this time, even after they scored their goal. There was a degree more organisation and resolution than we've seen of late. In retrospect I even think the arrival of Bree and Aribo as subs was not as strange as it seemed at the time. A bit of physical presence from both, a bit of match practice and a reward to get off the bench, protecting some of the first choices from further injury (or bookings) with a mind to Tuesday, and a recognition and confidence that Leeds wouldn't get back in it. As for the absence of SAA and Edozie, the former had a bit of fun for the U-21s and will no doubt get more time. He's 17 and will do a lot better coming in to a winning team. (Incidentally Doyle and Meghoma also looked solid in the U21 win.) As for Edozie: with the games coming thick and fast he'll soon play too, and some of the younger and slighter players will need carefull treatment during a gruelling season.

It was. And if it had been better advertised I might not be in the pub right now.