suewhistle

and relax.....

Oh, give it a &&&&ing rest. Third and final post

I skipped, I waltzed, I stomped in the puddles! Even better I found a bottle of Proper Job left over from guests at the weekend chilling on the back doorstep. As to a football comment, that was no fluke and well deserved. Everybody made their contribution in a true team game. As my friend texted: "Happiness is the pure joy on the faces of the Saints players!". They were playing without fear and will have had a tremendous boost to their confidence, which has been sorely lacking. JWP looks better further forward, Lyanco lost a few people bets on being booked first, and what an assist! Anybody who won a bet tonight deserves it! Grealish, who probably cost more than the whole Saints team got hooked.. Please can we win at Goodison.

I'm off to trudge to the pub. I doubt I'll be skipping back..

You cycnical, cynical barsteward.. I laughed..

A fan spending less on a match ticket is likely to be there! But match ticket and train fare (and jogging back to catch the last train..) a few calming drinks beforehand, all to watch us possibly being as hapless as Chelsea. I caught the last 25 minutes of the game as I happened to be wandering past a pub showing it and I was curious.. and now like Pickles above!

All local games off today and I was getting stir crazy with all the rain so wandered into my village for a pint. Overheard a local Blackpool supporter talking about the draw so had a chat and we're both happy..

I was thinking to myself not 5 minutes before that I'd be really pleased for Armstrong if he got a goal as he really needed one and boom. Ricket by the keeper but he still made it all himself by hard work and a little acceleration as he closed. It looked like his team-mates were pleased for him too, not just because it put us in front. A lot better after half an hour: there were a few overhit long balls but nothing to worry about in the scheme of things and when we showed more bite and snappier passing it was much easier on the eye. Mara is beginning to show a little promise and I don't think we'll see much of Djenepo in the future.

Good to see a couple of nippers (home grown) on the bench.. No idea what the formation will be with that line-up. No Stuart Armstrong?

Is he the one who has introduced the bag check with the baggage tag to say it's been checked? Even the staff are embarassed..

I have no words. I just hope my game on Sunday is on, because it's the only pleasure I'm going to get in football for a while..

What do you think DT stands for? Delirium Tremens? "Delirium tremens usually includes extremely intense feelings of "impending doom". Yep, that fits..

I was thinking that his pace might be useful as a sub when Edozie is tiring towards the end of the game. I tend to agree with L.D.'s reasoning, which is a rare event! 🙂

Temptin g ga=fate watching a delayed stream but at 21 minutes it's looking more promising. More bite at any rate..

Not sure I can even face going to watch at the local pub..

At least you'll be happy..

I suspect there is a lot in this. We are all pondering on the solution and we undoubtedly need a striker who can finish and take some of the focus off Adams, but maybe the vulnerability of our defence recently has been more down to our inadequate midfield. Sometimes I think JWP is trying to do too much. A coach I once knew pointed out how players "hide" on the pitch and he certainly isn't doing that, but his efforts to always be available, the amount of running he does to cover and defend I think are making him less effective and wearing him out, leading to examples like the poor closing down of March against Brighton. Perhaps the return of Lavia will be crucial as Diallo is obviously not the answer. We need more pace and bite in midfield, and although Elyounoussi is another one you can't fault for effort he always arrives late at situations. Accurate long balls to players in space, or even to a target man with support in close attendance can work, but we are doing neither. Edit: I've just seen S-Clarke's post on the JWP thread who was saying exactly what I feel: he needs better support.

I haven't read this thread as I often find the post-match meltdowns even more depressing and unreasonable than watching the game. Suffice to say that for once I'd probably agree with everybody: that was unremittingly dire and I really haven't got the time or emotional energy to go into more detail. The crowd for the City game is going to be mainly City fans!

I wonder how far Livramento is from match fitness as he's been in the training pictures but nobody has mentioned him? KWP understandably looked off the pace on Tuesday after being out since October. I certainly hope the starting 11 is a bit different on Monday at that the Lincoln game was a useful exercise in waking them all up to reality. Pearce and Morgan were training with the first team squad: I wonder when we'll see them actually play? Anyway, two sleeps to the next home game, so Merry Christmas all!

Particularly AMN!

Plus he seems to enjoy being out on the pitch. Maitland-Niles on the other hand looked like he'd won a prize to be there on Tuesday and would rather have won second prize of a night in a hospitality box.

You? Very little I imagine, but hopefully it's a wake up call for a few people in charge. Not much left to be said really, although I remember why I didn't renew my membership as match threads are such a joy and in The Lounge poor Turkish will be exorcising his LGBT demons with strawman arguments. TheCat was right, there was genuine and widespread laughter of disbelief after those misses. I was more annoyed with Ely for not taking responsibility though, and he had a generally typical game of not being quite there or winning his tackles, but nowhere near as bad as AMN. What's the arrangement with him, I hope we have no obligation to buy although he was marginally better at full back. Lyanco was dire with his overhit passes, and stupid: that foul was in front of me and completely unnecessary. Edozie (miss apart) is promising, Adams' strength is his strength and hold up play, not his finishing, the subs helped but generally there weren't many positives. JWP hasn't been playing well but he has to do so much to tie up the loose ends, and there are plenty of those, but he's always in position to receive the ball. Lavia back will be a great help. Perraud should also be mentioned in a positive light, but KWP looked rusty and not the asset we were once so happy to see playing. It will be good to see Livramento back. Jones will have learnt more from that than from months of training and friendlies. Who do we want in the next round? 😉

Only buses towards the East as well..

Nah, given the train service I'm having to drive and won't be able to have enough pre-med..

Ordered mine on the 5th and had it a few days ago, but the post is obviously up the swanee at the moment.