suewhistle

To my mind I think there are two issues with the "pathway": bringing them in to the team at the moment and how it is all presented. There haven't really been any safe opportunities to get them on the pitch with our current dire situation and I suspect the general consensus is that they aren't physically ready for the grind we find ourselves in. But we could certainly be more positive about their prospects down the line: "yes, not ready but not far away" type of presentation. As the example of Kane shows, there is nothing wrong with loans for development either. Perhaps get a few goals up against Grimsby (yeah well..) and bring one on. The buzz for the whole B team would be great and I'm sure all the team mates would help him celebrate his match day bonus!

Hurrah! The trains appear to be running normally. This means no driving and the ability to have a decent level of pre-match anaesthesia to numb the pain.. Like Convict Colony my default and preferred attitude is optimism: some on here surprise me by still not having topped themselves, but for once they have some justification. I'm old enough to remember Branfoot and this feels as bad. At least I've got a dose of football on Sunday afternoon as well to sweat all the angst out of my system..

I also noted that Big Paul didn't seem a great jumper, but in his defence from memory I thought the balls played towards him were all a bit hit and hope, and not ones you'd attack such as free kicks or decent crosses into a danger area. Let's hope he gets better service when he plays.

I've waited until Wednesday evening..

Interesting. I know not many of us are impressed with the formation or team selection, but to what degree do you think the lack of success is due to that or the players just not playing that formation very effectively at the moment, and perhaps not carrying out instructions? Let's face it, tracking back and marking are pretty basic things at any level. I didn't see too much of the first half but Bree didn't look too out of place in the second considering he'd been thrown in to such a match so quickly after arriving. He seems to be able to do the basics and he didn't give me Lee Todd vibes (one for the older ones amongst you..). As to Che, he finally puts his laces through the ball and finds the corner from distance: let's hope it gives him the confidence he needs.

I'm normally very polite, but having rushed back from training tonight to see our generous three at the back being nice to you, all I can say is "do go and do one, my dear".. Enjoy your blood money, and when you see Shearer in the stands with his big black and white scarf remember I saw him score his debut hattrick from under the West stand.

Very wise, and apart from a check here later on in the day (this board is at least quicker than the OS!) I've plenty of other things to do as I'm retired! This board is actually a very small sub-set of Saints fans. I go and watch a dire offering at St. Marys and the last thing I want to do afterwards is to come on here where an even smaller sub-set of fans revel in negativity and make repetitive and sarcastic comments they think clever and insightful. It's often even more depressing than the football I've just watched.

What about Dibling? I'll be there but more rail bus replacement services so that will put some off. My train on Tuesday was cancelled so I ended up walking 2.5 miles home from a different station so car and sobriety it is then.

Anguille are an endangered species, don't you know..

Looks like Villareal knew about the problem which was why they didn't want a loan deal. Seems that with Jackson and Ings we've escaped expensive medical problems. I'm happy buying a back up who is cheap due to being near the end of his contract. On a motoring forum recently I saw a comment about Tesla potentially losing its premium car rating due to becoming cheaper. Obviously some people equate price with quality, and I haven't done that from years before the signing of Carillo!

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..