suewhistle

In the pub somebody showed me the team.. Who is playing up top, I asked? Armstrong? We both made a face. I hope he now goes and shows us as all wrong!

I must admit that thought crossed my mind. I thought that about the Carillo purchase too, the other way!

The newly reopened Norwich castle looks interesting too.

Take her to The Standing Order pub, that'll be empty too..

Let's hope we come out smelling of roses..

Guys, I've taught English and one of the skills is knowing when to correct and when to let it slide. If I corrected all the mistakes on here I'd be giving you all lots of homework!

The same arguments on forums happen every year at every club, and although I pass by here for news, it's rarely enlightening and generally more heat than light. You do get news here earlier than on the OS, but I'm not sure it's worth the time or effort!

Did I help?😇

Yes, I'm entirely realistic but having little dreams like that alongside a little black humour helps us cope! Then we transfer in Spertsyan because "I so wanted to get promotion with such exciting young talent"...

I think the number of likes for SWLondon Saint shows that many of us think that Quarshie didn't have a good game and both the player and WS know it, but many of us think he will improve and, in particular, adapt to the increased pace of the game here. None of the CBs covered themselves with glory.. Robinson is setting a really good example for Dibling, and I hope they have a friendship that allows for some friendly competition. It would be great to see them both on song at the same time. It was good too to see the hard work of Fraser, who went missing last season. Talking of which; we know Aribo, Edozie and the mythical ABK want out, and so do we, but what's the situation with Smallbone?

Yep, they thought he was quite good.. Threaten her with Stoke away on a cold wet January Tuesday evening.. (it's actually on a January Saturday..).

Will Fraser and Welington provide some of the width? If so let's hope the crosses are low and hard and from the byline to give Armstong and his busy movement a chance. The good news is that I can watch this down the pub, the bad news is that I'll be without my sedative and calming pints due to a friendly KO at 3pm. Lime and soda it is then..

An amusing look at predictions from Max Rushden, who has West Ham relegated: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/16/manchester-city-top-west-ham-bottom-premier-league-predictions

Gawd, you sound like my late mother. I do apologise though, it just jumped out at me. The joke, that is. I'm off to the allotment now to do some more digging in the cool..

I'd have imagined it would be bigger, but then I'm no expert on these things.

How about SomewherenearTowerseySaint?

As a low level grass roots player I've often been frustrated with professional players' one-footedness, and there are plenty of examples (Che Adams anyone?), so I'm not sure extensive debate at this stage of his career with us is particularly helpful. I'm right footed but the best goal of four I scored last year was with my left from the edge of the box and that's because I didn't think about it; perhaps that's what Downs needs to do, or as Will Still said, 'overthink'. His movement is OK and that's half the battle.

That continues in a long Saints tradition of a crap game in the early rounds of the League cup against lower opposition. Followed often by a crap season.. I don't like to be negative but where are our goals going to come from with that forward line. I won't judge Armstrong today but Archer and BBD?? At least Ryan Fraser has strength and was trying which is always a saving grace and I suppose Archer was to an extent, but BBD? Our passing was poor, if we weren't doing aimless long ball, although perhaps WS was using this game as an experiment. We certainly need to keep or have somebody like Fernandes.

It doesn't deserve a thread of it's own but somebody above mentioned ABK in passing. Has there been any official sight or sound of him this pre-season; any video of him pretending to train? Can we palm him off to Eastleigh, or Sholing? He's certainly setting new records in the 'waste of space' category.

Yes, I seem to recall Dennis Hollywood's tackles finishing off quite a few players, again showing my age..

You could always go and watch the Rangers post match interviews..

I think somebody should confiscate Barbersaint's cutthroat razor, for his own good..

I'm in a mild state of Shakespearian era inebriation so am managing to avoid too much worry. Bench looks suitable for significant positive changes but I'm hoping Robinson avoids the need to be desperate and they can be used to add to a convincing win. Buzzy in the pub, let's hope we can maintain the positive atmosphere.

Trains are working! At least no engineering works on the Brighton line, I've checked every day for a week! 😉

I didn't see tonight's game but reading between the lines of the MBM I read it was poor performances all round, including the referee. No VAR so at least if we score we can look at the lino and then cheer without waiting 5 minutes for a debate to take place. I shall miss Glenn's VAR transcripts on L1-10.. 😉