suewhistle

Has the Dic posted any football related posts on Saintsweb, or is he just a monomaniac troller? In Covid news closer to home one of my football team colleagues has tested positive, but luckily she didn't come to the signing on session this week as she was feeling so rough. She's a teacher, and although the kids are now off I imagine a lot more contact with non-vaccinated people than many of us vaccinated oldies on here. It's still out there, so I haven't relaxed my guard completely.

I should apologise to whelk really, but whilst I'm on a roll it's 'bated' breath not 'baited' (see someone else above)! As for scratching an itch I've got my infected swollen arm for that and just hope the antibiotics are working: the steroids haven't had any effect!

Not sure we should overthink it too much but with so many pre-season games the subs just disrupt and also reassure the players on the pitch that they don't have to worry about doing 90 minutes, there is always an easy out for them. Having only 4 subs was a reminder that they'd have to grit it out. It also gave the rest of the squad the chance to just relax and even if they were there watching none of the hassle of changing, prep, warm up, anticipation and then disappointment of not playing.

5/10, see me.. 😉 I do agree with your point though, it's all a bit dramatic and needless. Losing a fit, motivated Ings now is a worry but no surprise, so it will be interesting to see how he performs for Villa and more importantly perhaps, how many times in this season. The following season when he definitely would have been gone isn't so much of a bother. I'd just love us to finish above a Villa without Grealish.. but reading SKD I'm not sure we will win a game..

There were positives in there from somebody who remembers quite a few dire pre-season performances. Perraud has decent pace and we may benefit from a younger pair of legs in that position, and not having all our wide attacking from KWP. A few more goals like his would not go amiss. Salisu really covers the ground when he needs to as well, and he's definitely becoming more effective. Mo was better than I remember him, but still not quite there, although physically he seems stronger. Tella continues to impress and beyond a few over-ambitious misplaced passes Diallo played well on the turn. When you consider who was not there, and that we finally have a (little) bit of money to spend I'm going to be very cautiously optimistic. Partly because it is so effing depressing to be a pessimist and there are more than enough of those on these boards..

It's a motivational move: " come on lads, let's finish above Villa".

Yes, you win some and you lose some. If I drive to the home game tomorrow it'll be pence in fuel but by train it's £10 + pub cost!

It helps having a cheap to run electric car, and, as I say, stopping off to see friends. Rail (with card) for the final leg from Darlington is £15. I'll have a look at the Premier Inn, they sometimes have chargers too..

Cheers. It says 'somewhat walkable' but that is for the general decrepit population, not football fans! If I can't get a ticket I may not head North but the match is always a useful peg around which to arrange a trip.

Well, playing for Saints u23s should be more of a test..

Good point. I know young fit sports people are meant to shrug it off (see also Valery with glandular fever), but whereas you and I probably just have an extra 20 minute snooze after lunch any impacts are slightly more visible if you playing elite sports.

I suppose it gets him playing, he can regroup and presumably he's established in the area and will be happy outside of 'work'. Edit: I hadn't seen that..

I'm interested in Newcastle, make a small break of staying with friends in the Dales and train from Darlo or even a cheap hotel for a messy Saturday night. Any recommendations?

Ooh, naughty mods! 🙂

It's even made The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/02/southampton-poised-to-sign-chelsea-tino-livramento-for-5m

Funnily enough in the last game the subs helped..

Firstrowsports say they will be showing it.

Well.. every time I wander into my village and look in the estate agents' windows I mutter the same about the prices, but somebody is paying them. I'm going to leave a decent whack myself when I pop my clogs (care home fees permitting) and that's for an ex-council terrace! But £25m is a dodgy estate agent trying to con a confused old pensioner..

Yes, just seen an article and came here to post. Well done the club.

Chortle.. The response from the Ipswich fans in that article could have been written by Trousers or Rallyboy.. they know the history too!

Nah, it doesn't work like that. We've all known some brilliant professors/coders/subject expert in something random/etc. who have been absolutely awful at teaching and imparting knowledge. Remember it's show and not tell. In his case showing that you can make a decent living in football but if you want to get the best rewards you have to ally work to your talent. "This is a mistake I made earlier".. 😉

'Ow would you know, Ron? ;-)

The clubs don't know as the covid protocols for attendance still haven't been decided.

Your analysis on this matter is so far off the mark it's a bit worrying. Now if you said they were scaremongering about immigrants or 'benefit scroungers' you might be more accurate, and if you had pointed out how our PM was ignoring parliament I'd have agreed. But are you really saying that a government that has all along been blase', playing catch up, reluctant to act, with a PM who didn't go to the first 5 Cobra meetings, who went around shaking hands and making glib statements, has done many u-turns, has overseen a generally incompetent response, is trying to raise fear and hysteria?? The government who had to be dragged kicking and screaming into action by Sage? Let me give you a personal illustration.. Yesterday I took aged parent to an eye clinic. The records showed that the last check was back on March 17th last year which reminded me that we drove back past a local pub which was advertising a St. Patrick's night event. I play a bit of Irish music and normally I'd go but commented "I shan't be going to that!". I sometimes read the foreign press so had seen the progress of the virus elsewhere and the measures they had put in place. Similarly I did a bit of online language teaching for a student in the EU so had another source of information. I knew we'd have to lock down and that we'd left it late. The response in the UK was lackadaisical in comparison and playing the whole thing down. Plenty of PPE said Matt Hancock in recorded public statements, but then of course they saw the opportunities for their mates and took action, using the virus as an excuse to get around usual procurement procedures, and overpaying. So I really think you should look more widely before expressing your opinions and perhaps change your target. I've found the Private Eye medic give a very useful two page commentary in every issue, and he has been very open about where he has had to change his mind on aspects of the situation. In the meantime I hope to go to St. Mary's and my training for the new season starts tonight amongst an age group who are showing the highest rates at the moment. No hysteria from me, but maybe a bit of exercise would do you good too.

JRM sounds a bit like Sajid Javid - "mustn't cower in front of the virus..". I've bought my season ticket, and with due precaution will be back. Maybe I'll regret it, but at least I won't have these regrets: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/26/covid-patients-tell-of-regrets-over-refusing-jab-vaccine-intensive-care