suewhistle

No. He may be fit but tired. Picking up an injury, in any sport, is more likely if you're tired. Remember there's only one day's rest between the games. Anyway, he's on the bench if needed...

Yep, had it and the after effects last a bit.. It can be slightly stress related. Worst thing was no alcohol for 6 months, which finished to coincide with a skiing holiday. Never was a lager drunk with such pleasure!

Yeah, the evil spell checker doing it's work! Unlike the previous offerings I think Glenn was in a hurry to get this winning one in the Christmas post..

and relax...

Shutup! ;-) Not only a goal for Stevens but a cut back from the bye-line for Long. We seem to be attacking the ball a bit better, and I think Armstrong has had a good game. Redmond is still not there yet but there's a few signs of improvement. Some good crossing from both full backs too!

beetch!

Harumph, I've just joined you. Derby and Joan. Not a state OAP yet (they keep putting it back..), so a tenner.

Some of you may find this amusing: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2019/dec/10/david-squires-on-football-and-the-2019-general-election#comment-136388003

There, I've made it far more accurate for you.

As for Bednarek, in _this_ team he doesn't even look like a footballer: he certainly never wanted the ball yesterday.

Exactly what I was saying to the guy in the next seat last night. Was there much going on in front of the defence though to give them someone to pass to? Bednarek in particular seemed scared of the ball. I didn't think Cedric played well, but my goodness, he was given some cr0p balls under pressure. JWP had a mixed game; an excellent crunching tackle in front of me when they threatened, a couple of passes to no one but came through that to score the goal and he deserves a lot of credit for that. Just wish he had more pace. Hojberg looked a lot better when he was driving at them in the second half and with Bouffal and Djenepo we've a couple of players that can open any defence. Now that Obafemi has got his start and been found wanting I hope Adams gets a chance against Norwich. I'll be there and a mite more optimistic than I was arriving at the ground last night. The relief in Ralph's voice on Solent last night was palpable.

Do a Yankee. Score, first scorer, Deeney to score and Hojberg to be sent off.. Bit late to do an Emery,Silva, Hassenhutl and Solskjaer sacked this weekend bet seeing as Unai has already gone.

Oh **** me, some see themselves as Saints away support and others have to have a dig. It's like the Life of Brian.. "Splitters..." All as bad and as up their own fundaments as each other.

Just got back from aged mum who mentioned Saints had a new manager, so I checked my phone and saw the news on the BBC. I think this is positive, but I thought to myself exactly the same thought about the resignations under Reed..

How did you get that past the swear filter? Have to admit a name I'll have to go off and Google, best to ignore the subsequent comments here. Oh, and in support of Jonnyboy, look up fiat currency.

I can't really comment as I've only seen brief highlights (Cedric's cross, aargh) but it's interesting that those who were actually there are so much more positive. I think we're in the deep do-dos, but some on here just love to be knee-jerk negative. For my sins I shall be there next Saturday, and will make a bit of noise in the quiet part of the Itchen, but please Saints, give me something to make a noise about.

Most managers bring a team with them, Poch when he came to us, then to Spurs and off again, Mourinho has 5 assistants arriving with him at Spurs etc.. Hassenhutl had Rohl who has now left - possibly because he saw the writing on the wall. What players have actually been recruited under his aegis: Djenepo, who looks good? Danso who looks raw but at least can run a bit faster than the rest of our one paced midfield and perhaps should be played there. No back up LB, not a great position at RB. It appears to me he's been sh*t on a bit, and may soon have various misfits back from various money-draining loans. Has he really been given a chance, for all the talk about selection issues? All this talk about Sheffield, but they are a squad like us when we came up - on a roll and no overpaid crapness. There's an honesty about their own ability which translates to honesty of effort on the pitch, and I don't think we've seen that from our players.

I wish she'd pack her bags and say goodbye to our circus..

Poch did bring his coaches when he came to us, still with him I believe. But the above two posters are right. It all smacks of desperate times.

What is an experienced, professional player doing on the pitch if he can't at least cross a ball with his weaker foot? In fact why has he always been such a c**p crosser, often not even under any pressure. Maybe not to expect the perfect cross, but as you say, row Z?!

Has Hassenhuttl actually specifically criticised him, or are the people saying he's been made a scapegoat purely doing so because he was taken off at half time? No one was surprised, and most were happy round me. There can't be an amateur footballer alive who hasn't been asked to play out of position, and most will say 'I'll do my best' and get on with it. In some respects you could see it as a compliment from HH in that he thought that an experienced professional, who has played that position before should be able to cope and was his best choice. Cedric obviously disabused him of that notion, and I don't know who would want such a player: Milan certainly didn't.

I think this is the most apposite quote in the circumstances. He can be blamed for some things but he got rid of Reed and I'm not sure how much blame can be thrown his way with regard to the recruitment of Carrillo, etc. But if he doesn't recognise something needs to be done with regard to our defence and midfield and our backroom staff, then he'll have to take a lot of the blame. I'm sure we all appreciate we've got to get the dross off the books so he may need to stump up or the club will be self-sustaning (hah!) in the championship.

Yess!!

For masochists only..