suewhistle

In the end it was worth wandering down the pub for a few pints but I wasn't sure about the decision after 25 minutes and some pretty poor passing, but Archer's finish was good and having Stewart there showing the physicality we've been missing was reassuring. The increased confidence in the second half was noticeable, a general sharpness and cutting out the silly mistakes. A hesitant Quarshie relaxed into the game, Matsuki brought movement as well as that gorgeous goal, and it was all wrapped up without the need for Robinson or Fernandes or er.. Bazunu etc.. It was good that the win came against rivals in the same division along with the minutes on the clock for some players, who all seemed fitter than last season. A solid game from McCarthy too, who will have given WS something to think about.

Some Goodens Gold and a pint of Deuchars IPA, I'll give you the link to my GoFundMe page later.. That should help the confidence no end, Stewart's physicality was a welcome change and... will we see more of Matsuki? Even the neutrals in the pub were impressed.

So do Norwich, if that's any consolation..

I'm wondering whether I can be arsed bothered to go down the pub and whether they'll put it on for me. I'll get banter from some of the locals but at least Portsmouth aren't still in the competition.. It's competing against Wolves v West Ham so I should be ok unless somebody wants to watch the Hammers for the schadenfreude.. Blow it, last of the lovely evenings so I'm going: if Saints win you can thank me later..

I know it's all by card and phone these days, but surely he's got a coin somewhere. Shall I Stay or Shall I Go...

Can anyone remind me if ABK has also finally and definitively gone as I can't see any mention here and I imagine the OS are probably too embarassed and certainly wouldn't want to thank him for his 'services'. Wasn't there a competition for the privilege of driving him to his new club?

Does nobody remember Lee Todd..?

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.