suewhistle

I didn't see it, but The Guardian live commentary said this "It was a slightly reckless tackle, with his studs following through into Jota’s ankle,", but they've subsequently posted this: "Well this is interesting Apparently the referee sent Jagielka off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity rather than, as we first thought, serious foul play. That means Jagielka will miss one game rather than three."

Can we Ings a song for you?

I'd take 8, excluding penalties..

Lets hope he does well and has a long and fruitful Saints career. If he does get injured badly again couldn't we just put him down, loosen the wheel nuts on his Jag or something. We wouldn't be obliged to pay for a dead player, would we?..

Let's assume this is the last of my three posts, but it's interesting that we're not the only club doing last minute deals. Like the Quinoa one to Watford, it's clubs trying to get more for their players and then realising that the buying clubs have set their own value and aren't going beyond it. I think that's what has happened with us. Ings has a value to us, but not Liverpool's valuation. I'm more pleased we haven't lost JWP and Targett, who might get a few more assists with some more effective strikers playing in a more attackingly ambitious team.

I'm going to use one of my three posts to say that made me laugh! These little titbits are always interesting. Let's hope Lemina is getting his full fitness back, he doesn't seem to perform well when he's not 100%. I thought the bit about Gallagher was interesting, it's that sort of individual coaching that can improve players.

Thanks. I thought they'd chopped down your favourite vantage point. :-)

Somebody posted a clip of the game last season in response to my memory of Forster in that game. We actually played some good stuff, and it was just Sam Vokes getting his head to the ball and Forster in goal for us and them with a decent keeper that made the difference. It would be so nice to get an early goal, off Austin's backside even, to open them up. Thanks for the comments on the fitness monitors. Didn't have enough posts to reply at the time. I think I'd go for outside myself - my sports bra gets very sweaty in this weather!

Talking of fitness, can anyone comment (Monk maybe?) on why certain players are wearing fitness monitoring equipment and others aren't. From a glance through the training pics it looks like the ones that do are Lemina, Yoshi, Gabbi, Mo, Long, Davis and Sims, Cedric definitely not, and I'm not sure I can discern any particular pattern..

What's the point? You've already made up your own theory. It could be true but we don't actually know. In the Echo I believe Hughes talks about 'considering' playing him due to his natural fitness, and depending on the exact nature of the bug his absence could be just precautionary and he's suffering from a little dehydration. Fact is, for all the rumours we don't know.

That's not the point of the question though, is it? It's really to highlight the issue without specifically naming names, and if any lessons have been learnt. I probably wouldn't use the word 'sh*t' mind you.

I've just watched the highlights from the weekend on the OS. Ouch.. Much as our defence looked out of sorts and slow I'd echo what somebody else said on here, quoting some neutral visiting coach, I believe. The midfield really didn't stop them having a free run at the defence and having time to pick out their passes (and shoot long range). I think it was the shot, but there were four defenders at the back, Targett correctly stepping up to make the line, but nobody closing down the shot. That should have been a midfielder's task. Ho hum, I'm still looking forward to Sunday (but cautiously LOL).

I'd agree, and also last season whoever played up front couldn't hold the ball up like players we've had in the past. So the midfield played more withdrawn than closer in support as they didn't want to get caught out when the ball was lost again.

So you wish to shout out "unambitious" or "unrealistic"? Everyone is entitled to their opinions but most people, unless they are complete trolls, try to base them on some facts. You, however, spread a miasma of misery and negativity over this board. It's not even the black humour some of use to get through a football season, with a few small celebrations along the way. You are unremitting in your negativity.

The problem with buying and selling is that it's like cars: you may fancy a new one with slightly different qualities, but sure as anything you will lose money on trading and then buying an unknown quantity which might break down almost immediately. I'm another in the keep camp.

Yeah, I forgot to get my free ticket in time, the deadline was 08.00 on the deadline day, ho hum, so I've made other commitments. We've got a full week to debate amongst my crowd which pub to go to, but KO time against Burnley means we may well have to adjourn to a different one afterwards.. In other news my ST arrived this morning so the anticipation can begin. It's a bit like Christmas: when you're young the anticipation starts earlier, now you wait a bit longer but it's still there.

Yep. They tried to sign Forster but he dropped the pen.

Yeah, and we'll all be jubilantly announcing that here. If they have been sent I'd very much hope Saints would have sent us all an email..

Overheard in a pub or taxi, club employee or someone related? I appreciate you're not claiming great importance to the rumour, but a little extra meat on the bones would be appreciated. Who the f.. is kevin badlycooked? I'm going to have to google, aren't I?

Eh, but you don't seem to appreciate or acknowledge one of the major reasons for that? Even some of the players have admitted that Pellegrino didn't wan't them to join in attacks, our lack of ambition and lack of defending from the front showed in our scoring record. There really is little point about harping on about only one aspect of the game in isolation.

I didn't see our first two goals but he didn't look out of it from the bit I saw. Another point that hasn't been made is how we pressed towards the end in little groups, none of the isolated attempts by a lone forward we saw last year. Target always looks so comfortable on the ball even if he hasn't got the pace we'd like him to have; worth keeping. So is Gallagher, deceptive pace for his size, and as others have pointed out, better than Long. It sounds like Davis struggled too: I think this is a season too far, which is a shame, but if he goes I hope to a decent team. Long, bless 'im, you can't fault his effort ever, but again needs to go to a good home.

Thanks. Just in from training. I'll wait for my shower!

NO.. My last post for the day, over and out. :-)

I don't normally get involved in forum tennis, especially with only 3 posts a day, but I would just observe: Boufal - probably the biggest disappointment given his skill. There were doubts expressed about his character when he arrived. Bear in mind we haven't actually sold him: who knows.. Forster - the objections have been that he was given an extension to an already long contract. There was no need, and signs of his decline even then. Carillo - plenty of doubts expressed at the time by those more knowledgeable, particular about French football. The other objection, and reasonable in my opinion, was that this was a panic January buy chosen by a manager with not long to go. Clasie - just not there physically (is it true he smokes?), but this is another one where people are just regretful, not hanging out Les Reed to dry. So I think for 2 & 3 we can be pretty critical, and all four have penalised us financially when we aren't a club that can afford such mistakes.

My hopes rest with a change from last season's attitude, which we've heard of from some of the players, let alone having to watch it, and the new outfield recruits who all seem level-headed and under no illusions that this league will be anything than a step-up. It's difficult to tell from the friendlies we've played, but Armstrong seems to push forward with a bit of pace, and if Bertie can put in first time crosses like he did against Dijon it'll trouble much better defences. Unfortunately I can't make the home friendlies, but it'll be interesting for fans to watch, and see what we can glean about what to expect against Burnley.