Jack

I do agree, but there were a couple of occasions in the 2nd half when we were 3v2 or 3v3 on the halfway line, and chose to pass backwards when we had chances to run at them. Specifically Frazer up the right, and DC never stopped making clever runs up top. Wasn't really a problem, it meant keeping possession, but gave them chances to get back behind the ball. I think Adkins was clever, he knew the battle was in midfield and exactly how west ham would play, he got it spot on. We had a bit of luck at times but that's going to be the difference between wins and draws a lot in this league IMO. Lovely to see all the other results go our way too.

Toughest game we've had so far this season, and a great result. We were noticeably cautious through midfield and I think Nigel set them up for keeping WHU out and nicking a goal or 2 rather than trying to edge a 7 goal thriller, and we managed that perfectly. I felt we lacked a bit of creativity without Lallana and Cork, but west ham closed us down so quickly it was always going to be tough to play our possession game. I thought we could have counter attacked a bit quicker at times, but they were obviously under instruction not to commit too many forward. Thought Jos and Fonte were fantastic, apart from fonte's slip. From where I was stood I was sure that shot was flying into the top corner. Thought it was great to see a proper defensive display, we haven't had a game like that this season, and I'm so glad that proper football prevailed over ****ty hoofballing. Massive confidence boost, and on to Reading to get a higher number in our 'away wins' column.

This one is my favourite

I think they need Avram back.

'Big Sam is a big fat hoofballing c*nt. Unlucky!'

Hooivelt for me, absolutely immense. Carew barely had a sniff and he won 95% of his headers. Worthy mentions for: Fox - was brilliant on the ball and defended well Chappers - worked his ******** off, broke up play and looked like our only player willing to overlap on the counter

MOTM tonight for me. Keeps improving every game

Schoolboy error. Last time I did something like that, I went with a Leeds fan. 3-0 up and I opened my mouth. 2nd half - ********

Watched the Brum vs Leicester game on Sunday, he wasn't great at all.

Absolute ballache, but smashing 5 past them at fratton will make it all worthwhile.

I hope I never have to be in your company at football. Talk about miserable, the bloke was only having a laugh and a joke. I am fully behind a big '**** off Skates' banner

Row EE. If anyone plans to be sat behind me they can go **** themselves

I don't know where everyone is getting it from, but they're really not that in form, and have been less than convincing according to their fans. I posted this on the build up thread: How exactly are they bang in form? Yes, they just won a game 4-0, but Blackpool were **** poor and gifted them goals from shocking defending. Since they beat forest 4-1, they beat the skates by a single goal whilst conceding 3, drew 0-0 with Millwall, scraped past Posh 1-0 (both poor sides). They then lost at home to Ipswich and drew with Palace before the international break. That tells me they're not all that going forward, and can be suspect at the back.

Everyone sings that at west ham. Unoriginal and embarrassing IMO

Ipswich will have a very high wage bill. Bullard, Chopra et al. Are Portsmouth still paying Kanu £100,000,000 a week?

The more I think about this one, the more I think we'll win. I'm going for 5-1. Lambert (2), Connolly, Cork, Fonte. Lansbury for them.

WHU fans have been getting on Big Sam's back for playing 4-5-1 for most of the season. They played 4-4-2 yesterday and won 4-0, and that will have their fans calling for that formation all of the time. The fact that Blackpool gifted them their goals will probably not be noticed. Not that I care, surely we'll be playing our game and let them worry about how to keep us out.

How exactly are they bang in form? Yes, they just won a game 4-0, but Blackpool were **** poor and gifted them goals from shocking defending. Since they beat forest 4-1, they beat the skates by a single goal whilst conceding 3, drew 0-0 with Millwall, scraped past Posh 1-0 (both poor sides). They then lost at home to Ipswich and drew with Palace before the international break. That tells me they're not all that going forward, and can be suspect at the back. I think we'll have chances, and if we carry on with our ruthless finishing at home, there's no reason why we can't keep on our winning run.

I think he's been pretty good and his partnership with Fonte will keep improving. Worth keeping

Man city is the only one I can think of for me

Against forest he was all over the place when we lost possession, and we kept getting exposed at the back on both sides. Not so bad against brum or watford but we were never under as much pressure as we will be in tougher games. I rate him when we're in possession but he never busts his balls to help Richardson out when we lose it. Obviously we haven't seen much of De Ridder but he seems like one of those players who will get up and down that wing all day long. I think Guly is a bit more of a luxury player for games when we'll have loads of space and possession, and De Ridder for when we need to graft. Derby away is definitely the latter. IMO of course

I'd definitely keep SDR on the right, think he deserves a run of games, and is more likely to track back than Guly. That leaves the dilemma of whether to start Guly or DC up top. If he's playing 4-4-2 that is...

Too long a season to sum up our chances over 4 league games. Obviously if we lose all 4 then we'll doubt our chances to be able to take points from the better teams in the league, but I can't see us doing that. I think our fitness will be a massive plus when the fixtures start to pile up. But no, I don't think it's make or break just yet, but could be a good indication as to how strong we are

We could very easily drop away in October, some tough games coming up. If we're still in the top 2 in November then I really will start believing we can go all the way

Clive Woodward would do a better job than Harry