um pahars

I don't expect us to win every game and I was hoping for 3-5 pts from these 3 games, with a real hope that we could at least win at hope to WBA. So if I was going to tinker around as much as Puel is, then you're probably right in that I would be looking to put out the best team for the most winnable game. Fingers crossed a win at Everton will get us back on track, but if not then it's been a poor effort in recent games. BUT for me the massive tinkering is the main cause of a number of problems I think I see out on the pitch. 1) No fluidity in our play. Maybe it's the way the manager wants us to play, but it seems so disjointed and players don't know what each other are doing. Do players need a longer run in the team to get used to it? 2) Confidence. We seem very fragile at the moment, is the chopping and changing one of the reasons for this? 3) Lack of team spirit For most of the game we just looked like a ragtag collection of individuals. Players seem frustrated with each other and there seems to be little collectiveness out on the pitch. I hate to say it, but the last time I saw it was the 2004/5 season!!! 4) Lack of mental strength Too many silly errors at crucial times, perhaps it's due to lack of match sharpness and not having any consistency in the team selection. 5) Players just don't look happy Perhaps it's a good thing that they are looking a bit ****3d off given the results, but I think there's more in it than that. Forget the interviews for the programmes and the stage managed interviews for the Echo & others, I don't see a happy bunch out there at the minute? Are they playing for the manager? Squad rotation only works for me if your squad is rammed with quality, interchangeable players who could easily replace each other, and even then I'd only be doing it sparingly and only when absolutely necessary. We haven't got such a depth of talent, plus we seem to be making wholesale changes almost for the sake of it. And as I said in the first post, I think Puel is struggling from one transfer window too many and critical players not being replaced with those of similar ability, but he just isn't helping himself here.

Marina crosses a ball in to row Z Yoshida passes the ball to their centre forward McQueen fccckus it up For probably the only game we will win in this run of three, there is no way we should be pulling 3 out of 4 of the back four. I've seen Saints lose many times over the last 40 years, never easy, but that's the team I follow and always will do, but I'm struggling to remember when we have set ourselves up so spectacularly to fail! I knee jerked a few weeks back, but I don't think I was wrong. Puel may have come in off of the back of one transfer season too many, but he ain't helping himself. Poor tactics, poor team selections and dull as gfccuk football means it's not a happy new year for me.

There are a number of positions that are either easier to replace or do not have as much impact if the replacement isn't as good as their predecessor. One of the reasons I wasnt fussed when Shaw went. Full backs can augment a team, but they don't make a team. However, One of those positions is a goal scorer and whilst we managed to replace Lambert, it has to be recognised that we haven't managed it this time after lettingtwomsources of goals go (eg Pelle & Mane). If we can see it,then I presume the experts can too. What they will do about it it is another matter. Goalscorers are a rare and sought after breed, but wshe desperately need to unearth someone or get the cheque book out. We're a pretty decent team, just need some goals and can't see the current options providing enough of them

Stayed in Bergamo and trains to Milan are fairly regular and inexpensive. From memory about €10 and just under an hours journey. No train station at the airport though so you have to get a cab or bus in to bergamo

Pretty much spot on, along who Sour Mash. Their support was in sort of three groups (although of course they blurred a bit). The singers over by the Northam segregation who got involved with the pushing and shoving when the penalty was given, another group of 20+ in their shorts, black t shirts, bumbags etc down by the Itchen segregation (& to be fair they looked as if they could handle themselves) and then the rest up from these two groups. The trouble in the second half started when one of the younger leaders of the singing crew (also in a black t shirt) was going up and down the aisle trying to get others to join in. Most did, but an old fella in a green parka and a where's wally lookalike in a Sparta tea cosy were giving him some sh*t. The older bloke eventually had enough and planted one on the lad and pushed him away. Cue some pushing and then the 20 "lads" smelling a ruck came steaming up. The young lad started taking pictures/filming the blokes he had had a run in with (difficult journey home for them, or retribution back home methinks) whilst the others the others then chased Where's Wally across the empty seats to the OB & stewards. And others are right, when the OB got involved they were on the other end of a few digs and if this had been a League game then loads would have been kicked out & probably given banning orders (plus). Think the OBs brief for the night had been containment and just get them out of town ASAP. Agree about the away leg, I think the 20+ will have grown by then!

He was most certainly not a black box signing, this one was 100% down to Cortese.

Just how many levels are there in the footballing pyramid considering we've been 6th & 7th in the past two seasons?? Last season 86 teams finished below us in the "Football League" alone!

That was my first thoughts, and think earlier poster on this thread said something similar. The ones where the contract extensions went smoothly were all hush hush and announced to much fanfare and pen signing, whereas these 3 have been leaked (similar to Clyne, Wanyama etc). If there is a commonality in the method, then reckon one or two may be off!

That's the top

Indeed, Everton might be wanting a scarf held aloft photo at Goodison (surely creative photographers could come up with a better idea!!!).

So what is stopping the deal being done??? logistics, holidays etc is a smokescreen as fax machines or jetting out an employee/agent/lawyer to deliver the contract is small fry £££ in a multi million deal??? I certainly would not rule out RK not being 100% convinced on the move!!

My Pacific Close, Ocean Village source can confirm that Jan K is not at all happy with the situation, so that part stacks up. And another source (same one who let me know about the kit & Virgin being our sponsors-ask Steve Grant as I gave him the heads up before it was announced!!) has also said they didn't want RK just seeing out his last year & if he wasn't going to sign then they would have a difficult situation to manage. However, that situation will become easier if RK walks and so it is seen as a win win (but they also haven't given up hope of him staying if he signs the extension).

The kit is not like any of those above. The closest I've seen was a Kappa (I think) mock up. The kit is block red on arms and black red for the top quarter/third and then stripes underneath that. no idea on 2nd/3rd kits.

Had resigned myself to accepting he would go at the end of next season and can also see the argument about being a lame duck come next Spring and therefore nipping it in the bud, BUT Everton???? Always thought he would go on to a much bigger role than Everton (even allowing for some money being thrown around). All recent leavers have at least moved to bigger clubs, sometimes a pi5fser, but they have all stepped up, but this is sideways at best! On the continent my percrption is that managers have a short tenure, but just can't get my head around these quick stints.

How long left on his contract??

Cant argue with RKs man management. Seems to have got most of his calls right with regards players, so happy to back him 100% on this one (would be interested to know what lack of intensity meant - half ar5ed, stroppy, coasting, not as good as rivals??). Mane, Tadic & Wanyama seem to have come back stronger. Even in these days of player power, RK seems to be in control (contrast that with other dressing rooms where the egos have landed).

A horrific read, but Conn has been on the money throughout this sorry tale. Remember speaking to him up at Crewe about 10 years ago and he was adamant the truth would eventually come out. Having stood in the corner section of the Leppings Lane end in a quarter final in 84 makes it so poignant.

You should go and see the absolute dinlos on the Ugly Inside. I'm torn between feel sad and bewildered!

...

The Scouse sojourn for Lovren and Lallana will be remembered for costly penalty mistakes. Potential for them to go down the pecking order next season as Klopp rebuilds without them??? Assuming some of his Nivea got in his eyes at the end as well. £a££ana, kiss the badge fella, kiss the badge.

probably a good shout re RK hoping Pelle might hold the ball up a bit better than Mane and that it might be harsh pulling RK up, when Pelle was the one trying to be a Fancy Dan at the wrong time!! (And let me be clear I have always supported Pelle and do rate him, but that doesn't mean I won't be pulling him up for his 3 or 4 flicks that gave away possession!!!).

I'm with you on the penalty, I thought it was clumsy, a bit ball to hand, but ultimately not a penalty. As you say I would have been a bit annoyed had VVD done something similar and been called up for it. And you're also spot on regarding the overruling of the Lino. As you say, can only assume he thought the Lino was flagging for a free kick to Chelsea, whereas their defender definitely kicked out and should have been hauled up for it. Can they not speak to each other on their mics??? (Wonder if anyone would review the kick out as could be deemed as violent conduct??). And as you say we were slack once play continued. I think it was Bertrand and Fonte who were too busy appealing for the ball going out of play and even FF's appealing seemed to put him off, as rather than setting himself for Fabregas' cross he was also appealing. Think a draw would have been a fair result, but always feared the worst once they equalised. We seemed a bit leggy and RK, who as brilliant as he is, probably made the wrong subs which was compounded by Pelle having a mare!!

Mane, Tadic and a couple of others do our theatrics for us (something that's never sat right with me), and you're right Long and Austin have an edge, but what Costa did chasing down that returned ball was something I would never want to see from anyone wearing a Saints shirt. It was a disgraceful act that shamed the game

Only a tad controversial!!!!!!, curtailed by the ref who blew for a foul that never was as he chased down the ball! Now I love the cut and thrust of football and I love the rough and tumble of the English game and Costa & others add to the spice of the game, but ffookkking hell has he no shame? What would have happened had he turned VVD and scored? Someone at Chelsea needs to have a word as even by his own in your face gameplan that was a foookoing out of order..

I dont think they are any worse than those when I first started watching in the 70s: Plus Side much fitter more aware of how the game is being played through re runs & number of matches they can watch/review The set up for match officials is much better held to account more so should up their gamr ptofessionalism should mean less distractions Down sides more pressure play acting & gamesmanship means it's more of a challenge refs hounded more by players, mgrs, fans, press every decision micro analysed replays and different camera angles expose errors for all to see an atmosphere where blame needs apportioned somewhere media looking for a story silly Fifa/UEFA/FA dictats over complication of rules/laws Refs have tried to up their game but most of the down sides are beyond their control and modern football problems