um pahars

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!

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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

I'd probably say there was a coming together as Fonte was coming the other way, in which case with the keeper in possession of the ball I can see why the ref blew up.

Just seen the very brief MOTD highlights and can see why both the incidents I asked about yesterday were a bit contentious. Think ref got them both right. Keeper did have the ball and then he effectively barged in to Fonte, but still think he was probably impeded. Put it this way, if the same thing happened with FF then I would have been screaming for a foul. When I saw the Yoshida tumble first time around have to say I thought it was a penalty. Certainly in real time from the halfway camera angle it looked clumsy and potentially a foul. It was only when they showed it from the view the ref had that you could see the Swansea player ran in to Yoshida and then bounced off him. Two fair decisions in my opinion.

Thanks for the replies, another weekend where I will be looking forward to watching sky plus of tonight's Match of the day tomorrow morning when little one wakes us up nice and early.

Can't bring myself to listen or watch games I don't go to (weird I know) do talk me through: a) Fonte's disallowed goal b) Yoshida penalty lunge Fantastic result and would have been happy with a point. So proud of this team at the moment.

Problem is that I think his head has not been in the right place all season. Could be a cracking player who destroys opponents attacking prowess, but he's been hot and cold all season, and seems distracted or somewhat piffed off. He needs someone with his real interests at heart to have a sit down and decent chat with him. Keep hearing that his current close confidants are perhaps not the most positive influence on him.

I think 8 or 9 would be a decent return, but given our recent form I could imagine us looking for more.

Throw in the games he missed because of his early season hissy fit and it's a huge chunk of the season he will my be unavailable for. He's probably a bit unlucky this time round as Clattenburg over reacted and allowed himself to be influenced by the reactions of their players, but his time with us is beginning to unravel. A stern talking to from RK, a new contract and a change in attitude required quickly or ship him out.

In memory of this little fella whose funeral was earlier in the day. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?55453-R-I-P-Mike-O-Callaghan#.VoDgdWbfX7o

Really rated him last season, but this season seems to have gone off the boil and looks a bit disinterested (in much the same way that Clyne's performances appeared to dip after his head was turned halfway through last season). Granted losing Morgan has probably exposed a few frailties, but just just can't help but think he would rather be elsewhere and is not giving 100%. (and of course my perspective is somewhat clouded by still thinking he was a prrikc for throwing a strop during that Euro run!!)

The OP has a point. When I was thinking of where we should strengthen/replace in the January transfer window, I immediately thought of a right back to either challenge Cedric or perhaps be an able replacement if he's injured. Can only think RK wants the more defensive minded Maya when we are up against it, but as others have said on here, he just really struggles at right back. Happy to have him as back up for the centre of defence, but not as full back.

I agree it was nice to see a balance in the mix, but I also think that had Lallana, Shaw, Clyne, Chambers not bailed and Forster & Rodrigues not been injured, then we would regularly be fielding 5/6 English players. Also, our stint in the lower leagues allowed a bit more flexibility in brining your youngsters through, whereas the Premiership does demand more "instant" success. Its a tough balance, but I do agree with your overal premise, even if I can see why we've moved (been forced) away.

I would say that Jones was fairly shyt and should have been sacked before he was holidayed

Sad to lose a well known face who you always saw no matter where Saints were playing. Sound lad who was passionate about his Club and City. First spoke to him at length when we got in to a scrape in the Main Stand at Maine Road. He had comps from Chris Nicholl and I had the same from Graham Baker. Needless to say that whilst I sat on my hands, Mike was a bit too passionate about Saints for some of the locals liking!!!! A late goal for City didn't help. Pretty sure many will have their own stories to tell about him. RIP fella.

Agree that he hasn't done much wrong, just my opinion/perception that we look more solid with FF in goal.

Really surprised at how opinions can be so different as I've been desperate to get Fraser back between the sticks, as whilst Stekelenberg has been ok, I consider not a patch on FF. That said I'd keep him as a number 2

I looked at Morgan, in much the same way I now look at Wanyama. Disappointed and annoyed at the squinnying & whining behind the scenes and I now begrudgingly acknowledge any contribution to the team whilst wearing the shirt. Morgan made some amends with a decent shift for another season, but still left under a cloud for me. Victor may have come out of with some PR guff saying he is now committed, but that means nothing unless he signs up and stays, or goes after giving his all and leaves in a more respectful manner. But bringing it back to Lallana, just because two other players acted like ar5eholes and showed little respect doesn't mean he should get a free pass. The guy (& others around him) acted like a tool and deserves nothing but contempt for his actions (and I hope over time people get to hear the full story of what went on).