Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

Telling that my main Wotton memory was from the Burnley relegation game - fans streaming onto the pitch as he lay there covered in blood from a head injury with Mark Wotte shooing people away! Total commitment but no recollections of moments of footballing skill...

I figured it was to cover for Connolly's injury and any absence Barnard might have had following's his infamous night's work but, as it turned out, he didn't miss any games.

Agreed. Definitely need a different option to Barney & Lambo.

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2178493,00.html Just had a team news text (from Orange rather than the official text service), which says Bignall's loan has come to an end. On checking the original story on the OS (above), it says it was due to expire yesterday, so it seems as if it's probably true (although they've been known to be wrong before!). Shame, if it has come to an end, as he offered us a pacy option from the bench. Would've liked to have kept him and Chaplow really.

Great news. Hopefully, a regular run of games will allow Chappers to re-produce the form he's showed in previous seasons and we will sign him on permanently in January.

The final of the 'who can look more gormless' competition was declared a draw...

Indeed.

Any further news on whether Chappers is going to be staying? Nothing on OS but I guess they won't comment until the paperwork NA spoke of has been sorted.

Excellent news. Really hope it's an extended loan with a permanent deal in Jan (pretty much what Oxford have done taking Josh Payne from Doncaster). Reading Chapper's comments in the programme, last week, it's bloody obvious he wants to stay so hopefully the paperwork will be sorted quickly.

Interesting decisions for NA at County as there is competition all over the park now. 2 from Hammond, Chaplow or Morgan - no idea who he'll pick or even if he'll go for all 3, as we're away. If it is a 2 man central midfield, 2 from Guly, Lambo or Barney. Or maybe even Bignall's pace to hit them on the break. 1 goal from open play from Rickie must mean he's under threat especially as Barnard looks like he reads what Guly is going to do better. 2 from Puncheon, Lallana or Oxo. As I say, interesting times selection-wise.

Cortese fires only Red Indian at SMS? So he's a racist as well as everything else. Well I never...

Last game of Chaplow's loan on Saturday, according to the Echo. Interesting to see whether it will be extended now Wotton is fit again - would obviously prefer to keep Chaplow ahead of Wotton but I wonder whether the fact we (technically!) have 3 central midfielders of our own available again may mean we'll send him back?

Golac?

French?

Also quite nice to hear a player saying he's going to try to win the fans round with performances rather than throwing a strop.

I definitely think the lack of movement up front at times has an effect, as you're caught between a rock and a hard place. Do you give the ball to a static forward surrounded by defenders or hold on to it whilst waiting for movement and then lose it yourself. I think NA's pass and move football will definitely help because, to work well, players constantly need to be on the move.

More importantly, does he fancy the big wadge of cash more than the move to Brum?!

Start with Guly defo and then chuck Barnard on for the last 30 minutes, to replace whichever of Guly or Lambert looks more knackered (& depending on how the game's going!). I think if we intend to persist with runners from midfield joining the attack, then Guly's clever flicks and lay-offs could be key to opening up the Huddersfield defence.

His recent interview suggested as much. He was talking about extending to 3 months and then maybe permanently, if all parties were happy. The fact that all text on the OS regarding Chaplow's loan carries the word "initial" seems to back this up too.

If the 'victim' withdraws the complaint, there is no charge to pursue...

Given that Hammond has started to turn in a few captains performances, in the last few games, who partners him in midfield against Huddersfield on Saturday? Morgan clearly adds a bit of class to the midfield but Chaplow offers a bit more bite and is probably better at breaking forward (hence why some of Guly's flick ons were so successful against Tranmere). As we won and probably put in our best performance on Saturday, I'd probably go with the same starting eleven again but that would be harsh on Schneiderlin IMO, given the only reason he was missing was because of an international call up. A tough one and interesting to see what NA does...

Hey, let's improve another player for Reading and then watch as they won't let us sign him permanently, if he does well! Seriously though, welcome Nicholas. Let's hope you're the pacey, strong striker we need. Does this mean Barney will be out for a bit with his hand injury?

True; I believe that's where he played for Cesena. As long as he's not played as a central striker, it could be the answer. Still think we need another out and out striker with Connolly always picking up niggling injuries and Barnard potentially unavailable for a bit.

But what happens if Rickie gets a knock, early on? Threadbare ain't the word and Guly probably wouldn't be ideal as the main striker for the bulk of a game.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/8434361.Injuries_leave_Lambert_as_Saints__only_striker/ With Barnard looking like he's going to be unavailable for Saturday, I hope Adkins has his sights on a replacement, pronto! Not thrilled with having to 4-5-1 for a home match, even if we do have some talented attacking midfielders in Lallana, Guly, Puncheon, Oxo and Chaplow. Has that Vassell chap found a club yet? Maybe, even if he thinks League 1 is below him, he might do a stint to get some fitness before the January window opens?