Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

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?

Wouldn't it be funny if he scored the winner against England before he'd even played for Saints, when we play Wales in our Euro qualifier? Actually, perhaps not.

If the rumours about Barnard are true, then I suggest we won't be resting Rickie any time soon! If anything, we might need cover for Barney...

Excellent result. Hopefully, the momentum is starting to build and NA is getting the players to gel, into the style into which he wants us to play. Good to see Chaplow back too. If there's one slight concern from today, it's that we still need someone to share the burden up front with Lambo and Barnard. Anyone got any rumours of possible new signings, which were going round the ground today?

Are we saying that is all that's been wrong with Pulis all this time? Confidence? I thought he was just toilet. Apologies Ant.

I see Chaplow has been handed the no. 30 shirt. Would've thought he'd have been given the no.8, if there was a real prospect of him staying beyond the initial month? Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it...!

Cortese signs Messi for Saints! Cortese sells Saints to Pompey for a pound, so they can be used as their feeder club! Carlsberg doesn't do Cortese threads...

Can't Chaplow also play wide right, if need be? Could be useful, if we want to go with a more combative midfield in some games, if so.

Wow! Thanks for listening to me, NA and NC.

I think we should sign Richard Chaplow on loan.