Patches O Houlihan

Yes he did. But Downes played his best game for a year - carrying the ball forward, playing forward passes. Jander nicked balls off the scousers for fun and is clearly a clever player. Their whole discussion was based around 'isn't it nice to be discussing a positive Saints performance' and 'what a challenge for Will Still' Do you play 4 or 5 at the back and there isn't an easy selection choice right now anywhere in the team perhaps with the exception of Manning at LB. Jelert played really well at RB but did lose Chielsa for their winner; but in fairness you could see why he wouldn't track a run like that when playing a back 5. I think there is something in the Downes & Charles are too similar and don't work well together theory. Classic Gerard & Lampard syndrome but of course at a lower level.

I watched the last 15 minutes of the game back specifically watching Downs. Everything he does is 30-70% energy max. Nothing he does is fully committed and aggressive. I did make one vaguely useful run into space but it required a worldy ball to him and you can completely see why his teammates wouldn't trust him. The incident with Still and Manning showing frustration immediately followed Downs being powder puff but was actually because the ref incorrectly gave a throw in for Liverpool in injury time (standard) But focusing on the intentions of our other players rather than watching the game everyone else was doing well in that last 15 minutes. We'll do alright this season if we can cut back on the crazy unforced errors.

So our most expensive signing of the window doesn't make the bench. "That's a bold move, Cotton. Let's see how it plays out"

Going Home with Adam & Jo Jo Tessem is suggesting that against Middlesborough we play: McCarthy Jelert Stephens Wood Manning Jander (if fit) Downes Fellows Azaz Fraser Archer with recognition that Scienza & Arma ought to feel aggrieved and should come off the bench fired up for Fraser & Fellows

Going Home with Adam & Jo Jo Tessem is suggesting that against Middlesborough we play: McCarthy Jelert Stephens Wood Manning Jander (if fit) Downes Fellows Azaz Fraser Archer with recognition that Scienza & Arma ought to feel aggrieved and should come off the bench fired up for Fraser & Fellows

You're a young manager from a foreign league - people have heard of you but don't really know what you are about. You are ambitious and very aware of what people are saying about you and your team because your missus is very well connected. You have virtually the strongest squad in the league but all the experienced players are downtrodden and have had Russball beaten into them. Your new players are exiting, but raw and don't yet have the familiarity required to get the team charging. Every single competitive game since you started has seen at least one, usually two or three absolute clangers dropped by the players which means that any good stuff they have done is forgotten. [and the Pompey game couldn't have come at a worse time] The owners of the club have a poor reputation with the fans, and the club has been through 97 managers in the last 4 years. Also the fans have put a poll up one the principal forum calling for your head already. You don't want your young career to be fucked by Saints before it's started. I think I'd be having some sleepless nights and feel under pressure in front of the cameras too.

That'll do pig, that'll do

It must suck being you

That's why their winner wasn't offside too. If you read the small print you have to be 15m offside if Liverpool aren't winning and you ar into the last 10 mins at Anfield

We'll take that

Downs with the trampoline first touch

Liverpool scorer - knobjockey!!

Quashie again. Solid

Yes is positioning is spot on - oh wait...

We haven't had the hot spell yet...

He's got a pineapple on his head! - Are you fucking kidding me?!! Leaves a through ball that was nailed on for him

Downs still looking like a competition winner

Quarshie! - Get him in the league side

We did - he's playing for Newcastle &nbsp😉

For that to happen we'd need Scienza and Armstrong to have their brave trousers on. Suspect they'll be inside forwards closer to the wing backs than usual playing against Liverpool

Plus when we get humped we can share the scar tissue around a bit 😉

yep

It actually was when you look a bit harder and see how many really quality players were sold out from beneath him - akin to Ralph maintaining our level in those early years despite having no budget.

Are you seriously complaining about the signing of Rambo?!! You seriously would have split up his purchase fee amongst "2 or 4 goalscorers" who would have made more of a difference - in a league where the average proper goalscorer now costs £25-40m. Really? You'd have played Baz or McCarthy and hoped your new £5-10m '2 or 4 goalscorers' would have pumped them in for fun. Or are you buying a £5m goalkeeper out of that "£27m" as well? See earlier comment about football fans in the modern era wanting the 'moon on a stick' and anything less shocks them to the core. Real life is hard. Professional competition is very hard: At the top level everyone is paying attention, and spending a fortune to leave no stone unturned.

I hear the club have a contact who can organise industrial size tubs of Nivea if that's any good to you?