Holmes_and_Watson

Immediate repair costs to add on as well. 🙂 Not expanding it, is going to seem short sighted once we are established in the WSL.

Excellent performance, taking apart their opponents. Loads of pace around Kane, with strength and support from central midfield, versatile fullbacks and technical as well as solid central defenders. Oh, and Shouty Pickford too. Lots to like in that performance. Spence did really well when coming on too I thought.

Better get my comment in, before AI bumps of DT for finding out it's shortcomings. 🙂 SR have had the time, knowing we were going straight down to put a plan in place for this season. There were even suggestions they were building a stronger base to make a better go of it this season. To their credit, we certainly have the resources to build one of the best squads in the division. So, we should be aiming for automatic promotion. I think we've a weaker side than last time, and short in some key roles. So, where RM got us 4th, I'd not be surprised to see us fighting for a playoff place. Automatic is the realistic SR aim for the season. Not getting promotion would be a failure.

From his comments in recent weeks, it looked to be a matter of just when.

Bishop

Strawperson. Stop being so sexist. 🙂

Paladin

Surgery

Uh oh. Now I'm worried there's a third thick group of those that can't work it out. 🙂 A simple maths problem will make me feel less thick... That's handy. 5*0 =...

A few days back, the Beeb were looking at South American football. Notable because the presenter shut up and let the guests have a good long discussion about various topics. Ecuador are doing well at the moment, and as they looked back at the country's football Agustin Delgado got a lot of praise. They suggested that, at the time he played for us, Ecuadorian football didn't have the infrastructure to develop and move players internationally, with deals falling through due to the large number of "representatives" appearing to claim part of deals. More recently this has become more established, resulting in better outcomes. Delgado was considered as a talented player before all that was in place, falling into some of the pitfalls of not having the best of guidance. He also got a lot of praise for his general appeal in his country and his political work. I'd discuss his effectiveness with us more, but I'm off to check the expiry on my yogurts.

This. He was considered a key part of Martin's Swansea side. Their inverted full back approached worked well with Manning moving across and forward to support. Even then, I recall him being considered better going forward than being a standard full back. At Saints we had KWP, who was given Manning's role and more, resulting in Manning having to adapt to being on the other side of Martin's system. Given decent defensive midfield support, we could see good things from him even in a 4. If Still wants a more solid back 4, he'd still be an important game changer from the bench.

In terms of atmosphere, a lot of the smaller grounds have been great. Simply down to the numbers and capacity, like everywhere else. There's been big WSL attendances, and those have excellent atmospheres too. In terms of facilities, ease of access and a top ground to build towards the WSL, then St Mary's would be first choice. I've not heard a player not wanting to play in the big stadiums, so I take it that would be their choice too.

Saving

If Cornet had replaced me in the Panini sticker album, I'd want to leave too. 🙂

It can take a good scrub to get a marker smudge out. Or a good scrub and £5million, if you work in the defence sector.

My dad was never going to go for a European tour watching Barcelona or Juventus, as my introduction to live football.

No. Not far short of 4000 in today.

Lots of new faces. Great to get a good start, and the tator said there's a few home games to hopefully give us a strong opening to the season. It got a lot quieter after the 4th. Ipswich were happy to leave their defence a bit light. Saints were happier to play from deep to, nullyfing the visitors and looking for breaks. Lots of late subs who didn't maybe get the chance to shine yet. The spine of Goddard, Bashford and Primus looked decent.

Robbery

A gray one. But this one and it's partner both sneak in, with different techniques before playing in the garden until they annoy the cat enough. Cute.

Sitting with a cup of tea watching a squirrel scoot in and out of the cat flap to collect peanuts (I'd left a bag out to fill the bird feeders).

13th. 5 points of 3rd and 1 above the bottom 3. It's not as though we're watching a team where you can see things clicking. Sure, a few look angry, frustrated and occasionally baffled at their team mates and the circumstances. But they, so far, deserve to be just where they are.

Club

VA got one back, with easily their best move, on around 84 mins. Our Rento had a nice bit of skill in their box, but with a tame shot in added time. Prior to that, SB cleared off their line on around 64 mins. 10 mins later there was a close range VA header straight at their keeper. That was followed a couple of minutes later by a looping header the SB keeper had to put over. A much better header than the poor cross that led to it. But don't think VA were all over SB. The home side had got their goals. VA huffed and puffed with few outcomes to get back into the game. Following their goal, I thought VA were going to spend the rest of the game trying to get away from taking throw ins on the far side. They just look far too slow. They look miles away from a higher level side with better intensity and desire than their opponents. It's not as if opponents are snatching points away. VA haven't done enough to earn them.

VA not doing much on a patchy pitch. Finally a ball that cuts through the home defence. Great for an early left foot strike. But a touch is taken and the 'keeper blocks it for a corner. A corner from which the home side get a break from, and get a second goal. Very nice shot, but so frustrating to concede from your own set piece. VA give another chance, but limp into half time 2 down. Not looking good.