OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

The edge may have gone, but you still know it's a derby. I overtook the Portsmouth coach on the M3 last year and outriders weren't allowing you in the middle lane. There were spotters/crime prevention officers on every bridge. At the top of the Avenue, there were half a dozen police transits and then the whole motorcade went down the Avenue with their lights on. The atmosphere at the match wasn't great, but we were being served a lot of drivel at the time...

That is correct. It's effectively a silent 'u'. Yosh was taking the piss when he introduced him. Right from his first touches when he came on as a sub early last year, he seldom missed pass and looked assured on the ball. The main criticism initially was that he was a bit lightweight and pushed off the ball easily, but that's not the case anymore. He's turning in to a really good player. As an aside, there's a Japanese youtuber called Oompa Loompa who basically mimics football coaches and players. He's been spotted at St Marys and he's a big fan of Matsuki and been giving him a lot of publicity which hasn't done any harm to Matsuki's cause.

"Man City CEO defiant over Premier League charges" reads the BBC website. You can see it now. The FA are going to completely bottle it. Chelsea put their hand up and said fair cop guv and got a slap on the wrists. Bad precedent. Man City are going to get a bigger slap (guessing add a nought to the fine of Chelsea's) but ultimately, based on the gravity of the charges, they should be made to start again in the National League North...and like us, given no right of appeal. What's irritating about this whole saga is how the media are giving so much publicity to Man City's side. Our legal department evidently told our management to keep shtum. But we were one kid with an iPhone whereas these charges are the systemic and constant fiddling of the books for a serious material advantage. The FA wants to honour the integrity of the sport - then show everyone they mean it.

How much did they spend in this summer's transfer window? £450m? Why would you spend a lot of money from some kid from Morocco? It almost smells of money laundering. Seems like Pep left just in time. Meanwhile, one kid with an iphone.......

Maybe, but Everton got done 10 points for just one charge. So City could have 115 x 10 = 1,150 point deduction 😀

So that's the decision on Tonda delayed for another four months Can't work out if it's good news for us or not. On the one hand, they can't be seen to be thumping the little guy when there's this bully to sort out. On the other, they could thump the little guy to show they still have some authority. Where's our legal team? They should be in the media all over the FA.

Exactly. Edozie has had many opportunities but inceasingly doesn't deliver. It is hard for Dobbin to fit in. He needs to come on when Larin's still there coz I can't see Mubama holding up the ball and laying if off to Dobbers.

Yes, I've noticed these two haven't been the quality they were last year. Bree seems more concerned with his hair style. With Peretz, are we missing a trick not giving Rambo a game?

It's also a bit concerning that Tonda has taken to going around the ground post match clapping the fans for the last couple of occasions. Don't recall him doing this before, so he could be expecting a decision imminently. I just hope that this time our legal experts are really on to this and Dragan is in the FA's ear threatening action if Tonda's 'sentence' is too harsh. Really disappointed how we rolled over and let the EFL kangaroo court and panel bulldoze us out of the way last time, but we have to have learned from that experience.

Different ways of looking at it. We've also only played one of the top seven and not yet come up against W.Ham, Boro or Wolves. Had a great night out earlier in the year at their place. Think it's not in their DNA to sit back and defend, so hoping for a similar scoreline this time. And if staying overnight, fully agree with those recommending the stay in Chester option.

When you look at the goal differences, maybe West Ham aren't the only stand out team in this league this year! Sort out our away form and we will be really motoring.

Yep. See the Bolton manager said you need a goalkeeper who can win you points and Baz did that today. Fair play to him. Now he's never going to wear a Saints shirt again, I wish him well.

Interesting comparisons. Peretz v Baz +1 goal. Larin/Scienza v Archer/Fraser +1 goal. The last home game was 2-2. So score should be 4-2. Entertainment guaranteed!

Yes, the key is to mix it up. At the beginning of last season, we were in a routine of goal kick to centre back, side pass to corner flag and we were hemming ourselves in. Usually the next 'pass' was a boot out to the midfield in the centre of the pitch which for pressing teams like Millwall was easy pickings. And starting this season, there were signs this was again being done too often. Now, Peretz is also playing the long ball. It would just be useful if he kept the ball on the pitch!

Yes. First sub after 76 minutes. Playing the game in front of him and as you say, learning from previous games. Excellent management Tonda.