TheAlehouseBrawlers

Winnable game, for a change, with the reward of a cup QF but certainly hasn’t gripped the fans. Looking like well under 20k tonight and loads of empty seats in the Chapel alongside the away fans, thought all those missing the “bantz” may have taken advantage of that. Around 800 Stoke making the trip, so their chants will be echoing through the empty Kingsland for a bit of atmosphere.

"...oi Ras, what did we do with Nathan's number...?"

Taking up the full allocation - that’s 3,000 traumatised souls trudging back down the motorways then. I tip my hat to those ‘brave’ (and probably battered) troops.

What I’d prefer to hear him say is “those dirt bastards kicking our players, it’s a fucking (or Spanish equivalent) travesty that they walk out of here with a fucking point!!!” after they’ve laid siege to our penalty area for 99 minutes (actually only 2 mins added time but…you know) but we miraculously escape with a 0-0. Nah, we’re getting mullered ain’t we…

“The Premier League has previously said it has no plans to play games overseas“ …until Man City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea say otherwise…

The Ticket Exchange opens today, probably a few on there if you’re quick

Maybe you need to make a bit more noise down there then Bob and get a few others around you to pipe up too. No shit you hear the away fans more at that end...

There was a lot of dubious stuff going on yesterday with that ref, from his eagerness to get his book out early against us to little tug backs he pulled us up on but let it go the other way. And then that blatant pen on Onuacho. And I'm a bit mystified why MOTD showed the added time as 8 minutes, I could have sworn it was put up as 7 in the stadium. Everyone around us were moaning as that corner was awarded at nearly 8 minutes, did Lineker get MOTD to up it to avoid any more finger pointing? When they were putting up that 'Top Boy' flag near us it felt it may be our day, that went well.

It wasn't great but it wasn't that bad either. Still mostly singing different stuff on either side, so little different to the old Northam/Itchen North combo which has been crap for years anyway. The worse thing is how docile the rest of the stadium is, south of the halfway line is just a bunch of spectators sitting on their hands.

Yep, I’d go along with just about all of that When I step onto the terraces I’ll be right up for it, we need to be at it from the off to keep the fans on side. But can really only see a point each in this, another loss will likely change the atmosphere for the worse going onwards.

I'm assuming the club ain't making money selling away tickets for league games, so if they're taking full allocations they're probably just happy to get them sold however so not to be lumbered with unsold tickets and costing them a wedge. Can't really blame them but as suggested, members with most away credits should get second pick at each stage on tickets.

….and Aaron Ramsdale also feels he’s very lucky playing at this level with Saints.

I certainly don't want Jocks in the English Leagues, it's bad enough having the Taffs crossing the border to tell us how much they hate us. Both Rangers and Celtic are massive clubs held back by their league, I'd say they'd soon be right up top with a level playing field and in a weakened PL. Then likely fook off too to that new Global Mega League once the opportunity arrived. They've got massive global support/appeal so ideal for the TV markets.

I’m a bit surprised really how so many are taking this seriously - posted a few minutes before RM’s charity match as he was “on the way out” of the dressing room and onto the pitch. Surely the poster was on a wind-up or he was stitched up by his “source” 😁

Has Russel Martin's XI got the away dressing room?

I think most were kind of expecting a tough season likely ending in relegation, but after RM relaxed his 'possession-obsession' right at the end of the season (which paid off and was never gonna work in the PL at our level) many of us hoped this new approach would give us a chance. But if we are going down we want to do it with a bit of pride intact and relegation won't be so devastating for a lot of (probably older) fans as it will likely be more fun the following year (not guaranteed of course). The Championship is a good, competitive league but can quickly grim if down there too long, there were even naff days last season of course* * Off the top of my head: Sunderland away, Leicester at home, Swansea and Cardiff away second half displays, home to Hull and MIllwall, Blackburn away, Leicester away, Stoke at home, a few late goals against, dull draws and taking the foot of the gas for more pointless passing around in our own half after we’d got a lead and could easily have gone on and buried a few sides. (and ignoring Gillingham away in the LC)

I really could not believe he came out with that, thought I must have misheard him. Crazy.

….and no one could really argue with that

You lot are gonna hate Everton's new stadium. Numerous bars, restaurants and 'experiences' covering all tastes - the scousers have already sold them all out - no doubt boutique champagne suites in there! I'd imagine all these big new stadiums offer the same. Not for me, I won't use it but can't really knock the club for offering something in comparison (on a much smaller scale) to try and keep up. By the way, look at the rake on the new stands at Bramley Moor Dock (and the leg room!), that is fookin' steep... Gonna be a cracking stadium.

I'd expect him to fight his corner, he's being mocked and his (repetitively unsuccessful) tactics are ripped apart each week by all and sundry. But I think he's half expecting it from fans, what's probably really hurting is criticism from his peers. Pundit ex-players and coaches are questioning (some almost pointing and laughing) his continually ineffective game plan. Maybe he needs to wake up to the fact that all his clubs concede 60+ goals season after season..

"...keep playing the same way on Saturday please" is what he's trying to say... "three-points-goal-fest thank you very much"

I had a look on one of their forums and they're all, understandably, expecting a stroll. 5-0/6-0 appears the most popular scoreline predictions but one or two showing a bit more caution - someone flagged up this run of results on there from 2015-16 when we did them 4-0 at St Mary's. Shit November/December and we still finished 6th!

Hamlet

Well, they seem to like matching their womens' team's results, did Saturday and both are getting done 6-1 tonight. But maybe we shouldn't laugh too loud with Arsenal and Man City as our next two aways.

Decided to cheer myself up with memories of happier times - 4-0 Cuco-Martina-screamer, finished 8 points behind second-placed Arsenal that season.