Colinjb

I couldn't agree more! http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?115-No-Man-s-Land

Isn't there an issue with who exactly can sanction the qualifying places? The authority to this is given to the Premier League, a different organisation to the F.A. and I cannot see the P.L. letting one of these spaces go to a competition that works alongside them.

There would be less chance of this as the clubs who should be going for the cup (Us, Everton, Spurs, Newcastle etc) would give the cup greater priority and on qualifying would be better equipped for the competition then say their counterparts from the more obscure nations who qualify via the qualifying rounds thanks to playing in a more competitive league. While the cup is offering less incentive for winning then it's more likely that Wigan, The Skates, Stoke etc will be able to get through to the final as the bigger clubs will more likely be knocked out in the earlier rounds as they see no point in trying.

Still excited by it, I feel it's our only chance to make a name for ourselves this year so really hope the club take it seriously.

Being 3ft above sea level was always going to be a problem eventually!

That name seems a little familiar.

Taking off Davis and Cork was suicidal, played into Chelsea's hands. Gaston did ok, Jay looked a shadow of himself. I can cope with losing but to be so charitable is now becoming a horrible habit. Our central midfield is our biggest strength. Why does Poch seem so ready to give it away!?!

Crystal Palace a few years ago I believe.

Not this again....... Holt is a finisher, Lambert is a complete forward. Different types of player. Rickie is a one off.

Exactly. Even when removing sentiment a sale doesn't make sense.

Then why doesn't everyone just sign a lower league player who hasn't quite hit their potential? Rickie is a one off, we took the gamble, it's paid off and will continue to do so. Players of his ability are not ten a penny.

We couldn't get a replacement for 8m.

Well. It's a bleeding water fall by the Volvo garage!!

Sitting in Kings Worthy right now and it's utterly torrential. I remember conversations with the stewards before Birmingham home in the championship where a let off a few minutes before kick off allowed the game to occur.... This rain isn't going to stop. I'll be travelling in to the city as planned but a postponement wouldn't surprise me at all.

I respect them both immensely. As different types of player though (the creative tricky midfielder/attacker, the composed, assured goalscoring forward) they will get differing reactions. Frankly I see them both as essential parts of our recent rise and current ability. Some of the moments in Rickie Lambert's career will enable more immediate affection though, it's just the nature of things!

10/10 for consistency at least.

The highest rating out of every side in the league? No, that's nonsensical... even on relative terms. Currently, all things considered, Hull, Man City and Newcastle are making a better fist of things then us. Still delighted with our progress mind.

Never liked him as a driver but I damn well respected his talent and ability. He's a fighter, he will make it through this.

Just a reminder to me that he is young and still learning.

Ugh..... i'm beyond words.

That was a pity. Quite symptomatic of some of the issues we have. Losing at Goodison isn't a disgrace but a result was within our grasp, we played more then well enough for a point. Gaston's equaliser was one of the best we have scored in a very long time and there was a clear penalty not given at the end. We went gung-ho at the end but with no-one capable of genuinely out-muscling Everton in a crowded box. We couldn't make the best of our far better possession and build up play thanks to being too static and predictable in the final third, it's telling that we needed a bit of spark from Gaston to break the deadlock, we need to see more of him and Osvaldo, players capable of unlocking well organised teams. Yes they frustrate but can bring more to the party then a 6.5/10 man will. Frustrating, but well, onwards and upwards. We competed well at one of the more difficult places to visit.

Two hand ball appeals in quick succession turned down..... Oh the second one should have been a pen.

After seeing our build up play foiled time and again why not have a dig?

JWP off, Gallagher on. Kitchen sink time!

Showing signs of being the same man who showed up v Aston Villa last season, long may it continue!!