Colinjb

That is just......... Oh brilliant!!!!

Excellent article. Sums up my feelings quite nicely. I do think Puel has earned another season.

This is the big fear for me. I would far rather have the pragmatic stability offered by Katharina then a riskier alternative.

If this is such a critical issue, then why has it been so difficult for us to make an impact in this competition until this season? Puel managed to achieve what Pochettino, Adkins and Koeman have all failed to do, not to mention the managers we had outside of the top flight for so many years. The league cup final appearance and our performance in the competition (the only team in it's history to reach the final without conceding I believe?) deserves credit.

Alternatively, for a comedy eleven. Manager: Poortvliet GK: Forecast DR: Otsemobor DL: O'Halloran DC: Jakobsson DC: Davenport MR: N'Guessan MC: Pulis MC: Quashie ML: McCann S: Pericard S: Robertson Sub: J. Wright Congratulations chap! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Personally I think Puel has earned a second season. Top half finish within reach, a cup final despite the Europa league campaign diverting focus. All this in the context of spending half the season without a striker and playing the run-in with a stand-in defence. However, if we need a replacement: Wagner

So, despite crowds vastly in excess of the most, if not the rest of League 1, you will need extra money coming in to be competitive? At what point will you be able to admit that you are run by out of their depth idiots? As a final aside, cute that you still behave as though it's a 'shareholding.'

Remember that day so well. Just incredible. My favourite goal back in the PL is Rodriguez v Fulham in the 0-3 away win in 2014. A great performance and his vision to score from the angle was just phenomenal. So many good things have happened in the last 5 years, looking forward to whatever the future journey may hold.

Expecting nothing from this game, they need a result desperately, we are playing for pride, although against Chelsea we looked ok. Will say a 1-1 draw.

Not Leicester. (Assuming they still walk out to that Fox hunting bugle stuff.) Birmingham City used to walk out to 'Feel It' by Tamperer ft. Maya. Worked well with the home crowd in unison chanting 'Blues-Blues-Blues' at the appropriate time. Not classic, but effective. Did like us emerging solely to 'The Saints are Coming.'

Stop being so grounded in reality. As the Skates have found, that gets you nowhere!! Clearly the blue few are about to rise to the top again!!

Interesting.

Adama Traoré and Maguire (Even if Hull don't go down.)

It's taken a while to come together, but when we really get into our flow it is a joy to behold. Puel has really done well.

As said above, think he only stayed due to Pied's injury. Would wish him well, he performed better then expected and we will always have that goal v Arsenal.

First time I've been present to see us win at the Hawthorns. Superb. The best thing was how we were not bullied, we controlled, played our own way and it was only later in the second half when they had nothing to lose that we looked stretched. But even then we held so firm. Relief to see that for the one good chance they had a the death they are just as profligate as we can be! Easy drive back too!

Nice that they have something to keep themselves warm whilst they are out in the cold, never to return. Poor lost souls. I will credit them something though. The very next season they managed to exit League 1 at their very first attempt. That is some going.

Damn it. Nice gesture from them, but shame this weekend isn't included.

As an aside, was astonished to see that Jeremy Pied was not a figment of my imagination last summer.

Cynical edit. If he gets to that level, he will have moved on I fear.

Seeing Luke Shaw's struggles and Mourinho's comments about 'doing his thinking for him,' I'm wondering about his time here after coming through from the academy. He was clearly a massive step up from Danny Fox, even at 17. As such a raw kid though he did make mistakes. Away at Wigan his poor positioning let them in for a very late equaliser. At Stoke in that insane 3-3 game, he was found wanting a few times in his decision making but his energy levels/fitness helped him recover. Physically he reminded me of a young Wayne Rooney. Stocky, strong and ahead of his years. His technical ability is superb and he looked to really be something exceptional in the environment here. An environment that moulded him from a young age, where he knew what he needed to do. Without wishing to be too condescending or judgemental. Could it be that he cannot flourish without the kind of constant guidance and nurture he previously had? An article on the BBC shows Gary Neville hinting as nerves being an issue... but could it be something more fundamental, maybe in Luke himself? If it isn't then it's a damning indictment of Manchester United's coaching structure and environment. Which, I am frankly more inclined to believe. So, to conclude why can one of the 'biggest clubs' in the world' not match our standards? Or is our Luke just a bit thick?

It is astonishing how they just ignored the basics during their golden patch. But nothing should surprise me with that club.

Actually, scratch my above response..... Good news. Although, a little odd that it's the 'Itchen Family Area' when you access it from the Chapel concourse. But hey, splitting hairs now.

Then you are in exactly my position. (Albeit roles reversed, I am the 'Child.')

My seat on the Itchen/Chapel corner is now a family area. Hope that doesn't mean Dad and I need to change. We were kicked out of the other family section a few years ago. Yes, after checking the FAQ's, we have to move. Not happy.