Saint Garrett

We played 424 yesterday.

Yeah fair enough, I didn't notice Lambert out there in real time! Should have just played it simple into Rickie

That flick through ball in the first half behind is other leg was immense from Osvaldo. Shame noone else read it.

I don't expect us to be top 6, but I'd expect us to not be involved in a relegation scrap this year. We shouldn't be really, we've spent near on £70m in 2 years! We sacrificed a decent young manager and brought in a promising foreign coach. Chelsea, City and Liverpool wins were absolutely brilliant, but there has also been some results which weren't great last season under MP, and we don't seem to be a much better side this year so far. Yes it's only a couple of games, but with the team we have I'd expect us to get more than 4 points out of WBA, Sunderland, Norwich and West Ham. Lose at Liverpool and suddenly the Palace is becoming a must win game.

Lambert is "capable" of playing there, but Gaston gives us that little bit of pace and drive at defenders, Rickie is never going to pick the ball out 40 yards out and run at the defence is he.

Also agree. I know WHU are a toss opposition and they wouldn't cause us much problems, but we still needed to drive the midfield today. Whatever happened to "playing in between the lines" and "playing from positions not in them". Far too static today and that's just the way that 442 is. It's a borefest which doesn't allow us to work our fluidity into the game, they just all went up front.

Agree.

2 up front does not work in this league. Can't give midfield away.

Osvaldo to start vs Liverpool for me. Would play 4321. Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Wanyama cork Morgan Lallana-------------JRod ----------Osvaldo-------

I didn't see Sunderland game, but was at both Norwich and WBA and then today too. We're not clicking at the money. Goals worry me, and before today chances were too, But we did have 15 attempts on goal today so hopefully it'll come. However you've got to question some of the sub decisions made by Pochettino. I think we are a good side under MP, but I'm not sure we've moved on as much as we should have under him. Big test next week, as it's against the first top side. Hopefully we see some higher tempo an lot more obvious pressing from us. His pressing tactic he's oh so renowned for seems to have gone missing this season.

West 'ammmmm weren't it you maaagggg

Is Steven Davis the missing link? Played a lot towards the end of last season, and is good link between midfield and wide man, keeps our play ticking over? Thought Ramirez should have come on with about half hour to go, but on came JWP. Almost feels that MP has been told that 4 academy players must play every game. (Lallana, JWP, Chambers, Shaw)

Yeah I was row Y, it was behind me, I didn know what happened though but there was 3 lads asking for the other guy to go outside. No idea what happened though.

Yeah, heard that one from the cockney clowns.

He looked frustrated, quite a few times he just stood there hands on hips. That ball through behind his other leg was class, shame noone read it !

One in the Kingsland North towards the end of the game, and looked like someone was chucked out for something or another in the Itchen North as well...whats going on?

You only learnt that today?! He is my most hated footballer in the prem.

Under Nigel, when we had the ball, there was always 3 or 4 players always showing for the ball. Today we were essentially playing 4 up front with 2 in the midfield. Those 4 players were all so static, and the lack of movement was staggering, also these players all seemed so far away from the ball. Just something I noticed today, that the man with the ball only seemed to have 1 option, if that. Attacking wise we were disappointing today I thought.

Think we'll start 442 Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw JRod Morgan Vic Lallana ----Osvaldo. Lambert

Altogether now..... And we've still got Guly on the bench....

That's why it's in the Luke Shaw rumour thread mate

Pretty sure JRod, Lallana Lambert and Osvaldo all starting.

Agreed, not sure why Reading have kept with him to be honest, maybe something to do with their Russian owner.

Yeah. That info came from a mate who is a west ham fan, but not sure how accurate it is. I'd be surprised if they don't bring 3200, they normally do. But sky 4pm puts a lot of people off!

Pog has just been sent off for Reading Vs Brighton for diving 2nd yellow. Crap dive, Nige didn't look impressed!