macca155

Good team and a much better structure. No Bragg which is annoying, he provides a option from the bench in my opinion. Selling or loaning Archer and Armstrong makes sense. They aren't clicking even at this level, and if the club is serious about promotion, then the rebuilding has to start now. No point scraping through the play offs, but go in to the Prem with a bunch of non starters. We've all got the T Shirt for that scenario. Jander, Leo, Fellows, and Bragg all have the potential to step up. That's the sort of players we need. Obviously need a replacement for Armstrong but they'll be some loans available. Quite a few are collecting splinters on the bench, so hopefully SR can do something. Currently listening to Robins speak to Sky, oh how I wish we had him.

Presume you mean Matsuki, he seems to have divided opinion. I certainly wouldn't rave about him but he wasn't terrible. My Pompey mates, who come out of the woodwork at times like this, certainly rated him.

I've seen every derby since the 60s. Unless one team is a division above it's always like this. Teams raise their game. Saints didn't lose, I'll take that. Positives, definitely Bree he had a good game. I thought Matsuki looked ok, certainly offers an alternative to Azaz. Wellington had a great game as well. Despite my fears Shea looked great.which is a real bonus. Still suspect to crosses though

Have the players got a live feed to TSW. Downes has exploded into the game

Good ref this one

Robinson and Stewart on, interesting

Saints web hook Azaz now Azaz hold my beer

Hook Azaz his head has gone

Madness, he isn't match fit and pulled out of every tackle on Wednesday. Downes just needs to step up.

Bree and Matsuki have done well. Obvious Pompey are keeping everything on that side, to keep the ball away from Leo. Downes and Azaz just not at the races, but we daren't risk Charles yet. He looked fragile on Wednesday. It's a pain Bragg is injured. I will be controversial but Leo looks like a rabbit in headlights, pulled out of a couple 50/50s. Stewart Fellows and Robinson on 2nd half. Pompey will have a tough time containing them. Devlin and Bowat are shit, need to attack them.

It isn't that bad, every derby game is like this. All nervy and frenetic. Players are human they know the stakes are high. It will calm down and the Pompey defence is definitely creaky .... as is ours

Ok we need to take their keeper out again, that was a good save

Bloody hell Arma, you won't get many chances like that

I think we all know that Stewart can't play two games in a week. Hopefully he'll come on later in the game. Fellows is a weird one, could be they were wary of him being targeted. Better choice would be Robinson on the right or maybe Armstrong, with Archer in the middle. Oh well guess we'll soon find out.

True but by then they have a lifestyle that requires that income. Is your bleeding as much as mine 😃

Can't believe those wages figures, if true he needs to look after himself and either get a new contract or push for a sale. I'm sure Roy Keane will be advising him. He is our best CB by a long long way and needs a decent salary. Football salaries are always a shock to us mere mortals, but these figures are over a very short period of time. By their mid 30s most footballers will have finished their contracts. A few get managerial or media jobs but only a few. What they earn during their playing days has io last a long time. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing figures and when someone like Aribo takes the piss it's really annoying, but they are the stars of the show, they bring in the punters, and generate shirt sales and income. Obviously for us at the moment we resent every penny but during more normal times its less of an issue.

Good win, don't care how the points come. Wins always boost confidence. Shea needs time, pulled out of several 50/50 tackles. Sunday isn't the game for him. Hopefully Bragg will be fit to provide an option. Jack led the team well and all the defenders put a shift in. Jander was MoTM for me, some superb interceptions. Sunday could be interesting. COYS

5 minutes to go and a very sparse crowd

Annoyed that Bragg is still out but at least it's a back 4. Agree with @Gloucester Saint Stephens will be needed on Sunday, he needs minutes. Just hope Stewart doesn't over do it.

This game is all about mental strength. Charles and Romeu should be nowhere near it. Shea needs to be protected and eased back in, and Romeu is finished. I'd leave Downes and Manning out, they will crumble. Same with Azaz. Stephens defo gives a shit so for all his faults, he needs to play. Bragg, Matsuki and Jander should be able to boss the midfield. I also think Archer has the needle at the moment, he's played enough big games not to be intimidated, and will relish the atmosphere. Home advantage is massive for them, as it should be. However they too are in trouble. Bishop has scored twice this season, no Murphy or Lang, and crucially no wingers to speak of. So the ace tactic of putting crosses in, won't be so easy for them. Fellows and Leo will give them the shits as will Robinson. A lot will depend on how robust the ref is. A defeat is on the cards obviously, but it certainly isn't a formality. Derby matches are always weird.

I've been scoffing and poo pooing any mention of relegation. My eyes were firmly on the play offs. Well no more scoffing from me. At 3.46pm on Saturday my poo pooing was firmly rammed down my throat. If you'll excuse the metaphor. I still think it can be avoided, but the club is certainly in mortal danger now. A defeat on Wednesday is pretty much a formality, I can't see a wily old fox like Wilder letting the opportunity pass. Sunday is harder to call. Home advantage and Saints on their knees, would suggest a devastating defeat. However derby games are weird, and they have their own demons. Nevertheless there's a scenario where they win and go above us ..... 😲 If SR don't realise they are in trouble now, just wait for that to happen. Hopefully Tonda's home truths (ha), will get a response, but we are in deep trouble.

I doubt it would take much to resign him. Make Orient an offer they can't refuse and Dom would be able to rejoin his home club. Doubt our board have that vision though

Well I'll be there, ever the optimist. Wilder will have his players kick our talent every which way to Wednesday. They'll press relentlessly, and look to expose the gaps at LB and RB. Play 4 3 3 to counter this and really get in their faces. Cards galore, don't let them settle. Purge the complacency and garbage football from the team, and get the crowd onside. Bree, THB, Wood and Wellington at the back. Bragg, Williams, and Jander in midfield. Up front whoever. They can all score if the ball gets to them. Anybody tippy tapping about gets hooked. Use the bench sensibly to maintain the intensity. Most importantly keep the initiative, boss the game. Won't happen as some wanker analysing the data will produce a power point advocating the opposite. You can hear it now, 'Stick to the vision be part of the project.'

I just remarked exactly this, to nobody in particular. Saints were garbage, Wolves look like a decent outfit. Just a bit unfortunate it would seem.

I don't like going after individual players, and I doubt Downes is a malign influence. He seems pretty quiet to me. Probably trying to maintain his fitness, which we know is an issue for him. Certainly doesn't seem to want to be here and probably looking for a move out asap. Jander and Bragg are way more visible and stronger in the tackle and would be my preferred partnership in midfield. However they need more support.