trousers

I guess he might have been "close" previously then had a bit of a relapse? #benefitofthedoubt

Russell's actual words on Downes.... https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/martin-to-exercise-caution-with-downes Martin to exercise caution with Downes Southampton manager Russell Martin has issued a positive update on the fitness of Flynn Downes, but reiterated he will need time ahead of his return to the side. Downes has missed the last three games having been substituted on 33 minutes during the 5-3 win over Huddersfield at the start of February. This week saw a return to the grass for the midfielder, but the manager will refer to his medical staff before determining how ready his player is. "Flynn has trained for a couple of days, said Martin, "we just have to assess how he has reacted from today. We'll have a meeting with the medical staff, like we do every week. Then we’ll make a decision. "Whether he starts, whether he’s on the bench, whether we wait until Liverpool to give him more time. If he’s ready to start, brilliant, if he’s ready for the bench, brilliant, if he’s not we'll give him more time." Elsewhere with James Bree continuing his recovery with consistent training sessions the only long term absentees remain Juan Larios and Ross Stewart.

Russ didn't say he would definitely play versus Liverpool, just that that might be the first game that he *could* be avialble to play in if he's not 100% for tomorrow

Maybe I didn't word my paraphrasing very well.... Russ didn't say or imply that the Liverpool game was more important, I just think it happens to be the next game in line and if they don't think he's 100% ready for tomorrow then it'll naturally be the Liverpool game that he'll be ready for.

Yep... it doesn't surprise me how few people seem to know what 'opposition days' are all about in the HoC. As you say, it's simply an opportunity for opposition parties to cause as much mayhem and division as possible.... ergo the SNP mission was well and truly accomplished. The journo on 'Politics Live' came up with a good analogy as to how opposition days often play out.... The opposition proposes the motion that cats are wonderful creatures.... the government, as is tradition, votes against the motion.... the opposition then post on Twitter etc "the government hate cats".... the rest of social media piles onto the "cat haters"... Anyway, congratulations to the SNP for achieving what they set out to achieve. They played a blinder.

RM: "Flynn has trained for a couple of days now but we'll need to assess him to see if he's ready to be involved tomorrow or if we feel we need to keep him back until the Liverpool game" (paraphrased) Reading between the lines, bench at best for Downes I reckon

Just think yourself lucky that you don't have to work out who's using the Charlie Wayman login week in week out.... doesn't get much harder than that....

Been tied up with other stuff... Just seen the latest score and the starting line-up... WTF was he thinking starting with that, the midfield in particular?! Just as I was starting to fall in love with him, literally...

RM: "Adams is defintely back for this. Flynn might be ready for tomorrow but we won't take any risks. Bree is very close" (paraphrasing)

I've still got the words of my Everton supporting brother ringing in my ears when we signed him on loan: "He's a League One level player at best. Always got an unforced error in him. A liability"

I'm possibly entering pendantry territory here (for once...) but the latest official communication from the club (that I'm aware of) said that Stewart is "unlikely" to feature again this season (as per this article: https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/stewart-unlikely-to-feature-again-this-season.) Has the situation changed to "definitely" won't play (subtle difference) or is it more a case of assuming that'll be the case? (don't get me wrong, it's probably the correct assumption but I just don't recall reading anywhere that the club have categorically ruled it out)

yep, 1.30pm *press conference (FFS)

Calling @CB Fry to the main forum. @CB Fry to the main forum please...

Zero irony klaxon... 😂😂😂 Although, technically he's correct... it was the previous (now extinct) club, which used to play at Fratton Park, that diddled the tax payer, players and charities...

So you don't fancy being 2 points behind Leicester in a few weeks then...? (There, I've bitten... )

You dozy old twat (Sorry, couldn't resist 😂😉)

I'll go with whatever result doesn't attract sarcastic derision from @CB Fry

Assume he'll still be picked for England ahead of JWP (who has seemingly also gone off the boil to be fair)

Will Ferry scores for Cheltenham

As you say, it's as much to do with the other contenders slipping up as it is Portsmouth Community FC winning.

IMPOSSIBLE!

I wonder how much of that was "man management"...? i.e. he knows there's a chance he might have to drop them for the next game due to the wealth of options he's got, so praise them to the hilt beforehand so that they don't get too demoralised. Given how good Russell is at the man management side of things, it wouldn't surprise me if they don't make the starting 11 next week, despite how much praise he's given them.

He reminded me more of Romeu, in certain regards (as I think someone else mentioned in the match thread)

I'm inclined to agree with you, I was just echoing what Martin said himself, i.e. that he would be disappointed if Wilcox hadn't mentioned anything to him.