trousers

@pn_neil_allen: RT @real_wilky: #Pompey. Do we want to keep this very sick patient alive for a couple more months, so the greedy few drain more from its lifeless soul?

@pn_neil_allen: The emergency loan window is now open. Cue #Pompey fight to keep hold of best players all over again. Every reason to be worried.

Are they valid questions? Yes. At the end of the season (IMHO). All asking the "Is Adkins good enough?" question achieves with a third of the season to go is that it sets the questioner up for either (a) an "I told you so" moment at the end of the season or (b) an "I'm glad I was proved wrong" moment at the end of the season. Having a debate about whether the question is 'valid' isn't actually going to achieve anything. We are merely spectators. What does predicting the outcome of future games based on the results of previous games actually achieve? How many people were predicting a forthcoming slump when we were in top form in November? Not many I would venture. So, at least we can all agree that form can change at the drop of a hat, one way or the other. Let's wait and see how the rest of the season pans out before making prophetic judgements about it. There again, maybe not...

No. My daughter is aiming for A+ in all her forthcoming GCSEs. Her teachers are aiming for that for all their pupils too. If she ends up getting a lower mark in some subjects that will still be a great achievement. Always aim high in every walk of life.

I think that's a tad harsh to be fair. There aren't as many as a "bunch" of you. Just a phew. (that was a statement by the "See what I did there?" Party)

All some people are highlighting is the minor point that the season hasn't quite finished yet.... Yes, the "told you so" brigade may well get their moment of triumph at the end of the season but all I and the other optimists (aka happy clappers ... *chortle*) are saying is that it might be an idea to judge Adkins and Cortese at the end of the season rather than write-off their aspirations in early February. We're 2nd in the league with the most goals scored and joint highest goal difference. We're on a bad run of form which we will either (a) turn around and go on to attain promotion or (b) continue with and join the scramble for a play-off place. It could go either way. Me? Old fashioned? Guilty as charged m'lud. (That was a statement by the "It's only football let's put life into perspective" Party)

Adkins: "Reeves was a fresh of breath air"

@joshooiveld20: We take the positives out of it @Rchap04 back @stief87 on fire again and @adlallana1 scoring. #focusontheleagueonlyfromnow

I predict 17 bites on that one

@joshooiveld20: Before we all start spuwing our dissapointments (understandable of course) let's not forget all the noses have to face the same direction.

Cheers. So, pretty comparable with our couple of signings then. We didn't ship out as much as them though!

Interesting comparison with Wolves's promotion season (although the results you posted aren't displaying). Do you recall who they signed in the January window? i.e. did they splash out or simply regain form with the bulk of the same squad that suffered the slump?

I do apologise. I thought that "addressing the slump" was the chairman's and manager's job and that we were mere spectators venting our spleen on an interweb forum. I'll give Cortese a bell first thing in the morning to put him right. Thanks for the heads up.

Ah, I believe you refer to the "select a quote to support argument" mentality of your average negative SWF poster? (To be fair, your average positive poster probably does the same in reverse)

Perhaps we should wait and see whether he was wrong or not? Rather than guess how the whole season will turn out? Call me old fashioned

Constructively or destructively?

Football chairman and manager in optimistic beginning of season statement shocker

Being fickle and being a football fan are often mutually inclusive human traits

No. Next question.

Indeed....we've arguably got the best squad in the league.....on paper....

Quoting facts usually is.... ;-)

I've got 3 months of facepalm supplies left so should hopefully last me until the end of the season, but have started using them up at an alarming rate recently. #worried

With the size of our squad now he can afford to drop anyone not pulling their weight like a stone