trousers

From this afternoon's pre-match press conference... Puel: "I prefer for the moment for Jose to stay out of the team"

I assumed the yellow was for dissent?

3 weeks from when he picked up the injury (last week I assume?) or 3 weeks from yesterday? Sounds pedantic I know, but if the 3 weeks started counting from the day he was injured then there's an outside chance he could be available for the 2nd leg.

Forster Cedric Yoshida VvD Bertrand Romeu Hojbjerg JWP Sims Redmond Long Subs: Lewis, McQueen, Stephens, Davis, Clasie, Tadic, JRod 0 - 2 Saints (Long, JRod)

Just back from the game. Excellent performance from the whole team, maybe Tadic the only player below par. Difficult to pick a MotM, but I'll give my vote to Redmond. Yes, he missed a few chances but he ran himself into the ground for the team today and his chipped effort that hit the bar was sublime. Special mention for JRod who is starting to look like his pre-injury self and for Yoshida who filled Fonte's boots with aplomb. And a final mention for the ref who was absolutely dire. Can see us finishing the job at Anfield, especially if the players are as psyched up for it as they were tonight.

Oh, go on then.... for old time's sake...

Very astute. For a bear

With my psychobabble hat on, could it be argued that it would be better to go into the 2nd leg a goal down rather than a goal up? If we go into the 2nd leg a goal up, I assume Puel will be tempted to set up the team to protect the lead rather than extend it (and we all know how that will end up...), whereas, if we go into the game a goal down we'll have no choice but to set ourselves up to attack. Hmm, on reflection, I probably ought to be locked up for thinking out loud and spouting such nonsense...

This

Yeah, defo O'Connor. Cheers guys

Who's the chap on the ball in this shot from today's training video? Don't recognise him.

Boufal has had a minor operation on a knee injury ("inflamation") according to Puel during this afternoon's press conference. Should be back in a few weeks. "It's not a bad injury"

I think I'll stick with my banal immaturity in that case

Do I get to lose my sense of humour too if I "grow up"...?

Sam Matterface ‏@sammatterface it wasn't the noise and the passion and commitment that cost them (Pompey) it was idiot owners Yes, that's right. The fans were complaining from the rooftops when their "idiot owners" were overspending and buying short-term success. Not once did the fans endorse the over-spending of their "idiot owners". No-sir-ee...

Ok, fair point. So, if it means he's back later than he might have been had he played in the tournament and stayed fit, then it's bad news. If the opposite transpires (e.g. the 3 - 4 weeks turns out to be an over estimate) then it's good news.

Excellent news that he might be back for us sooner than otherwise might have been the case.

You've seen the script too then?

Excellent news

Anything less than top 8 will be a disappointment to me. Thankfully, were still very much in sight of that. That said, win the league cup and I'll be content with any 'mid table' finish.

Poster who has a pop at others for comparing this season with last season in comparing this season with last season shocker...