Matthew Le God

It remains a vast gap; the two clubs are light years apart in terms of infrastructure at academy level, training ground quality, stadium etc. The jump from League 2 to the top of League 1 is tiny compared to what Pompey would face on promotion to the Championship or further. If Pompey went up this season the fanbase will be in for a shock. They'd become a small fish in a Championship pond of teams with parachute payments, big stadiums/attendances than Pompey and big spending owners (not something Eisner has shown to be happening).

A team he helped get to the Champions League final a few months after he left?

And you still don't, as the football status situation is currently... Saints = 13th out of 92 clubs vs Pompey = 46th out of 92 clubs Saints above Pompey in the football pyramid like they have been for the vast majority of the last 60 years!

I thought it would be right up your alley.

It is easy to criticise people when you twist what they say to something they did not say. I guess it fits your narrative if you think I said those things, so you've convinced yourself I did. Plus, I have not been particularly critical of Yoshida in recent seasons, he has improved a lot since he first arrived.

Now there is a hyperbolic statement! (if not hyperbole, I'd question your ability to judge player quality )

Saying "Hoedt is nowhere near as bad as many on here make him out to be." Is NOT the same as saying "I rate Hoedt" or that "he is as good as van Dijk or Alderweireld etc". There is a significant difference! I do think if Saints are able to stamp out the mistakes and improve his decision making like they did with Yoshida, then Hoedt does have a lot going for him. However many Saints fans appear to overlook his qualities and write him off on the basis of a few **** ups.

Not really, a lot of Chambers gametime came when Clyne was injured/illness or only recently back from injury/illness.

Is it? Mark Hughes I would guess thinks it is a similar pecking order.

How can they be average compared to themselves? That is nonsensical! They need to be compared to something else for an average to work.

That still doesn't answer the question as I asked, "compared to what?" Plus if it is a mean average, being in the middle is not bad.

What exactly does that mean? Compared to what? "Average" is a term football fans often use but doesn't really make sense without explanation as it isn't being used in a mathematical sense. Of course not... BUT... isn't the point of football club fan internet forums to discuss things about a club?

Why does them not being good enough for a top 6 team mean it doesn't matter what order they should be in at Saints?

Vestergaard Hoedt Yoshida Stephens Bednarek Hoedt is nowhere near as bad as many on here make him out to be.

They were both on the pitch at the same time vs Burnley.

Why have you jumped to that conclusion? Just because a young player has been loaned out doesn't mean a manager doesn't think he'll be of use in the future.

No Mahrez or Vardy potentially makes it easier compared to last season.

Are these overly negative pre-match predictions done for superstitious purposes?

No, but as he didn't train as much as Ward-Prowse this week a professional team is likely to opt for those that haven't had a knock.

He had a very good game vs Burnley, deserves to remain in the team on the basis of that.

Because Armstrong went off injured in the game vs Burnley and isn't fully fit.

Which 20 team league in the world has better quality in the bottom 14 clubs?

Is there any credible evidence for that?