VectisSaint

So why are you going on about it? I agree with you, but you seem to have a problem understanding that we could do this if we wanted to and it would be in the spirit of the competition which is to give development opportunities to young players, of which Hojbjerg is an example, and one of the younger ones (of those listed earlier) at that. Sheesh, some people.

The point of the competition being to provide young players with development opportunities. Given both are u21 why should they not be given those opportunities? I wasn't actually seriously suggesting it, but it is possible, even though neither Redmond or Hojbjerg are our Academy players. Think many people forget that Hojbjerg is younger than the perennial developing youngster JWP.

Apart from Hojbjerg (who shouldn't be on the list), pretty obvious really, European hangover, late return to training. Pelle is the same ;-) Forster probably no worse than before, he has always been poor at shot saving.

Graziano Pelle 6th highest paid footballer in the world. FFS.

Hojbjerg as well. But then wencould also play any 5 of the other first teamers as well.

****ing awful performance and result. Worst of the season (though Sunderland and Watford at home run it close). Lack of penetration up front again, we are really woeful in front of goal, a penalty and an OG for our last 2 goals. Keeper who hardly ever makes saves, but its not really about individuals.

https://southamptonfc.com/u23s/fixtures/2016-17 No ticket details though. On the other hand ticket details are on the Crawly site: http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/crawley-town-southampton-3383867.aspx, £5 on the night, £3 for concessions and £1 for kids, pay on the night. Crawley have already qualified for the next round but will probably want to win the group and keep their 100% record. If they do we will probably be out, assuming Charlton beat Colchester, even a draw may not be enough for us. Could be a tough game for our u21s, Crawley obviously better (and more interested) than either of the others we have played, and we probably won't use any "senior" players (though I suppose one or two who are not on international duty could benefit from a game). Like the optimism below that seems to think this gets us close to a Wembley appearance, if last 32 is near Wembley I suppose they're right and yet another game in our crazy fixture schedule in mid December.

So were they. Can't abide it when people think its OK for us to drop home points against crap teams because we were badly prepared. We are too soft at times, usually at the start of a season.

JWP had one of his best games, but he was not great. Needs to work on his rugby tackles though, his attempt to stop the Milan player break away near the end was frankly embarrassing.

Should be easy to spot, will be wearing a half and half scarf. More to the point, people bemoaning the lack of singing, we will not be able to sing Liebherr Wonderland any more. Perhaps "The Chinese Way" might catch on.

Couldbe,seemstoworkfineonFirefox,Edge,IEandevenonAndroidChrome.

No surprise at all. Guess that Ralph is on his way out, and there seems to have been a complete lack of any activity by Kat/Ralph recently. Other than the transfer business not much has been happening in terms of development of the Club recently. Not a fan of investors from the Far East, but if its gong to happen lets get it done sooner rather than later.

Havingsameproblem, only on here and only when I type (if I backspace and insert space it is fine).Are you using Chrome on PC?

Odd, most teams wait till after they lose to Saints before sacking their manager. Maybe we dodged a bullet after all, think we were pretty close to having him here before Puel was signed.

Surprising. Don't really understand why Taylor got that one and Lewis the EFL - they were both there in the warm-up. Lewis played tonight for the u23s.

Your stats are correct, but hides the fact that he has played the last 5 league and cup games. Took a while to break into the team but is now playing regularly. I said when he moved on loan that we wouldn't see him back. I stand by that notion. Why would we bring in McCarthy and have Lewis in the background if Gazza was expected back (let alone Taylor)?

Why is everyone surprised that it was quiet yesterday. Loads of day trippers, football tourists and Chelsea supporters, added to which the Chapel contains the Family Stand. There are so many "empty" parts of the stand due to exits and other things, unlike the Northam, it will never be loud unless it is redesigned and reconstructed. There is usually more noise there (I sit in the Itchen) than the Northamers give credit for, but agree yesterday was quiet. Whole ground was quiet yesterday (apart from the Chelsea supporters - the ones in the Northam), apart from one rendition of OWTS and a couple of usual crappy Pompey songs our Northam Kop really don't have much to crow about. Crowd react to the game, after Chelsea went ahead so early we never really looked like scoring and most of the crowd just sit on their hands waiting for the 80th minute before they can go home (and miss our best few minutes).

Sam won't be coming back this season. He is on a season long loan. Players can only transfer during the designated transfer windows nowadays, so unless he was recalled in January its not even technically possible. We can't just recall him when we feel like it.

Doubt it, he wasn't on the bench on Wednesday. Would imagine Lewis will be there again.

David, 8 of the Man City starters were aged 18 or under, none of their subs were more than 18. Even without Gardos, I suspect the average age of our team would have been higher than theirs. I don't think you can claim Man City's team was any more experienced than ours.

Reminiscent of Jack Sparrow's goal.

He comes from Paris France He'll lead a merry dance clap clap clap clap would be more geographically correct, though no mention of the Skates means this will never catch on (thankfully).

How would he have got those appearances? When would you have left out VvD and Fonte and/or Yoshida to give Stephens a run out, especially as he has been on loan for the majority of the last 2 seasons (where he gained over 60 first team outings at different levels of the FL). Reasonably confident that he will eventually be Fonte's replacement, then again I thought Turnbull was heading that way as well till he was sent to Coventry.

Agreed, does look like him. Even more puzzling, because he can hardly be match fit, can't recall (without going back through the reports) the last time he actually played a game.

Looks like Bertrand may be ready for the weekend though.