VectisSaint

Glad you think so. If only you would enlighten us with your pearls of wisdom on the matter. Thinking abut it you did, it was pure comedy gold.

Except that while he is away the club, the business continues, whereas coaches who work during the international break would have little to do at the clubs when all their players are away (I can only imagine you are thinking about the goalkeeping coach as I don't think any others are away during international breaks). If Ralph really does have a purpose (and I'm not saying one way or another) how can being away from that role for at least a month during the season have no impact?

Oxford's view: http://www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/oxford-united-southampton-development-2676772.aspx

Other than not doing what he normally does for the club during his time away. He did say during the summer that he was "renewing" for a further year, suspect in reality that he will be reducing down or even finishing his association with us next year.

Agreed, I would not be surprised to see Virgil on the bench for WBA, and I'm not even sure Wanyama will be on the bench. I would expect Ronald will like to keep faith in the team that performed so well against Norwich, and will want Virgil and Jose to train more together first before he is put in to the firing line. It would be very harsh on Yoshida to drop him as well.

Yep, appears that way (he often is, its the arrogant, very aggressive way that he puts his point that is the problem). Fair play. I agree completely that the two offences were both cautionable offences, but have never seen (and not sure that anyone else has) this outcome when two yellows are given for the same passage of play. This is why the Irish FA sought clarification from the IFAB who confirmed it was legitimate - note that in their response they did add the cautionary (no pun intended) about the dangers of playing advantage when a yellow card offence has taken place. As someone else said above, the same should have been applied for the multiple fouls on Mane, the precedent is clearly now there for referees to punish multiple offences with multiple yellows. I hope we see it more often in the future.

Didn't see the game, but an assist for Shaw. Is that a first? Probably not, but hens teeth are relatively common in comparison.

Surprised (pleasantly) that VvD was involved given that he was away on international duty.

Depends if Yoshida gets out of Afghanistan after their match today (currently winning 4-0) and Sadio is OK after playing in South Africa later on.

Strange you think that he deserved what he got but people who actually are in and know the game think it was unreasonable to do what the referee did and that there is no obvious precedent for booking a player twice in such circumstances. Still I guess you know better than all of the real experts. There is no doubt that the second offence warranted a yellow card. The issue is not that but whether it is actually legal to book a player twice in the manner that the referee did. My understanding is that N Ireland are considering appealing based on this being a very grey area of the rules. Still, you know best don't ya. By the way, why do you have to post in such an aggressive way? You really come across as a prat so often, but that doesn't seem to phase you.

Though to be fair I believe Davis' foul gave away the free kick that lead to the Hungarian goal. The red card for Baird was ridiculous, although when looking at both incidents they were deserving of yellows, just the way the ref dealt with it was not right. As the manager said he would not have committed the second one if he had known he was going to get a yellow for the first. The suspensions for 3 key players could well hurt in their next game against Greece. But good luck to them, they may not play the prettiest football but for commitment, endeavour, hard work and spirit they thoroughly deserve to get through. Actually maybe it wasn't Davis foul, can't find a replay but text commentary says it was Brunt.

Selling them Lovren helped turn them into rivals. All part of Uncle Les' cunning plan.

"mea culpa". A flippant apology. Apparently "originated" in USA street basketball in the 1980s (whatever that is). However the minor English literary figure W Shakespeare had previously used the phrase in Sonnet 112 (with apologies to David in Sweden).

Agree completely. Hence his failure to score in tournament finals for England, until his 3rd attempt at the WC last year.

Whoosh... I thought it was only Americans who didn't get irony. Twain never said what is often quoted, nor did he say what started this off in post #6. http://oupacademic.tumblr.com/post/48310773463/misquotation-reports-of-my-death-have-been

Its a misquoted Americanism, attributed incorrectly to a minor literary figure

Something fishy about this, though usually skates can't read or write.

2 against the mighty Malta and 1 against England in a friendly. Those of an unkind nature might suggest that record is akin to being a flat-track bully.

The dinlo that made the changes couldn't even get the right, said he died on the 5th when he/she posted it on the 4th. Maybe it was Mystic Meg. Really pathetic. Wiki have fixed it anyway.

Not us then. We are an absolute top club. :-)

It may have been invented in Southampton, but William Gordon was born and lived in Ratcliff in London.

Archie Thomas played for the u18s today (lost to Chelsea 3-1).

Just the same as Sky. Sky understands. Its just media waffle for a story they would like to be true but for whixh they have no basic facts with which to back it up. Did you learn nothing from the window?

LOL, as usual, obsessed with your personal hatred of Davis.

The Echo understands, sound familiar. Made up stuff.