VectisSaint

Turns out he is not even on the bench today. Don't know if that is related to his release by Millwall or just that he didn't get picked for the match-day squad.

He is. Was on the bench last week, play-off semi-final tomorrow.

Yes as I said it isn't just based on cards, far from it. Neither is it even just about play itself, it also takes into account supporters and respect of officials and opposition. But the cards might give a bit of an indication, and reds certainly won't help, either directly or in the assessments given to the FA. Fact is its likely to be between West Ham and Everton, rather than Burnley or us or anyone else.

More likely to be Everton than Burnley. Latest table does not include last weekend's fixtures, although not done just on yellow cards, 3 yellows for Wet Sham, 2 yellows and a red for Burnley, 1 yellow for Everton and 2 yellows anda red for Saints will probably put Everton in the driving seat with 3 games left. It would actually be even more ironic if Everton qualify this way, since they are the one "top team" that we have definitely pushed down the order this season, and it is largely thought their poor league performance is due to their Europa League exploits. Anyway, we really don't want toqualify for this by this route, we would be playing qually matches in July. Lets just get behind Arsenal and hope that Tim Skate Sherwood does not win the FA Cup.

Two words: Ryan Bertrand.

Excellent, any sign of Jos? Should be able to spot him in his old banger at the training ground. He should be a shoe-in for the Man City game at least.

Donatello, good research. But, going back to the other thread Windows claim was that of the Top 8 we had the least representation of academy players in the PL this season. Clearly he forgot man City, but your research in fact confirms his claim (except Man City). he never said anything about teenagers. Also for top 8 really Swansea should have been included. However, I'm not trying to get one over on you about this, far from it. What actually strikes me is that in the Top 8 we probably had the best overall representation in the PL this season of our academy players playing in the PL, if you take into account that many of them are playing for other top 8 clubs. If you factor in Lallana, Shaw, Chambers, Dyer, Walcott and Ox, added to Prowsey and the others noted, we probably had very high representation overall (although even amongst this group the representation would be even higher if so many had not suffered lengthy injuries this season). When you add Mr Bale at that other quite good team in Spain it is quite remarkable our success - but tinged with the regret that so many of them are now plying their trade elsewhere at Top teams.

Reed's suspension is over. It was served on Monday night (U21 v Man Utd). His suspension was on the FA site until Monday, it doesn't show now because it is done. You are also confusing 14th and 14 days. A suspension for an U21 match kicks in 14 calendar days after the incident, not on the 14th day of the month. Match was on 20th April, so suspension started on Star Wars days, May 4th.

I'm not sure, you could be right. Although I think the data has been updated because Prowsey's red is now showing up (was it when I was looking before, don't know). Home and away is definitely different. I don't know. Who cares. His rating is **** whatever way you look at it.

I see Duff has had his red card rescinded.

I'm sure Uncle Les will know all about him, as they "worked" together there.

As long as we don't expect the Northam to learn it, think it might be a bit hard to get going, and a bit long for them to memorise.

Based on the 2013-14 accounts. Who knows what he invested in the last season to actually get promoted. Still it will all be covered by the TV money next season.

It would also **** off the first team players who have striven to get to this level, if they were then not picked because we have decided to play the youngsters in these games. I really don't believe Les said this or at least meant it to be interpreted this way. First team players may be OK with the kids playing in Kurdistan or Lichtenstein, but can you seriously imagine what would happen if we left out first teamers against some of the more attractive sides who play in the Europa Noddy league?

You need to try clicking on a few more headings, the rating is not the same across all categories at all, and the data is sortable on every different stat, home and away and overall. For a start he is better away than home (a bit). Try looking at assists (we know he is 2nd there) and key passes, but overall. Anyway I am no fan of these stats, but if they are of any use they do indicate how ineffective the boy is (currently), ranking well below Steven Davis, for instance, who many like to criticise.

Actually offensively he ranks 16th. You need to click on the "rating" column on the right hand side to sort in rating order. Surprisingly he rates slightly higher defensively (but only a place, 15th).

Unless, as it has been suggested, Toby is playing MF because of his injury. Don't forget he still actually has a fractured shoulder. Playing DM as opposed to CB is probably considered to be less "stressful" fro the point of view of his damaging his shoulder. Whereas we have an adequate backup for him at CB, we do not currently have anyone better than him to play alongside Vic as DM. Must admit have not been impressed with Toby as DM thus far.

Just to add that the FA site is now updated to confirm it is a 1 match ban. Mike Williamson got a 2 match ban for his "deliberate" sending off http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/suspensions

Ha, never thought of checking there.

Anyone know what has happened to Cody Cropper. Is he injured or on loan somewhere? Seems to have disappeared in the last few weeks. I think he played for the US in the Olympics a couple of weeks ago.

Owen is a disgrace, knows nothing and has the personality of a stunned slug. Oh wait... I stand by what I said.

Really. I don't know why it is embarrassing, I wish a few more managers would treat some of the press with the contempt so many of them deserve with their inane questions. Press conferences are so boring due to the lack of intelligent questions from many of the press and the fear of many managers of saying something that will get them into trouble with their club or the FA. I wouldn't say Pearson's reaction is a breath of fresh air, but it is at least good to know that some managers are not just willing to spout bull**** as most do. Reminds me a great deal of WGS, not suffering fools gladly. Think that people who think it embarrassing have become somewhat immune to the blandness and bull**** of the regular press conference and how the press, TV and FA want us to thrive on mediocrity and blandness.

Away at Goodwood today I would imagine. Djuricic has been out injured for past 3 weeks, Koeman reported Tadic had a groan injury during press conference and it was posted on here.

Dr Strangely Strange.

I know, Ronald did say it again, but this time he corrected himself immediately afterwards.