VectisSaint

Then long may it continue. Adkins is a better keeper than Tommy Fourpast will ever be. Fact is that not having a keeper on the bench is worth the risk. What's the worst that can happen? Davis gets injured early in game and we lose the game. 3 points. Not the end of the world. Number of times keeper has come off the bench in last 4 or 5 years is certainly less than 5, probably twice? If it happens late in game and we are winning, chances are we will still win, a decent bit of defending from the front and kicking for touch should ensure that. I think its a risk worth taking, at least for a few games. And if we really do have someone in the squad who can stand between the sticks with some semblance of skill then whats the issue? Unless of course the back-up keeper gets injured or sent-off.

The defence I was watching at close quarters yesterday was very shaky for a few minutes early in the second half against a team with virtually no attacking menace (glad we did not sign J-Rod on that performance). Stood firm? Don't think so, forgot what they were doing for a while and looked panicky (sp?). But not trying to be too critical, just saying that for a while we were bringing trouble onto ourselves for no good reason.

Good point, I was remarking about this during the game but forgot in my post. We should always have an outlet, it is basic stuff, time and again yesterday 11 in or around the box, no-one to relieve pressure and to keep oppo defenders busy.

To be fair for the first 15 minutes or so of the 2nd half yesterday they had a right to be saying this. We were very guilty of fannying around at the back and letting Burnley come on to us, and our defenders were guilty of some awful passing. There are times when pssession is very important and its good to see us playing it short and looking for openings, and there are other times when a better tactic is to boot the ball as far away from our goal as you possibly can. We were under pressure at the bginning of the 2nd half when Burnley were giving it a go, and for a while our defence looked very suspect/shaky. First half I thought our performance was about as good as it gets, and we looked good again last 10 minutes or so. I expected Puncheon to replace Guly at half-time, Guly was the 11th best player in the 1st half (11th best of a top performance) and I thought JP would add something even more. Guly was however much better in the 2nd half, conversely when most others dropped their high level of performance and on balance I think Guly had a good game. Good to see Lallana back to his best, thought he was outstanding in the 1st half, and thats saying something wheneveryone was outstanding. I think the main difference yesterday compared to previous few home games, was that we came out and started at a high tempo again, much as we did at the start of the season. We never gave Burnley a chance to settle, and they did not get into our faces and stop our game. I also wonder whether we play better when kicking towards the Chapel, unsually we did this 1st half yesterday, whereas other games recently we have kicked towards the Chapel in the 2nd half after a poor performance in the 1st half. I would like to know whether we chose to change ends yesterday, or whether Burnley chose ends. All in all good result, great first half, my main criticism is that I wish we had gone for the jugular a bit more 2nd half, I think we could have scored 5 or 6 yesterday but it seemed like we weren't too bothered about getting some more goals to excite the crowd and warm us up on a bitterly cold day.

Lallana made his debut against Yeovil in the League Cup in 2006, we won 5-2. I remember it well, only competitive Saints game my missus has ever been to. The game above was 3 days later.

Really wonder about some people who post on here. Still half-term next week, hopefully your child-minder will ensure that you don't have any accidents...

I have no clue what this means.

One of many bad things about modern football. Before subs were allowed (or when only one was allowed) an outfield player would take over from an injured keeper, there were always players who were reasonably competent between the sticks and the chances were it happened in the last few minutes anyway. Still, it would have been a problem in the Cup Final in Cardiff when Niemi was injured. It means that 50% of professional keepers hardly play a competitive game all season, and some good keepers sit on their arses week after week. Makes more sense in many ways to just have a kid with a pair of gloves than a decent keeper. BUt given only 3 subs are allowed then really there is not much to be gained by having a keeper warming the bench, if you can't cover 3 players from 4 then there is something wrong.

Saints to sign European Player of the Year. Oh sorry that wasn't a rumour, it actually happened.

He's been the best player over the last 2 games (certainly best in 1st half of Cardiff game), but really that isn't saying very much because the whole team has been average in those games. He is clearly not match fit, hence his replacement in 2nd half of both matches, but he has showed that he can make things happen. Has not made a tangible difference to any results so far. Will be interesting to see his progress or otherwise in the next few games when there are other options available. Never liked him and didn't want him back but have to say his performances are clearly turning me into a Bible basher (if thats what accepting that a player might be better than I thought means).

Agreed, I had trouble seeing the ball as well, but the goal posts? They didn't move them as far as I know.

Mission accomplished. For once we have a decent, valid point to discuss and all we get is abusive behaviour. As I said even NA accepts that on Tuesday we were reluctant to take shots (in post match interview on Solent) and today it looked like they couldn't see where the goal was because of the white fluffy stuff. A goal from a GK fumble today was always going to be a possibility but not enough intelligence shown on the pitch to give it a try.

why don't you take your.own advice? Was there any point to your post at all? Don't know why we have to put up with mong posts like.yours. If you don't have the education to post something useful then don' t bother

Perfectly reasonable question, same as against Cardiff, not just tonight. The players seem scared to have a crack. Tonight it was crying out for it, hit a long shot, skid off the ground, keeper in trouble. Tuesday was just as bad. We are trying to walk it into the net. Nothing wrong with that most of the time, but mix it up, have a go, even Adkins said something similar after Tuesday. Perhaps Billy or Chung will be prepared to have a go.

Would have taken a point before hand, but we were so in control that we should have got 3. Why are our players so afraid to take a shot? Red card was very harsh, though the first yellow could have so easily been a red (although it would have been totally wrong). Shame some of our players disappeared, Lallana and Cork were completely invisible 2nd half, Punch was OK but clearly not fully match fit yet. Apart from Sharp not taking his chance not sure he touched the ball. Still, in the end the result was Weather 1 Football 0

You have to question why young players should repsect players at clubs like Chelsea, Lampard thinks experienced players should be respected. Respect should be earned, it is not a rigt. What respect would anyone have for people like Terry, Cole or even Lampard to a lesser extent. Do players like this actually clean their boots any more, or do they just throw them away and put on a new pair every game? But it is a fact that clubs like Chelsea have done nothing in terms of their own youth player development, despite all the youngsters they attract. Maybe Jack Cork is an exception, but ironically he has gone the other way and joined Saints as an experienced pro, rather than as an academy player.

There is a sharp in most songs, except for those in minor keys where there tend to be more flats. Could we not just recycle the old Rudy/Ruby song, Billy Billy Billy Billy Whoah - being a good Yorkshire man Sharp should appreciate that. Although come to think of it the Kaisers are from Leeds and he's from Sheffield so maybe not.

Hope they don't. I usually hate this but was well pleased with Chung's reaction, not quite sure why, just felt that Cardiff were getting a bit of a taste of their own medicine. I don't agree with the OPS's assertion that Lee looks lightweight, but although based on similar amount of playing time I did think Falque looked lightweight. Was pushed off the ball far too easily. But I guess he will adapt to the Championship.

The OP asked whether he was signed during the transfer window. The answer is quite straightforward, no he was signed on December 1st (or 3rd). I don't understand why some people try to make it complicated. If you read the question that was asked then the answer is simple. It has nothing to do with whether Jos would still have been here in Jnuary anyway, the facts are that he signed nearly a month before the transfer window opened.

I really don't see that there is any doubt that we are short at CB, and the Club clearly recognises this. But it looks like Jos is closer to being back than was originally thought. They are also clearly stepping up Jaidi's return, by giving him a long run out at Reading, so he could be used in an emergency. Seaborne won't play again this season, of that I am reasonably confident, due to the nature of his injury, and really it is questionable whether he will play again, unfortunately. Martin has been splendid in covering for the injured Fonte and Hooiveld and has really shown that he is up to the mark, but you can't get by with 3 CBs. I don't think Collins was the answer, he is not even played at CB at his present club, he was understudying Higgy who has now joined Forest (actually Higgy would have been a better bet). We are clearly looking for backup but are not going to be bullied/rushed into signing the wrong player, but expect someone in in a week or so. Personally I was a bit surprsied we let Harlee Dean stay at Brentford until end of season.

No way ws Jos signed in the transfer window. He was signed at the beginning of December (reported on 3rd). To quote the OS article: (The move was) "completed outside of the transfer window as he is (was) currently registered at the club, therefore eradicating any international clearance issues and giving the green light for the loan to be made permanent at this time". So he signed permanently nearly a month before the transfer window opened. Doesn't seem to be any dispute (not that it really matters).

Good Samaratin. My arse.

Good job too, one of those horrible little footballers who just enjoys getting up everyone's nose, making sure free kicks are delayed by standing on the ball and so on. Got what he deserved, nothing.

I look forward to the waving of the Yorkshire flag when Billy makes his debut. I suspect there will be no problems with the size of Yorkshire flags, as Yorkshiremen would only have very small flags to avoid wastage of material

Morgan and Hammond have 1 each this season, Deano is hardly prolific. Morgan is the future, I suspect Hammond may not be with us when we play in the PL.