Arizona

Britain would have been occupied for maybe two years until the Red Army advance began to threaten the German homeland. Then they would have been forced to withdraw troops from the furthest reaches of their empire to defend Germany. Countries like Britain and Norway would probably have been first. If we were to assume Germany had also conquered Russia, I think Europe would have ended up much like the Soviet Union in many ways. After several decades of occupation, policitcal differences within the Nazi leaders in different European countries would have lead to revolution and independance, much like many of the former Soviet states. In the latter scenario, it would be interesting to see what impact a lack of Soviet interference would have had on countries like Vietnam, Korea and Afghanistan. Israel would certainly not have been created. This in turn would have meant relative stability in the Middle East and there probably wouldn't have been any hostilities between the USA and several arab states.

I'd be more concerned about the Alonso - Massa partnership ending in tears TBH.

And Simon Gillett has made an absolute mess of the British Grand Prix.

Nobody is saying that. I'm just saying for example, if it came to a scenario when we had to rest some of our key players because of fixture congestion, which matches would you rest them for. I would say the JPT matches take priority because we have a much greater chance of winning and promotion would take a small miracle.

Ah, Chris Evans, they ruined it.

I actually think tonight's episode is pretty good so far. Funny and the bits about the Lambo and Lancier's are quite interesting. I know I complain about the slapstick element, but the piano landing on the MM is still funny.

Reminds me of watching Juve against Milan in an airport hotel once. Star studded line-ups for both sides. Juve with Del Piero, Cannavaro, Buffon, Nedved, Thuram and Ibrahimovic. Milan with Kaka, Shevchenko, Crespo, Seedorf, Inzaghi, Gattusso, Nesta and Maldini. Ironically it finished 0-0. I was on my way to the Italian Alps at the time and a few days later I found myself on the table next to Crespo in a pizzeria.

I think some people are remembering the 'good old days' with rose tinted er... neurons.

George and Jamie? Do they play for Luton?

Derby/Torquay is a remarkably simple concept. At Derby we won the match but lost the tie. Against Torquay we drew the match and won the tie. Whether you want to call these wins, draws or losses is tedious and trivial.

That's not really the question I was posing. My point is that, whilst possible, promotion is a very long shot. We started the league 10 points away already. We're now 5 games away from the halfway point and 13 points away from 6th spot. We are going to have to overtake 15 teams just to make the playoffs. That involveds winning 5 games more than the top teams already contending for those spots. Realistically we have a much higher chance of winning the JPT than getting promoted.

The League, the FA Cup, The JPT? There are strong cases for and against both IMO. The League For - There is still a chance of promotion and we don't want to get stuck in a relegation battle. Against - Both promotion and relegation are highly unlikely. In all likely hood we wont have anything to play for come the end of the season. The FA Cup For - A big competition, big financial rewards in the latter rounds and the chance to play some of the big Prem sides. Against - We will inevitably come accross teams in higher leagues if we progress and we're unlikely to beat most of them. Winning it is also near impossible. JPT For - The chance of a day out or two at Wembley and some silverwear. Against - Not a very glamourous, exciting or important competition. I would probably say the JPT. It would be nice to win something.

Underwhelming.

Reactions on here please. Pompey are at home to Coventry for those who are interested.

We played carp and still won. That's the sign of a good team IMO. How many times have they said that about Man Utd and Chelsea over the last few seasons.

Dealt with everything pretty well. Only thing I could criticise him for would be coming for a corner and not getting it. Recovered quickly and managed to palm the ball away at the second attempt. Little he could do about either goal. The first was going well wide, then Hammond got something on if and it deflected in off the inside of the post.

In all honnesty, I think we will have very little to play for in the League this year.

I'm always astonished by people who want to get beaten at home to the Skates. It's like an anual tradition every time the 3rd round draw is made. Yes they are a crap Premier League outfit, but I'd still fancy them over most CCC and League 1 outfits. We're not even the best team in L1. I wouldn't mind a trip to the Emirates, even though that is a nailed on loss. Bristol City would be good for georaphical reasons. Lincoln would be another, just being my sort-of home town club. Failing that, any Prem outfit (except Pompey) at home, just to get a decent crowd, which may boost our league attendances if we get a decent game.

I enjoyed more the fact that they played the wrong music over the PA. Twice. Anyone else think the announcer sounded like a 60 year old Chris Moyles?

Really? He appeared to still be taking it every weekend I've seen him. :-k

I'd be surprised if PNE signed anyone TBH after making a loss of £9m last season.

Keep the badge, there's no real need to change it. With players, managers, boardrooms, kits and even stadiums and divisions coming and going, it's nice to have the odd bit of continuity. As for the kits... Can we just have a well made variation of red and white. One where the shoulders match the panels and it doesn't look like bits of two different kits sewn together. By well made I mean the logos and sponsors don't fall off or run in the wash. Oh and get rid of the ghastly flybe logo on the home kit. I don't mind the logo as such, but it's the fact that it's a big plastic sticker just slapped on the front.

Carp atmosphere in all honnesty. I don't know if it was the cold, the quality of the game, the lack of glamour in the opposition club, radon gas or prawn sandwiches, but nobody seemed to want to sing at all. TBF to Norfants, they did have about 20 fans in the Southern end of the west stand singing. Did we actually outnumber them? I couldn't tell if we had the whole of the East stand, but if we did I am sure there were actually more Saints fans there.

Sat in the car park (in a car) defrosting and reattaching my mammory glands. Not going anywhere in the traffic for 20 mins, so here goes. Wow, cruising at 3-0 up away in the FA Cup. We let in an injury time penalty and end up only just winning 3-2. In truth though, Northampton were complete garbage. Their goalie was voted MOTM, in protest more than anything else I think. Saints weren't all that TBH. Was sat almost in line with the goal line and I don't think Hammonds goal completely crossed the line. The players: Bart - 7 Made a couple of decent saves and only flapped at a cross once. Made a decent recovery. Nothing he could do about a fluke o.g. which surprised everyone. Murty - 7 Looked very reliable and assured. Definite improvement on James. Jaidi - 7 Monster in the air, looked pretty solid. Perry - 5 Too old IMO. Has the pace and agility of a tectonic plate and is as good in the air as the Krygistan Air Force. Harding - 7 Another reliable display. Waigo - 6 Looked our best player in a forgetable first half (up until 40 mins). Good commitment or his goal, took a fair whack. Annonymous after the break. Hammond - 6 Worked hard in the middle, unlucky with the o.g. lost concentration for the pen I think. Schneiderlin - 6 A few creative passes, but not many. Wotton - 7 Good at destroying things. Did his job. Lallana - 7 Goal was about all he did first half. Livelier second half. Lambert - 7 Worked well to bring the team into play, but had to do a lot of chasing up front alone, which limited his chances. Subs - Little time to judge either. A few Lols: Larde Akinfenwa - Made MLT look like Posh Spice. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig lad. Perry attempting to challenge afforementioned Zepperlin and bouncing straight off him. The half time dancers getting the wrong music. Twice. And the CD kept skipping. "You don't know what you're doing!" The three kids running onto the pitch at the end and none of the stewards bothering to stop them. Being probably the only fan to go to todays match via Poland. The fans - I am sure we outnumbered them. Our two stands appeared to have a lot more people in. Song of the day - "Send him back to KFC" when Akinfenwa was subbed off.

I think an easier song would just be Saganowski-style "Do do do do Bialkowski" Since we all sing Davis' song whenever he lines up infront of us at away matches, I think we should afford Bart the same courtesy.