The Kraken

I don’t want to quash your enthusiasm in the slightest so I’ll just say: have another drink.

It was noticeable today just how short of options we are at full back. KWP aside, we have Tino long term out, Perraud out until who knows when, Valery a liability at RB, and Small who while only young looks like he’s got some improving to do before being first team ready. I reckon Ralph might be going with 3/5 at the back to mitigate that, it gives him slightly more options at wing back. Problem is, I don’t think they’re particularly good options. If we’re starting the season with Djnepo in the first XI I’d be worried. Think we need to get in the market for a full back, especially if Perraud is out for a bit (and Ralph doesn’t seem to rate him that much anyway). Not sure if we will though, I’m guessing likely not.

First half yeah, though Djnepo got forward a bit more. First half was strange, no pace to the game, very much a kick about where both sides passed it about a lot and there was plenty of space. Second half was a bit livelier.

Well, one should never read too much into pre season games. But there wasn’t a huge amount to be optimistic about in those 105 minutes. Bazunu looks good, Lavia a prospect, not much to be really confident about outside of that. We look horrendously short of creativity up top, outside of the goal I don’t think we troubled their keeper.

Oops

Should’ve been 2-2. Poor ball from Smallbone, poor miss from Small

Can someone please explain the offside rule to Thierry Small.

McCarthy just does not make saves.

A Armstrong equalised with a nice header then we conceded a couple of minutes later.

Poor defending from Simeu.

Nice header. Romeu and Stuart Armstrong have brought a bit more control to things.

Utter bilge from McCarthy.

At half time….. Bazunu looks good. Made a good save and looks very composed with the ball at his feet. Ketchup looks like he’s learning to play in a 3, not much to do though had one poor underhit backpass. Bednarek caught napping after 1 minute and booked, otherwise ok. Salisu solid. kWP, you know what you’ll get. Djnepo, lots of space and sight of the ball but overall his standard self. Similar with Elmo. Lavia mostly tidy, seems to have a tendency to take risks with a flick or a bit of skill but I like the look of him. Not impressed with Joe Aribo yet, doesn’t look sharp and really didn’t get into the game. As for Tella, still really not sure what he is, but it’s not a striker.

I knew there was a reason I typically avoid pre season friendlies. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

That seemed odd to me, especially since they announced a few weeks ago that it was sold out. Not just empty seats but fairly large blocks of them scattered about.

I agree. It would be interesting to see why MLG doesn’t, so hopefully he doesn’t do his usual thing and run away.

But as a bone fide Tory voter, which one inspires you to vote for them again? Or doesn’t it matter? Tom the Tank is the only one who came out with any sort of credibility, but the nut jobs won’t vote for him. The other four are a complete shower of shit, so good luck with those 👍

Oh dear. Awful finish.

And, as a Tory voter, which one would you be throwing your weight behind?

Lovely touch and finish that.

Talk us through that one in more detail please, with examples to explain your working.

Just flicked on. One thing I’d say is I like the kit. An England kit shouldn’t really have blue in it. Quite enjoying the white-white-red here. Although all white with bits of red trim throughout would be my primary choice.

Around the time of Mr Scarf Arms Scribble Man, I recall the club’s strap line being ‘Saints is the South’. I always thought surely it should have been Saints are the south. Either way it was a terrible line.

😆 As soon as Midfield General said that I started singing the song in my head. Such a lah de dah nonsense of a song.

Hopefully Alex McCarthy being number 1 isn’t a sign of anything at all.