SNSUN

I'd take anyone beating Liverpool, even Spurs, and it makes me sick to say that! A game between Liverpool and Portsmouth would be a tricky one though...

Good win. Maybe could've scored more but can't really complain today. Good performances from the whole team, MOTM between Romeu and Redmond today, though Tadic, Austin, McQueen and Clasie all have claims. Redmond shades it.

I said before the game to the missus that we need an early goal or Burnley will settle for the 0-0. I still think we have the quality to win this though. Targett started well but McQueen hasn't looked panicky since he's been on. Austin needs a goal soon or his confidence could take a knock. Redmond looks decent but a tad selfish if anything. Romeu class again.

Rose is quicker and gets forward more, Bertrand possibly better defensively, and more accurate at crossing. Rose probably gets the knod more because he plays with others in the England team. Lets be honest, if Luke could stay fit, I don't think either of them would get a look in that often.

Lovely thanks Toomer. I figure Sunday is a quiet day anyway.

May I pick your brains... I'm doing a stadium tour of St Mary's tomorrow that the wife got me for Christmas last year, and I wondered what the rules for parking at St Mary's are and how much it costs? Anyone know? Obviously in all my trips to St Mary's for games I park away from the stadium, but I'm assuming it won't be that busy tomorrow so I can park at the ground. I remember a conversation about pay machines a while back... Cheers all.

And the rest: [TABLE=align: center] [TR] [TD] Founder members of the Football League in 1888 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] Founder members of the FA Premier League in 1992 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to be presented with the League Championship trophy [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to present medals for winning the Championship [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to stage an FA Cup final 1894, Notts County v Bolton Wanderers [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club on Merseyside to win the FA Cup 1906 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to go on an overseas football tour [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to construct a purpose built football stadium [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have a four-sided stadium with two tier stands [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have a stadium with a three tier stand [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to issue a regular match programme for home fixtures [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have a player (William Ralph Dean) score 60 league goals [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to wear numbered shirts from 1-11 (1933 FA Cup final) [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have a church attached to its stadium [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to install dugouts [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to install undersoil heating [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to win a penalty shootout in the European Cup 1970 v Borussia Moenchengladbach [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to play 4000 top-flight games [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to amass 5000 League points [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to play 100 seasons in the top-flight [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to stage a World Cup semi-final in Britain [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have the youngest Premiership goalscorer in two consecutive seasons with two different players [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to break the £100,000 transfer threshold when Alan Ball moved from Blackpool for £110,000 in 1966. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to be featured in a TV game in August 1936 v Arsenal. Not live (pre-recorded). [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have scoreboard half time/full time facility [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have its own podcast [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to have its own online social networking site. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] First club to sell tickets via text message. . First club to have a stick surgically removed from it's arse. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Speaking of the youth, does anyone know how Hesketh got on last night? I'd hate for his confidence to be knocked after the Israel trip.

Strikers are judged on goals, and he has 1 so far. It's not his fault, but he's being played out of position and it will take him some time to adapt to it. Can he improve his strike rate? Hopefully, but for a player that had a 1 in 10 strike rate for Norwich, he needs to improve a lot. He's a winger, but clearly Puel sees something different in him. I like Redmond, he has a lot of pace, and links up play well, and he still has years ahead to improve. That said if Boufal hits the ground running, I'd rather see him and Tadic (2 proper creators) loading the ammunition for Austin. Still it's a squad game this season, and Redmond is a decent option to have, although I really hope we can go and sign another goalscorer in January. (I see Haller has already got 3 goals in 4 this season...)

We were the better team, we kept a clean sheet, against the defending champions away. With the top 6 all firing, this league is a fight for 7th. I'd say we have a better defence than the others, but not a better attack. Any news on Cedric?

JWP! That was the moment! We've been the better team, but respect the point.

Watched that first half on a poor stream. VVD should've scored, and that Clasie shot was a promising attack but a poor ending. We've been poor today but can take solace that we're still level, and that Sparta are beating Inter. Feel for Hesketh, big game too much for him. Keep him in the League Cup for now. We're losing in midfield and our passing is awful, need Hoj on before long I reckon. I've barely seen Redmond tonight, but that might be because the stream I'm watching is so out of focus. Hopefully we're better second half. Beer Sheva look organised but we can still beat them. Has Yoshida been our best player so far? Am I seeing that right?

I'll stick this out there but Redmond playing regularly and well (which I think he has been doing despite his lack of nous at finishing) can only be good for him when it comes to Allardyce's thinking. While England have decent attacking choices, his pace, work rate and experience with the U21s surely means someone is keeping an eye on him. (Sammy Lee was at the ground yesterday...) If he keeps playing, playing well, and even improves more by the end of the season, I think he'll be a surprise addition to the England squad next year. I'm with others in hoping Austin gets overlooked by England, purely for selfish reasons to keep him fit for us. In only 2 weeks we've seen how key he is to us, now we need to keep him fit and in amongst the goals. Saints have enough games without giving a player with questionable fitness another and no break. Kudos if he gets in though I can't see that being good news for Saints.

I'm re-watching the game on Sky+ as I was out for dinner, and just got to that bit. 55th minute and Tadic delayed playing a through ball to Redmond, who had to check his run because of the delay. Had Tadic played it through first time Redmond would have got it. Redmond exploded at Tadic. I'm sure it's all water under the bridge now though.

Their midfield is very strong but their full backs are weak and there are questions over Adrian at present. Also Zaza has had a slow start so far. (Touch wood) We can beat these but need to be at the top of our game. We need to be quick on the counter attack, and in Redmond we have that pace. Is trading the speed and work rate of Long for the goalscoring prowess of Austin a good move? We shall see, but I think it's wise to play the man in form. If this turns into a midfield battle, I think West Ham will win. I don't think a draw would be a bad result today, but it'd be nice to keep the wins coming.

Hesketh looks very good. Great through ball. Shame Long couldn't get more power on it.

Watching Sky Sports News for the highlights and goals as they go in, but the wife has an itchy trigger finger and wants to watch Bake Off. Bad times.

The children of Portsmouth? :-)

Not to mention Stephens has first team League experience with Swindon and Coventry. I would say at 22 that I wonder whether this is Stephen's make or break season, although Isgrove is still here and older...

I know he had a decent season last year but PSG signing him smacks of the big club in the league trying to make a smaller club weaker. Similar to what happens to any Premier League team (i.e. Us) by the big 6 when we threaten to infiltrate the European spots.

Strong team for Palace. I can't see us putting out a team anywhere near as strong. McCarthy Martina Fonte Yoshida Targett JWP Clasie Reed Isgrove Hesketh/JRod Austin I reckon, with youth on the bench. Though I'd be tempted to play Long to see if he can't regain some confidence.

Comparing player line ups and I'd say position for position it's 6-5 to Saints. At a push you could argue 7-4 to Saints. But Swansea are one of those teams we should be beating, but they have danger players. I still think we're better, have a stronger defence and more pace. Should win this. Need to win this. Then beat West Ham. Going for a 2-0 today to Saints. Long to find his scoring touch.

Shows his brain is still there even if his body isn't quite back the way it was. One thing I liked about JRod in his prime was the really crisp way he took a shot and the power he generated behind it. I can't see him being as quick as he was but many players adapt their game as they get older, maybe he can too due to his injury.

I guess they consider Clasie as more defensive than Hojbjerg, to nullify Arsenal's threat better. That's the only reason I can see for Hojbjerg on the bench. Unless they don't want him to burn out at his age, but we are only 3 games into the season. I'm rather lucky to be working today as I can immerse myself in that and not in the game. Especially as my Arsenal supporting mate is at the game and will no doubt be messaging me incessantly. I actually think it will be closer that people think, and there will be plusses throughout the game for Saints - I think Redmond will put in a good performance, and our back 5 is strong. However ultimately we'll probably lose. 2-1 to Arsenal is my predo.

Been having a think about our formation. I'm willing to give the diamond a good run out but if it's not working, Puel may need to change things. If we think about the squad, and what our best players are in each position, would something like the Christmas Tree of old (not the Bassett Christmas Pudding!) work for us? I'd assume our strongest team with that position would be: ---------------Forster----------------- Cedric--Fonte---Van Dijk---Bertrand Davis-------Romeu-----------Hojbjerg -------Boufal--------Tadic------------ -------------Long---------------------- Or is that too little goalscoring potential? I suppose it's pretty close to the diamond if you drop Romeu deeper, the difference being it substitutes a striker (Redmond in this case who is a great asset to have coming off the bench anyway) for a creator. Perhaps I just like the sound of Tadic and Boufal on the pitch together. :-)

My thoughts in red. Overall I'm fairly happy with the 'ins' but think they'll take time to bed, and the players will need time to get used to playing under the new manager. We won't have a season like we've had for the last few years but it won't be disastrous. Forster/McCarthy Cedric/Martina/Pied, Fonte/Yoshida, VVD/Gardos, Bertrand/Targett, Hojbjerg/JWP, Romeu/Clasie, Davis/Reed Redmond/JRod, Long/Austin, Boufal/Tadic and a splattering of youth is still decent. I'm open minded, so long as we start picking up a few more points in the league!