SNSUN

...or a fit Austin...

Pfft, Portsmouth's female fans would yank their penises for a season like ours. This season we've been too inconsistent. Good runs then bad runs then good runs. Plus we've never had a settled side, formation changes, and star players not performing all the time. Still 8th (if that's what we get, no guarantees yet) is pretty decent. Could be better perhaps.

So what is our worst case scenario next season? Building a defence around an ageing Fonte and Yoshida, a midfield of JWP and an ageing Davis, an attack of a crocked JRod and a crocked Austin? Or are things a bit rosier than that? I'm interested in what people think as in previous summers we can nail down the positions we needed to strengthen. Harder to do that this summer coming. As long as recruitment is decent I personally don't think we have much to worry about but I suppose it depends on how many outs we have.

...and Lloris. United were interested in him last summer when they thought they were losing De Gea. My guess is that Pochettino will realise he's on to a good thing at Spurs and stay put. He's been very lucky with their current crop of youth being as good as it is. Depends how ambitious Levy is in the transfer market this summer and indeed whether they have the power to keep the likes of Kane and co. That said they can't match United financially, but I still think United will plump for Mourinho.

I'm in Norwich with the wife and in-laws this weekend but we couldn't get tickets so we're resigned to watching it in a pub. Really want Norwich to win today, that could ultimately cement the bottom 3 as is.

Andros Townsend has an £8 million release clause if Newcastle go down. Long term admirers aren't we? For that money it'd be a sensible gamble IMO...

The wife has The Last Samurai to win and Aachen as her each way. I have Shutthefrontdoor to win and Balleycasey each way. Tempted to have some each way money on Gallant Oscar too.

I think it's great that Spurs are producing these wonder kids like Kane, Alli and Bale. Top club they are with their youth development. ;-) Some interesting results today. Pleased for Norwich as it keeps my wife happy, and Newcastle going down would be huge. Leicester will be dying for the win tomorrow. I bet they'd wish for easier opposition...

Of course not but beats a boring football-less day when the media have nothing better to talk about. Shane Long injured for Ireland apparently. :-(

Remi Garde leaves Villa. Perfect timing for the announcement when everyone is looking away!

Mentioned on previous sponsor threads but as I pass it each day on the way to work....

Rose has had a good season but still flirts with his team spot with Davies. Bertrand is our clear no.1 left back and has added versatility to his game by being comfortable in the LCB slot, and versatility in a tournament is a big thing. Fair play to England tonight, though p while they did look bright, the curse of our defence is there for all to see. It has been a weak spot for years. I think centre back is probably the weakest position now. Still our attacking options are now looking brilliant. Kane is class and created that goal on his own, Vardy's finish was excellent, and Dier scored a good goal and was solid in defensive midfield. I still refuse to get my hopes up though. This is England under Hodgson after all!

Gomez beats Forster. All the gushing over England being brilliant and they're 2-0 down.

Butland injured, Forster on. Hope he does well.

Getting a bit ahead of myself but I'm assuming having Oxo back on the books would give us another home grown player for European exploits? Either way, irrespective of cost, I don't like his injury record. Best steer clear, no matter how talented.

Cos he's still playing for Saints and not United! Seriously he's probably annoyed that it's taken him months to do what we all knew, including himself, that he was capable of. My best guess though would be he's annoyed at himself for not getting the hattrick. I wonder though, had that penalty been scored, whether we'd have gone on to win the game. Fate perhaps.

Hart injured - could be Forster getting a start for England.

If we could only keep one of Mané or Wanyama in the summer, it'd be Mané every time. Defensive midfielders are out there that can be bought. Mané has unique talents and will be tough to replace. He'll only get better too.

This is the epitome of why a 2-0 scoreline is dodgy. Fantastic win. I was at work for most of the game, and driving home at 1-2 when the last 2 goals went in. Nearly crashed the new car when Mané got his second. Great to see Pellé and Mané back in amongst the goals. Get Austin and JRod back and firing and we look seriously blessed up front again. Shame the season is not far off completion. Is Europe a step too far? I think the Leicester result will define that.

Following the 2 wins in a row yesterday and a second place with Kings Palace, I've had another good day today with winners in Unowwhatimeanarry and Ibis Du Rheu. (Also got money back as Djakadam came second in the Gold Cup.) Makes up for Saints losing me money by beating Stoke! (Worth it) First Cheltenham Festival I've come out with a decent profit!

Derby's new football advisor. Or Jordan's new manager, whichever triffic bloke loses their job first. Seriously I'd like Benitez if Newcastle go down. Still surprised he went there, he's better than that.

2 wins in 2 races, Vautour and Thistlecrack. It's a most unusual feeling for me!

Had one each way come in on Your Tent Or Mine but otherwise nothing. As per usual. I'm not as invested in it this year as I am past years, as money is tighter. I still hold ambitions to go some day though.

Shane Long is one of those players that we should be thankful we have on our team and don't have to face as an opposition player anymore, as he's both quick and hard working, giving defences little respite. I actually think, with the right ammunition in midfield next season, that Long and Austin could form a very decent partnership given time.

Cracking result, wasn't expecting that. I had a little worry that we might start slipping down the league as a tough looking run of fixtures comes along, and The Brittania is a tough place to go, but this was a welcome 3 points.