Whitey Grandad

Ok, I understand, I was somewhat economical. What I was trying to imply was that the reason they would improve the VIP lounges for Champions League won’t be for watching Saints take part so all that’s left is watching others. Not really worth the trouble, let’s forget it.

Well they won't be watching any Champions League out on the pitch, will they?

Big screens so they can that the pampered privileged can watch other teams?

See above.

We were talking about that at the game last night. You youngsters wouldn't believe the mudbaths that they used to play on back in 'the old days'. Loftus Road was only suitable for beach volleyball.

Yeah, sh!t defending. Just look at our shape in that photo. Anything dropping behind our RB and it's open season on goal hunting. Not surprising really considering the constant changes of personnel, enforced and otherwise.

Yeah, we can't really complain about this one. The real complaint is why weren't we rushing out to make sure they were clearly offside?

You can only call it stonewall if you're playing by some outdated rules. These referees have regular meetings to discuss the interpretation of these laws in an effort to get some sort of consistency and there are guidelines for what is considered handball these days. That doesn't fully explain Mike Dean's decision against Arsenal but in his defence from his viewpoint Chambers does appear to flick that ball away with his hands. In the end it's all a matter of opinion.

Yes, it looks different later on TV. Long might have got a touch on the ball but it certainly looked like a foul at the time and TV is not clear. Benteke looks ofside but there is a trailing defender's foot there and his heel might just be playing Benteke onside. Close enough to be not conclusive anyway. Gabbiadini? Sometimes these players have been grabbing at each other's shirts and it ends up being a 'let it go' decision. I wouldn't call any of these decisions 'woeful' myself.

Second goal, not a chance. I am a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned his failure to deal with the first goal. A header back across his box that drops 4 yards from goal just in front of him? If Forster had missed that he would be getting crucified on here.

Or maybe they play that way because that is the way that they have been coached. Yes, they did the same under Puel and they are doing the same under MP. Is any of this down to Eric Black? He's only been gone less than 2 weeks so it's too early to tell.

I was told lastnight by my Kingsland neighbour that we are 8th in the wages spending table. I respect his opinion.

I don't think it's the players that choose to play safe, I think they are under instructions from this play-safe manager.

We need to sort a manager out before we get players in.

Steady on, that’s going a bit too far and is not the British way. Lock him in a room with a loaded revolver.

Brilliant! I vote Derry for our new manager ?

...and got an assist for Long’s goal.

But that would only be a 21 point start if we had won all our first 7 games?

Those players tonight didn’t care about the board. The first half was competent and encouraging. They came out for the second and gave Palace the initiative.

I can’t believe we have zero funds after selling VVD.

I don’t know what he said to the players at half time but that must go down as one of the most demotivational speeches ever.

Hoed has possible concussion.

A job interview at another club?

As I remember it plastic coated balls were introduced in the mid sixties. We certainly used them at university in 1968. My dad played amateur football in the Athenian and Isthmian Leagues and he told me that if the ball was wet he refused to head it. He also advised me not to head the ball when I played. I ignored his advice but to be honest I probably missed more than I headed.