Sheaf Saint

The Mirror have given him MOTM... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-4-0-moldova-mirror-player-2256056

Watching his performance for England lastnight I have absolute confidence that he can play the deeper role with Osvaldo up top, and not only that, I reckon it will be very effective once they get on the same wavelength. Just look at the little combinations that Rickie and Wellbeck played with each other last night. And that's after just a handful of training sessions together. It was interesting to hear the 'taters drawing the comparison between SRL and Teddy Sheringham during the game. Both came into the England fold later in their careers than most, neither of them very fast or mobile but such intelligence in their play and their awareness of their team-mates' positions at all times. This is something I brought up with a mate of mine at the beginning of last season who was convinced that SRL wouldn't make the step up to playing in the PL.

Interesting that the comments for each player in those links are identical, yet the ratings are different. One has given Wellbeck 9 and Lambert 8, with the other one doing the opposite.

Oh, OK. Just I heard him on the radio once talking about his experience of going to the '76 cup final, and the way he spoke about it made it sound like he was a lifelong Saint.

John Inverdale from BBC sport is a Saints fan.

Interesting piece from Robert Fisk in today's Independent.... http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/iran-not-syria-is-the-wests-real-target-8789506.html

Sad. A great broadcaster. I went to his house once near Romsey when I was working for Southern Water (he was out though) and his hallway was covered in framed photos of him with world leaders and other hugely famous and influential people he had interviewed (like Mother Teresa etc...). RIP Sir David.

Yeah I agree with this. even if the player doesn't deliberately block the ball with hands, it is still denying the opposition a potential goal. Most fouls are not deliberate, but the free kick will be awarded anyway if the defending team gain an advantage from it. Same should go for handball.

Clyne played the full 90 minutes at Barnsley in midweek and looked sharp. Perhaps MP just didn't want to rush him back with two games in a week. But if both he and Shaw were fit enough for the bench, it does make you wonder why MP decided to go with far, far weaker options in an away game against tricky opposition.

What the fook was that from Wanyama? Time and space and played it straight to a Norwich player under no pressure.

How is that offside when Lambert ran back onside and left it for the player who was onside?

Good spell of pressure there. Better than we managed in the whole of the first half. Another decent effort from Osvaldo but never going to trouble Ruddy.

Good effort from Osvaldo!

Wanyama not at the races today which is frustrating because there is a lot of space in midfield due to their high-pressing game, and simply having Fox on the pitch is inviting a lot of pressure down our left. We need to change things at half time to get a foothold in this game.

Norwich pressing high up the pitch and we can't seem to exploit the space in behind the pressing players in midfield.

Off the post from Lallana!

FK in a dangerous position. JWP standing over it.

Wanyama dispossessed far too easily there.

http://www.stadium-live.com/Channel9.html

Seems like we are settling into the formation a little better now. Slowly building up more pressure on them.

Nice little move there to put Osvaldo in but marginally offside.

Definitely should have been a penalty. Webb was looking straight at it from a few yards away as well. Shocking.

Norwich are pressing high up the pitch and preventing us from passing the ball out of our half. Shout for a handball there?

Finally a decent spell of possession results in a half-chance for us.

Oh FFS Fox. Another pathetic attempt at a tackle puts us in trouble again. Surely a half-fit Shaw would still be a better option.