Mr Brightside

Just got back, great day. My non-match obversations (no point really as all been said and everyone’s seen the game): Driving through Berkshire this morning and tonight was definitely a bit hairy, saw lots of cars that had come a cropper so hope everyone got home safe. Atmosphere was great, to be fair the Wigan fans made more noise than I was expecting as the ground was pretty empty with only a few minutes till ko. Our end was top drawer though. Even with such an awful first half we kept on singing and getting behind the team (apart from the usual few numpties who have to shout ‘Tadic / Boufal / Cedric you’re sh1t’ whenever they went close to the ball, hey ho). Back to the Wigan fans, what possesed them to throw a flare at their own fans, hitting a girl who was clearly freaked (but ok I think) is beyond me. Pitch was poor, but not as bad as some have said in my opnion, think the wind was more of an issue. “Marky, Marky Hughes, Marky Marky Hughes, Gonna keep us up and win the FA Cup, Marky Marky Hughes” is an awesome song. Second away game for my boys (after West Brom in the last round), they loved it, stayed around to get the players autographs by the bus, every kids dream meeting some of their idols, great photos and signed shirts.

Ta.

Can anyone recommend somewhere to park?

Absolutely, was our best player. Mixed emotions today. Was actually quite optimistic when I got to the ground to see it was 4-2-3-1 (with an attacking player in for JWP) but the first half was woeful, more than anything the lack of desire shown and seemingly no realisation from the players this was a must win. But 2nd half was much better. The tempo increased when Tadic went off and I know it's not saying much but that's the best half I've seen from us in ages. I know we have underperforming players and a poor manager, but it does feel like you don't get the breaks when you're down the bottom. Going to be really hard to stay up now, but if Sims and Redmond keep playing like that then we have a chance. When is Austin due back?

Personally I expect to stand at away games. Took my boys to their first game last round and told them before I got the tickets there would be a chance that they may not be able to see too well. In the end it wasn’t too bad. They had a blast, loved being part of a big singing crowd. Wish every game had an away atmosphere, closest you can get to replicating the good old days of the terraces. Ho hum.

100% cup win.

I have nothing negative to say because: Took my boys to their first away game today and they LOVED it. They loved being in a new ground, singing their hearts out with our great away support (I’m betting they won’t want to go back the Family Enclosure next season!), celebrating our goals (yes, plural) and savouring an FA Cup win. For me, today, that’s all that matters. We march on.

Got mine, boys are very excited!

Thanks all. Wife has decided she wants to go so will have to wait until general sale on Friday, hopefully there will be some left...

Thanks!

Bump. Though not sure we'll get a ticket, anyone know how many we've sold?

Advice please. Thinking of taking my boys to this, their first away game. Not been away myself for a while, I assume it will be standing for most of the game? If so, will my boys be able to stand on their seats (they are 12 and 10) so they can see or will the stewards tell them to get down? Want to take them but want to make sure they can see something.

We'll I'm pleased, another ground to tick off.

Thanks, saved me a lot of typing. In no way ashamed to say I enjoyed the game today, we were the better team and should have won by a more convincing score line. It was clear in the 2nd half their tactics were to hit it long to their big guys so wasn't suprised Yoshi came on. Was a shame Boufal went off as he had a good game. I don't think 3 at the back was wrong, but in my opinion the full backs were too deep to start with. As time ticked by though they got further forward (Cedric could / should? have scored) and the shape was better. Thought the atmosphere was pretty good today too considering all the doom and gloom. Though that might be because I took the chance to move us out of the Family Enc into the Kingsland nearer the Northam.

Yep, great performance and you could see how much the goal meant to him by his reaction to the crowd. Was also really funny when he was winding Richarleson up. Happy Birthday!

Much better yesterday, even had a sing in the Family enclosure. Think partly fuelled by who we were playing, but mainly due to the players attitude and how up for it they were. Was nice to see so many stay behind at the end to applaud the team and even sing, long time since that happened.

This.

I'm broadly with the OP on this. I'm exiled in the Family Enclosure these days and remember thinking to myself after about 5 minutes, Christ, all I can hear is a background noise of chatter, it felt like a reserve game. Now you may say I'm hypocritical because apart from the very rare OWTS, I don't sing much anymore, but I do agree that the Northam needs to step up. That's where our "hardcore" noisy support is and they need to turn the volume up. I do remember when I was there seeing posts saying it wasn't that loud when we thought we were making a hell of a racket. It's definitely quieter now, but I think there is still the mentality that "we're really loud" when in reality we could barely hear a thing on Tuesday night. Yes there are problems with where the away fans are located, but we can't do anything about that. Yes, the football is sh*te at the moment, but I do think by starting each game as a blank slate, with hope, with a lot of noise it can only help lift the players, but the Northam has to be the heart of all this, then other parts of the ground will join in. The post above asks for some ideas, how about; 1) EVERY corner we have an ear splitting "Come On You Reds" 2) OWTS was too quick, now it's too slow, let's find the middle ground and keep it going 3) More variety, not just OWTS and that bl00dy Pompey song - e.g. "Marcus Liebherr's Red & White Army", songs for all players not just a couple of favourites, every time they do something good let's sing it. Why not surprise the hell out of Redmond and sing his name early in the game! 4) My eldest has a massive gob so will get him to start a few in the Family!

One of the better players last night (though not saying much). Although Palace weren't great, they have strong, mobile attackers who he dealt with well. He's a right back, Stephens isn't, not rocket science.

Went to Wembley last night so obviously watched Ryan closely. Thought he did well as a wing back in a 5. Ok, not on for long, but made an impact with some great runs and decent delivery. Got to be worth trying Hoedt, ****, Yoshi, Bertrand, Cedric with Lemina and Romeu holding, Boufal no. 10 and two up, Gabbi and Austin or Long. Though might be worth waiting until after dippers away.

Well done Steven.

Beating Inter and the highs and lows of that Cup Final will be lifetime family memories so cheers for that Claude and hope your next job works out better.

Not sure about those numbers. But very talented, young, pacey, under-rated, huge potential....very glad he's a Saint.

Has to stay. Unlike the rest of the miserable s0ds, took the time to have his picture taken with my two boys after the game today, so he is now their hero. He can't go. On the playing front, I too get frustrated when he throws his arms around blaming everyone else when it goes wrong. He's had a dip in form, but not alone there. Still think there is a quality player in there who can hopefully click with Gabbi next season.

Great result and brilliant reaction after Sunday. Cheered me up a bit, though still haven't been able to watch the highlights.