Mr Brightside

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.

I sat down late last night to watch the highlights but couldn't face it. Not sure I ever will, like my tape of the Arsenal FA Cup Final that is gathering dust somewhere.

God. It feels worse this morning. Going to take some time to get over this.

I can vouch for that, had my navy one on today, I'm definitely not hard. In my defence though, I did take it off as soon as I got to my seat to reveal a 1987 "Danish" Hummel shirt, which I'm still not sure how I managed to squeeze into this morning. Not a good look all round.

Best team. Best fans. Horrible result. Very, very disappointed, but an occasion me and my boys will remember for a very long time. Proud of ALL the players today.

Don't hang about once you get on. Waited about 30 minutes then it kicked me out saying due to inactivity which is bull. Then had to wait another 45 mins. Went through it as quick as possible second time, and this time success. Can't wait to tell my boys...

You're probably right. But I was just using it as an example. In any game, if we're winning, missed opportunities are seen differently to when we're losing.

Just realised my username may indicate I'm on the rose-tinted, happy clapping side. I used to like the Killers.

A rare post from a board voyeur. Very happy with that. Played better as the game went on and confidence grew. This result doesn't make us brilliant any more than the previous few league games have meant we're sh*t, have just looked to me like a team rebuilding and needing some more of that confidence. So guess I'm neither a so called bed wetter or happy clapper but just an irrational football fan like everyone else. Thought a bit of play today summed up how irrational supporting a team is. And this is by no means a pop at Long who looked lively when he came on today, but when the ball came out of defence to him late on he tried a first time volleyed pass wide to Tadic, which had way too much on it and went out. We were winning 3-0, everyone applauded the idea, had we been losing he'd have got a mouthful obviously. I do get the passionate outpourings on here, either from the doom merchants or the more positive of you. It's obviously a good release and often quite amusing and I don't think anyone should take it too seriously. What does get my goat though is muppets booing a player when his name is called out. Don't know if this was limited to a few morons in the family enclosure today or anyone else heard it around the ground, but ffs he hasn't kicked a ball yet, but he's already got people on his back. Redmond of course. Thought he was ok today, some nice touches, would have liked to see him take on the full back a bit more, but solid. Hard to split Romeu, JWP and Yoshi for MOTM in my, rare, opinion.

Done. Good luck, showing my age here but I did my dissertation on the impact of the Taylor Report on the Dell. It was rubbish, no doubt you will do a lot better...

Hopefully this will have been put to bed by Saturday, but if the rumours are still going then maybe we can sing this, fits with his current 80s inspired song, so for those of you old enough to remember Yazoo: Jose Fonte, don't you know? We ain't ever gonna let you go Don't go! Do do do do do do do....

Was mates with his son at school and remember him giving advice from the sidelines - wasted on me I'm afraid! Very sad to hear and thoughts to his family.

A lovely man, a sad day.

Well for what it's worth, and it's probably not worth much, according to skybet we are still 5/6 faves with Spurs 7/4...though we are also still 5/6 to sign Banega...

So, so pleased for Rickie. Perfect role model for my two boys.

This.

D'oh, was going to to take my lad to his first game, and yes before anybody says anything this is 100% my fault for leaving it too late! Should anyone have two spare tickets, preferably in the Family Enclosure, but not really fussed, then please PM me.

I asked the girl at the ticket office today how many tickets were still available, she said she didn't know, but thought there were "quite a few" left, though these were mainly in the corners...