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I didn't say that. Merely that I don't believe Still will turn it around. It's another crap no-win situation. Ultimately I'd love some stability. Unfortunately we're burdened with owners that make about 1 good decision for every 4 poor ones.

Fair opinion. I still saw it in them, but let's chalk that up to individual perspectives. On about 75 minutes I did realise I'd rather we bloody went for it and lost than to bugger about and limp to the point. Something about that old adage that a win and a loss from 2 matches is better than 2 draws.

Yeah, I saw - but any attempts are nowhere near paying off yet. And as I say, I currently don't see him as the one capable of inspiring them out of their shells.

Sadly seeing almost nothing to suggest that Still is capable of sorting us out. For all his chat about setting teams up to win and not being wedded to specific tactics, we continue throwing cross after cross into the box with nobody there to benefit. Too many of the players look scared. Scared to surrender possession. Scared to make a mistake. The irony being that playing so passively only invites increased pressure. Are they being coached to do this? Or not being adequately emboldened to go out and murder the opposition? I keep waiting for it to click; I'm increasingly less certain it ever will.

Might be good if we stop selling out so easily. Our fanbase can't do nasty, so dwindling attendances are probably our best form of dissent. Mind you, with Sports Republic's track record they'd interpret half-empty stands as a sign to fast-track expanding the ground. 🙄

Does Minamino count as a 'defector' if only ever on loan here? Scored the first goal for Japan as they overturned being 2-0 down for their first ever win over Brazil.

Selfishly glad it's an early one. I'm on annual leave, so if we fuck it at least there's plenty of day left. The sad part is that through thick and thin it's rarely felt such a chore.

Even better - Selles has been freed from employment just in time to return as his assistant. Perhaps we can coax Rusk back to work in a supporting role? Or maybe it's time to tempt Eric Black out of retirement. Christ, Redknapp as director of football? Redemption arcs for all!

4 points off 2nd. Not claiming we're magically fixed, nor suddenly flying. We've still not identified our best XI, and there's a buttload of work to be done. But bearing in mind how we've faltered thus far, it gives some perspective on this ridiculous league.

Right, well if Stewart is hitting his stride THIS emphatically, you can disregard my previous comment. 😁

It's a sad state of affairs that I can barely muster a celebration when we score at present. Just feels inevitable that we'll still contrive to fuck it up one way or another. Usual caveats; hope I'm wrong; hope this is a new dawn. All tempered by not believing it until I see it.

Blasted it off target due to all the player unrest. 😉😭

Brooks is still cup-tied, so we're allowed one exception.

Exhausted with hearing how 'dedicated' the long-term inept are, such as Stephens. How much they care. How they'll (supposedly) put right past wrongs. I've sacrificed a lot following this club; I'll do so until my last breath. Where's my plum playing contract, and how do I get rewarded no matter how poorly I play?

Shall we go back for Elyounoussi while we're at it? Playing at a similar standard in the Danish Superliga, and been averaging 1 in 3 over the past two-and-a-bit seasons. 🙄

Wonder what division these clowns will take us down to before we start stringing a few wins together? Perhaps we'll get the sweet relief of going bust again. 🙄

But we were assured Rohl was the brains behind Ralph. How many layers deep does this go?! Is football being run by three kids in a trenchcoat? Because it would explain a LOT of the tactics.

Always at least one or two sterling examples. Far too under-represented a style - and my 'first love' in beer.

Off topic, but damn - did you visit? I don't own it, but run it. Treat it as my baby! Lemme know if you swing by again.

My frustration from today is (very gradually) subsiding, and with a less emotional hat on, I don't believe you can take a derby as wholly representative of the intended playing style. That said, he did have a solid couple of weeks to ruminate on today. If we're still wanting after the next 2 or 3, there'll be big questions about whether he can get us anywhere close to promotion. I wouldn't want to be the one making that call, but somebody will need the stones to.

Let them pull us down to their level in the first half, and never truly went for it when they bedded in and played for the draw. Saw a reasonable amount of quality on the pitch, but we kind of feel scared to truly utilise it. In a conservative 'don't lose' mode. If Still is to be a success - and we're to be genuine contenders - we'll need to shed that mindset pronto.

The only thing I can possibly imagine is that we're trying to make them do the legwork and profit later on. But that's an incredibly charitable assessment. Zero cohesion so far, and support dropped right off after 20 minutes. When will folks learn that being loud in Spoons and quiet in the ground does no good? We can only improve. One hopes.

Just walking past Riverside Park, about 5 minutes from Bitterne Park Triangle. I can already hear the ground.

A few of my lot have a superstition of only drinking imperial stouts before an important match. Doing my bit and cracking one shortly. 🫡

Weirdly have a good feeling about Jack with this one (and I'm no big fan of his). If he can keep a lid on it, he'll be an asset. He gets it.