derry

Nick, you are entitled to your opinion and like you I won't be changing mine. It has nothing to do with winning or losing, it is all about performance and he isn't going to take us to the Premier.

It did, because of the narrowness there was no room, as the opposition also compacted, this cut down the passing options which led to the long ball. The narrowness made it easy to double bank and close us down. Because of the time to get wide, the opposition were able to get across goal side in numbers, at the same time our other side was in the centre of the field so we couldn't switch play. The lack of movement was purely a factor of the narrowness and the players being so close to each other.

Yet again last night it was the tactics. The narrow four man midfield stifled the movement. The central midfielders and defenders had no wide outlets so resorted to lumping the ball forward. Whenever we play with a bit of width we do well, as soon as we go narrow we are back to hoofball. I personally have come to some conclusions regarding the team. Pardew is essentially negative and sets up the team that way. It is absolutely stupid to have arguably the best squad in the league and hogtie them with this narrow formation. Lallana isn't a wide midfielder, especially as he can't go outside, invariably comes inside or turns back and I can't think of anywhere else he could be played. I think the team would be better without him. Davis gives nothing to the football side of the game belting the ball long virtually 100% of the time. He doesn't take crosses, dominate the box or catch the ball, usually batting it out. He is a super shotstopper but that isn't enough. The goalkeeper has to pass to his team, giving away possession regularly doesn't help.

There is a time to fight, and a time to settle the best possible terms and walk away until the time is right and then get stuck in. Aviation is cyclic, losses now can be made up and then some, by picking the ground for a fight. Willie Walsh was a pilot union leader and led a pilots strike at Aer Lingus so he knows how it works. He has been brought in for this so why make it easy for him. Let the recession grind him down then get stuck in when he is in trouble. Yes, I was in BALPA.

I was a long haul airline pilot and spent many trips in Puerto Plata, and Santa Domingo admittedly staying at good hotels. Never had any problems with the food at decent restaurants, golf club, hotels, drink bottled water. Take the same sort of care you would take in Southampton and check where you are going and use bona fide taxi companies. If you want a nightmare try Lagos, now that is scary.

I really don't get this emphasis on the FA Cup result. So we lost a football match where we couldn't play our best team. Since Christmas we have had four sell outs. We have the best team in years. Are probably going to clear out a lot of dead wood in the summer and top up with some more quality signings. Are debt free. Are owned by a multi billionaire. Have a nearly new stadium and are looking at enlargement. Are building a state of the art training ground ready in July. Own 41 acres at Hedge End. A nice day out at Wembley with no pressure. 44,000 tickets sold. The prospect of a win in every match we play. I watch matches at a really nice stadium. What's not to like? Why would we look in envy at the debacle in Pompey, a team that even without administration would be odds on for relegation needing to make up 9 points in 10 matches. Next season will be another nightmare, players that can't be sold or afforded, paid to leave/loaned. Close season dealing with an intransigent FL. Probable multi point penalties without any possible skeletons falling out of the cupboard. No thanks. Not for all the tea in China or an FA Cup.

They don't do debt.

They only let the first team play on the pitch. I think he doesn't like the traffic situation because of the crowds at SMS, so unless the access is improved it might be better to move rather than enlarge. I had heard he might buy Pompey so that there is only one club.

We were the better team, had the real chances, Davis didn't have a save to make. The back four were very solid. The team worked hard for this win. The referee was poor, when Barnard was tripped by the last defender, clear on goal he didn't give anything, when it was really a sending off. I was just worried that the muppet would give a penalty towards the end for something soft.

An interesting thought for the Pompey contributors on here regarding who is the biggest club. Nicola Cortese on tv has said that it is possible that Southampton will move from SMS to a bigger stadium.

Get the ball out wide and attack from the flanks instead of everyone in the middle of the pitch. Don't keep 11 players in the penalty area for set pieces it just means nobody marks properly because of the clutter.

Thre is no big secret how Man Utd have managed this, not only do they have talented players that put the miles in, they have a simple plan, don't give the ball away, get the ball out wide, break quickly and get runners into the box. At our level we have talented players but we have no simple plan.

Sadly Clifford I think you are spot on. Pardew seems to have a pretty negative outlook, sets the team up that way and is reactive rather than proactive.

IMO the expats are some of the best, balanced and interesting posters on here. If anything it is the juvenile, sarcastic and rude element that wouldn't be missed.

I think the point he is making and I know him well is regarding your apparent reversion to a bit of sarcasm and one liners. There really isn't any point in getting personal. Far better to move on to something else than give somebody a bite.

This guy you are arguing with played in the same Saints team with Mick Channon. I bet you have never played at that level.

It is pretty much what has happened throughout the history of football except for the odd coach that is revered abroad.

Pretty much where I am. The last paragraph is a realistic conclusion and I would like to see us sign another Puncheon type wide player for the other side in the summer.

Well we knew that already but it doesn't make him indispensable and he'll find that out in due course sitting on somebody's bench wondering why.

All this has come about because I said I would like to see how we performed without Lallana and with a more orthodox player at wide midfield, either Waigo or Connolly if he was of a mind to play there.

At one point we had only won one against the top half and those four bottom teams were away on poor pitches. Both statements were factual and coincide with what I put in my previous post.

There is little point in discussing things with you. Antonio was the third alternative and wouldn't be my choice but Pardew for some reason rates him, that is why he is listed. I would just like to see the team without Lallana, we have tried everything else.

We have to have a team that will start next season able to go away and get wins at the lower sides and not lose many away against the better sides whilst at the same time not drop many points at home. We also have to be able to get wins on poor pitches. If Alan Pardew doesn't provide that pattern in the remaining games then I think Cortese will be tempted to change. Statistics are all very well but taking 3 points from 4 games against the bottom sides doesn't do it.

I'm not getting into another long winded dialogue with you. I would prefer either Waigo, Connolly or Antonio to be given a go instead of Lallana. He has 11 goals in two bursts and apart from No 5 against Walsall isn't converting chances and certainly isn't creating them. We have plenty of firepower now and he is missing a lot of clear cut chances. It also appears that we rely on Puncheon to create along with the odd cross from Hammond and Otsemobor along with the ball into Lambert from deep. As for other teams players it's irrelevant as we have to play what we have, it is what I would like to see happen as I think his idiosyncratic play reduces our efficiency as a team. I know he isn't going to get dropped but unless we are a lot more convincing in the last 5 away games I wouldn't give a brass razzoo for the managers chances of starting next season.

And who missed the chances that would have put us out of sight by half time in a game we eventually lost 4-1. Lallana is a cult hero to many as they like his fancy tricks and ball control. As far as I am concerned I would like to see a more effective orthodox wide midfielder and dispense with the luxury cameos.