Graffito

Agree that quality signings from the lower leagues in key areas is the way to go, especially when relegation is a possibility. We have pace out wide already but De Ridder hasn't been able to deliver crosses consistently so Zaha or Phillips would be a great addition. I think Fox and Richardson are both good Championship full backs but should we continue to rely on full backs providing assists then a signing or two there would be required. I'd add a centre back. Upson was never England quality so probably a realistic target for Saints, subject to wages.

There was an analysis of PL penalties this season in the Sunday Times this week which showed that penalty takers have a higher success rate when they hit the ball high into the net. I found this a little surprising but the stats were clear. Billy Sharp's penalty was a good height for the keeper.

Thoroughly enjoyed that despite the patronising interviewer.

Can they just have played him? He had a reasonable scoring record in a fairly poor team. I don't know enough about how Doncaster and S****horpe played him.

Thanks. Those comments don't describe the player we're seeing yet. Perhaps he's inhibited by weight of expectation. It does strange things to people. Look at west ham at home.

As a couple of others have said, it looks like his confidence is fragile. Stating the bleeding obvious but it's a team game and it was the team that lost yesterday not billy sharp. One further thought, anyone know how Doncaster played him? I remember seeing Coppinger make a few of his goals from the wing but that's the extent of my knowledge.

The pitch was poor and might have hindered our ability to move the ball quickly but it wasn't the reason why we lost the match. Players of superior technical ability ought to be able to adapt.

No. It was because we didn't move the ball quickly enough and that was partly because Blackpool closed down so fast. Lots of possession but mostly in our half. We have struggled all season against teams that close us down.

If 5,000 tickets are available why a crap allocation of 1,700 or does the club have to pay for the tickets up front? I'm sure more tickets will be available but why not say so on the OS. It's just basic communication. Incidentally, as well as being a key match in the run in to promotion, this will be, for those that care about such things, the penultimate opportunity for away fans to stand on aterrace for a FL match.

I wouldn't have you down as one for idle gossip. Now you've reeled a few in, is it time to tell us more of what you've heard?

I suggest most of us don't think we have the best academy in the world because most of us don't have knowledge of all of the academies in the world but just out of interest who do you think does?

What a heartwarming story and a great video too.

Wash yer mouth out son.

Of course not. They don't eat vegetables in Texas.

Chicken's a vegetable where I come from.

David, yes, like I said above their form is good currently and I might pop along to see them as they are attractive opposition. Ofcourse they are higher in the euro rankings than Saints. Are we even ranked? But that doesn't make them a top european side. Fulham are ranked higher than Napoli though I wouldn't turn up to see them pre-season

Correct. Neither has won much unlike Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, Liverpool, juventus, Milan, Manu. having said that Chelsea are 3rd in the Uefa club rankings. Man City are about 28th. Napoli are 55th.

Form yes but top European side, no. They've won the uefa cup once, as have Ipswich Town. I might pop along though since, as you say, currently they are pretty good.

There's nothing in the comments about Sharp but the referee patently did not cost them the game.

I wouldn't call Napoli a top European side.

Good lad Billy. I hope he plays today and we can all get behind him and help him score.

A cautionary tale and fortunately one that wouldn't be lost on Adkins and I hope the players who seem highly conscious of the need to stay focused on "one game at a time".

Dune, what have you got on yer 'ead?

I remember a few years back when our OS said tickets for the Pompey match " going like shell suits on the Paulsgrove"

Would have been pleased also for Lallana had he won but Lambert was absolutely the right winner of the award.