Graffito

Another of Ralph's motivational speeches hangs over them like the Sword of Damocles. What more motivation do they need.

The coaching team and the players have made it work. I rate Bertrand and his role on the left of the three has been a big positive. Targett has done a job further forward. We've used 4 at the back against Arsenal only, as far as I can recall and a combination of FF and luck kept us in it. That's not to say 4 at the back won't be appropriate against other sides. The uncertainty for the opposition of our being able to play different systems is also a factor as the opposition doesn't know what to expect. My only reservation is that our creative players are increasingly on the bench but as long as we get the results...

FF's been great but 3-5-2 has turned our season around.

Very good.

I recognise that pitch. It's Munich at the 2006 World Cup. It wasn't just me that was pi**ed then.

Never tire of seeing that one. That's how you dealt with the biggest thug in football.

I liked the huddle of around half a dozen Saints players at the end when they came over to the Kingsland/Northam corner. Signals unity and commitment among at least a core of the players. For first time in a while at a home fixture I felt the fans were 100% with the team and gave great support. Augurs well for a move up the table.

Stats suggest a low scoring game, possibly a draw. Sadly only one winner today. The weather.

I like this post.

Those wanting to travel by train might be very pleased, as I am, because the return train to London would have been a bus service between Winchester and Basingstoke. So unless you had made the 10.00 train from Central you would have been stuffed for getting home. Whereas there are no such complications on Saturday, plus a special £15 return fare to boot.

Drayton Arms, Drayton Park.

He's a Skate. It's in the DNA.

He sent me one. I didn't like it.

http://www.visitmanchester.com/media/147527/stagger%202%20piccadilly%20station.pdf I know the Bulls Head, directly outside Piccadilly, but can't vouch for the others.

I thought it was a soft penalty at the time, viewed from my place in line with penalty area, and TV seemed to confirm. I thought Targett leaned into the defender, quite cleverly, to get the pen.

Must have been highly embarrassing for you.

No. My guess is Pelle will start.

Pelle got 20 minutes against Watford. Does that make him match fit? I agree that Long doesn't deserve to be dropped but his selection is nothing to do with what he deserves. If Pelle plays it's because, amongst other factors; a) he's match fit and b) Koeman thinks he's more suitable against a side that sits back. On the other hand their CBs have played well against Pelle/Lambert as far as I can recall and the arguments for Long are confidence and that he's an ex-player of WBA. Difficult call and will be interesting to see which way it goes.

So why was he on the bench last night?

Suggesting Pelle to return with Mane behind?

Sue, it seems Guan is a mere conduit for someone inside the club. Saints' Deep Throat.

Well I've read it again and it reads like opinion not fact. It may be an opinion informed by inside knowledge, I really can't tell and which is why I was asking you why you are so concerned by it. In view of what you've said I'm not giving it any more credibility than any other opinion posted on the subject. I also think the final sentence is inconsistent with the foregoing. So Koeman's approach to integrating the under 21s is "rubbish" but he bears only "some" responsibility. We're not told who bears the remainder of the responsibility. Sorry, unless you're able to shed more light on the situation from what you've heard then I don't buy it.

May I ask why it gives you cause for concern? After all, this could be someone's opinion, no more nor less valid than lany other.

My ears weren't deceiving me. The faces of the others trying to suppress laughs are a picture. Bet that got edited from the morning edition of MOTD.

Am I dreaming or did Lawrenson really just say Pen1s on MOTD? Think he meant Pienaar.