Graffito

Lallana categorically denied he threatened to go on strike. There are press reports confirming this. Is there anything from the club confirming he threatened to go on strike? If yes, then it’s a question of who you believe. If no, the balance of probability is that Lallana did not threaten to go on strike. It’s all water under the bridge anyway and has no bearing on what he may or may not be able to do for the club now.

Erm scratches head. Slightly unexpected response. But if you don’t see the benefit of experience and the ability to impart that experience to a still quite young team that struggled in the PL then fair enough. I’m sure we’d all like the most highly qualified and well respected youth coach there is but is that person available to southampton. I really don’t care about Lallana’s own coaching aspirations either, they’re irrelevant. It’s what he can do for the club that matters. Saints seem to think he can offer something, as did brighton who wanted to keep him another year. I’ve no idea whether he can help with coaching and mentoring or whether he can’t. I’m just trying to see it from the club’s perspective. Incidentally, if he’s coming just to play I’d be against it.

The indications seem to be a primarily a coaching/mentoring role. There’s a need for it isn’t there? Isn’t that why “shoehorn” was shoehorned?.

It was never in doubt, it’s a photo opportunity. He only does photo opportunities. No work, just media.

How likely are they to counter this by sacrificing a forward for an extra man in midfield?

The Harp’s a good pub. Hop Head amongst others. But take a look at opening times. Sunday opening tends to be 12 noon. If, like Sue (and me) you are coming into Victoria station, there are two Wetherspoons which open early. There’s one on Victoria station concourse and another just outside the station on Wilton Rd. It’s Wetherspoons but they’re both ok.

I don’t give a flying fuck about the kit. It’s a football match not a fashion show.

Why’s he talking about his mum and about being tired when we’ve got promotion to play for?

Yes his post match interview was woolly. First question was what went wrong his answer I don’t know I’ll have to watch it back. Implied criticism in Pearson’s comments after the interview. He said he’s a leader, he needs to give the players clarity. Incidentally his pre match interview was flat. And he said afterwards we knew it was play offs before the match. Any wonder we got a limp performance. Having said that we’ve been defending like pussies all season.

Of course. didn’t you?

No discernible difference. As you know, away fans tend to stand anyway.

I was right in line with it and it wasn’t “comfortably offside” at all. It looked in real time as it does in the stills, a very close call.

Against on the whole Championship players.

I have a match ticket and I’m trying to find a way around the rail problems. Avanti and Southern (my route for the bulk of the journey)are running on Saturday. They strike on the Friday and Monday respectively. I think Cross Country is running on the Saturday too if that’s the route up from Southampton. Not clear whether Friday’s strike or “action short of a strike” will affect services on Saturday. It seems it’s Northern Rail which is on strike on the Saturday. For me that’s the final part of the journey from Preston or Manchester Victoria to Blackburn. Rail replacement services are not provided on strike days. So that leaves normal bus or coach services or an Uber from Preston or Manchester. And yeah the rail prices are a joke, even with a rail card. I won’t be driving. Any suggestions appreciated. Following Saints away this season has been really difficult all things considered.

I can remember a slow version being sung in the 70’s by, what were to me back then, old men in the upper tier of the west stand, accompanied by stamping of feet on the wooden floor. But only when things were going really well on the pitch. Good old days.

Referring to Gillingham’s win over Southampton “We used a similar game plan again today. “We couldn't give up space in the middle of the pitch. We knew that Russ' teams are too good and too structured to do that. "We didn't give up space. They very rarely got through us. We knew we had to invite them wide, but there they have got the best one-vs-one players in the league. So we kicked the shit out of them”

Apparently the Hawthorns will be rocking tonight. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68313059

No complaints about the result. Got exactly what we deserved. The performance is a worry. Totally lacking in energy. I think the coaching staff have been conscious of it. The signs have been there for a few weeks now. Well done Bristol though.

I hope you’re right. Bristol - unfortunately not. Can’t get home from an evening game there. Liverpool purchased but of course the criterion is attendance not purchase.

A surprisingly low allocation. However, a bit of quick research suggests around 2k is what they’re giving away teams this season. With 4 aways and having bought train tickets I’m not confident of getting a match ticket now.

Relax Carlos. Just suggesting why block 34 may have taken longer than usual to clear of “dickheads” as you call them. Not me. Final whistle and I’m off like a whippet. I hope the poor soul who took ill or had a fall is ok.

Well done Martin. Lose four on the trot again and you go back to being a twat.

Chair looked like a wing back.