Graffito

Take your point and I think Arsenal have a more sensible, realistic approach than the other top sides but don't feel too sorry for Wenger, the budget is big enough to pay him more than any other manager gets paid in the PL.

Rangers score.

Sunderland 1 up.

About 15 minutes in. "One Nigel Adkins".

I posted this last month. I might post it again should it come to pass and I'll quietly forget about it if it doesn't: "I did the BBC predictor and had us finishing 10th. Perhaps a bit optimistic but I think we'll finish higher than 442 does. I see that 5 of Stoke's last eight are against sides below them. You can look at this either way. That this gives them an easier run. On the other hand should they lose some of those games they could be dragged right into it. They play Sunderland, Norwich, QPR, Villa as well as Saints. Their other games are against Everton, Manu and Tottenham. Could our final game of the season be a crucial one but not, as 442 see it, for us, but for Stoke? I had them staying up, just, but their recent form is not good."

Those stats back up what we who watch him regularly know about him, that he is much more than the big target man (contrast with Carroll's stats). They also underline two other things we know: 1) welbeck is in the team to run and battle for 50:50's and 2) the most obvious role for Lambert would be Rooney's and he Lambert isn't going to replace Rooney. As an aside the article contains the inevitable comparison with Holt again. Every time I see him lately he's either cheating or fouling (another terrible tackle last night on MoTD).

The empty seats at kick off wasn't good but leaving early is understandable. They were well beaten and effectively down by then. They know they aren't good enough.

Let's have these b@stards.

He absolutely does fit with our team and could be integral to it. Today he gave the ball away on occasion but did some good stuff too. The frustration is that there's obviously more there which we're not getting consistently yet.

Interested to see that Pochettino changed the tactics and had to laugh how he said there's no point in playing the pressing game against a team that just kicks the ball in the air.

Yes he will and he deserves it.

You'd think he'd be able to pay his rent with a salary like that or was the club responsible for paying?

KD might have played those questions with a straight bat. If anything he's sucking up to Cortese whose decision it was that was "proved right".

Think this is fair comment to be honest. Whereas I would have been reasonably confident of an away win with McDermott still there, the Adkins factor and all the largely media generated baggage that comes with it makes it a difficult game to call and as such I'd be content with a draw.

Your post number 49 Nood: "So I guess everyone on here agrees that Grant Holt should have played for England all last season?"

You used the word "guess" Nood.

Give Savage a go. He knows what he's talking about.

You guess wrong. I fail to see how you can draw that suggestion from the comments made.

I recognise what Germany has done but as I understand it that was a radical root and branch change. England isn't there yet, may never be, with implementing what Germany has and you can't build for the future with first team selections alone. But Germany's isn't the only approach nor is Germany the most successful football nation.The very valid point being made by several posters which you do not seem to acknowledge is that football is played and won in the present not in the future which for England is some elusive future which never arrives. I'm all for Lambert being selected for one or both of the upcoming friendliest. I think the reason he may not be is nothing to do with his ability (he is well good enough for that lot) but is the way England tries to play. Rooney won't get dropped for Lambert and Hodgson appears to favour pace.

Thanks to St John. I didn't know it had been put up in the Lounge but it deserves a wider audience anyway. It was a great day, as was the semi final. Winning the FA Cup is big now but my recollection is that winning it back then had as much prestige as winning the league.

For anyone that hasn't seen it there's some good quality footage here. Generous of old Jasper to sing it for us. £1.50 for the semi at Stamford Bridge and £2.50 for the final. I expect a few of us that use this forum were in that throng behind the goal.

Go to Swansea. Get measles.

Schneiderlin's is a great story, one of several associated with Saints over the past 3 years, which a full international appearance this season would cap. The challenge for Saints is to hold onto him and international recognition would only propel him further into the limelight. Nonetheless, I'd be delighted for him if he gets called up. It would be fully deserved.

Yes. Their second half performance was the best I've seen at St Mary's for some season's but all the more reason to select for last Saturday as close as possible to their second half cup selection, especially as we got a point at Stamford Bridge.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9966441/Rafael-Benitez-accused-by-Ray-Wilkins-of-causing-injury-to-Ashley-Cole.html Not sure about the claim that not playing against Saints caused Cole's injury against Manu but I agree with Wilkins about one thing, Chelsea under estimated us both in team selection and attitude. Same could be said of Liverpool and Man City.