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A lot of the problems are to do with not only poor recruitment, but when Reed and co were giving out massive contracts to reserve / young players with the hope they'd become international players and be worth 30-40 million. The only one it's really worked out with is JWP, although Stephens has done well recently too. I dread to think what others like Gallagher, Targett, Reed etc were / are earning for sitting on the bench / being subsidised for them playing for other clubs...

Hi did actually score one that Long would've hit tamely directly at the keeper, and also smashed a volley from outside the box against the inside of the post. Doubt Shlong would've done that...

Anyone going who likes video / board games, there's a great pub in Stratford about 15 mins walk from the ground. Good selection of beers and very reasonably priced too. https://www.escapebarstratford.com/

No sign of Maddox, but guessing they only played 2/3 days ago

So, did it happen?

So, did we sign this guy or not? I’m guessing he also plays left back?!

Think everyone outside of West Ham want them to go down. Instantly unlikeable club with the stadium deal & (entitled and lad-life) fanbase

Well that's a bit of a downgrade if it's true we're getting 'third choice' KWP instead of Cedric. Not really convinced 'the **** Kyle Walker' is actually good with only about 15 appearances since his breakthrough about 3 years ago... When's Valery back? Again, not perfect, but think he's a talented footballer.

Yoshida is woeful at full back! I think Stephens was slightly better at full back, and didn't Ramsey have a game or two at right back a year or so back? Wasnt stand out, but dont think was especially bad either?

Wilf Zaha is a bit of a baby isn't he? Thinks he's amazing but as soon as he doesn't get a decision throws his toys out of the pram. Can't believe how often he gets away with slapping / pushing or poking people in the face too - likes a good face stroke for some reason....!

It must've been a Phil Jones style crossing of the line, face first and mostly still stuck there.

I’m pretty sure he said it was a done deal?!

Definitely agree it was a great goal, and was a very nice Christmas gift to the fans! I am indeed talking about his ball control and dribbling - seems very raw in that respects

Want to see him do well so fingers crossed. At the moment his main attribute is his pace - doesnt seem to have the same technical ability as most of our youngsters coming through but no reason why that wont develop!

A genuinely exciting and talented player - happy to have him at Saints and makes the games exciting again...

Watched the first half and thought we were generally very good, although made to look good maybe by a very poor Villa display. Noticeable improvement from the full backs, but PEH maybe trying too hard again though? Missed a bit of the second half (after about 60 mins), but switched back on around 10 mins to go and one thing I noticed a few times was Obafemi (brought on before Adams?) was just letting players run past him and not making any effort to close anyone down. Isnt his main attribute his pace? Did he take a knock I missed? I was wondering why he wasnt trying to close anyone down when the whole rest of the team are trying to... Maybe he's just not the brightest spark...

He's also 5ft 7/8.... Wouldn't say that was particularly the type of striker we were 'short' of...

Obviously a great and very precious win to stop Norwich on their mini-revival and get us another win. 2 wins in 2, now got to keep on picking up points. Thought the first half we were by far the better team, and were maybe a bit unlucky not to go in further ahead. Krul pulled off a couple of good saves, but we looked in complete control. Obviously the second half we began to tire and they had to put the pressure on so was always going to be a bit tight, although we did have a couple of opportunities where a better ball may have killed off the game. If Cedric was improved from the last few weeks he must've been beyond awful before. Definitely the weak link last night - a combination of poor crosses (one or two good ones, but a few times he could've put it on a plate and just aimlessly smashed it to no one), some bad passing, and positioning (for the goal and near the end was woeful). At one point he was in the centre forward position, didnt win the ball and they broke down our right and nearly scored... Even though Valery has his faults, I cant imagine him doing worse than Cedric last night. Thought Ings was good again, JWP and PEH did a decent job in the middle and the two wide players looked dangerous. Always feel like we could score more / are a little wasteful so allow these teams to come back into games, but cant complain too much after a win!

I just want to see some energy and pressing. We're almost playing at the moment waiting for the inevitable. Why have our managers proven tactics been abandoned? Lets get at them, pressure them and actually try to win the game!

Wishful thinking (at this stage)! Dont you just love these 'XXX is definitely happening by XXXX' threads, which never pan out?!

Probably injured (again). Shame as I also noticed N'Lundulu (who actually looks pretty good) is also injured. Is Smallbone injured? Him and Slattery should be pretty good options in the middle for the u23s... Surprised Slattery hasnt been involved more in the first team squads this season (possibly something behind the scenes)?

Thought Danso looked decent and Boufal barely had any chance with our very negative play, but on the one occasion he did get the ball in a dangerous position, did a couple of players and had a good shot which forced a great save. He's a dangerous player - we should be building our team with him and Redmond (and Djenepo when fit) and actually start attacking teams and making things happen. For too long we've been playing with letting teams attack us without showing much intent ourselves - we now have 3 players who are exciting to watch and should be playing these guys. Either way it looks like we're going to concede goals so might as well try to score some ourselves...!

One day's salary is a bit of a joke, seeing that most of these jokers earn more in a week than most in the stadium would in a year. It's depressing that even limited footballers like this can donate 5-10k away and it is probably like having a loose fiver or tenner in their wallet to them. They didnt have to do it no, but seems a bit hollow.

Why does Ings run like someone's ringing the bells of Notre Dame?

"One incoming"! "Oh I didn't mean actually signing, just a rumour."