SoccerMom

Well, yes, you might have seen some replays that those of us at the game couldn't see, however, what you didn't see was what was going on when the director didn't replay or where the camera wasn't. You see what Sky wants you to see.

Well, quite. No one near us was booing the team - but the schyster Blackpool goalkeeper, and the wretched ref, yes, indeed. Did they make out on Sky that we were booing our boys? Typical....

Got back a few minutes ago. No one so far has mentioned the shocking (to put it mildly) refereeing. Perhaps Sky helps you see one side of the story. I know that some of it went for us, but how on earth he booked three of our players and only two of theirs, I'll never know. OK, OK, you can't blame the referee, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of the youngsters were bewildered. SO much timewasting by Blackpool players, so many blatant obstructions and shirt-tugging - how Dyer's high tackle (and he got the ball) was worth a free kick and their men throwing handbags at each other and climbing all over McGoldrick wasn't is baffling. But I guess that's football, and they will just have to learn from it. NO ONE should have booed this team. The boos surely were for dirty Blackpool and an inept referee.

Poortvliet was interviewed just now on Soccer Saturday - the nipper shouted at me to watch, but I only caught the last of it. MLT had a few comments, very positive. I love it that he still says "we" instead of "they" when he talks about Saints.

We have a winner, folks.

Can't wait for the game!! KORMA ON YOU REDS!!!

How much murgh can a girl take?

Yes, indeed, Blackpool will be pathia in their hands. Coat...

What a load of Palaks

They're scr*wed?

No, go on, put a vid up on youtube of you singing it - at speed. That should make up for it....

A band called Steam. No, really.

or with Gypsy Kings clapping....? The name fits quite nicely with the Hallelujah Chorus, too (as was Alan Shearer's chant)

OK, I'm sure there will be plenty out there all too ready to correct me if they think me wrong, but does anyone else get the impression that why many appear to think that Rasiak "doesn't fit the system" is not just because he is slow, but also because he appears a) selfish and b) more than a tad disinterested on and off the pitch. So far our goals this season have come from McGoldrick, Holmes, Lallana and Perry, all of whom are involved in creative play or (in Perry's case) defending. Rasiak is a bit of a one-trick pony, and it may be that some fans feel our best chance of goals will come from those who are involved in the game all the time, rather than someone who is a bystander waiting for service. I'm not wholly convinced either way - there were times on Tuesday night when I really wanted Greg in there helping to defend the corners, which was the one other situation (apart from scoring) where he has proved his worth. IMHO. But if there were another striker with more pace - say, Pekhart if he proves OK, or DMG, or even Saga (who has a worse finishing problem than DMG...) - that could come up with Rasiak's success rate AND be more involved in the open play, I'd go for him.

You should listen to Radio 4, mate. It was one of the tips this morning. Funny, I wondered if it was one of Mick's horses. Had to be local, with a name like that.

Quality!

Well, yes, but has Hamill shifted any of that extra weight over the summer? If not, he's not much of a threat. I *loved* that moment last night when one of the Brum players kept trying to be clever (over down by the corner flag, Chapel end) to get past Drew, and in the end we just ran away with the ball. They should know enough about Hamill's showboating to be able to nick the ball off him, and we know that he can't cross for toffee. Yes - both should have been 'rested' and are due to appear.

Interesting to listen to Dave Hockaday at the family day - he seemed really excited with the new set-up, and pleased as punch that the kids were setting the pace for the "established players." He seemed to have nothing but admiration for Jan's approach, and his only frustration was that (at that time) they hadn't converted all the good play into a league win. He made no bones about the fact that he had left Watford due to a disagreement over style of play with the manager - if that had been the case this summer, I'm sure he would have been off.

I think the defense was the major difference - Cork and Thomas were a strange double-act but it worked. In fact, Cork was there on a few occasions when Surman/Thomas either were beaten or misread the game.

I thought Cork looked terrific, and he seems really up for it and glad to be here. On the radio the other night he mentioned that he was glad to come to a club where he knew loads of people - named Fish, Adam, Jake - and that he felt comfortable in the squad.

Well, they just trailed the league Cup coverage on SSN with Lallana's goal. Whoops from the nipper in the living room.

Nah, that one will be for Hammill.

I remember about a year ago there was a thread about what was the best thing about going to live football. Loads of people mentioned that feeling when you see the green of the pitch for the first time. I especially used to love seeing the nipper practically break into a run when he got that first glimpse. Well, for months, that feeling had been spoiled for me because his shoulders have been down - we'd get to SMS and find our seats, hunkering down for another frustrating afternoon. Last night it was great - he bounded up the stairs, couldn't wait for the game to get started. It's brilliant to go into the match actually believing that a) the football will be worth watching and b) we might win. Cork, Holmes, James, Lallana, Gillett for me last night. Anyone else remember that moment when Gillett beat a bloke about twice his size to the header? never mind Spiderman, this bloke can fly!