SoccerMom

Hmm, yes, very hard. On the way to the match a group of Luton yoof came up to me and the nipper, singing "Play up, Pompey" thinking they'd get some sort of reaction, or at least make one/both of us scared. Honestly, trying to wind up a middle-aged woman and a nine-year-old!

Love it that he nutmegged the keeper - you can't see that on the televised highlights, only on the fan's video on Youtube.

Good points - I'll relay these to the nipper and stop him fretting!!

The nipper keeps reminding me that we could lose Jaidi to the Africa Cup of Nations for the whole of January. There are a lot of important games (including the FA Cup 3rd round, and the JPT first leg against MKD) in January. Any idea when the national squads are announced, or if they have been already? Don't like the idea of losing both him and Trotman.

“We got myself, Michael Nelson, Russell and Chris Martin, Gary Doherty all yellow carded and they never got any, so that tells you the measure of the game." S'not fair!! Well, quite.

There were two Martins - Chris and Russell.

"It was a funny game and a tough tactical game as we had to keep changing our shape just to try and eek something out of the game, but in the end we did and got through." I can hear the half-time talk now: "ARE YOU MICE, OR MEN????????" "eek eek eek eek eek eek eek eek, Sir."

Small update for any of you that are interested: nipper had his first competitive match for five weeks yesterday (pitches have been unplayable because of the rain), and scored twice. The break was of real benefit - all this time we've been working hard on fitness and first touch, and he's much the stronger player. Watched him stay upright through four hefty tackles yesterday and get right to the byline to cross it in. And - curiously - he seemed prouder of that than of the two goals. Plus, he scored both from midfield; the manager has quietly taken him out of the firing line for parts of the match, dropping him back and getting him to concentrate on other skills. With no pressure to score he's been throwing himself into the little ball skills challenges and fitness exercises the coach has been teaching him, and getting real pleasure out of those. It was terrific to see him looking so determined yesterday, and actually enjoying himself. Thanks again for all your messages.

Would still get him checked out. If you've been letting him have milk, then stop that - milk can give tomcats kidney stones, I've heard. He may have passed one (hence the screaming!). But cats have delicate kidneys, so make sure you keep the vet's appointment!

What would be the point? He's banned for one game now anyway, isn't he?

Stuffed if LJ gets booked again... On the bright side, Trotman has served his ban.

Anyone there tonight? Care to update us on how the lads are doing?

So they won't be wanting Antonio back, then.

Paul Whitehouse Lloyd James Couldn't resist...

I don't think so.

Wish him a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. It won't be an easy time to be alone in the US.

That would be just about anywhere on the continent in preference to the UK, wouldn't it? It's cheaper to get to Italy on Easyjet than Birmingham on the rail network.

Did someone send along a copy of last week's programme? There was a mention of chris in the All Saints Day spread.

"That's why we let you go!" Actually made me laugh. I wonder if something really got to him - even in the second half (when everyone here seems to think he got better) I remember seeing Thomas having to go and clear up a mess for him at the byline because he was so far out of position. Have always thought he was a midfielder manqué. On a bad day he completely forgets what his primary job is - defending. Does alright as long as he stays focused, but last night he seemed to think he was still playing for the IKEA lot. Red and white stripes, boy, pass to the red and white stripes.

The burning map! Ponderosa ranch!! I thought it was so cool that my uncle was also called Little Joe. Oh I want to be a 60s kid again...

Also by Hoyt Curtin. Apart from having one of the coolest names on the planet he had one of the best jobs a musician could want: MD at Hanna Barbera. The only other that would come close would be the music director for Sesame Street. oh and anyone remember Bonanza? Tenor guitar and Hoss's hat.

By the same guy that wrote The Jetsons, Hoyt Curtin. He was a god, truly.

The Jetsons (Danny Elfman, eat your heart out) Green Acres The World at War

Alan Bennet thereafter was reasonable, but yes that day he looked more like Thora Hird

Thanks heaps, fellas - this is all good stuff! Well, all of you that have responded in good faith, that is! Took him out this evening and bought him a new football; got rid of the useless rebounder thing he had when he was seven and we're going to mark up two or three different sized 'goals' on the back wall so he can practise his first touch. Give it to Ron, he's doing great in training, still banging them in, and even scored in his first game for his school team this season (only as a sub, as still in Yr 5...). But the school team isn't the league, and that's what matters to him. Doctoroncall, you're so right that this is a journey he has to make on his own. I really don't want to over-engineer things, and despite my moniker I try to let him play football for himself, not me. Sambosa, brilliant idea - can't wait to try it out! He loves new challenges - will take this one down to the Common Sat afternoon, jumpers and all that. Smirking_Saint, you talk a lot of sense and I love your post, but I think Worthington might be a better bet than Rooney. Nipper is Saints through and through, can't stand glory-hunters and particularly Manure fans. Doesn't help that the new kid is, guess what.....? 70s Mike, yep, it's U10s, and a new formation. His manager has pointed out the differences to him, to reassure him, but yes, he's going to have a new adjustment again next year. So he might as well get used to the fact that things change, all the time! He won't ever play professionally (btw Atticus, I know all about what it takes to even get close to being pro, my older one having grown up with one of our current Academy stars, and my nipper is nothing close to what he was at this age) but he doesn't want to, he just wants to play and he wants it to be fun. Seriously, I'm really, really grateful for all this. So glad I asked!! You guys are the best. But then again, you're Saints fans, aren't you? Cheers, all.