Dark Munster

I hope not, it makes us much more solid and gives the fullbacks more license to roam. We were toothless today because Mara was up top, not because of the back 3.

Not sure we are allowed to play with 13 players, although it would certainly make us hard to beat.

He also gave the ball straight to a WBA player a couple of times close to goal (the second one almost in the penalty area), and he got lucky that they were incompetent enough not to punish us. But apart from that I agree he played well.

Impossible to tell, because the whole game would've played out differently. But would he have made that save that McCarthy made? I doubt it.

Good time too. Our goals conceded this season has been appalling. Three at the back worked a treat against Leeds so I for one am happy see us continue with it.

I never understood why some think Franny was a club legend. Great bloke off the pitch no doubt, but as a player he was very limited (putting it politely), he was lucky to play for a PL club for so long, and (unlike MLT) certainly no other one would have been interested in him.

Sorry to hear that. Best of luck next season.

Don't they have some sort of buy back clause?

It's impressive, but for me Leicester's 5000-1 PL win is the greatest sporting upset in history (across all sports).

I'm getting nervous just reading this thread. For the love of God Russ, have the whole squad practise, practise, practise, starting yesterday.

Sounds like SR/Ankersen are leaking their excuses early, blaming the mess we'll be in on Gao if we don't go up. Nothing to do of course with their terrible player signings (wasting tens of millions), the awful managers they chose (costing millions in compensation to boot), plus the massive cherry on top of their turd, getting us relegated.

He seemed to accept last year's disaster. Hopefully failure to go up this year will be a bridge too far for him and he'll finally kick some arses.

I have a feeling Rasmus loves Martinball, I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks it's brilliantly unconventional and makes us look like City. Also I'm not sure Dragan will do anything, he seems to have no clue. He did diddly squat last year after SR's disastrous antics and taking us down.

Should be fit by the fourth match.

Bobby Robson literally was asking who fancied taking one. Batty stepped up and missed, and later said he’d never practiced. The first English manager who took penalties seriously was Venables, who had 5 players well prepared. Unfortunately he neglected to realise it could go to a 6th player. Southgate was that 6th player taking one against Germany in the Euro semi final, who missed of course. Southgate does have the squad practice, presumably after his personal experience mentioned above. Germany lost a Euro final against the Czechs many decades ago on penalties. They learnt their lesson there and then and have been masters ever since. Compare our pathetic record versus theirs. We could learn a lot from ze Germans.

Firstly there's no guarantee all five will be on the pitch at the final whistle. Secondly, even if they were, it could go to 6 or more penalties if tied after 5 each. We should do what the Germans always do, have the entire squad practice, and practice, and practice. And please God, not the Bobby Robson "ok lads, who fancies taking one?" approached that made the Germans (who started practising taking them in kindergarten) laugh their nuts off and beat us every time.

I hope Russell has the whole squad practising these. Every. Single. Day.

That's rather generous. If Stewart scores a hat trick in the play off final some here may have to reconsider your Worst Signing of the Season choice!

He's done it before, usually after a string of bad results. The problem is he then reverts back to his beloved plan A (which sucks). Let's hope he can swallow his pride and stick with plan B for the next three games.

That is purely speculation. If RM had done what that Ipswich manager has done this season, I doubt any Saints fan would have anything but praise for him. Or if we had played most of our matches this season like we did against Leeds (twice). It's been the persistent tippy tappy possession obsession that has driven so many of us nuts. Nothing personal against him as a person. I'm sorry to hear about your disease. I hope you make a quick and full recovery.

Unfortunately it’s not that simple for our Russ, as he’s proven time and time again. Hope I’m wrong but I fear it’ll be back to his beloved tippy tappy inverted fullback possession obsession Russball.

Oh shit, don't tell me Rasmus W. Ankersen is lining himself up for the job.

I'll take that. As long as the loss is a narrow one at the Hawthorns.

And if we had beaten Ipswich twice we would have finished second. Moral of story, don't lose six pointers!

Get injured?