shurlock

Obviously you didn't go to the game - we changed things at half-time and then midway through 2nd half. Lack of balance had nothing to do with it.

At least a place where we can actually win...dull draw.

Today was gash - and its the third game in a row we've barely worked the keeper (and you know that even many of wins people cream themselves over were probably a bit flattering i.e.Watford, even Brum). Still we're not the leagues top scorers for nothing -and in all honesty, Kelvin hasn't had alot to do of late. We've gone wrong for different reasons. At Bristol, we didn't use and protect the flanks enough; today, we could have had all the width in the world, we would have done f**k all with it. While we've brought in or revitalised players who are composed on the ball (Cork, Connolly, Fox, Jos), we're still a direct team -and we struggle when we cant play to our strengths like yesterday or the opposition neutralises them like Brizzle (just look at the job they did on West Ham) Our squad's thin but IMO the problem isn't a lack of quality; just a lack of quality in depth. Some of the hyperbole about our players is ridiculous. As much as I like Chaplow and he's been in a rich vein of form, he's ultimately a championship journeyman. Still mediocrity is relative - pick apart most championship squads and you'll struggle find much out-and-out quality. That's why I still think we have a cracking chance to get promoted provided NC now puts his money where his mouth is.

Lambert will be back and he's only target man we have. I actually prefer Guly on the right coming in which involves him more in play. He's been getting too isolated up top, especially as the midfield insists on playing in front of defences. And I would stick SDR up top with Lambert. Just think he provides more movement than Guly there. Best I've seen De Ridder was at Cardiff when he was buzzing off Lamberts flicks and layoffs.

Not sure he got it wrong. Everyone was calling for SDR to start after Brizzle and Hull; they got their wish yet he hardly covered himself in glory today (defensively, some of his play at the end of the 1st half on the right touchline scared the sh*t out of me). NA played him wide and up top (a better option IMO); but to no avail. What was the alternative - to start Barney? Whether through lack of match fitness or performance at this level, he hardly impressed. I dont see what alternatives NA had - why that is is another discussion.

(posted on the other thread) Back from the game. Knew we would struggle without Lambert but didn't realise how bad it would be. For all the talk about us being Brazil, people underestimate how reliant we are on the direct ball and today exposed this reliance. Without Chaplow or pace, we don't have the movement or dynamism in the team to cut through teams with the short-stuff - instead, its ponderous sideways passing orchestrated by Hammond; and without Lambert, we don't have a player who can bring the likes of Lallana and Guly into play further up the pitch or a player who can capitalise on the delivery and threat coming from our fullbacks (arguably we had more crosses/corners than any other game this season). After today, a target man is a no-brainer greater priority than a pacy forward - hopefully we square the circle by also bringing in a winger -an Adomah rather than a Maynard. But cover for Lambert is a must. On that note, Sharp was OK but we generally marshaled him well. Lukas caused our defence more problems. Guly had a hit-and-miss game - he was simultaneously responsible for our best openings but was error-prone. As the most advanced player, his runs weren't intelligent enough -understandable as he's much better picking out runners e.g. his lovely flick for Morgan. Still I generally felt sorry for him as he was thrown into the deep end and given the thankless brief of competing in the air -and which became more and more one-dimensional as we panicked and went pardewesque. He also had f**K all assistance from the officials having been manhandled all afternoon. The question is why Barney didn't start or come on earlier. IMO NA's decision to rest/leave him out was vindicated. There's alot of goodwill for Barney but again he offered very little. Agree it wasn't easy for him to enter the fray when we were chasing the game, especially when he's been out for so long. But we don't have the luxury of bedding him in and even then its not a given he will cut it at this level. I like him but I find it odd how many of our supporters see him as some kind of talisman. The difference between him and, say, Connolly is night and day. Today was the first time in a while that I missed what Connolly brings to the team. One theory is that Lallana's dip in form is not just attributable to his injury but also Connolly's absence. He is the one player who clearly thinks on the same wavelength as our playmakers who end up trying to do everything -and usually coming out second-best. As such, dont blame NA's team selection - he picked the best 11 players we have at the moment -and obviously thinks this is more important than formations or positions. I can't argue with that -and to anyone who says he got it wrong, I would just ask who would you have played? Holmes (not everyone's cuppa and crossing to who)? Barnard (see above?). The real issue is a very thin squad rather than poor selection by NA. Its a more fundamental problem but also outside NA's control till January. TBH, didnt think Schneiderlin made a bad go at playing CF (he was more than an advanced midfielder today!). It wasn't ideal, though I thought he struck his one real chance well -and if there's one positive today, its that he's got much more in his locker than just being a competent holding player, a flashback to when he first arrived in 2008. The one negative is that he wasn't in midfield to ping balls out SDR who was wasted on the flanks in the first half. Wonder if this will be SDR's last start for a while? The frustrating thing is that Donny made it easier than other teams - they didn't press us with a high line which would highlighted other weaknesses in the team. All in all, it was a woeful Donny team lacking confidence and cohesion -apart from their shot that hit the post and the goal they created nothing and relied on kick and rush, often from our corners. We should have taken them to the cleaners (I stuck a few quid on them being relegated after the game). Still, I think with a fit Lambert, we can just about hobble to the transfer window with our run in tact; but beyond that, we have no chance IMO without reinforcements and being more aggressive in the transfer market. Its not 'lapses of concentration' or whatever ******* euphemism Nige wants to use that will count against us when we have to travel to WHU, Boro, Leeds, Hull, Brum, Blackpool etc in the new year.

Back from the game. Knew we would struggle without Lambert but didn't realise how bad it would be. For all the talk about us being Brazil, people underestimate how reliant we are on the direct ball and today exposed this reliance. Without Chaplow or pace, we don't have the movement or dynamism in the team to cut through teams with the short-stuff - instead, its ponderous sideways passing orchestrated by Hammond which allows teams to get bodies behind the ball; and without Lambert, we don't have a player who can bring the likes of Lallana and Guly into play further up the pitch or a player who can capitalise on the delivery and threat coming from our fullbacks (arguably we had more crosses/corners than any other game this season, though Fox's corners in the 1st half esp were gash). After today, a target man is a no-brainer greater priority than a pacy forward - hopefully we square the circle by also bringing in a winger -an Adomah rather than a Maynard. But cover for Lambert is a must. On that note, Sharp was OK but we generally marshaled him well. Lukas caused our defence more problems. Guly had a hit-and-miss game - he was simultaneously responsible for our best openings but was error-prone. As the most advanced player, his runs weren't intelligent enough -understandable as he's much better picking out runners e.g. his lovely flick for Morgan. Still I generally felt sorry for him as he was thrown into the deep end and given the thankless brief of competing in the air -and which became more and more one-dimensional as we panicked and went pardewesque. He also had f**K all assistance from the officials having been manhandled all afternoon. The question is why Barney didn't start or come on earlier. IMO NA's decision to rest/leave him out was vindicated. There's alot of goodwill for Barney but again he offered very little. Agree it wasn't easy for him to enter the fray when we were chasing the game, especially when he's been out for so long. But we don't have the luxury of bedding him in and even then its not a given he will cut it at this level. I like him but I find it odd how many of our supporters see him as some kind of talisman. The difference between him and, say, Connolly is night and day. Today was the first time in a while that I missed what Connolly brings to the team. One theory is that Lallana's dip in form is not just attributable to his injury but also Connolly's absence. He is the one player who clearly thinks on the same wavelength as our playmakers who end up trying to do everything -and usually coming out second-best. As such, dont blame NA's team selection - he picked the best 11 players we have at the moment -and obviously thinks this is more important than formations or positions. I can't argue with that -and to anyone who says he got it wrong, I would just ask who would you have played? Holmes (not everyone's cuppa and crossing to who)? Barnard (see above?). The real issue is a very thin squad rather than poor selection by NA. Its a more fundamental problem but also outside NA's control till January. TBH, didnt think Schneiderlin made a bad go at playing CF (he was more than an advanced midfielder today!). It wasn't ideal, though I thought he struck his one real chance well -and if there's one positive today, its that he's got much more in his locker than just being a competent holding player, a flashback to when he first arrived in 2008. The one negative is that he wasn't in midfield to ping balls out SDR who was wasted on the flanks in the first half. Wonder if this will be SDR's last start for a while? The frustrating thing is that Donny made it easier than other teams - they didn't press us with a high line which would highlighted other weaknesses in the team. All in all, it was a woeful Donny team lacking confidence and cohesion -apart from their shot that hit the post and the goal they created nothing and relied on kick and rush, often from our corners. We should have taken them to the cleaners (I stuck a few quid on them being relegated after the game). Still, I think with a fit Lambert, we can just about hobble to the transfer window with our run in tact; but beyond that, we have no chance IMO without reinforcements and being more aggressive in the transfer market. Its not 'lapses of concentration' or whatever ******* euphemism Nige wants to use that will count against us when we have to travel to WHU, Boro, Leeds, Hull, Brum, Blackpool etc in the new year.

Roger, compared to your man crush on Lambert, nobody gets on with him.

Giles Barnes has been playing RM recently. Over-rated IMO.

Oh no, Dave's mutating into the liberal elite.

Agree with you to a point. Dont think he beats his man or overlaps alot; but his delivery from deep means he doesnt have to. Fox is also more composed on the ball. Defensively I prefer Harding in one-on-ones but think Fox is better at dealing with crosses/diagonal balls.

agree-moving lallana infield -in the hole- left fox exposed. Unfair to put all the blame on him.

Homophobia is the one thing that unites all colours and creeds

No. Email doesnt say so - guess its the usual procedure for picking up tickets i.e. giving your name and address.

Was happy to leave him out against Coventry - and that game has similarities with tmrw i.e. I think we can outpass Donny and expose their weaknesses at the back. Saying that, we did have Chaplow for Coventry who gave us cover, so, with his absence, NA might play it safe and start Hammond.

This is what it says: I am pleased to confirm that you were successful in your application for Portsmouth Away on Sunday 18th December. A total of XXX has been debited from your account today (Friday 2nd December). Coach tickets can be collected from the ticket office from Tuesday 6th December from 12pm. Match tickets will be available on the day of the game from the steward on your coach. Please be aware you will not receive these before the match day. When you collect your coach tickets there will be a letter from our safety officer included. Please ensure that this is read by all of you party and adhered to. Please be aware that these tickets are non-refundable.

Got a few injury problems at the back, so go for the jugular i.e. start Steve. Not the most pacy team, so feeling more confident than Brizzle.

Pretty sure its sold out now.

I know its a joke - still, it lets the OB, the club and the powers that be save face.

Yep http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2534436,00.html

No those boxes are heading for the river itchen.

Done 10 aways before Donny. Mine showed up last weekend for sure, possibly earlier. But Im also a squeaky-clean angel

Fair play. How many aways have you done - wondering if they're working backwards (i.e. from most aways to least)?

Or another way to look at it: Joint 7th highest scorer in the league (and he was playing RM for a while) Joint 2nd in the league for assists