shurlock

Become like Wolves fans...no thanks.

We will need reinforcements given we still have to play all the big teams on their manor - the fixture list has been v.v.kind and it would be a huge wasted opportunity not to take advantage of the window.

We need a good start:the second half of the season will be much, much tougher. If you look at the first leg of fixtures (up until the halfway point of the season), we've played - and will have only played- three teams currently in the top half of the table on their patch. We have a lot of tricky away fixtures from january till may.

You're probably right, though later on those trains were experiencing delays (not sure when if others made it OK). In hindsight, our mistake was that we didnt cut our losses with Virgin/London Midland. We were initially told that the problem was restricted to the Euston-Wembley area -and that things,north of Wembley, were OK, a point seemingly confirmed by the timetables. We took the overland to Watford Junction, thus taking us past the trouble spot, only to find that Watford Junction was also now affected. At some point, the operators must have decided that the problem was more serious than originally assumed, disrupting the entire line and beyond.

That's not the point - we might not be able to replace Lambert or Lallana directly but they ultimately fit into a system and their roles should have decent cover. Take Lambert: we need somebody who can hold the ball up and bring others into play. West Ham know that if Cole gets injured, they can bring in Carew and vice-versa.

Agree we need a centre forward who can do what Lambert does- while we have luxury of bringing off Guly, Lallana etc, we have no no ready replacement for Lambert and are forced to play him into the ground. Still there is no reason why Barney can't provide decent cover: he's strong, has good close control and has decent awareness. The run-up to the transfer window, coinciding with his return to fitness, will be a big test for Barney to prove himself . Pace up top would truly give us a different dimension, esp away from home where teams will push up; but if forced to choose between pace and a strong, physical link-up player (I just cant see us bringing two strikers without moves the other way), I would probably still go with the latter as it builds on our way of playing. Hopefully, Barney as a credible replacement for Lambert means we're not forced to choose and can still bring in some pace. Alternatively, we can have our fill by signing a winger-cum-striker which should be possible if we can dump Punch. Otherwise, make Jos permanent, perhaps bring in another CB in light of Radhi's prognosis, though I am quite happy with a combo of Martin and Cork as back-up and keep an eye out for young additions a la Clyne that will genuinely set us up for the future. I would be prepared to spend big on young talent.

Jeez- we were thinking of doing MK-Rochdale but sensibly decided against it. Like a self-loathing binge eater, that would have taken the desperation to another low.

My sympathies, mate. Got absolutely stitched up as well. Took a chance at Euston and went to Watford Junction and then Milton Keynes before throwing in the towel and facing the same sh*t on the way back. Left the house at 10.45am and returned around 6.30pm without seeing a kick of a football or hearing any live commentary. Goal flashes came from a dodgy 3G connection, a haemorrhaging battery and a grainy Jeff Stelling. Great result; but a sh*t and futile day.

Wouldn't be surprised if NA doesnt watch the NFL - he's dropped terms and concepts in interviews before that suggests he's well aware of the sport.

Guly's touch for the first was outstanding - how he managed to kill the pace of a ball that was zipped into him. Pretty sure that he was shooting for the 2nd; but good to see other players following in (not just Jos)

Yeh as funny as millwall's song about turks carrying knives...

Heard some Skate the other day claiming (and backtracking) that they were pound-for-pound the best fans world. Its the kind of garbage that would come out of the mouth of a puny flyweight.

That is cringeworthy - like the fratellis, kings of leon etc, a derivative band that typifies everything that is soulless about current football. No wonder a Kasabian track was chosen as theme song for the Premiership.

Can't wait to give it the big'un at Coventry. Schteeeevee.

Itchen North was singing "we don't give a f**k about you", though it was probably ignored as well. Itchen doesn't usually get loved up in the same way the mongs in the Northam and Kingsland do. Happier to have the away supporters for company

And that's precisely the kind of chant mugs on here who convince themselves they're too cool for school want to start...'miiilllllllllllllllll'

Good point and anything inspired by united is on here.

Continuing the snacks theme, that's all a bit milky way.

As I said, it was straightforward but nervy. The second half was a relaxing stroll but they hit one speculative ball over the top and seconds later its 2-1. All our chances came before their goal; after they scored, our play became disjointed and I'm surprised they didn't have a go given their attacking instincts (2nd top scorers and all that). Still they probably found it hard to change gear having spent most of the game standing there and watching us play.

There's always good, spontaneous banter on the day depending on what's happening - but those aren't exactly chants that are sung on a regular basis.

Dont think any chants are as bad as singing the songs of an opposition's rivals.

Nothing wrong with it (and I think a lot our chants are pretty cringeworthy). Both Nige and Schteve also appear to think it was good value. The chant was drawn out, more like a roar, so it sounded quite distinctive - very different from just chanting his name (as some are presenting it). It got moronic though when it started being applied to others.

Nervy but straightforward win - don't bemoan the tactics in the 2nd half. We controlled possession, sometimes got behind them (albeit predictably - usually via the long-ball to Lambert and flicks to Chappers) and strangled the pace of the game. With Cork and Fox rested and the early substitutions of Guly and Lallana, there shouldn't be any repeat of Reading after tonight's relative canter. Would have been nice to take Lambert off who looked cream-crackered but we dont have any cover for him; similarly Chappers put in another marathon shift, so hopefully he's bang up for Sturday. Thought we were a bit ponderous in possession at times and the game reminded me why I don't really like Morgan and Deano as a midfield partnership. Both fullbacks looked a tad rusty, though Harding got better as the game went on. And we got done all too easily for pace for the goal. Didn't mind the Schteve schtick not least because it didn't sound like people were chanting his name - it was more drawn out, more like a roar (as well the Dutch thing). Other names don't work in same way and it started getting moronic when other players were getting the same treatment.

Likewise. my old man wants to see it and is trying but can't access saints player.

Take away the Ipswich and Leicester games (as half of the defence has been replaced since then); we've looked better defensively on the road than going forward. Problem is we always end up conceding first.