shurlock

Not like any of Mourinho's successors have had the same kind of money to spend... On the other hand, do think DoFs embolden chairmen to get rid of managers as they assume that the chaos of frequent managerial changes is minimised by the continuity of having an ever-present DoF at the helm. Whether it works out that way is another matter.

Before a DoF, I would break the bank for another Georges Prost figure to run the youth team - bring that part of our infrastructure back up to the historical levels we've enjoyed. Perhaps get another frenchman in - they arguably run the best youth systems on the continent.

Answer is pretty simple: some big teams in L1 this season - Norwich and Charlton- probably the strongest bunch that could have got relegated last term (out of the lot that were down there). They are joined by the likes of Millwall and Colchester that play as a tight, well-organised units. And of course there's Leeds. Then there are teams like Bristol Rovers, Swindon and Huddersfield that have a bit of width and pace and can catch you by surprise on their day. L1 really is a mini-league - just look at the disparity in terms of attendance - a handful with 20,000+, some with 10,000 and the majority 4,000. Must also say something about the teams financial muscle and bargaining power in the transfer market. Attendance in the CCC -with the exception of Newcastle- is altogether more equal. As Claridge made clear yesterday, home records and wins count for jack in L1. Even strugglers -Gillingham, Exeter etc- have decent records on their own patch. The difference between having form promotion-chasing form and midtable obscurity is away form - and we've flattered to deceive here (we have the most draws in the division).

Lets not forget that Barnard's goals were for Southend and a large amount were pens- Lambo too has accumulated a bunch of pens. Obviously, if both had been with us, one but not the other would have taken them.

Also had a v. good game today - looked sharp and closed things down without being agressive and got forward well. Knowing we had width on the right also allowed Puncheon to cut inside. He needed a fresh start and he's repaying the faith.

absolutely.

Women and gossip - why you shouldn't be let near a football ground.

I will instead. Lots of those fans bought linked tickets for the pompey game. in other words, they were forced at gunpoint to come today

Yeh and hit backwards to boot :smt070

Interviewer was fine - his questions were no different from usual. Dolly balls in the naffest, provincial radio sense -did you enjoy the performance as much as us, what pleased you in particular, was it the best performance of the season, who was your MOM, do you agree that Saints are the best team in L1 on their day etc. AP has happily dealt with similar questioning in the past and is the sort of overly sensitive, strong-headed character who is prepared to indulge banal sh*te provided it isn't critical. So I find it hard to believe that it was just the questions that were getting to him. Only halfway into the interview does the Solent interviewer say anything remotely antagonistic - people were painting a rather bleak picture after Tues performance does today put things right? But by that time Pards was a long gone. Finally, thought Pards wry smile/rapid blinking of the eyes when asked about the fans chanting/support for the manager was interesting. Interview seemed to go even further off-course/downhill as Pards was dwelling on the pathos of that particular point. But hey what the f*ck do I know - isn't glasgow the one with the psychology degree

Thought he showed alot of his hand - seeking concessions from the PL i.e. advances on parachute payments, selling players outside the window. Who knows what else. Disgusting.

Basically the team that would have started against Exeter (away) had Morgan been fit (the only other difference was that Puncheon and Lallana swapped positions). Didn't do us much good that day mind you. Still think if you play Papa, it has to be up top and down the middle, not on the right.

While he and hammond are the best we have in midfield (and we've missed them in the last couple of months), they're too similar. The danger is that they just become pass the buck players - even worse than the proverbial water carrier.

Semi over James. Has the pace to track back and close down which James doesn't. No surprise that most of Norwich and Wycombes threat was on Harding's side. Neither he nor James are the most positionally aware or aggressive, so a deadtie in that department. Think Semi has greater potential to get down the line than James, though he needs to exploit this more. Semi is comfortable on the ball though James hits a good first time ball. A points decision to Semi in my opinion.

Le god- don't disagree with you, mate. As I say I think its a combo of relying on Lambert and a midfield that looks like its playing in treacle on tranquilisers. The midfield has to step up to the plate more -both because teams are going to press us hard on their patch and coz we need more movement and composure if the direct stuff isn't working. Certainly, we've been hurt by not having Schneiderlin or Hammond together much since the Leeds game and not at all since Millwall (no coincidence that those two played in MK Dons, Pompey and Norwich games). Its an area that we really need to look at in the summer if we're not going throw points away. A bit more power in there -a la Viafara in his first season for us- would be fantastic.

Never going to happen since in Pards eyes Gillett's the antichrist and Barnards the second-coming but: ....................................Davis Otsemobor.............Fonte.........Jaidi.........................Harding Puncheon.........Hammond......Gillett (if Morgan is still out)...Holmes ..............................Lallana/Papa ................................Lambert

Rubbish. I wouldn't be surprised that more people who travel home and away week-in and week-out are asking questions than hardcore types who are sitting pretty happy with the world at the moment.

While I would like to see pretty football, I'm not bothered as long as the football is effective - hence I've even proposed buying/playing another targetman alongside Lambert to relieve some of the pressure/give another outlet. But is it effective football that we look totally clueless when Lambert isn't winning his headers or having an offday? Is it effective football that our midfield often gets overrun and is unable to take control of a game? Carrow Road showed what was right and wrong about us -see my post of he game- Lambert won everything that day which allowed the likes of Lallana and Puncheon to pick things up and create danger in their final third. When Lambert ticks, everyone else does. Our style of play was set out very early on in the season. But what happens when he doesn't? We look short of ideas, our players get isolated and we surrender possession quicker than a Frenchman can grab and raise a white flag. Its predictable fare. As long as we rely on going to long to Lambert we'll be hit and miss. Our players are better than that. And we need to be better than that if want to go up automatically next season with or without Pards.

Wish it was simple as that. It wasn't an off night which is what makes the world go round and keeps the game interesting. Far too many days and nights are like this. If our current situation was limited to disappointing results - i could accept it more. But its the manner of our performances which bugs me. They reveal the same failings and frustrations time and time again. Are we learning? Is Pardew seeing these things and working on them? We huff and puff when we win (think recently in the league: Exeter, Tranmere, Stockport, Wycombe home etc where the pitch can't be blamed) - we rarely win with much left in the tank (Norwich granted). Is it any wonder we stutter and splutter in more than our fair share of games?

And i was saving my 1000th for meltdown monday. oh well, i join some dubious company

Bring back Osman ...and then hang him.

The kid with the pink gloves - Fergie would never allow that- and the one who tried to do a somersault and practically landed on his back - definitely more enjoyable than large parts of the game.

Agree with this - good post.

Back from the game - we deserved f**k all. And blaming the pitch just won't cut it. Advice to any team that plays us: man-mark Lambert and win your headers: the rest will take care of itself. If we're so reliant on hoofball and only get the ball down in the final third, why not just be honest about it and sign another target man to play alongside Lambert. At least it gives the opposition more to think about while giving us another outlet to play our game. Nobody stood out tonight. Puncheon showed that he's not a CM which still leaves us worringly short in that part of the pitch - Wotton did OK but nothing more. Lallana showed his old habit of drifting inside - we didn't have a left-hand side while Barnard was almost totally absent from the game - didn't win his headers, didn't link up play. On tonight's performance, Pards words of vindication seem a tad arrogant and premature. Defensively, we seemed troubled by their pace, especially on Harding's side. Having gone on record that this is our best 11 (granted Schneiderlin was out tonight), Pards should now stick with the team and see how far it takes us. The temptation to chop and change will probably be irresistible, though and we'll continue to blow hot and cold -good one game, poor another- without really knowing whether Pards is right for us over the long-term.

I still have my doubts about Barnard, esp compared against DC and Papa - but willing to wait and see before making any firm conclusions. Interesting that Barnard commented in his post-match interview yesterday that he had been asked to play alot deeper. This is quite different from the Luton, Brentford, Stockport games where he seemed to play alot further up the field as part of a conventional 4-4-2. Maybe AP is trying to use him in a Teddy Sheringham-type role.