david in sweden

RIGHT !...not to mention the fact that we were going to beat them .....only in our wildest dreams. They can't win the League ...but they are a great CUP side, whoever they play against. Rafa could pick his team by picking names out of a hat and they'd still win.......remember they are FA Cup Holders (4 of the last 6 years)....not to mention last seasons' Champions League Winners.....

TRUE.., but we don't know the terms of the loan, (?) maybe we have the right to re-call him ? it might be embarrassing for them to lose their top scorer if we do (?)......and ...it might be less expensive for them to buy him now, and be sure he's " on board ". If he ends up as that League's top scorer..what price might he fetch, then ?

well, it won't be a distraction to worry about, and we did learn some useful lessons - and without losing three points - let's hope we can use that to good effect in the two upcoming League fixtures.

well I noted that both Mc Goldrick and Mc´Lean have gone out on loan to Ipswich, so they must have " some sort of deal " lined up, and Billy has scored 10 times for Forest - so far.. silly for them not to bid for him - isn't it ?

apart from the fact that we looked good for short periods in the first few games, the defence was totally unprepared for the onslaught of some of the experienced Prem.strikers. Clyne was slipping all over the place in the Man.U game because he had the wrong boots on, Jos' own goal in the Arsenal (A) game was very unfortunate and unavoidable - and then he was injured and went off. To blame him for the subsequent five goals that came afterwards is cruel to say the least. When Yoshida came on -( his first app.btw).. he had no chance to adapt and with Fox at LB ..we looked very sad. Yoshida continued (as it was obvious that NA wasn't going to replace the more experienced Fonte) ...even though he was very poor in some of the subsequent games. Jos is a bit unorthodox - but he is a brave, do-or-die type defender (as was Michael Svensson) - although not in the same class - of course). I think he deserves his chance and will get it because we have no alternatives at present.

if TV replays are to be believed... then it look like Luis Suarez " scored " Liverpool's winning goal v Mansfield ..with his hand, and then bragged about it by kissing (said) hand. It is a real disgrace when a World class player of his obvious skill and ability has to "cheat" in this manner, and it also goes a long way to boosting arguements to" improve " refereeing by use of TV. It also brings back those bitter memories of the " Hand of God " incident with Maradona all those years ago, " the world's best player " cheating his way to a victory. NOTHING will be done about it, of course. Whilst the FA may punish a player retrospectively for a bad foul or an "unseen incident ", there is little chance they will issue any punishment in this case. For decades going back to the fantastic 1970's sides .Liverpool have always been my " second team " but Sorry Brendan.....if 'Pool get to Wembley on the strength of a handballed goal scored against a Non-League side .......I'll shout for the other side ......whoever they are !

However, what it does tell us is ...that (if true?)..... then Lallana's injury may be far worse than we ever feared......

one lesson I learned after watching that game was .... that if Chelsea play like that too often .....we won't be the last team to concede 5 against them.......

I heartily agree with that part but to be fair to Saints, we went a long way towards" not letting them play", and none of their " expensive line-up " actually scored against us - did they ? The OG (not blaming Guly too much either)....robbed us of three points that we thoroughly deserved.

I agree with the main theme of your post, but there have been exceptions of players who have the ability to play different roles and do/did it well. I go back far enough to be able to rave about Jimmy Gabriel and Nick Holmes and David Peach who successfully played in diff. positions ..not just in an emergency, but from season to season. In more recent times, we had players like Claus Lundekvam.who began as a LB before become CB, and Rory Delap (who got an immense amount of abuse from a certain part of the fan base) he played all over the place when " the manager of the day" had a problem and asked him to DAJFU..and he got no thanks for it. Jo Tessem had a good goals/games ratio for a midfielder and scored some vital goals, but was badly treated by some fans for failing to deliver, when asked to cover up front for an in-form, but injured James Beattie.....who was pushing for an England place at the time.... Few of our players have really adapted well to life in the Prem. and few of that sort are around at present.. .and loss of form and the latest injuries haven't helped the situation. As we can only buy players in a " small window " every six months ....such disruptions make life even worse, when there is no adequate replacement to cover. Even when playing our " strongest side " (whatever that is )...being 17th in the table obviously says they're not really good enough, and looking at the bench every week...I'm glad we don't have to use them all too often. Saturday's game shows that " the manager of the day " at Chelsea can virtually pick his team by drawing names from a hat... and still has a bench that looks just as strong, whereas almost half of our " 25 squad " are just there to make up the numbers and are never serious contenders for a regular spot........except in extreme emergencies. If we have to go as far as playing someone out of their natural position... it just shows the gap that exists between the strength of " the Chelsea's " in this League ..and the rest of us.

Hiow many times have we fallen to pieces after the opposition score in the 45 th minute?......-after that it was (sadly) .......predictable.

Quite simple. You don't let the opposition know which players you're going to pick...and keep them guessing. .....alternatively, tell everyone in advance and let them use Plan B: If you were an opposing manager....wouldn't you like to know in advance if....for example.. RL was injured ?.....of course you would ...and you'd pick your team accordingly.

ugh ?..well how about Nije then?....I've known two or three Nigel's ..and none of them ever said their complete name.....

according to a west London sport site....(but what do they know ?) Saints are negotiating to get Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun (now that his loan to Wham has been cancelled) ...as cover during Adam Lallana's absence. Reading the cagey comments from NA - it seemed apparant to some of us that Adam's absence wasn't going to be a short one....hence the ongoing comment.. " he won't be fit for the next game ".. He had a good career when first choice at Chelsea.....until last season .....comments anyone ?

I think ... he's suggesting we shouldn't bother to compete or try to win. BUT when you're at our end of the table, it's good to play a game where you won't lose three points, and can match yourself against top oppostion.

I agree with most of that EGG, centre-halves (like goalies) don't begin to mature until they are nearing 30. Look at some of those who we didn't have the patience to retain from past years; Garry Monk (200+ games for Swansea).....Mike Willamson (Newcastle) and Matt Mills (wherever he is now)?

well...certainly not THIS season, but he needs games in order to mature (most likely another loan-out) ....and then ...who knows? Does your crystal ball tell us if we'll be in the Prem. next season ?

ah!...he said that yesterday, if Boruc doesn't perform well in January.......he'll change his mind quickly enough. KD is counting his games and it's too soon to regard Gazzaniga as a viable alternative (or, Butland for that matter).

with their ownership ......nothing would surprise.

.who knows...as much as it takes... and how much Cortese is willing to sanction..... perhaps William Hill will give you odds ?

...was that a personal opinion ....or, a medical diagnosis ?

NO......Phillipine Saint has given a simple explanation on posts 6 and 10 of this thread........read !

according to Sky's career details for Astori, he's had 5 yellow and 1 red cards this season in 15 games.......hope that's not part of his regular behavioural pattern

...as so he is .....when fit. He is obviously counting games now, and every match will seem like Cup Final to him...and.....when he scores his first goal, he'll feel a lot better ...regardless of the scoreline.