Sour Mash

Spot on first post. We played some good football at times, but it was very similar to some of our recent away performances in the league - lots of possession, lots of passing sideways and backwards, constantly cutting in and laying the ball back without any real penetration or threat. Positives - Reeves and JWP both look to have what it takes to make a name for themselves in the professional game. Neither did THAT much, and JWP probably played it a bit too safe at times constantly picking the ball up from the back 4, only to play it back to them again, but both showed excellent first touches, confidence on the ball and the ability to read the game and compete against pretty decent oppossition. Thought Martin had a good game, Cork was decent enough and Schneiderlin was excellent. Negatives - Rarely looked like scoring. Its great talking about strength in depth, but (being generous) Butterfield looked very rusty, Harding was ok first half, poor 2nd. Wingers - while De Ridder had a poor game and ensured he won't be starting against Boro, at least he looks lively on the ball. Holmes on the other hand looked nothing likea winger in my book. Never beat a man, didn't threaten, didn't get to the bye-line, constantly cut inside and played a safe ball - you may as well not play a winger, but just have a regular left sided midfielder if that's all he's going to do. Forte was poor, but I think we all know that now. My main concern is I just feel the momentum around the club is really starting to slow a bit. I'm a big believer in winning being a habit and once a club has momentum they steam roll teams. We seem to be losing that a bit and while I know it was "only" the Carling Cup and it's going to be a long hard season in the league, we do really need livening up a bit. Fingers crossed the reintroduction of a fit and inform Lallana will be that spark we're lacking at the moment. And yes, we all know that teams play weakened side in the Carling Cup, but we always can generally assume that as they progress through the comp, teams put out stronger sides, not weaker. Everyone understands the logic of resting players, but it's just a pity to get to a key stage of a decent competition and go out to a fairly average side like Palace. Enjoyed seeing Reeves and JWP, but I think the fact that 2.5k Saints travelled shows that plenty would still like us to do well in the comp. The Palace Ultras were gay as f**k as expected, not what English football support is all about.

There is no chance at all that De Ridder will start on Saturday.

Exactly - that sort of support suggests the fans didn't see it as a "reserve" game.

Maybe, but how is that any different to previous trips down there where escorted coach travel was available?

Yes, at a cost of £20.

Exactly. I think it is pretty much without doubt that we went after a striker and a centre back before the transfer window closed, so NA and NC obviously agree that there was a need. We've done brilliantly to do as well as we have so far, but as the season progresses, a few knocks and tiredness are starting to take their toll.

Watch the highlights again and you'll hear it to be honest.

It wouldn't really, considering he's been playing the same for pretty much all of the season and not just after the Derby game.

Cheers. On that basis we may well struggle. Be good to see how the young lads cope with a real test.

You reckon they'll have decent support even tonight mate? Carling cup and all that? Not much of a crowd in for their last game in the comp against M'Boro.

Anyone had the time to look on Palace's site and see what sort of team they're likely to put out? I'd imagine they must be resting a fair few and can't imagine they have tons of strength in depth or a particularly big squad? Can't have too many players with the experience of Butterfield or Harding, or the quality of De Ridder?

Agreed - said this earlier in the thread (or might have been in the Palace build up one). Either the squad is struggling to keep up, highlighted by the Reading game or possibly the young lads have shone so much in the last couple of months since pre-season that they've gained NA's trust and earnt the opportunity to get a game. More likely the former than the latter though.

You're missing the point anyway. SUrely its not even that the flag isn't being used, but there has been NO communication whatsoever from the club. I don't think people would mind so much if they got a fair, reasoned, detailed explanation. Also, I might have missed the detail somewhere, but how did the conversation go when it was agreed the club would hold onto the flag and regulate this use? How did the conversation go and who agreed it from either side?

I'm sure it will be down to a chap called Mark Long, Head of Security or something like that, the sort of bloke who "loves" football fans and is really receptive to their issues.

Don't necesarrily have a problem with it, but just a bit of a surprise that we're chucking even more youngsters in as we progress further in the competition, guess it shows how much of a toll the regular games are having on our first team and maybe the progress made by some of the young lads in the last couple of months.

Who's jumped on Fonte's back? He's had nothing but top support from our fans this season despite a few fairly average performances. The whole point of this forum is to discuss things like a drop in form of a key player, so stop being such a wet blanket.

Is Hammond suspended for tomorrow? If not, I assume he must play on the basis that he will then be missing subsequent league game and will not need the rest, plus will be keen to get the sending off out of his system asap. Centre backs will def be Martin and Hooiveld, no other choices really. Harding will be left back, needs a bit more game time and Dickson must be involved somewhere - whether you rate him or not, he's good enough to be playing much more football than he has over the last few months. What are teh chances of Lallana of getting a run out after missing a few games? Would make sense to give him another week to rest and recover. Then if Holmes and Barnard are still out injured, we're suddenly without too many other options. I guess depending on who's picked to start out of Connoly and De Ridder will give us an idea as to who won't start against 'Boro?

St Marys is an absolute joke when it comes to trying to get a beer or something to eat at half time, particularly in the Northam. I don't like having an easy pop at those in "lesser" jobs, the kids they employ to serve at St Marys are seriously slow, they take 5 mins over even the most basic of orders, never have enough beers waiting and ready.

Right, so just to confirm fans can't highlight that a player's form has dropped until we've got to the end of the season? How does that work? I think Fonte has struggled a bit all season and out of current back 4, I'd say he's currently our weakest link. Even with Hooiveld here, we do still need further cover at centre back, as only having 3 fit centre backs isn't enough for a team playing the number of games we currently are.

Article on the O/S says that can pay one night, but price goes up a fiver from buying in advance.

Won't the vast majority of pubs being showing the game? And any pub that has sky?

Not really, as we haven't played Reading away since the JPT final, so not sure how when on the train to Reading away you could have been reminded of the JPT final, unless you had some sort of ability to see over crowded trains in the future. Don't worry I'm just being a pedantic c**t.

How can it have reminded you of the JPT final?

Well as I was at last season's Europa League Final I could probably tell you who won it. Far more interesting competition than the Champs League, full of great trips, but by your comments I take it you've never travelled around Europe watching football.

Not really. I would literally give my right arm to ahve a decent, long run in Europe with some top away trips. We got a great crowd in against West Ham, but lets not get too carried away.