sfc4prem

Because we needed to.

Disappointing that we fell asleep and dropped a few gears, allowing a team low on confidence back into it with poor defending, but then we woke up again and put the game to bed. If we kept concentration, weren't complacent, and performed how we did in the 1st half, i reckon we would've won this at a canter.

We all know what this lad can do when playing up top. He's a great talent, and works well alongside Lambert. Feeding off Lambo's flick ons he's always likely to score.

"STEEEEEVVVVEEEE" - love it

Josssssssssssss HOOOIIIIIVELLLDDD! Get in there.

I presume Harding comes in as he's quality at bombing down to the byline, Richardson the same.

He was played out of position at Reading for most of the game. As soon as he was moved up top playing off Lambert, he provided the flick for the equaliser.

I live in Waterlooville and work there, I'm certainly not ignoring the league table! (though I'm not exactly shouting about it in order to avoid being stabbed )

Be quiet you loser. Your negative mentality has no place on the bus.

Why start Steve when he's been decidedly ineffective on both the previous occasions that he has?

I have a feeling that 'Boro will end our run of wins, with a dull, stifling performance and a Marvin Emnes equaliser in the form of a deflected shot from the edge of our penalty area.

He'll be off at the first opportunity then, just like Chamberlain.

Personally I don't think we'll get beaten in the league all season. Yeh, that's right. Stuff that up yourself Gus Poyet you cock - completely irrelevant but I hate the man and wanted the opportunity to call someone a cock.

Ref was sh*te. Butterfield was sh*te Forte was Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttteeeee. Reeves was very lively and intelligent. Really like the look of him, looks to be a great talent. Ward Prowse was very composed, quick-thinking and tenacious, like the look of him (though he did try to do a couple of Morgan cross-field pings which weren't as good as what Morgan has in his locker. Holmes was good again. Hopefully he toughens up a bit and stops getting injured as he has obvious talent. De Ridder was pretty poor too, lost the ball alot and didn't attack their fullback. Perhaps that will shut those up who are clamouring for him to start. MOTM today were the fans. Great turnout for a reserve game, and great noise made too. Palace's home support was F*cking diabolical, much like the referee.

Feels like a waste of money tbh. Disappointed Saints fan heading back home tonight.

On way back. To fork out hard-earned cash supporting the team and receive that teamsheet and performance was F*cking disappointing. It may "only be the Carling Cup" but that was rubbish. Only highlights were Morgan and his young-er apprentice JW-P, oh, and Benjamin Reeves. De Ridder, Butterfield and Forte were sh*te. Forte especially, he was f*cking useless. Would have quite liked to get through to the Quarters tbh.

We'll get beat, and beat badly, if we play the kids. Crystal Palace are no pushovers, they're 3rd ffs.

The scenes in the away end when we scored will stay long in the memory, although I fell over a woman in the row infront before turning around to get bundled by about 5 other fans. I think it was the fact we played badly that made the goal celebrations from the fans that bit more MENTAL.

Turned up at the MadStad expecting a good performance and was given a mediocre display from quite a few team members (but not us fans, who were pretty good indeed). Davis kept us in it to be honest, as our Centre of Midfield let Reading come at us and lay siege to our goal. Made some fantastic saves. De Ridder u legend. Ratings are as follows...: Davis - 9 (MoTM) - very good, commanding display especially as they had so many crosses and corners. Caught and dominated well. Richardson - 7 - tough game for him but a decent display nonetheless. Fonte - 7 - won a few headers but did give it to them a bit, though so did the whole team. Fox - 7.5 - another great display, put in some good challenges and got forward well. Hooiveld - 7 - under pressure a lot but did well Cork - 4 - outmuscled, outfought, and caught in possession a fair few times. Deano - 6 - put himself about well, but perhaps got stuck in too much. Guly - 6 - a few pieces of good play and link up, and got back well. but i felt he needed to put more effort in to relieve pressure. Chappers - 7 - energetic and created chances. Main attacking threat in first half. Lambo - 5 - won maj. Of headers, especially defensively, but didn't click well on the ground when trying to link up Connolly - 4 - poor game imo. Martin - 7 - did well under pressure for such a yoing lad Deridder - 8.5 good impact, great goal but needed to pass more Scheiderlin - 6 - did reasonably well. Broke up some attacks and kept it simple. Fans were really good, especially considering we had it against us a goal down and with 10 men. Love it that we sing straight after conceding, which is why I was baffled by Reading's chant of 'you're not singing anymore'. Hoping for better against CP and Boro'

De Ridder was quality when he came on. Other than that it just didn't seem to click tonight. There were times where we built up well, but lacked a final ball. Having said that, we had a few great chances to get another goal, like Martin's header and Fox's chance that was blocked. Disappointed that Drank got himself sent off. MOTM for me was probably Davis, with De Ridder pushing him close. Support was quality, but at times where we were under pressure I felt we could use a bit more singing to get behind the lads, but that's understandable as most were probably too busy biting their nails off/sh*tting themselves. Loved the goal celebrations, found myself bundled to the floor after falling over the row infront, great fun. The train back was great, singing and banter the whole way back. Might upload a video i took of what happened to a lone Reading fan on the opposite platform @ Reading after the game.

Right, i'm off to catch the train. COYS!

Absolutely chuffed, someone on not606 is selling me his ticket. Should be a cracking game and atmosphere. COYS

F*cking hell mate, it wasn't that bad. Go to other club's home games and you'll see that we are actually quite good at making an atmosphere. Oh, and I suggest you get your ears cleaned out.

I was sat in the chapel and the atmosphere was good, but not amazing. Understandable really considering it was a very tense and nervy top of the table clash.

Because it's working well having him as an impact sub. Besides, Guly is worthy of a place atm.