Torrent Of Abuse

Somewhere between the idea that we could, nay should, nay MUST win all our games or else we are naught but girly men and the idea that we should give up and aim for the playoffs, there is a middle ground. I'm not sure of the size of this middle ground but instinct tells me it's very big. We should probably consider the truth to be somewhere in that middle ground. It will be hard to find but when we do, it will probably be wearing a red carnation and its best pulling shirt. Let us find this truth and make out with it.

Exactly what I thought when I saw that thread. A bunch of little Internet warriors getting their knickers in a twist not because of our attitude but because their recent struggles mean it's more important that they get one over on their (fairly) local rivals. Like the pre-game Saints knocking piece in the Dorset Echo, it says rather more about the chip on their shoulders than it says about us. They deserve to win the title. I think we all know that. That said, it seems NA's psychological games are at least working on their fans. Here's to 3 points for us when we meet. Just as part of us taking care of business you understand.

Surely we need to factor in the effects of a potential points penalty for administration? Just to make sure? I mean, suppose we get a -10 penalty, Lambert and Barnard get struck down by smallpox, the defence get dutch elm disease and Cortese sacks Davis for looking at him the wrong way. Could happen. You mark my words.

Agreed. But I think it will be tense, mistake-heavy and nervy.

Alan Ball + Lee Barnard = Allee Barnball He's definitely harder than Lampard and has a funny name.

Charlvin Georvis: A goalkeeper who makes a bit of a hash of crosses because he lost a finger in a lawn mower accident.

Closé Fondekvam: Doubly cultured defender - and a Belgian funk band.

Daily Star introduces new "Spot the Balls" competition. Answer: They've just been caught by the guy in the top left corner.

But I thought you believed that first place was already out of reach and that second place was the only realistic option? As others have said, it's a missed opportunity for all. Only Charlton would be really relieved with those results.

Personally I'm glad that Hartlepool got both a tough game and a demoralising home defeat before Tuesday night. Just in time for a tight 1-0 win for us. It really could come down to little things like that. I think it also points out that putting together a good run or getting points at Dean Court are by no means simple things. Huddersfield apparently only had one or two shots on target all match. Who would have imagined both Exeter beating Charlton and Bristol Rovers winning!

+1 The only good thing I can see about this (other than that Bournemouth and Huddersfield MIGHT draw) is that it gives us a rest before Tuesday's game against Hartlepool, whereas they have a tough game v MK dons. Maybe work for us?

Yes it is.

Good results all round. Only the P'Boro result went against us. It just goes to show, though, how tough the game against Rochdale will be and how important it is to win it. Glad the Bournemouth game was called off. I think it would have been a big psychological boost for them to win it and go level with Brighton on points. It might also have spurred on Brighton. The last thing we want is those two leaving the pack behind. Instead they may well have to play midweek in an already packed schedule. Here's hoping. Would be good to see us open up a gap beneath us, though. The top 4 look streets ahead of the rest of the division in terms of goal difference. Maybe a point gap will open up too?

I blame Radio Solent and internet radio streaming for forbidding me from listening to the commentary on an Internet stream (due to some licensing regulations and nonsense). I also blame the Internet video streaming that I could get for being so stuttery that I started to feel I was in a time zone all my own - instead of merely being in Australia.

Perhaps the scapegoat could he determined by some kind of rota? Alphabetical order? What player's first up on the rota? Chaplow? No, Barnard?

And N'Guessan and Ndlovu and N'Sync. Rubbish, Rubbish, Rubbish.

I blame Darren Ferguson... and Sir Alex Ferguson... and Duncan Ferguson, Barry Ferguson and Sheila Ferguson.

Has anyone tried putting scores into the BBC predictor? I think I've been far too optimistic (despite predicting a defeat in the game against P'Boro) and have us in fourth place by the end of February with Bournemouth grinding out enough results to go top simply because Brighton only play 3 games in February, we play 5 and Bournemouth play 6. A month is along time I know but the simple fact of the imbalance in the number of games each team is playing in February is likely to make big changes to the table. That game against the Cherries on March 12th could be a promotion decider for both teams. We are chasing Brighton now but it could (for a short while at least) be us chasing someone else... I've probably also been too tough on Charlton and Colchester but too good to MK Dons and Swindon.

To be fair to the blue few, the BBC report suggests they at least had as many chances as QPR, although the quality of the chances may not have been the same of course. Next weekend looks a big one - lots of 6 pointers, although I would actually put my money on Pompey getting a result to claw their way out of the s**t. Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough Ipswich v Sheffield Utd P*mpey v Derby Preston v Bristol City A win would certainly get them clear of the bottom 3 (for a while at least) but anything else would be a bit of a disaster. They are currently 4 points clear but could easily end up only 1 point clear. By Saturday afternoon. A game for the bravehearts, I think.

To be fair to them, I think Newcastle have had lots of reminders of being a smaller fish in recent years, and Liverpool's trading was pretty good, gaining two good strikers and shipping our someone who hasn't really had his mind on the job at hand. Thankfully, we have managed to hold off the "big fish", despite a concerted campaign in the media to talk players like Chamberlain out the door and into the Emirates. Quite disgraceful big club propaganda dressed up as journalism.

It suggests that the "pipeline" is one which usually flows far out to sea

Agreed. A fine transfer window.

Head: No Heart: Yes If we aim for first place, we may end up having to settle for second. If we aim for second, we'll probably have to settle for the play-offs. Such is the nature of things.

We need him for the promotion push. We do not need to lose such an important player near the end of the transfer window (can we get a replacement in?) especially with our squad looking thin with injuries. £10m is all well and good but our one concern MUST be promotion. What good that money if we are still in League One? Hopefully the indecision over Oxo can work both ways: It seems we all take it for granted that the sustained interests of higher clubs is prising him away. Well, if those clubs can't agree a contract then hopefully the club can push this as a sign that the transfer is going to fail NOW so he should just get his head down. He can then leave all these rumours until the end of season when hopefully we are promoted and therefore a different, more attractive proposition...

If it's all done and dusted, with acceptance from both managers, why are there no quotes from the player? Surely that's the simplest part? After all, there have been enough stories run. Why are they all rehashing each other's text? Is it really that hard to get some much-needed substance to go alongside the speculation?