Minty

Well if nobody posts anything now, there will definitely be a goal on Page 7, even if it's when we're into Penalties...

Difficult to impress on your own if the team as a whole aren't quite clicking. Plus, his good form came playing on the right and by getting into the box to support the attack whereas it seems he's playing centrally tonight so he's less likely to have that opportunity.

2 goals. Sorry.

Probably the same people who are then over-critical themselves... lol

Come on, let's not try and cloud this one... we had one shot of note (Sharp's which was blocked) but that is literally the only one I can remember, and I would be embarrassed to even try and argue that point.

Chances are however that he didn't go crying to the press at all... they probably asked him about it. That's what usually happens, the press are looking for stories and angles and this was where they ended up. If someone asked Fox about stuff being chucked at him then he'd probably say similar, but to a Portsmouth News work experience boy, it was like a world exclusive or something...

Chucking stuff is pretty pathetic. But so is that article. The quotes themselves are fine, and I've got nothing against the player to be honest but it's just poorly put together.

because the opposition would not have been expecting it. Part of the tactic is the element of surprise. It didn't work yesterday and that was frustrating in the context of the game, but we have scored more goals from that routine than from direct free kicks this season I believe (when did Rickie last score one in fact? Bournemouth last season?) so I'm not gonna criticise the idea.

Matthew Le God is digging out his stats as you type...

Indeed. Yours included. And everyone elses who posts about the replies, not the subject at hand. So, moving on... I actually think it's a valid question and thread. As with all criticism it should be constructive IMO, and we have to place it in context of the season, but it is undoubtedly true that we have been a bit more shot shy over the last part (difficult to say exactly how long) of the season. From a players point of view, in a good footballing team, it can be a tough choice. By blazing a shot over or wide from 25+ yards, you leave yourself open to criticism of not seeking a better option. You make a split second decision, and because we've become a pretty good footballing side, we know we CAN score good team goals, then in theory the % chance is greater for working a clear opening in front of goal, rather than a lower % chance from distance. But, with practice and a sharp (no pun intended) player following up, long shots can often create chances even if they don't score directly and we should try more. I'd like to think that we've now got a fanbase who won't get on players' backs automatically for trying something that doesn't come off so players really shouldn't be afraid to have a go every so often. There is no right or wrong answer, there is no ideal amount of shots to have from distance, you just have to make a judgement and go with it. So, at the risk of wittering on too long (doh, too late): Yes, we should shoot from distance more often, especially if defending teams get men behind the ball, but equally, we shouldn't start to make it out to be too big a problem that overshadows things we are doing well.

Overall: Any clean sheet away from home to a promotion contender is a good start. Had we tested their keeper more, who knows if we might've snatched all three. To have no real attempts (openings, yes, but not real attempts on goal) is always disappointing and it is right to highlight that, but in the context of the overall game, I don't think we should be too harsh. Biggest disappointment for me was undoubtedly the crossing from all players, not just the fullbacks, although they naturally get the most opportunities when we play a diamond. To criticise them too much would also he harsh as they have provided many assists this season so the criticism comes mainly from them not maintaining those high standards. However, conditions do play a part and if the ground underfoot was not secure and players had doubts about it then it is bound to affect them. Still, we need to get back to the quality crossing we've seen previously. I thought the team generally played well today, possession was good for long periods and the key thing that Nigel often talks about, and that we lacked for 90 mins against Leicester and 40ish against Cardiff, was to control the game. Today we did that for probably 65+ which is an improvement and important in denying the opposition chances. We may not have created much but Birmingham only forced 2 saves from Kelvin, and their home form has been excellent. I find the whole Morgan/Hammond debate quite tiring personally. Both are good players with slightly different strengths. The way some fans polarise them is embarrassing IMO. Morgan had a good game today, some important tackles and interceptions especially, and first half, with Lallana and Puncheon making good runs and probing well, we looked pretty good. Second half there seemed to be less options available and Punch ran out of steam a bit (but was arguably our MOM until that point IMO). Upfront there was some good link play and lots of near misses when it came to trying to play our way through their defence. We should've tested their keeper with more shots from outside the box and we were close with some through balls but ultimately we didn't do enough in the final third. I don't think any individual players are to 'blame' for that as such, there was lots of intelligent movement but sometimes you just have to have a go. Puncheon should be able to last 90 mins soon and when he can do so I think we've got a really strong midfield. His sharp movement and good control was a joy to watch at times and arguably he has been our best 'signing' of the transfer window in the games since, so far. Well done Jason, keep it up. Finally, the sending off. Beagrie's comment summed it up for me. Neither were really a yellow, so definitely not a red, and possibly one of the most shocking decisions I've ever seen. Except perhaps the 'decision' to allow West Ham's winning goal today. A shocking day for the officials. Nigel said more about that decision in his post match comments than I've ever heard him comment about any refereeing decision so he obviously wasn't happy. If you look back at our form over the last 10 games or so, it is disappointing, but in the last few games I've seen us start to control the ball, and therefore the games, a lot more than we were in the few games before that. The signings have given us more strength in depth, we're unbeaten in 3 again, and it was this time last year, when we started to fear for our position, that we all, players, staff AND fans, rallied and carried the team through to the end of the season on a fantastic run. In some ways the pressure is off us now. We're not at the top, we're in the pack and it is rather tight at the top. But we're no longer the team everyone wants to beat/catch, and with injured players returning, we have every reason to be positive about the next few weeks and months. Keep the faith Saints fans. Nigel and the players have earnt that so far, stay positive and who knows what we can achieve?

I hate to tell you but that's nothing compared to some pedigree animals. And there's plenty of other stuff in life that is WAY more expensive, yet less useful (I know, a cat isn't useful as such...).

Seems like it's anything BUT private...

Catch Me If You Can

Paul

127 hours

The match - not losing to your promotion rivals is never a *bad* result... shame we couldn't win it but after out last two home games, good to see some fight back. The league - A point gained over West Ham, and only Birmingham gain on us from below. Net result is no real change.

How did you come to that conclusion? His assists alone have been quite important this season, and he's generally performed pretty well IMO.

Only Brum, Palace and Burnley from the top half winning at the mo... this is a tough league, make no mistake.

'Stonewall' according to the OS twitter feed.

Thanks all, we will start compiling a list of 'must do' and 'would like to do' and go from there. We're still at least a year away from doing this so no hurry. And thanks Um, Seat61 was the website I was trying to think of last night when we were talking about it, and all I could think of was Passenger 51!!!

Don't worry, you make the suggestions, we'll work out the Interail route! Keep 'em coming.

The photo above is from the early 1930's apparently. Here's a good shot showing that. This, believe it or not (and I didn't at first) is the main line looking from above the Tunnel towards the site of Southampton Central (Southampton West is the station in the picture). So off to the left of the photo nowadays would be Toys'R'Us and West Quay... but back then (1895) it was all water still!

8 years ago...