Minty

Listening to the highlights and reflecting on Saturday's win, it's clear that Lambert is contributing just as much to the team this season as he did last, but with assists, rather than goals. His link play has set up or led to so many of our goals, he deserves massive credit. Goals will always grab headlines, and strikers are usually judged on the goals they score, but Lambert is playing brilliantly at the moment and the fact they we're not relying on him alone to score has improved the team immensely. Glad he got a goal as just reward tonight too.

If you look up thedelldays' more recent posts you'll see he has been quite gracious and given a lot of praise to the team and Adkins, so I think that's unfair.

I agree alpine. Do you not ever think however that sometimes some of your rather judgemental and dismissive comments come too soon? Sadly you attract the replies because of the way in which you often state things yourself. 'Complete fantasy ********' for example? Anyway, everyone's a winner if he stays and continues like he played today.

He now deserves our unequivocal support to become an integral part of a promotion winning squad. Fair play to him for coming back and putting in such a good performance... if his attitude was that bad he wouldn't have even wanted to play today so all parties deserve some credit for what has transpired and hopefully he'll now remain and make a solid contribution.

Credit where it is due, it sounds like we out-everything'd them today, players wanted it more, but Adkins got the tactics spot on too, not to mention also making a number of changes ourselves. Most people clearly believe in NA, but even those who still aren't sure must surely accept that he and the team have earnt the benefit of anyones doubt now.

Worth pointing out Graham Murty's comments on Radio 5Live Xtra... he was very keen to point that we got our tactics spot on, that we stifled Blackpool by putting pressure on their back four with Lallana in the hole behind Lambert and Barnard to give them no time to play their passing game. Credit to NA for that, because in general terms we've never been the best at adapting our tactics from our regular formation but it seems today everything came together.

That was a pleasure to listen to, and by the sounds of things, should be a pleasure to watch highlights of later! Nice one Saints.

Oh, Chambo hits the woodwork! We have sounded fuc#ing awesome. Simple. As. That.

Interesting to hear Graham Murty's comments about Saints and the club in general... really fulsome praise for the whole place. Would like a second goal to feel more comfortable, and I think we're more than capable.

Brighton 2-0 Pompey... lol!

Gonna listen to that for a change, instead of Solent.

Hindsight is simply wonderful: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591 (Did Alpine write it?! lol) But at least it's been reviewed: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/ashes-reasons-we-kiidded-ourselves/story-fn6s84x9-1225983791369

Personally, I never try and fix the background. Yes it helps if it is generally plain, but as Pancake says, Depth of Field is king and get that right, it really shouldn't matter too much. As a result, 98% of the portraiture I do is out and about, or in a natural and comfortable setting for the subject. With kids, that usually means in their garden or down the park and I shoot using a 70-200mm at f4, sometimes less. Obviously better glass costs more money, you can get decent results with cheaper lenses... I'm a Canon man, so I used to have the previous version of the 75-300... it's minimum aperture was f5.6 at 300mm, but it still did a good job. Focal length removes you from the situation so the kids can play and do whatever they want to do without being so aware of you being there. Having written all that, I realise you were talking about specifically doing this at home, but if you can, try the above and see what you get.

Watching the highlights on Saints Player just now, shows a lot more than FL show, and Guly effectively started the move for our first goal by chasing back, stealing possession and setting AOC away down the right. Missed a couple of difficult headed chances, but so many chances involved him... he was integral to a lot of good things we did it seems.

Funny thing is, our 'best side' depends on who we're playing... Adkins clearly changes things depending on the game and the opposition, and there is no 'first choice XI' anymore. That said, I still want and expect him to put out what he considers to be the best side available to take on Blackpool, and not rest anyone inparticular.

Being reported on Sky Sports News apparently. Edit: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11684_6634497,00.html

I'm sure we've had plenty of players at the club over the years who've been thought of as '****'s' or whatever, by some people. As far as I'm concerned, the main relationships that matter would be between said player and his manager and teammates. I employ some people who I don't particularly get on with personally, for one reason or another. But we respect each others ability to do our jobs, they work hard and deliver the goods. That's what they are paid for, everyone is happy. There will be other people who get on well with those people, and others I get on well with. I'm sure there are plenty of people who know or who've met Austin who think he's a good bloke. I will trust Adkins' judgement on any player he sees fit to sign (or release for that matter, a la Puncheon)... mind you, that all being said I can't see Austin coming here.

lol, do we *need* reminding of this?! ;-)

Patience is indeed a virtue. A little bit of faith helps too.

Amen. Worth also pointing out that things can and will change more than once too... I'm sure Guly will have some bad games, Adkins will make some errors, we'll have at least one game before the end of the season where we play really badly... sh!t happens. Judgements should only be made over a run of 10+ games, ideally more IMO. If only everyone could remember that when making their sweeping judgements after one result inparticular.

Table as it stands is on the BBC match page: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9310212.stm

This. We all know that 2nd means nothing right now in the great scheme of things, but it will be our highest placing in this league since coming down, and it should give us a real confidence boost to kick on into 2011.

Is this a good time to mention the political axis thing that has been on here a few times? The one that talks about not just left- and right-wing but also being libertarian/authoritarian: http://www.politicalcompass.org/ It includes a good explanation of why Hitler is where he is: http://www.politicalcompass.org/faq#faq19 Might have some relevance in this discussion. Also an interesting update on there showing UK political parties in 2010. Clearly there's not a lot of point discussing the original post as it will get hijacked or shot down or dismissed before any kind of discussion can take place. I found it interesting enough to warrant further investigation but I do actually agree that life experiences shape your political persuasion a lot as well.

A couple of points: 1 - Guly reminds me of Teddy Sheringham. Teddy was also never an out-and-out striker to many fans (I personally don't like pigeon holing players in specific positions, but it seems the done thing for most fans) but often played in the hole or off another striker, linking play, pulling defences around and creating opportunities for others. Yes, Teddy was a good finisher too, but I am sure Guly can and will improve this aspect, given the support of fans whilst he is on the pitch. But when he plays, I see him play very much in that Teddy style. A valuable option to have. 2 - I admit that favour a settled first XI, but it is always important to have options and variation, and Guly gives us that. I love Barnard and think he is an excellent player. I also readily admit that I thought he should've started the game instead of Guly when I heard the team, but Guly went on to show what he can offer. We don't know what would've happened if Barnard had started, but it is by no means certain that he would've scored Guly's chances. 3 - It doesn't matter who a player is, the best way of helping them settle and improve is to support them vocally when they do miss chances. We all have an initial shout of frustration when an effort goes wide or is saved, but once that passes, the next thing a player or the team hears is crucial IMO... if it is followed by a rousing shout of encouragement, and a cacophony of noise, it intimidates the opposition and lifts our players to think 'Come on, a goal is coming'... if it is followed by even a few boos and mutterings of discontent, it puts players on edge, it makes them fearful of making further mistakes and then it can affects the whole game. No matter what, fans need to get right behind players for the full 95 minutes, even when they miss or muck up... Players DO pick up on our anxieties and nervousness... constant encouragement is essential.

Ta for that. It confirmed a couple of things for me: 1 - Chambo should've had a penalty. 2 - Lallana really should've done better with his two chances. Even the one the keeper saved, with his ability, he really should have placed it better IMO. 3 - Lambert's shot was better than I gave him credit for. I think the keeper will still be disappointed having got a decent hand to it, but it was superbly struck. 4 - Both Chamberlain and Chaplow's goals were very composed finishes... 3 of our 4 goals were all from nearly the edge of the area, about 18 yards out, and that doesn't happen very often. 5 - It really should've been 7-2.