alpine_saint

Oh dear...... 49:20

This.

Considering our early fixture list, delaying any further squad improvements is mental. We need that first half-dozen games to go our way. And there is no time for our usual waking-up/gelling circus-cum-freak show..

Like the fact only one of Bulwark and Albion is in service at any time.

The only role they will have is dredging the bed of Southsea harbour - the arent likely to ever get sight of an aircraft.

So, his participation in the finals is endangered because his employer decides he shouldnt go to one meaningless friendly a year in advance due to ongoing fitness concerns , is it ? I doubt the Uruguay coach thinks like that, and if Ramirez thinks so he should be enlightened. Really, why do certain people suffer a rush of blood to the head and genital regions whenever Ramirez is mentioned in anything other than gushing tones ???

Great. F**king let them. Pay the fine. Or dont play him for 5 days. I dont see how FIFA really can force us to release a player if his fitness is potentially degraded by the call-up. I am assuming this is why we've decided he is "not ready". Unless of course Ramirez himself is going to kick up a fuss. In which case we are back in Delgado territory with a player not really committed to his employer.

Really curious to see how Mayuka goes now hes got off the mark. I think the squad looks quite balanced at the moment, but is missing a bit of quality. In following order we need: =1. CB =1. Striker 2. Left winger 3. GK back-up for Boruc Only the first two are critical, but if they drag on they may become less so if Isgrove steps up and Maya comes back and forges a good partnership with Lovren.

Maybe this is a stupid question, maybe not... But why are we releasing him for this friendly if we consider him to be unsufficiently fit to play for us? Ergo, how can he bit fit enough to play for them ? I am less concerned about Maya because he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to play a game out for us.

Isnt time to cut our losses and give up on Ramirez ? He hasnt played a minute of friendly time yet and is off again (interesting he is fit enough to play for Uruguay). Its going to be late October before we see him, then god knows how long he will last. The most disastrous value-for-money signing in Saints history. And if Maya is not going to be playing for another month, this puts a totally different shade on the "we need another CB" discussion.

Yep this. Always amused by the moral cowardice / hypocrisy such stories expose.

Come on then, show us what you look like. I had a great time, enjoyed the brief company of fellow Saints fans, enjoyed some time with my kids, and bellends like you try to put a downer on it. Get a life. *would appreciate someone quoting this as the numpty coward keeps claiming I am on ignore, despite the abuse he dishes out*

This. My wife does the majority of the week shop at Aldi (called Hofer in Austria), then gets a few premium items not available there at the big name supermarket chains.

i am 2 to the left of the kid covering his ears. my 2 eldest are on my left.

Forgot Punch - yeah, he was good again. IMO, if Isgrove and Chambers are really stepping up to the plate, we really only have to worry about a CB, and maybe, just maybe, we are alright without them if either Jos or Jose sharpens up a bit. Question is, how to give Chambers and Isgrove a really good go at it in competitive games, without risking firmly entrenching ourselves in the relegation zone if it goes somehow wrong ?

Me too.

Did well again tonight.

No, but my voice has gone. Maybe you heard us ? I'd like to think we helped to make the third goal. My verdict on today : Boruc is #1 goalie. No doubt in my mind. Fox, Jos, Fonte and Chambers did very well, imo. Chambers getting better with every game, Jos's distribution still pants. Still to be convinced by Ward-Prowse. Cork did better in the first half than the second. He also gave the ball away for their goal. IMO Clynes backup is now Chambers, not Cork. Morgan has had better games than this. And needs to keep his mouth shut with the refs. Wanyamma was again a rock, winning stuff in the middle. A bit impetuous, and maybe didnt run back a couple of times when he should have, but really he brings so much to the middle. We havent had someone like him since Jimmy Case. Rickie had a poor, poor game until his goal. When he scored, we were transformed. He carries so much of the spirit of the team, they look to him. J-Rod worked hard and kept them on their toes, scared them a couple of times. Adam was better in the middle today, but it still looks a bit like style over substance. But he was better than Wedensday. Isgrove - one to watch. We want pace, he's got it. S. Davis is turning into the new Matt Oakley for me. Not high profile, but adds a lot to the team as a unit. Overall, we looked much better than Wednesday, but how much of that was due to the opposition ? Besiktas fans - mad as a box of frogs. Never felt in any danger though. And as I said, Andy Durman sent a group with a drum away with a flea in their collective ear without any comeback. Didnt like NCs green shorts...

They were right next to us. Andy D told them to bog off - and they did

which camera ?

Erm, cos he just told a fan down at the fence...

Wanyama, Clyne and Mayuka not even changing

Ooo, dont like the look of the start line-up. Rickie unlikely to feature at all today

nope, sat a few rows behind out-of-shot

Andy Durman