UpweySaint

I fancy people are being a touch too black and white about this. Progress in the cup could help build momentum for the league while on the other hand a good league finish this year might help us solidify the gains we have made and have a crack at trophies year on year if we build on the side (ifs and maybes for sure but thats sort of the point!). My own opinion is, as much as I would love a cup run, I am prouder of our reputation for bringing through the academy talents and, if that means giving them experience in the cups, so be it.

Just to add on - Dixon identified the trigger as being when the closest man to the ball decides to press others went with him, used an analogy of them being tethered by a length of rope and that it only worked if they stayed as such. Has to be said Dixon and his co-commentator (whose name escapes me!) were very complimentary and insightful.

Fair point, was not too expensive but (I know Osvaldo) his off the field issues are a factor worth considering and how they might impact on his teammates.

I always had a soft spot for Crouch and Super Kev but, perhaps stranger, lloyd james. Always thought he'd make it and was dissapointed to see him drop down the leagues.

Back on topic I'd say a solid B for our window, not perfect but, on reflection, a very decent one. Yes we signed some players with real pedigree but it is fair to say they may need time to settle, still though, a plus. Didnt look like having to panic on losing our better players for once, a major plus. Trimmed plenty of the fringe players and tied down the prospects to contracts, good business. Let go of Puncheon (yes im well aware higher football brains made the decision but as a fan on a forum I can still grumble about it) without bringing in a replacement for what was an important part of our team last season (Redmond is looking like a steal for Norwich and I was eager for us to sign him up all summer), the only major minus for me. Missing out on a few other players who went elsewhere and we, perhaps, could have got will always happen.

Ok that was a bit uncalled for ...

Oh dear referencing yourself in third person is a rather worrying sign ... Nevertheless, no matter how valid your point may or may not be, if you keep harping on about it like a prat people will generally stop listening. We know you think Ramirez always has and always will be a terrible football player and there is a mass conspiracy of people telling you he's good ... maybe stop going on about it? ... Or just copy and paste something generic about him being utter tosh and save yourself some time

So ... we dont seem to be getting much help from the officials so far this season! Nevertheless a point or more was there for the taking and im dissapointed once again we couldnt create enough clear cut chances. The first two subs frankly left me baffled, Lallana was having one of his better games and looked most likely to create whereas having two strikers up top just was not working. Osavaldo looks to not yet be on the same wavelength as others and probably should have came off earlier. Why Wanayama stayed on instead of Morgan I will never know. MPs post match will be interesting for sure. My biggest concern was with us seeming to be attempting to go "like for like" with Norwich as it were. Tactically we got it wrong with Osvaldo and Lambert seeing very little of the ball in the right areas and our play rarely pushed into the space left by Redmond and Snodgrass getting forward. Last year when we played them we kept trying to play through the middle and Turner/Bassong were solid yet we tried exactly the same again and came up short, lessons to be learnt ... Positives though Chambers looked decent, JWPs dead ball delivery looks a real asset, Lallana looks back to his best (I hope!), Lovren barely puts a foot wrong and Boruc genuinely fills me with confidence.

You need pace and proper wide men if you're essentially playing four four two with two big men up top ... Norwich knew this yet we didn't. We were not terrible and im not hitting panic stations but do hope we have one more transfer up our sleeves otherwise JP could be a big miss imo!

http://www.freepremiershiponline.com/streaming-football-links ...always a decent place to start. Imagine you'l have better luck with which links are actually worth using around kick off though.

Be interesting to read should anybody want to put in the time to do it ...

"Tis but a flesh wound!" ... A'hem I'l get my coat.

Interesting read, would take Cresswell but would be v dissapointed to see Cork go. Of course rumours, pinch of salt etc ..

Championship team of the year when we went up, stuck with us in league one when westham came knocking, been (apparently) a great person to have around the squad. May have been found to not be a "premiership standard" keeper anymore but i'd say he's been fantastic for us over the years for sure!

Fair comments. My hope is that the actions of fan groups and even pressure from politicians will help drive down prices. I understand the need to make a decent turnover but would not be too surprised to see some sort of regulation brought in for ticket prices. Personally I think im all misty eyed about the "german model" even if it may never happen over here ..

Not missing the point honest, I understand the way the world works and that the club is a business ... I was simply venturing an opinion on why the attendance may not have been as high as some hoped. Matchday expenses are wider then a ticket price (especially for those with families) and I just feel it is a shame we may lose potential and existing fans by pricing them out.

I have read it, no worries. I dont disagree it may make business sense for the club but that doesnt make it right. My opinion is that football should be available, at least on some level, to a wide range of people regardless of income with high prices making match attendance somehwat exclusive. All I was after was how you felt about the ticket prices and if they were counter productive to building a large loyal fanbase?

Okay usual stuff from you but come on, surely even you must see the basic costs can be off putting? I dont buy this "I can afford to go to more games therefore im a 'proper' fan concept". That £37 does not include transport, refreshments etc. Others it may be different but for me to now attend a game and split a kitkat at halftime I wont get much change from £50 which is an expense that doesnt sit well with a student/part time job budget. (Expecting a lovely sarcastic reply but it'd be nice to be surprised...)

To be fair ticket prices up, requirements for cheap seats in the family stand changed. Just shy of forty quid (cheapest!) is decent money for many of us and I know several people who are going to be more selective with the matches they go to this year (myself included). Cant say it's surprising we didnt sell out.

No worries! Happy to have helped.

Should've been more but happy to have got something. 4 points from two sides that are about our level is a good return. We lacked cutting edge again, Rodriguez full of ideas but not quite got the shooting boots on. Hopefully the signing of Osvaldo will help us put a few more away, liked his off the ball movement, always trying to play off the shoulder of the defender. Clyne came on and showed glimpses of what we miss when he is out of the team, genuine beat a man pace that pushes defenders back and causes problems. MOTM JWP. Quality delivery from set pieces and put in some of the better balls into the frontmen, hope he can keep it up. Only real grumble for me was realising we couldnt bring punch off the bench. The game was crying out for somebody to run at their defence, hoping for another signing to bring that into our play.

http://livesport4u.com/stream1.html (in case you're curious i believe it is malaysian tv!) if it stops ... http://www.freepremiershiponline.com/streaming-football-links *Try this one, working better http://nutjob.eu/njtvx11.html

Not even fulham at a push ..?

Maybe. That simple. Everton dont have enough squad depth to finish top eight imo and I believe we do. Arsenal too soon to say. If they spend well next week and avoid more injuries they still have enough quality to finish top six or better. If they dont sign quality and pick up any more serious injuries I can see the Wenger out chants becoming deafening...

Thanks Duncan. As I turned twenty two last month I had half a mind to blag it on the assumption they wouldnt check IDs or such like. I dont know why they wouldnt do it but I couldnt see an option for it.