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I'd like to see Sheff Wed get four more points to end the season outside of the points deficit. They have shown a great spirit in the last couple of games. Hopefully they can get back on track next season, but they'll probably just get another massive deduction.

So, to summarise my trip: initially, going back to Southampton was a personal project; I came here with a friend two years ago and, having had a great time, I wanted to return. Originally, I was planning to stay from Friday to Saturday to watch the lads’ match against Ipswich Town on Good Friday and the girls’ match against Sheffield on Saturday lunchtime. In the end, I couldn’t make it to the girls’ match as I had to postpone my visit from Saturday to Sunday, but I was lucky enough to be there for the match against Arsenal. I arrived on Saturday morning – here’s the photo I shared with you – and went to the club shop. At 1 pm I went for a bite to eat at The Dell pub, then returned to my hotel to rest a bit before heading to the match. After the match, I went back to the hotel and rested until check-out at around 12 pm on Sunday. Out of curiosity, I wanted to visit the training ground, and I think the fact that I’d come from France and am from Valenciennes certainly helped me get a tour of the centre – nothing more, nothing less After the visit, I watched the U14 girls’ match on the artificial pitch, then headed back to Dover for the return journey to France. That’s it

I can see you’re trying to pick on things when you’ve actually run out of things to say about the player – it’s a real shame! (Yes, Pierre Blois and Rudy Mater are doing a great job, and that must really annoy you) Save your energy, my fellow countryman, to support our team and wish them all the best! And if you don’t like what’s happening in Valenciennes, there are two other clubs 45 and 70 km from Valenciennes that would be delighted to welcome you...

Rattled more times than a beggars tin

Drive

Assuming as expected 2nd will be completely out of reach by then, and if we have a top 4 place locked up, it would be tempting. Certainly rest a lot of key players. But if top 4 isn't assured, it would be an interesting dilemma.

Let’s try not to win the game against Ipswich to keep them second.

Economy

Yay! https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/12/viktor-orban-concedes-defeat-as-opposition-wins-hungarian-election

Yep, It's similar to the City/Arsenal situation in the Prem as both teams have to play each other and Arsenal have to slip up somewhere else with City basically winning all, or most, of their remaining points. Ipswich have a game in hand on us so even though we play each other, if we win that we are still effectively have to win all our games and hope Ipswich slip up... only they need to lose at least twice more than we do. I think they're hit a new gear so we probably won't make it. Games will run out. One positive is that we play them in the penultimate League game so we will have a much better picture of whether it is still possible by then. I'm very doubtful though. Especially as we'd be coming off the back of, what I assume will be, a lung-busting FA Cup semi. Finishing as high up as we can should be the goal, I don't see why we can't finish 3rd or 4th for the home tie in the 2nd leg of our play-off game.

Seems to be Orban lite; wants closer ties to the EU, tighter immigration controls, may well stop blocking EU funds to Ukraine but will not directly give support, wants to set a deadline for ending Hungary's reliance on Russian fuel supplies. Much of what he plans has not been publicised because 80% of the Hungarian media is strongly controlled by and supportive of Orban.

Ah yes, my mistake. Drury is still a twat tho

Just to be clear, that’s what I expect him to do. Not what I’d do. Azaz won’t start, it’ll be Charles. Stephens has to miss one game, I expect this and/or Bristol City. He might keep Jander for Bragg and Scienza for Edozie. I just think he’ll view this as the one to make changes. Let’s see.

Pretty much any outskirts station served by Chiltern will work too, as those trains stop at Wembley Stadium station. My picks would be Beaconsfield or Gerrards Cross. Denham, West Ruislip et al are on the same line but have significantly smaller car parks. IMO there's diminishing benefit the closer you get to Wembley. You're probably looking at 20 mins between stepping on a train at Gerrards Cross and arriving at the stadium itself. The stations on the tube line come in to Wembley Park station, which may be handier if you're heading somewhere north of the stadium beforehand. But for the likes of The Green Man or just speedily getting in/out of the ground I prefer Wembley Stadium.

The article says she will be taking charge of the women's team in the summer. But if she were to win all her games in charge, I wonder if she would then be offered the job.

Downes was excellent yesterday. Played like a real footballer, not a wall.

Abbott really looks in the mood in this game, knocking stumps over for fun. Just need to get Bean out in the morning session and we should be able to see it through.

Just thinking, if Bree was injured who would replace him at RB? Is Jelert fit? Along with the lkeeper, it's probably the only position where we don't have obvious ready made replacement. Credit to Bree for making that spot his own in last few months.

Downes has played the full 90 mins in the last 2 games so wouldn't be surprised if he starts on the bench. So if Azaz is out, it could be Bragg and Jander in midfield with Charles in front of them? Matsuki and Scienza in the wide positions and would expect Larin to start with Stewart coming on later. I wouldn't mess with the back 4 unless we absolutely have to and someone really needs a rest.

Unfortunately I was there in the new year! Eek 😧

Well 2nd is highly unlikely. We could have done with a favour from Norwich today. Realistically we will need the skates to get something at home to Ipswich and then Boro to get something at Ipswich. We will then need to beat Ipswich and probably win our remaining games. While not impossible this is highly unlikely.

Agree it should be a full house … disappointing if not Less agreement on the amount of changes, don’t think it’s necessary to do that much. Apart from GK and RB (maybe Azaz but Matsuki can play 10) we do pretty much have two players for each position. But for impetus I think changing more than 3 or 4 is excessive. Think Downes will play, maybe with Charles, back 5 unchanged except possibly Manning/Wellington. There are options across the front 4 but I see Scienza starting along with Azaz unless he’s cooked. Matsuki comes In for either Azaz or Fellows imho. Larin or Stewart?? Up to the medical team re Stewart I suspect. Win tomorrow and we’ve virtually secured a playoff place (remarkable from where we were); I hope we go strong and get it done ASAP.

I'm not sure where that number has come from but this game was brought forward a week ago to effectively give people nine days notice. People have lives to fit this around and life's not exactly cheap with the cost of fuel going through the roof and so many home fixtures packed together.

We’ve been very fortunate with injuries since Christmas only a few short term one let’s hope it stays this way for the last 10 games

I have absolutely no evidence to relate to, so it’s only a personal opinion. I just think darts isn’t quite as point and shoot as one might think. Mostly it is a reasonably equal game, but the 7ft 9” oche distance brings a tiny element of strength into the equation. It may be only a small difference, but I just think that at the very top level it makes a difference.