SaintDonkey

I'd bring Cork in at right back to give him a full match there. On the evidence of Saturday I think he might be the answer in the position. Rest Killer and give a start to Lancashire. Bart played in the last cup match so I'd stick with that policy. If Holmes is injured I'd move Surman up left flank with Mills behind him (although I'd expect them to spend a good deal of the game on the overlap). Give John a start and another chance to see if he can pick up last season's form. -------------------Bialkowski Cork------Lancashire-----C.Perry[c]-----Mills -------------Gillett---------Schneiderlin -------White-------Lallana-------Surman --------------------S.John Subs: [GK] Forecast Wotton Euell McGoldrick Thomson Dyer

Six foot two and a decent scoring record for the Czech U21s (six in seven days). Could be useful at this level and add a bit of height. I wouldn't say no. Not sure about Stokes - amazing in Scotland, anonymous in Sunderland.

The sooner the coverage goes to the Beeb the better - except of course we'll be in the Premiership by then I hope the coverage on Saints TV will be better - but I don't think they have much say over what coverage they get for away games.

****ing Championship just the ****ing goal?!?!?!

Not sure if this will work but...

Sky and the Beeb are crediting McGoldrick with the goal. I'm not sure whether it's better for Lallana to be off the mark or for McGoaldrick to be on a scoring streak. Maybe this is the best of both worlds with both players claiming it?

I'll be there - if Derby can get 26,000 home fans to watch a team that hasn't won for a year be outplayed by relegation favorites (that would be us) then surely we can get that to watch a Saints team that truly are playing the beautiful game. "it's just like watching Holland..."

From the Derby official site: What match were they watching!

Just back via a few pints in Derby and a rail replacement service to London. Absolutely fantastic performance - Gillett MOM for me, he was just everywhere, but that whole central midfield trio of Gillett, Schneiderlin and Lallana just bossed it. Cork looked very assured and quickly snuffed out the threat of Ellington who I think had been put on to run at James (who's still a bit of a defensive weak link). Surman had good moments but didn't quite seem quite at the races - if Cork is perhaps the answer at right back then to make me confidant in defense we need an answer at left back as well. Davis was superb and is hopefully going to make a lot of posters on here eat their words over the course of this season. Can't let it raise expectations too much for this season, Derby were poor, but if we can keep this team together and they keep improving we'll walk the league next season Come on you Saints!

Absolutely excellent news. Please can he go straight in at rightback - James, although promising, really isn't ready on Saturday's evidence.

Shall we look at the managers for the 5 years before he took over? That's 5 years and including caretakers 5 managers I believe (I'm not sure exactly when Lowe joined). Lowe continued the trend but he hardly originated it. Graeme Souness 03-07-1996 01-06-1997 Dave Merrington 14-07-1995 14-06-1996 Lawrie McMenemy 02-07-1995 14-07-1995 Alan Ball 20-01-1994 02-07-1995 Ian Branfoot 11-06-1991 10-01-1994 Chris Nicholl 12-07-1985 22-05-1991

I love the way some 'fans' forget an FA cup final, a top ten finish inn the Premiership and a shiny new stadium all came under Lowe's reign. And the little matter that before he came we had been hanging on to our Premiership status by the skin of Matt LeTissier's teeth for years. The relegation came under Lowe but had been coming for years before he came on teh scene, the financial nightmare we're in now came from those who followed him.

Very harsh on James. He was good going forwards, made a few decent saving tackles and you can't fault his workrate, far from 'useless''. However I agree with your conclusion and play Thomas against the craftier opposition wingers like Quincey. I've no idea who's on Derby's left wing these days - anyone know?

Can you play right back?

Oops - I just saw the 'G' and leapt to a very very wrong conclusion

Tempted to say Thomas but with Davies gone we need the experienced cover at centre back and right back. Having said that it's evident that Poortvliet doesn't rate him so maybe best if he did go. Euell I think could yet be a valuable player for us but Skacel's heart doesn't seem in it so bye bye Rudi. BWP's place looks vulnerable - he should be a natural to slot into this style of play but he doesn't really offer anything we haven't got from the youth.

Merrington's media work is probably enough to get him access to the players at a reserves match. Although it is interesting if he was showing people around Saint Mary's - surely if the club is co-operating with him it shows that despite what the more rabid Lowe haters would have us believe Lowe and Wilde are looking to sell or at least bring in investment.

I guess VectisSaint must be right but it does seem odd - as far as I can make out he's played for Aalburg twice already and scored a goal http://www.aabsport.dk/aabfodbold/statistik surely they wouldn't send him home unless he was injured - and if he were injured why would he be in training? Maybe he wanted to say his goodbyes?

Surely not - Saga's much taller

Odd that Saga was there - it's nearly 2 weeks since they announced he was off on loan. My Danish is non-existant but I think he was named in their squad just 2 days ago http://www.aabsport.dk/29B847C9-6F3D-46F1-A2EA-6180A17183B3.W5Doc?id=7AEACE74-BD22-4601-850B-88B822D23A14

Plus Lancashire. And Byrne. And Kyle Davies. And Racine if you want to push a point. They may not be ready for first team but they're adequate cover. Centre back isn't a problem. Now if you're talking fullbacks...

But if the lad wants to go there's absolutely nothing we can do to stop him at that age Bit of a ****er that's he's a rightback!

Derby are at 4/5 for the win - not the most tempting odds I've ever seen!

Good on the players, Poortvliet and Wilde. All the best.

Jan Poortvliet. With no money the only thing any manager can do is try and get the players they have playing decent football, Jan's done that so far and I'd give him a season. Even if it ends in relegation it'll hardly be a surprise and I can't see anyone doing better to be honest.