qwertyell

Turns out the "leaked" 55 man provisional squad that was doing the rounds a few weeks back was bollocks. Bella-Kotchap wasn't in it.

Abraham has gone ice cold in front of goal this season. Think he's only scored twice. A real slump. Tomori seems to have basically been judged on Milan's two CL games against Chelsea, where he had a pretty mediocre game at Stamford Bridge, and then got (harshly) sent off after 20 minutes in the home game.

Always seemed a decent guy. Tarnished that image a bit, I think, by not walking away in the summer and instead allowing the coaching staff to carry the can for his poor results. He must've known his number was up, but he was more than happy to carry on pocketing his big wage packet for six more months while his staff lost their jobs. Very David Brentian. "Well, there's good news and bad news... The bad news is some of you will lose your jobs... I know, I know. Gutting... On a more positive note, the good news is I've been promoted. So... every cloud... You're still thinking about the bad news." Looked like a dead man walking all season, grimly waiting for the inevitable. A rubbish way for it to end.

He's our equivalent of Joelinton. A striker with a midfielder's attributes.

No Payne. No Finnigan or Tizzard, who have been training with the first team recently. Ballard only on the bench. Chance to see some of them in the League Cup on Weds?

Well, at least we finally know that SR are fucking useless. So much for these cool, calculated Danes that have got it all planned out. If they wanted a long ball merchant suited to the lower leagues, Dyche's available. Dave Bassett would probably still be up for it. What a mad appointment.

This keeper saves nothing but shots straight at him. Didn't even get close to two powder puff finishes. Maitland-Niles has been hopeless on all three goals. They say it's the hope that kills you, but we've had none of that in months.

Forum's fucked. Probably for the best. Truly inept defending for the goal. Both CBs sold themselves, then Maitland-Niles put on his clown shoes... Elyounoussi missed an absolute sitter. We've not been awful. But there's no quality. Walcott predictably invisible. Newcastle much more dangerous going forward. Can we muster a rousing second half come back? Not optimistic.

February at a minimum, I reckon. End of April he did his ACL. 9 months is normally standard.

Young as in experience. He's only managed two clubs, and only in Argentina.

He says it's Marcelo Gallardo, which pretty much confirms it's bollocks. One of the most highly rated young managers in the game - he'll start his European career in Spain or France (where he played for Monaco and PSG), I suspect.

Have my doubts. Elyounoussi had better numbers in Scottish football - and he's absolute shite. For the money, Aribo was a punt worth taking, but looks a fairly mediocre squad player to me. His two goals have rather papered over the fact that as a midfielder he has otherwise contributed fuck all. He doesn't tackle, create, sprint. Doesn't do anything much aside from wander around half heartedly and occasionally get his legs in a slow motion tangle.

Literally signed a new 6 year contract last month. That ship has sailed for us (unless he's available again on loan).

We need a 6, 9, and a 10/winger (depending on whether a different manager might play a different system). Doubt there's going to be much value out there in January for such key positions. They absolutely ballsed up the summer recruitment - whilst their cheerleaders waved their pom-poms and declared us transfer window champions.

Don't think there are three worse teams. Perhaps more importantly, I don't think there are three teams that play worse football either. Nothing's going to change under this manager. We've changed the coaches. We've changed the squad. We've even changed the board. There's only one thing left to try. It might make no difference, but what's the point in sleepwalking to relegation under a manager who is clearly a busted flush? Can't even remember the last time we actually played well - 4 wins in 28, but they were all grim, backs to the wall stuff. Come on, SR, at least have a go.

He did his ACL at the end of April. Conservative estimates for that kind of injury always suggest a minimum of 9 months (end of January), and even then it takes a long time to get back up to full fitness afterwards. Wouldn't surprise me if he manages only half a dozen starts this seasons. Temper your expectations - it was a really bad knock. Edit: I should also add that we have a very poor record with ACL recoveries. Rodriguez took two years and a second operation. McQueen never got back on the park and had to retire. Sam Bailey (B Team) has had to have a second operation. Can't actually think of anyone in our recent history who has recovered properly from a torn ACL. Romeu came back well, but we had nothing to do with that. Edit 2: Forster. He came back to roughly the same level.

Doesn't look like he's in the provisional German world cup squad which has leaked. If they were holding off on operating on his shoulder because he was eying up the WC, they should probably get it booked now - it's a pretty long recovery period, IIRC.

Fair play, the boys found some fight in the second half and deservedly got something out of that. Elyounoussi's game saving tacking (after all three centre backs inexplicably vacated their posts) seemed to invigorate him into a golden five minutes where he started going forward with purpose and created the equaliser. Rode our luck disciplinary-wise. DCC should've conceded a penalty with his grappling act - and it would have been a red - and Lyanco retaliated not once but twice (an elbow on Jesus and the late attempted headbutt). Can't fault his effort and dedication, but he's an accident waiting to happen. Thought Salisu had a solid game, more in keeping with his good form in the first half of last season. And Perraud was great getting up and down and putting in crosses. I do worry about his fitness, though. When he came off in midweek after about 75 minutes he looked like he'd been rescued from a POW camp. And again today he was absolutely fucked by 80 minutes. I know he missed pre season with his broken leg so his conditioning might be a bit behind, but wonder if he's struggling with the after effects of covid or something. Edozie promising off the bench. Walcott useless. Anyway, a very creditable point against the odds. And they managed to get off the pitch before the lightning came. Well played.

Nonexistent midfield. No-one tracking runners. Should've been a penalty and a red card too. Even the officials feel sorry for us. We look like a lower league club - but not one of the plucky ones who have a go.

Could be. Limited evidence to go on, but he does look fairly comfortable using either foot.

Prowse isn't going to RB when we're short at CM too. It'll probably be Djenepo as wing back in a 5, unless they throw Lewis Payne in at the deep end.

We weren't even a young team last night. Average age of the outfield players in the starting XI was 26 (rounding up).

Win's a win, no matter how shite. Very welcome clean sheet. Don't know who's playing RB against Arsenal if KWP is out and AMN club tied. Might have to go three at the back and hope Djenepo can fill in at wing back - or give Lewis Payne a baptism of fire.

Referee giving them absolutely everything. Obviously didn't watch the Man City Liverpool game on Sunday, where nothing was a foul - now every minor contact is. For Bournemouth anyway. Pretty even game. Both sides look miles short of quality. Let's see if we can hang on.

https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-10-18/team-news-bournemouth-southampton-premier-league-2022-23 Sounds a bit ominous for Bella-Kotchap.