suewhistle

He's probably been influenced by the weather we've been having and the forecast.. His experience and strength should do him well down there as his pace has gone. Good luck to him. Edit: Does this place in the squad have any implications for signings or loans, I wonder?

Last time I went there, for a testimonial, they kept us in for an hour whilst the bad boys threw lumps of concrete over the wall at us until cleared off by the police. Are you sure you want to stay longer in that dump than necessary?

In what way? I have to say I've found the arguments on this thread rather difficult to follow. He feels that he isn't getting enough protection from the refs, and I suspect there'd be very few on this board who disagreed with that view. Objecting to attempts to physically harm him seems reasonable, and I've seen little evidence of diving.

Well, on the train.. Some Blades fans too, worrying about getting the train home. I might be nice and tell them to use Woolston and save 10 minutes over Central.. If I do and we lose I shall be really hacked!

Oh gawd, I'm sat here at my desk looking at the low clouds and the rain beating against the window. Errands to do at some stage in Southampton but if I drive the roads will be dire and it means no pre-med and mild anaesthesia for the game. The alternative by train could then include the exquisite misery of a late train home after another depressing performance and dedeat, or even a 0-0 of anti-football. There's a certain catharis of being there and shouting at Manning to run back and cover, and a bit of loud despairing moaning about players taking responsibility and not abrogating it by passing it back the way it came. I've given up complaining about referees as they seem the least of our problems, although Scienza certainly deserves more protection. What choices, eh? Or not go: too stubborn for that and I don't like giving up, plus need to get out of the house. I've decided, sod Dry January it is!

He's certainly not captain material in terms of leading the troops and giving metaphorical kicks up the bum, at least on the pitch. I've seen no signs of lack of effort as he is often the one leading the press and chasing down. I agree his body language doesn't seem right though. It was good to see RS closing the keeper down the other game and hastening him in to an early pass. We need more of that by everybody.

That was my thought at the time. I wish they'd all take a bit of responsibility. Maybe Azaz was right in passing sideways but a swift toe poke is very difficult to set up for at that range. Manning's automatic pass back without looking another example of how not very good he is.. Somebody mentioned how bored the crowd were: the guy next to me missed the goal as he was fiddling about with his snacks, but that was the one time when a quick pass and somebody in a decent position actually anticipating and moving quickly, showed how easy it can be to score if you have some idea of what you are doing and make an effort. Thank goodness we didn't have DD in attack to show how not to do it. RS does seem to know what he is doing and if only he and his height had been there for the cross that came off Armstrong's head. Please please stay fit!

'Moving the ball fast'.. aye, there's the rub. If Fellows actually spends most of his time attacking then it might work..

Bragg?

OK, he looks fit and no extra weight (Manning?) but just not a footballer, or at least goalkeeper. Perhaps he could solve our target man issue?

I think he's not very good, but it might at least increase his confidence! It will also be interesting to see if having a new keeper behind them means our defence will actually be brave enough to leave the goal line and actually mark the opposition as well!

I took my nephew and great nieces to the Saints womens game last week which they won 4-0. I lost my mum a year ago and I took her to one game at St. Marys which was a cold day against Hull for a 3-1 win. Either would do tomorrow and I'll be having a little prayer for the win.

Armstrong also works his socks off closing down and chasing lost causes. A shot scuffer, to be sure, and not a game changer but a very useful player to have in our current situation.

Yep, it's most odd. I played in goal for a bit: "We've lost our keeper. You can go in goal as you're the tallest/bravest/nuttiest/slowest* in the team". *More than one may have applied. But my team at my low level had reasonable confidence in me, more than Saints' defence had in Bazunu anyway. Plus nobody else at the time wanted the bloomin job..