suewhistle

Just seen a broken down Lucketts coach on the Motorway with PFC in the back window. Probably fans but we can hope..

Were you referring to this?: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/23/football-transfer-rumours-race-tyler-dibling-southampton-five-way-race-january

I know Youtube videos can be deceptive but he does appear to have a greater degree of pace and athleticism than Smallbone or Aribo, although the latter has been showing more of his strength recently. How would he be best used with Fernandez whilst we have them both? Their mobility does give hope that they won't get in each other's way and will feed off each other. Better than Ely (see above!) who looked like he was running in treacle. I suspect he might be on the bench on Saturday but wont necessarily get on.

"Le milieu de terrain danois ne se sent pas à l'aise avec le nouveau système de Jorge Sampaoli". I noted this in one of the tweets, so perhaps the manager's system didn't suit him, and we're all familiar with that. In our case a whole team...

But nobody is..

I was just about to say 'this is a bit better' and thought that might jinx it and then we scored! We might lose but this is a breath of fresh air the way we are playing. Underlines how awful Martin's tactics were.

Yes!

In other news after tonight's results, Portsmouth are rather relying on their game in hand. Perhaps they really don't feel ready to play us next season...

Twat. Most unbecoming language I know, but...

I've just seen that the game is on TNT sports, whoever they are. Will my local pub even have it in addition to Sky, probably not? Might save me some embarassment and a bit of ribbing mind you.

I take some positivity from the fact that a few mistakes apart that was a comfortable victory and we know how that is not a foregone conclusion for us against lower league sides. To what do we ascribe Sulemanna's improved performance: the opposition, our formation, his instructions, his motivation (playing for a move..)?

Won? The only context I know that word in is the S Korean currency..

I sure he'll point out that Ballard is nowhere near 24 but er.. (quick search) 19.

They talk about the magic of the FA cup: perhaps we'll both get knocked out this round..

Well, I come off exhausted having given my all, so that would be an improvement.. Up front preferred, 3 goals this season..:-)

Fortunately I'm playing on Sunday, at some stage, thank goodness for rolling subs at our level. Did I consider splashing out £30 to watch Saints and to avoid standing freezing on some muddy touchline? Did I buggery.

At least I know he's not some figment of somebody's imagination as I actually saw him on Thursday, on his way to sit with the other unselected players in the Itchen stand. He's at least able to walk without a limp..

It was certainly an easier watch on Thursday and I didn't spend the whole game on tenterhooks waiting for an abject mistake as we passed it around the back trying to improve our possession stats.. Somebody else will no doubt correct me if necessary (probably rudely and with inordinate pleasure) but my impression was that we had more chances than the last half dozen games put together? It's a shame about Dibling putting his chance over but I've seen vastly more experienced strikers do worse in the same position. As for TP's chances, let's hope some more match practice and getting his first goal will ease the tensions. To be honest he seems better with his chest than his head, but the additional dimension he bought to our play really helped. We were in that game all the way, and although I think like most that we're down at least I have more hopes for the season than I did under RM.

Just let's hope that we take the game to them a bit, they get a few yellow cards and then we bring on Dibling, Archer and Sulemanna to run at them..

Merry Christmas all! I went round to visit mum in the home and frankly if she sees next Christmas I'd be as amazed as Saints avoiding relegation but both our smiles are full of love. It looks like somebody on here could do with a little love to share too, instead of their own negativity and cynicism. That's purely going on what I see quoted, but they obviously must be a fairly damaged individual to take the effort to spread their own misery, so let's hope for a Saints win that should cheer us all up.

Yes, it's a bit of an indictment of Russel Martin, isn't it?!

During the Christmas period it seems a different time-space continuum is in operation; or it could be just me age. I'm sure I'll make the game on the right day now. I thought the shots of Jurić at Craven Cottage were interesting: covered mouths but very expressive hands.. Not quite sure how to interepret them though..

Well.. we've not conceded and I rather prefer us being brave further up the pitch. Lack of quality in the final third as usual. What I noticed is that KWP has lost a bit of pace and some of the things he tries don't come off; perhaps he needs to change his approach a little. Aribo is another lacking just that bit of pace at this level although he's strong enough. We were pressing more but not sure how long we can maintain it. I hope the referee watches the video at half time of Downes' tackle and blushes deeply..

Should be a better atmopsphere at St Marys on Wednesday with a little more optimism and anticipation, although today might have a little bearing on that...

Well, difficult to give a transcript but the words 'cagare', 'coglione' 'testa di cazzo' all feature heavily. Also 'go away, disappear' and 'don't raise your voice to me'! 🙂