suewhistle

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..

Gave us Captain Smith.

Season loan confirmed on OS.

I was going to say that Saints looked fitter, stronger and more physical than Portsmouth and was going to ascribe it to them being professional, but checking just this instant I see that Portsmouth went pro at the beginning of the 24/5 season. Either way, it does give an example to the men that being fitter and stronger does have an impact on games.. Good to see a crowd only a hundred or so below that at Doncaster, and definitely worth playing that game at St. Mary's.

Well, it will be our last opportunity..

Headline in the paper: "Tottenham’s Mathys Tel open to loan for more game time as World Cup looms". We could certainly offer him that!

I sometimes disagree with your opinions, and sometimes with how you express yourself, but I definitely can't improve on that.

Good crowd on a freezing night. 7500+ and a good atmosphere. My great nieces enjoyed it too, which is what it's all about out.

Yes, 9 and 12 year old nieces might get a bit lairy after their milkshakes..

Ridiculous! Sideways, surely?

Not sure about the summer off thing. All the good players are off at international tournaments, er.. like Irish internationals Manning and Bazunu. Um..

Obviously the writer is on our side because he's taking the piss out of the idea..

As for the 'boro game, where do you start?! Haven't read much of this thread as it would probably depress me even more, but leaving aside the coach for a moment, when are the players going to take some responsibility. Our defence is static, never anticipates, is always in a line deep in our area and not near the attackers, marking is dire, unfair to pick individuals but Manning can't stop a cross, jogs back when caught out, Wood is as ponderous as an elephant without the intelligence, JS ball watches.. I haven't even mentioned the goalkeeper! Further out our movement and passing has degenerated, we never get to the second ball, decision making largely appalling and slow, shots scuffed or skyed, far too much turning back into the middle congested area when we have the ball in space on the wings, and so on, and so on... Only bright point is that Stewart is no longer two weeks away.. except to his next injury.

Interesting article I read today, in The Guardian I think, about if somebody is just a coach then the manager/football directors should be taking questions from the press and not just sacrifice the coaches on that altar. I believe this happens in Germany. At Manchester United Jason Wilcox only raised his jhead after they'd won 3 in a row, some while ago..

The line up is to make the fans happy: they all like a good moan. To be honest any line up would serve that purpose.. Personally I'm not sure, but I can see that there is a rationale behind it (if we forget Bazunu and Stephens). It's been an intensive period, some of the players were looking a bit tired in the last game (eg Jander), the subs played well and Archer needs to maintain some momentum. Plus there is motivation for all the players, and those benched are available but have been given a little jolt that they need to improve a bit. I do apologise if some of you think that is too optimistic a view, and you may well turn out to be right, but I can't quite manage the level of universal pessimism some of you maintain.