Holmes_and_Watson

Corruption

He'd be back to our 6 yard line, because that would be his job as a centre half. 🙂

Obligatory purchase at the end of it. That, and SAA hanging onto their training room door screaming "Don't send me back! Please, not there!" Edit: Link https://www.tribalfootball.com/article/soccer-ligue-1-done-deal-southampton-forward-amo-ameyaw-completes-loan-move-to-strasbourg-b1319caf-b608-4da2-aa7d-42bd50c92e0b

Oh no, is there another one?

Well, at least SR put on a light show. That's often been their best contribution. 🙂

Orleans and Dijon drawing and Le Mans losing to Nancy rubs in what a missed opportunity tonight was.

The irony of Stewart doing that unscathed, and the rest of us picking up injuries from fainting. 🙂

I think many of us are equally distraught at there not being more Rasmus' in the world. But if every club had one, we'd not have the unique vision that's led SR to where they are today.

Perhaps, like his view of some child abuse offences, it's "relatively trivial" and that the Hamas atrocities were "not the biggest crimes in the world." Mind you, this is the guy who told us the hostages were safer with Hamas. I thought of that when I saw footage of some of the releases. The baying crowds, obviously turning out to say goodbye to their friends. The masks to hide the tears of saying goodbye. And the guns because, although the hostages desperately wanted to stay, Hamas had to practically force them to go. Now we can add that the hostages must have been spending their captivity thinking of all the things it was "preferable" to. Only in SOGWorld.

That's it. From the expressions of the players, there's a feeling of that being the chance of staying in contention gone. VA got back on level terms through few chances. USB were more of a team. They'd have been a little disappointed to let 2 goals slip, only to be given enough gifts for a third to take one. Christophe and Fred could shed a light on VA's resources relative to the other sides in the top 6. What it's bought is a side that's a bit brittle under pressure. Some try too hard and make the wrong decisions. Others play it safe, when there are better options, or play it just too late for it to be useful. 5 minutes before the break, a spell when the subs came on and when they got the goals back were as good as it got. A fair bit of that was down to individuals, rather that a side clicking into gear for a promotion challenge.

USB get a third. VA had been pushing up to try for a winner. USB had a decent close range header followed by a through ball that was a warning. When that happened again, their forward did manage to get on the end of it. A shame that VA didn't do anywhere near enough in the first 45 resulting in having to increase risk to pull it back. USB not shy in trying to pull players back to get bookings or have contagious outbreaks of cramp.

Bah! I had that counted for a third there. VA's subs have injected some energy into things. While it's been disjointed, USB haven't got control of their lead, letting it slip away.

All square! Lovely powered header. C'mon VA!

Come back is on! I thought the first touch had taken it too far away. But if anything it forced the shot at a tighter angle, beating their keeper.

Massive gaps left in the middle, allowing USB to pick the best of the angles for a shot, and go 2up. That was poor, and you could see the goal coming a mile off.

After last week's defeat VA really need a win to keep some promotion hopes going. Instead, their first half was tentative anywhere near the final third. A header low, but close to their keeper; a shot well over and a forced snapshot about all they had to show for 40mins. USB were not only a bit sharper, but got numbers up quickly to make the most of their attacks. VA did show more urgency towards the break. They're going to have to click more as a unit to turn it around. There were a few moves that broke down through making the wrong pass, or running out of ideas on the final ball. Some frustration with a lot riding on a win. More guts and drive needed for the second half. Allez VA!

VA ruining my line about giving USB some stick. 🙂

Baz: The first 'keeper to concede when a photo is shot. 🙂

Dear Airport security, SaintsWeb would just like to point out that the phrase "shoot down" is being used in a completely different context. Please let Turks continue to travel the world looking for kids. Edit: Dear Airport security, SaintsWeb would just like to point out that the above post that was pointing out things being taken out of context, should also not be taken out of context. Please let Turkish continue to continue his secret work for the global CoT organisation. A group so secret, it's too classified for your red flag list. Edit to edit: Dear Airport security, It has come to our attention that Turkish is still in custody, following our earlier communications...

"...in response to some hostages being taken...." @sadoldgit it would appear that in your rush to make a point/ insult another poster, you've let a mask slip with that comment. It would fall into being a vile thing to say. Perhaps those who you say are calling you that have a point?

And that works both ways. Our lot were going through a bit of a slump, and came into the bar afterwards. They were a bit sheepish, but got encouragement and support. It made a difference to them. Their first big slump as a side. But we've had the joy of seeing loads over the years. 🙂 The social side is good, as mentioned. But when they bring in loads of sandwiches, having got in too much for hospitality, that's even better. Never mind the eerie silence between club and fans. Not when you go to the same supermarket as the committee members. Being on first name terms and having little chats with pretty much everyone, after a while. And that happens whether you think you want it to or not, and no matter how introverted you are. You're just slowly connected through your community. Fairly new to an area? Take in a few local games and get massive amounts of local history, football knowledge and great stories from the older guys who've been attending for decades. Like a really good episode of Cheers, with some football added. 🙂 So yeah, if for whatever reason, getting to a Saints game isn't on, then fresh air, community, good value and mental health boosts aren't far away.

And he has stabilised us. We can now go into every game safely in the knowledge of getting nothing out of it. 🙂

I do the same. A short walk away. Meet up with people you know, and meet lots more you'll get to know, in your community. Feel connected in a way the Premier League and clubs dismissive of "legacy" fans have lost. Competitive football, good afternoons out (and closer to away fixtures too, when the urge strikes) and supporting a club that works hard for every penny through lots of volunteers.

Couldn't the club just pretend to buy another left back, using the money instead to finance the women's team?

Who needs scouts, when you have algorithms? SR have even revolutionised this. They've removed input devices, turning it all into one large, tombola working lever. Let's give it a go... Young talent bought in bulk on the off chance one comes good. Left backs. Players that fit our departed manager, but not our new one. Players with chronic injury records. Left field SR know best. No players at the market rate. Low individual wages. Even if having to then buy in bulk, to not succeed, makes this a false economy. No defensive midfielders or strikers of note. No PL requirements. SR are smarter than needing players who can cope there. They just need players to sell. No players with independent thoughts of their own. All the better for fitting into our lunatic tactics without a murmer. Up and coming managers. Never anyone with proven track record, who might want thingss their own way. SR know better than them. SR are far from the world's worst owners. They've put in money and have good intentions. But, boy are they clueless.