Football Special

She was first choice keeper who even had an England call up but not featured at all this season? Surely an injury but you never know

Already 5 points adrift after 3 games in a league that just has one promotion place , season of games with little at stake not great for the fans if lose touch with top spot

Russell Martin has sent his congratulations to Saints ladies team for a perfect performance this afternoon

Fair enough. Just a coincidence then. I agree Taylor looked decent so did deserve to play

Is this why KWP didn't play?

Seeing fans with their heads down leaving the ground, we badly needed that win for a morale boost, felt like a defeat didn't it

Any truth to the rumour that Martin has been helping train the Huddersfield defence this week? https://twitter.com/ntfc/status/1837553498134581463?t=GpaP18sMW12zUzBEzXe9LA&s=19

Yeah he got involved more today, good effort to get into position for those two chances , shame one didn't end up in the back of the net

I'm gutted, feel so drained by that, but those two points won't make a difference at the end of the season unless other teams have points deducted

Lallana won't last more than 60 mins so would expect one of them to replace him

We're short of height and physical presence up front, will be too easy to defend against, fair play for trying something different though KWP unlucky to be dropped.

Was he originally from Exeter? Not sure where his family live now but big city lights might not be for him. This generations Matt Le Tissier

He'll be worth at least as much as Grealish, probably 20% more with inflation

We don't like defending do we

Tall Paul and ABK either in first team squad tomorrow or told not even being used in this for match fitness they're so far off , probably find the pair of them having a kick about down the common instead.

Does seem a bit odd this build up thread having so much discussion about a player who hasn't featured for so long a lot of fans will have even forgotten he plays for us. U21 line up tonight could give some clues on who won't feature.

I think you are right and Martin thrives off togetherness and team spirit, I met him briefly in the summer seemed emotionally moved by the atmosphere at the play off final / after party at St Mary's and wanted to carry that into this season, I think the fans could play a big part in helping to get our season going , really get behind Martin and the team Saturday

Mad to think he was in Germany squad for the last world Cup

Ipswich fan i work with "We had 6 points off you last season and I see no reason why we won't do it again. McKenna will have the better of Martin" I get they don't like Martin due to his Norwich connections so will be keen to get one over him again.

Agree, atmosphere has been rubbish so far. Forget the first 4 games, season starts now , got to be up for it and really get behind them for once.

I'd agree with most of that. Lallana can offer us something like Christian Eriksson for Man Utd, help control the game and lead theyounger players, fitness will be an issue. No complaints with line up last night, nice to still be in the Cup but more importantly gave the team a lift, looked like they were buzzing at the end, important to take that into Saturday Still don't know where our goals will come from though.

He's a completely different character to JWP , personality wise Stephens is more of an old-school captain

How many did we score in the last round? This comp might be where we use up all our goal allowance

I've given it some thought and won't be too fussed if Martin just throws out a weakened team, the football league themselves have completely devalued the competition allowing for seeding in the draw under the guise of European fixture congestion but really just helped them and the tv companies achieve their aim of big clubs reaching latter stages ensuring viewing figures / advertising revenue We're just making up the numbers in this charade.