Wurzel

Asked to be a bodyguard by some tw@t who decided to go to Fratton Park dressed as a red John Westwood.

Indeed. Has any team been successful with zonal marking?. Forwards simply attack an empty zone, and defenders can't jump because they are starting from a standing start.

Well into the 98th minute and protecting a lead, Tella down left wing midway into their half, nowhere to go, passes back to Stephens on half way line who received it side on. Last season that was 100% back to Bazunu. Instead he turned and played a diagonal ball to Smallbone in the middle of their half and we were piling on the pressure via a different route. Totally different mentality and so refreshing to watch.

Not afraid to make his prescence felt on the pitch (doubt Bruno Fernandes has forgotten him) and can be vocal with his team-mates when needed. Next captain for me.

Re your edit I think the clubs actully preferred it closing before the season started but for those in Europe it proved a disadvantage as clubs in other coutries could continue making signings for several more weeks.

Liverpool are fast becoming my new Everton. I'd love to see a Merseyside relegation double. If only the PL could grow some balls and deduct points for both breaking FFP rules AND acting like entitled cunts.

Looks a low (starting) bid, but if it's a case of him wanting to work with RM again he might put pressure on Swansea to accept the deal over any from other clubs. Hopefully a rumour that has legs. Likewise the player.

It's a new rule FIFA introduced a while ago. The keeper is now allowed to use his hands to catch the ball to stop it reaching an opposing forward, or parry (save) a goalbound shot to prevent it going into his net. Some clubs took to this new rule quite quickly but traditionalists like Southampton still consider it a form of cheating, pointing out the sport is called football for a reason, and refuse to adopt the new tactics.

Do we need to sell though? Or just get rid? There's a few I'd be happy just to save on the wage bill and give them away.

....aka The Water Whisperer

Strange order to list them . If that's our starting line up in formation then RM is really shaking things up

One of those players no one would notice if he failed to attend his own birthday party.

He is also without a current club. I'm always one that says don't go back but the combined experienced heads of Morgan and Fonte alongside 8 youngsters and JWP (cos I still don't think anyone woth joining will want him) could be a season to remember.

I was really impressed by him in that moment but unfortunately probably the one and only time he seemed to really care about the club and his teammates. For me captain has to show some backbone, Stephens is the best we have in that respect .

If that's for real and not just speculation he's with the same agency as Livramento and Bree among many many others incl Dewsbury Hall , Curtis Jones, Harvey Barnes, Joe Gomez, Tyrone Mings....we could sort out a whole squad with one agent visit 🤣

Some great commentary there. "And the home fans are booing their own side" "Not just booing, they're going home" Sureley not? #bestest And back to Bazunu, he certainly wasn't short of experience of playing behind a defence that lets opposition players roam freely unmarked in their penalty area

Fulham came 10th last season...... and Leicester came 8th the season before. Means nothing. The way the rich clubs cherry pick the best of any team who look remotely like threatening their status qou (as they did to us when we had the nerve to finish amongst them) anyone outside those 7 could end up going down at any time. JWP probably has to weigh up 3 options. Squad player at one of the big clubs, regular starter at one of the others but face the prospect of a possible second relegation (probably argue that Villa would be safe next season but wouldn't put money on anyone else), or sticking with us and possibly getting back up to the top next year. If I was him I'd stick with us for one more year and see what happens, then push for a move if we don't go straight back up. Of course if he's only interested by the money then any club could probably sway him, but he doesn't seem that type.

There is a massive balancing act (could even call it a gamble) needed and SR are going to have earn their bucks by getting it just right. There's no denying it, we are in the Championship with a team full of (mostly) PL experienced (if not necessaily quality) players. Some of those players are simply too good to play at that lower level. Some of them are just not the right type of player for that league. We will *have* to buy some and *have* to sell some. But, our aim is to go straight back up again. If that is truly the aim for the club then we need to retain a PL quality squad or, if many are let go and promotion is acheived, have to spend again in 12 months to replace players that we already have now. I honestly think very few of the "core" squad will go this summer. Lavia yes, ABK if he counts as core (seems to miss more than he plays) yes. Plenty of the bit part players can go, they add nothing to the squad. But hopefully the majority can be persuaded to stay for at least 12 months and the big squad review take place this time next year depending on whether or not promotion is acheived. If their values are then less after a year out of the PL than now that is the hit the owners would have to take. Big flaw in the plan is we'd be returning to the PL with a squad that was shit in the PL this year, but I honestly think 12 months playing together under one managers plan and there is a decent team there. And if they still aren't good enough the that's the time to be replacing them

Can't speak for everyone but for me, because there was still promotion and relegation it was a case of new name same old shit. It took a few seasons for the money to really start making a difference.

"Interesting" times, the likes of which we'll hopefully never have to go through again. Was Barry the Briefcase part of Pinnacle or a different consortium?

Jack Stephens.

Deleted tweet. You're gonna have to describe that one for us.

My favourite away kit ever (even allowing for the similarities to our near neighbours)

Is this horrendous 4-1 away game not from the series of (constant) repeats that are shown as being particular clubs favourite match as picked by their fans (presumably from a selection that Sky hav available). Their fans undoubtedly picked that one. Losing 4-3 at Oldham is often repeated in the same series. Our "pick" seems to be the 6-3 v Man Utd although how and when they were voted for I've no idea

"We are staying up, we are staying up" but then I don't recall hearing that since that day we went top under RH 🤣