Channon's Sideburns

Talk on the Pompey thread (in lounge) that we're after Richard Hughes for £350k.

Solent Sport just confirmed on Twitter that Poopey's cancelled their normal pre-match press conference just 50mins before it was due to start. Solent obviously feel somethings going on....haha

Good luck Matt.

Cheers Derry...you get my point on it all..and you've put it over in the right way. That is my concern about the system. If Lallana could finish, and sprint past Lambert when needed, then great. The matter is that a lot of the time in that system, he doesn't. That's my concern.

Just something to ponder. Many posters have alluded to Lallana's natural talent. Many posters have pointed to a 'free role' being his best role in the team. So, if he's no more effective than Waigo on the wing,and that's the system we are playing, would you still play him? I guess the assumption that the free role for him is, again perhaps unwittingly, linked to a comparison to MLT when Alan Ball was in charge. But, at that time, and at that level, MLT was our most dangerous forward option. Lallana isn't. When he's played behind Lambert, it adds to the midfield but detracts from the support to Lambert. A free role is great if you contribute to play all the time, but Lallana DOES go missing in too many games to be given that role. Yes, his goal contribution this season is great - but, given his 'natural talents' destined for the Premiership - wouldn't you expect that in League One?????? Or more even if he's that good yet? I just think, at this moment in time, he's found his CURRENT level. That's not to say he won't play higher, because he might. I hope it's with us as well. Regardless of anyone's opinion - you cannot deny that. So Lallana plays where he wants, but our most prolific goalscorer suffers. Great. Lambert is the player we should be building around.

I for one am behind the team. But, as I'm sure you will agree, we cannot yet be in the situation at the club where players get picked because of reputation over their form. Our options are greater than they were this time last year, so with that in mind I'm sure that is what Pardew is on about with his 'fluff his wings' routine. Nice to see you judge me as one of the 'usual two posters'...I'm honoured. I just happen to think it's a little over the top to consider AL in the same category as MLT. What is wrong with that?? We seem to be putting him on a pedestal as if he's untouchable team selection wise. Everyone has to EARN their place. Some are too quick to forget that.

So what were you alluding to this morning about his 'head being turned in Dec' then? Kind of p1sses on a lot of theories on here about (tiredness/played out of position/can't perform for 90mins *delete as appropriate) doesn't it if that were the case?? Care to elaborate? I'm sick of people making excuses for him. His performances are down to HIM - not Pardew, not even Edna the Tea Lady...although a few would rather blame her than the player.....

Haha...oh look - even the manager thinks he needs to 'fluff up his wings a bit' - which translates into 'pull your finger out' to me. (in a nice management way of course).

I appreciate what you are saying, but, and I'm risking ridicule by summarising this, Alpine's view and comparison with Rooney et al was meant to highlight the difference between what makes the difference between a 'great' player and a 'good' player. If you look at 'great' players who break in teams at a young age (say Rooney at 16 with Everton), when they reach Lallana's age they've been snapped up by the big boys...if they haven't by the age of 25 then it's unlikely they ever will be. The difference in opinion between those for Lallana rather than against him - is based on people like me who think he's a 'good' player, but just not a 'great' one. When some posters start comparing him with MLT it's a joke - it doesn't matter how talented Lallana is or how many Cruyff turns he does in a match, if he isn't consistent in his play then he's open for criticism. MLT covered for his inconsistency/workrate by sublime moments of skill - they are completely different players - I swear that people on here that compare him with Lallana never saw MLT play live. Yes, Lallana's goals and early games this season have been a big improvement on last year, when he wasn't putting much of a shift in, and not producing much for others....but let's not get carried away with 'he's being played out of position' - didn't see many using that as an excuse for Lloyd James last season.

Difficult to say Alps, because with Schneiderlin his role is different to the others - Antonio is all about pace and attacking defenders whilst Lallana is viewed as a playmaker. When they don't hit top gear it becomes plainly evident. With Morgan he seems to have a good engine on him, certainly is good on the ball and improved from last season - a lot of his play goes unnoticed. His tracking back is good, perhaps if he wasn't running around covering other team-mates (see above) then he could perhaps play a bit more?? Just a thought.

...Just a side issue I know, but to the mongs who consistently run onto the pitch. Stop. You're embarrassing yourselves and the club. It was funny at the beginning but not anymore, you could end up costing us points.

I think the argument should be whether we have the ability to have more than one player that we can afford to 'carry' during the game. Having one 'hit and miss' player in the team is fine - but more than one and you're in trouble, because it upsets the balance of the side. So, if the consensus is that Antonio and Lallana fit this category, we shouldn't be playing both. Whoever is performing to the best of their ability should be in - the other should be on the sidelines waiting for their opportunity. Playing someone on 'reputation' or performances three months ago is ridiculous. And please, please stop mentioning MLT in the same sentence as Lallana. It's disrespectful to a legend, and Lallana: a) Lallana is nowhere near the same player as Le Tiss; b) why would Lallana need that extra pressure of being compared? We have enough squad players now to replace those who are having a rough time and need a break. The comment about 'having his head turned in December' worries me. Agents again???

not again...FFS

or Urine Infection. ;-)

Relentlessness of their profession? I'd give my right bollock to have his life. Get up, get paid for the best job in the world, and back home at a reasonable hour. Oh, and get paid more in a week than most earn in a month. I've ran the London Marathon numerous times - and been at work the next day. Guess what...day's rest and back out there. It's called COMMITTMENT. They get plenty of rest...some like Lallana take a break during games.

I want to meet Matt's mum...for a cup of tea. Just so I can say... '''Fank you Mrs Paterson'...

+1.

Well. We should have won the game AND the tie last night. Many missed chances - Lallana fluffed two, Antonio, Fonte....we should have battered them to be honest. Had we played someone alongside Lambo who could hit a barn door with a banjo we would be celebrating Wembley already. Holmes looked enthusiastic when he came on, and did the type of running and closing down I'd love to see from Lallana. Don't want to start a war but didn't he look decidedly average? Few lovely flicks, but no end product. He looks like he needs a rest. Ref was a tool.

Haha.. Well My Mrs isn't addicted to it, but other members of my family are - one creates a mythical social life with her sis-in-law. Both go on as if they're the life and soul, but in reality the epitemy of *****iness. FB is really now just a feeding station for women to be *****y and nosy.

So then Corpy. We're not a 'draw' for people to come and watch us. 30k against Exeter tells you that we are. The truth is that when we were going down the toilet we had protests that were well attended (i.e more than 80). We had people who stood up to be counted and supported the club when it was needed. Looking at the PFC forums there seems to be a hope that someone on a white charger is coming to save you. Unless that white charger has someone on it who carries a white stick when he looks at the company accounts, it ain't gonna happen. There are many Pmpy fans I know who I genuinely feel for. However there are a larger element who took the p&ss out of us. Karma's a b*tch.

To be honest Facebook has a lot to answer for...a replacement for a real life for many (in my family anyway).

Perhaps Matt has lost the players' sweepstake, and now has to go to Nottarf Krap to offer Al Faraj his weeks wages as a takeover bid.. Haha...just a thought. Or perhaps he's basically been offered a leg-over from an ex?

Haha.

Whatever we were paying Burley was too much.

Think that the end of the season will be the time to judge. I made my feelings about Lallana clear at the start of the season, but have been impressed with his input up until now. The key with him ansd Schneiderlin is rest. If they go off the boil, which they both are, don't play them for two or three games.