Graffito

Think this is fair comment to be honest. Whereas I would have been reasonably confident of an away win with McDermott still there, the Adkins factor and all the largely media generated baggage that comes with it makes it a difficult game to call and as such I'd be content with a draw.

Your post number 49 Nood: "So I guess everyone on here agrees that Grant Holt should have played for England all last season?"

You used the word "guess" Nood.

Give Savage a go. He knows what he's talking about.

You guess wrong. I fail to see how you can draw that suggestion from the comments made.

I recognise what Germany has done but as I understand it that was a radical root and branch change. England isn't there yet, may never be, with implementing what Germany has and you can't build for the future with first team selections alone. But Germany's isn't the only approach nor is Germany the most successful football nation.The very valid point being made by several posters which you do not seem to acknowledge is that football is played and won in the present not in the future which for England is some elusive future which never arrives. I'm all for Lambert being selected for one or both of the upcoming friendliest. I think the reason he may not be is nothing to do with his ability (he is well good enough for that lot) but is the way England tries to play. Rooney won't get dropped for Lambert and Hodgson appears to favour pace.

Thanks to St John. I didn't know it had been put up in the Lounge but it deserves a wider audience anyway. It was a great day, as was the semi final. Winning the FA Cup is big now but my recollection is that winning it back then had as much prestige as winning the league.

For anyone that hasn't seen it there's some good quality footage here. Generous of old Jasper to sing it for us. £1.50 for the semi at Stamford Bridge and £2.50 for the final. I expect a few of us that use this forum were in that throng behind the goal.

Go to Swansea. Get measles.

Schneiderlin's is a great story, one of several associated with Saints over the past 3 years, which a full international appearance this season would cap. The challenge for Saints is to hold onto him and international recognition would only propel him further into the limelight. Nonetheless, I'd be delighted for him if he gets called up. It would be fully deserved.

Yes. Their second half performance was the best I've seen at St Mary's for some season's but all the more reason to select for last Saturday as close as possible to their second half cup selection, especially as we got a point at Stamford Bridge.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9966441/Rafael-Benitez-accused-by-Ray-Wilkins-of-causing-injury-to-Ashley-Cole.html Not sure about the claim that not playing against Saints caused Cole's injury against Manu but I agree with Wilkins about one thing, Chelsea under estimated us both in team selection and attitude. Same could be said of Liverpool and Man City.

Serves him right for opening his big gob then.

There will be a media circus leading up to this one. Cliche, but if the players play the match and not the occasion and let Nigel and to an extent Pochettino take the media attention we will win and we'll be on the brink of safety.

It was a dopey question that didn't deserve the answer it got. It was a pity Pochettino's interpreter didn't do what Ranieri's used to do and answer the question as he wanted rather than with a translation of Ranieri's response.

Reading because if we beat them I'll feel like we're almost there. Beyond that, Tottenham because I have to live amongst them and West Ham because they deserve a hammering.

I heard him. He said we hadn't played well but at least we were winning. Unbelievable.

I never saw Adkins fly off the handle as you put it. He was calm and even in press conferences to the point of boring us senseless. Tearing a strip off players would be entirely understandable, expected even, part of a manager's armoury to get the best out of his players. A recent example, Pochettino half time against Liverpool.

He said on 5live he might. Suspect he'll look at the evidence to see whether it justifies his position before deciding.

This doesn't sound like Adkins at all. I never saw any evidence of rudeness, condescension or poor man management, quite the opposite, he seemed courteous and generous to a fault. Sorry, just don't believe it. He was sacked because Cortese wanted someone he thinks is a better coach.

Has he been sacked or has he walked?

He had an excellent first half. Probably our best player in that period.

No it won't.

We've now beaten the champions of England and the champions of Europe. Let's see whether the experts give us any credit.

This building for the future is a load of crap. We've been building for the future since 1966 and we've won fck all. Football's played in the present. We haven't even qualified yet. If Caroll gets picked ahead of Lambert then that's it for me with England until the manger is replaced.