jam

Indeed. And to me it is noticable that we are more effective and more in control of games when we play 'pretty' football. As in we pass the ball around quickly, more off the ball and fashion openings for ourselves. My biggest criticism of Pardew (and I've felt this way ALL season) is that he seems happy to have the ball kicked long time and again when we don't have the personal to make that system work for us but we do have a squad full of ball players.

Sorry Hamster but I doubt you (or myself, or most people in this country) could boycott Chinese products altogether if you tried.

I remember seeing him for the reserves a few years ago in that advanced midfield role. To me he has always seemed most suited to that role as while he appears somewhat lightweight and lacks pace, his attacking play is effective. From what I saw a good amount of our goals last season came when Surman got involved. It was Pearson who first played him at LB (out of necessity, I guess). He did a decent job as cover but playing him there instead of Skacel for the first half of last season was a poor use of both players. I also thought it was telling that while people were slating him for not being interested, he was still one of our most important players last season. A lot of responsibility at a pretty early point in his career.

Don't forget Bennett.

I think a lot of fans get won over by endeavour and hard work, which would explain Antonio's popularity despite him having such flaws in his game (incidentally, I thought he had his best game for us yesterday). Morgan on the other hand looks like he is taking it easy but makes some good tackles, passes well, looks composed and rarely seems to get tacked himself. I do think that him and Hammond as a midfield duo isn't really working though. Probably another reason why I'm always banging on about 4-5-1.

I have to say, Morgan just looks a class above most players on the pitch. Maybe he could be a little more effective and I'd like to see him get on the score sheet but he really is a pleasure to watch at times.

We do have a tendency to slip into hoofball mode, which is frustrating and I don't think that it really suits Lambert. I also think that he (and the team) seems better when we play the 4-5-1 or whatever, with lots of movement around him. On another note, really pleased for James to get his first goal. I was hoping that would shut some of the mongs around me up, but sadly no...

It's called Grumpy Christmas or something.

Well, some would argue that we are a slightly smaller club than Barca. They'd be wrong but you know how it is...

There wouldn't be 20k pompey fans. Unless they were playing ManUre.

My heart sank when I realised that the minutes silence would be with them. Ted deserved better. Although it did seem that most of their fans were pretty ****ed off with the mongs who disrupted it. I was also pretty ****ed of that some of ours shouted back.

Didn't that happen after they beat us in the EPL a few years back? The famous 'youngest kid to get a banning order' incident? I remember wondering'if that's what they are like when they win, how would they be if we beat them?'

Why do you think the police would never allow it? Because of Portsmouth fans behaviour or the potential for trouble with locals?

I wouldn't have a problem with it, being good neighbours, solidarity and all that (plus the extra income to us - better than expectiing Markus to put his hand in his pocket all the time). But... The sad, obsessive hatred that seems to come across from just about any Portsmouth fan that I've ever spoken to seems to go beyond simple rivalry and it almost seems that a lot of them would begrudge being done the favour. I doubt they'll go under. If they get wound up then there will be someone to buy them even if they only have funds to stabilise the club. Going back to groundshare, they'd probably be better looking at Brighton. It's probably as easy to get to for a lot of them, Brighton need the money more and they don't have the pride issue. (and lets face it, the capacity at Falmer is more suitable to a smaller club...)

Pericard? That Irish lad we had on loan from Villa?

It's either them or Bournemouth...

Yeah, they say it's a curse... but would you rather be wished that or 'may you live in mildly affluent, boring as **** times'?

Scored on the weekend.

I wasn't worried until I read this thread. Merry Boxing Day to you too, MB.

So technically either could go out on loan for the second half of the season with an option to buy.

You and Neil are right. I'm wrong. Wago is still better than Antonio though. And Boxing Day is still on the 28th. Even if they changed it to stop people moaning about it being too complicated

According to the page on the OS the last buses for those routes are 1950 and 1910. Edit: Just seen Whitey's reply. You're right, that's useless - I can't see why the OS is running this article.

He also doubles as a steward.

TDD, is there any tiny, small part of you that fears Exeter getting a result? :wink:

There's no irony there. Some people were puzzled that NC banned the Echo. Some people think NC's Christmas message is a classy gesture. Both perfectly valid and compatible opinions. I think you're seeing things that aren't there in order to make some kind of point. Oh. There you go.