igsey

Pompey are better than England.

I've always loved watching him play, he works harder than any footballer I think I can remember seeing. Chances of him moving from Fenerbahce?

Highlights:

It really can't be long before JWP is in the senior team after tonight's performance - Woy was watching from the stands (again).

JWP nearly with another assist, this time along the ground from open play, but Berahino whacks it against the bar.

Luke Shaw's first touch described as 'Iniesta-like' by whoever the commentator is... high praise.

I think he's actually playing for the Finnish defenders' agents? They're all over Zaha tonight.

2-0 - Luke Shaw has a great shot after a run into the left of the box, saved by the keeper, Berahino taps it in. It's going well for the boys from the coast.

Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse both started, England 1-0 in the 30th minute after a 21st minute goal from Michael Keane - JWP with the assist! JWP is also on set-piece duty, as you'd expect - he looks impressive tonight. Live on BT Sport 1 if anyone's interested!

We also have the advantage of not being in Europe (this season..!), unlike most of the teams around us in the table; this combined with the players' very high fitness levels means that we don't need to rotate the squad at all... and if we do pick up an injury or two, presumably all the reserves are just as fit, if less skilled, so the pressing game shouldn't be affected.

I honestly don't think we could improve on our current stating XI without spending silly money. Squad depth is what's really needed, as pointed out, but given our transfer policy it would seem that we're unlikely to grab any bench warmers. Has anybody seen Targett play recently? I wonder if he's good enough to be back up for Luke yet...

Can't see a mid-table Man U getting anything from the Arse today - it's going to be a tough game for us in a fortnight.

Wiltshire won't be able to displace the 78 year old Gerrard in 2018.

The fact that she's female means that I notice her every game, and I've never seen her make a dodgy decision. Surely one of the best linos in the league?

The Skates are 2-1 down to Stevenage with 10 men on the pitch in the FA Cup first round; we're currently third in the Premier League. I'm enjoying being a Saints fan right now.

Wanyama's confidence looks shot after that. Time to give Cork a half hour?

3-1, Wanyama to blame entirely.

I think Lallana may have just booked his place in Woy's starting XI!

Penalty to Saints, usual routine follows... 2-0 Lambert!

The uncapped Frenchy strikes again!

Team news in half an hour, although this team pretty much picks itself. Hopefully Osvaldo's on the bench, this might be the ideal game for him to come on with 20 minutes left and grab a goal.

This just makes me feel sorry for Osvaldo and Ramirez, as they're now the only two whipping boys for the trolls.

It all depends on what kind of team MoPo thinks Sunderland will play - will they play their 'reserves' so Gus can have a good look at them and save the first team (if you can call it that in Sunderland's case) for their game against Man City at the weekend, or will he have resigned himself to a loss there and so play his best squad? I wouldn't be too surprised by the latter, considering Man City have just gone and battered a Norwich side which is still a fair bit better than Sunderland...

I agree with this team, maybe with Lee/Isgrove in the mix somewhere. Given how injury-prone Shaw is, I wouldn't want him playing in this game.

Looking forward to the second half with the wind on our side.