Kokakole

So-called 'first world' problem! If the biggest problem you have is that we're winning all the time and you can't quite process it...you've got it made. And, more than that, it's not a problem. Rejoice. Enjoy. Go out and smell the flowers. Eat some chocolate and celebrate.

For your enjoyment, here are some of the snippets of the interview that Dusan Tadic gave to B92, a Serbian website, last week (I only just saw it). (Commenting on the idea that not many Serbian players marry hard work and talent): “All of our players are very talented, but I think hard work is more important. Every player needs to realise that in today’s game you have to be in top condition and to be professional in every sense of the word. I know I possess great talent but that means nothing without professionalism and hard work.” (On taking it step-by-step in his career): “That’s how I think. It’s important to have normal people surrounding you, who will speak their mind. I think one shouldn’t rush into things, but you should look for where you’ll feel at home, where you’ll have a chance to show your qualities and come to the fore. That’s how I think and for now all’s going well (laughs).” (On the adjustment to the Premier League): “The coach is important but Pelle and I are both professionals. Some players never adjust to the PL because it’s physically very demanding and hard. Probably among the hardest in the world. You have to give your maximum in each training session, as well as in the games.” “The tempo is much higher than in the Dutch league. It’s probably the highest tempo in Europe as far as physical strength is concerned. It’s the most demanding league, the players are very fast and strong, a lot of running. The key is to realise what you have to do and then things will go smoothly.” (On Saints’ start): “Sure, everyone at club – me included – is surprised at the start we’ve made. No one expected this. New manager, new players, new team…I think it’s a plus that we’ve adjusted this quickly. Everything’s going well so far and we hope it stays that way. We have a lot of players, we bought some key players just before the close of the transfer window and I think the club management planned things well.” (On Koeman): “He’s great in all senses of the word. He’s there to advise you when necessary, he encourages us to play good football. He wants us to always dominate on the pitch. He also suits me as a person. He can be strict, but he’s mostly relaxed. He has a balance, knows what’s needed when. He’s a ‘real’ coach and person. I think in the next few years he will definitely coach the biggest clubs in the world.” (On his record): “I don’t follow fantasy football. I’m not bothered by goals or assists, I just play. The most important thing to me is to be a key part of the team. Sometimes it’s assists, sometimes it’s goals, other times it’s defensive duties. I just want to play as well as I can and do what I can for the team at a given time. I think every player should think like that. Don’t fret over numbers, it’s not good. Because then you’ll get tight.” (On the Champions League): “It’s just the beginning of the season, it’ll be very difficult to reach [the CL]. A lot of good teams, all of the matches are important and demanding. Every game is literally like a final. You can’t guarantee easy points against anybody. You have to struggle to win in each game. We’ll see how the season goes. We are thinking exactly like that and that’s what the manager has drilled into us. We’re just thinking about the next game and that’s it.” (On Matt LeTiss): “ Of course I’m aware of him. His photos are everywhere, everyone here says he was the greatest legend of the club. They’ve told me a lot about him. I’ve met him, he’s come to training a few times. I’ve seen his goals – they were all goal of the season types.” (On the Academy): “They have a great academy, probably good youth coaches. We have great training ground. As far as the new kids, there are some really good ones, but it’s early to talk about that. You never know which ones will come good; sometimes it’s the ones you least expect to. But there are very promising players and the Academy’s great.” (On the atmosphere in the team): “I’m on good terms with all of the players. We really have a great group of people and players in the team. All of the guys are great, we often go for a drink or for dinner.” (On his idol): “It was Zinedine Zidane.”

He looks 12.

You make a fair point - it is a league, not a cup, and results vs no one particular team will determine our fate. On the other hand, it stands to reason that however well we do against the teams that were below us, we have to make some inroads against the better sides in order to improve upon our points total and position from last season. In that sense, the two defeats against Liverpool and Spurs are not a good sign. I think we'll know only after we've played everyone at least once (by New Year's). But, that being said, I'm an optimist! We get J-Rod back, we have more depth at every position, some of the top teams are struggling...why shouldn't we finish 5th or 6th? As someone else said, it's not like these things are set in stone!

If that's the case, fair enough. My impression from watching the replay (once) was that it was going in regardless, but I could be wrong.

They give goals for deflected shots that would have likely been saved except for the deflection, but they don't give Pelle a goal for this? It seems a bit odd. I think the ruling should hinge on whether the ball would have gone in regardless of the opposing player's intervention. In this case, it appears clear that it would have snuck in over the line - and I don't think Mannone was getting there either. So Pelle should be awarded a goal.

In his defence, in English it sounds worse than (I'm sure) he meant it. In Serbian, the 'King of' something in sports is often used to denote the person who tops the list, or gets the most of, in this case assists. So I assume he just meant to say that in Holland he was top assist-getter, and he hopes to be the same in England.

Thanks. It is a beautiful country, and the girls are amazing, and individually people are pretty sound, but there's been a collective madness since about 1987 that hasn't gone away. I'm sick of these sorts of things happening, whoever is responsible.

It means Greater Albanian provocation at Humska street (where the stadium is). I take your point and I'm far, far, far from a nationalist, but this was clearly designed to be a provocation - the flag shows the map of a 'Greater Albania', including parts of Serbia. Nonetheless, that doesn't justify the fans who stormed onto the pitch, the flares, etc. In a bizarre twist, the brother of the Prime Minister of Albania has apparently been arrested and charged with orchestrating this. So it may turn into a diplomatic incident yet....

I'm in Serbia. It's unclear whether Tadic got stuck in - I can't see him on the footage. I can't tell who'll get fined more: Serbia for our part in organising this shambles and for the flares the fans threw onto the pitch, or Albania for the drone which flew the flag, which was obviously meant to serve as a provocation. In any case, the match was postponed just an hour ago, despite the UEFA delegate apparently saying it could continue, because the Albanian players were apparently unwilling to go back onto the pitch. I think the only way it gets replayed is if it's played before empty stands. We'll see. Either way, another crappy day for Serbian and Balkan football.

Yes - a definite coincidence I don't want to praise Mane too highly, but he looks like he has close control and skill and the confidence to take players on, which can throw a defence out of kilter. So I think any comparisons are flattering to Mayuka

In The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/23/arsenal-southampton-capital-one-cup-match-report

Well, that was some performance, particularly in the first half. Like other teams this season, we managed to exploit Arsenal leaving lots of space behind the full backs. Had we had better finishing, it wouldn't have been close. For those who say Mane is like Mayuka, what game were they watching!? I thought he was fast, but more than that, that he was skilful and that he looked a threat. We'll see over time, but I think he could give this team what it needs, which is pace making diagonal runs (which will be buttressed by J-Rod's return). Also, we didn't look flustered when Arsenal were attacking in waves; there was no panic, no rush to clear and no hoofing. That's pretty impressive and down to the coaching as much as it was down to the players. All in all, a great win. Now let's do the 'easy' part and beat QPR.