Saints Vs Pompey Match & Reactions Thread

[DJ_TOAST]

Well decent day out...just disappointing the result as felt we deserved to win and shouldn't have thrown it away.

Thought the support in the first half wasn't as good as coulda been...as been mentioned think because were so tense (and maybe not being as beered up as usual). I've always hated the lallana chant aswell with the whole ghey arms thing so did find funny when they started taking the ******.

Thought their fans were like animals though and the whole not giving the ball back was a joke (although the joke was on them when they did it after we scored)...showed em for the sorta low class club/fans they are.

Bubble was ok...left quite promptly there and back.

Wore me old Aquascutum scarf today to keep warm as had no other and was embarassing amount of people with one on...remembered why stopped wearing it yrs ago.

[dubai_phil]

From Twitter

 

jordansibley Jordan Sibley

 

 

 

Adkins on injuries: Connolly v close, Chaplow back in training, Barnard has had operation on ankle injury, out for 2 months or so

 

jackcork1 Jack Cork

 

 

 

Gutted today. Wish we could have held on and got the 3 points. Great fans today. Great feeling coming to warm up and seeing that.

 

 

[iansums]

With the way poopey played and 'celebrated' at the end this game had the feel of an away cup-tie at lower league opposition. It's good to see they now know their place in the grand scheme of things.

[West End Saint]

I thought we had done enough to win the game it was never going to be flowing football but our lads played the better stuff & stood up to the challenge proud of our team Cork Hammond Jos Richardson & fox all did very well & Lambo is different class.

 

It was a little flat from the fans 1st half but 2nd half we got right behind the lads mental celebrations when Lambo scored what a bunch of inbreds there lot are, looking forward to playing them at St Marys on a pitch you have a chance to play football on & giving them the spanking they deserve.

 

This was a very important game not to lose yes it would have been great to get the win we deserved however we can take the positives from the game our team is up for the fight we are a point clear top of the league we have done ourselves proud in this league so far UTS

[doddisalegend]

Game stats are interesting we were blatantly the better team in fact those stats make us look like the home side. With better finishing we should have one this game easily. Though everyone would have loved the win I think we should take heart that we went to Fratton and outplayed the skates on their home patch and our boys stood up to be counted.

 

Possession Portsmouth 42% Southampton 58%

Attempts on target Portsmouth 4 Southampton 9

Attempts off target Portsmouth 3 Southampton 5

Corners Portsmouth 2 Southampton 5

Fouls Portsmouth 13 southampton 9

[sidthesquid]

Game stats are interesting we were blatantly the better team in fact those stats make us look like the home side. With better finishing we should have one this game easily. Though everyone would have loved the win I think we should take heart that we went to Fratton and outplayed the skates on their home patch and our boys stood up to be counted.

 

Possession Portsmouth 42% Southampton 58%

Attempts on target Portsmouth 4 Southampton 9

Attempts off target Portsmouth 3 Southampton 5

Corners Portsmouth 2 Southampton 5

Fouls Portsmouth 13 southampton 9

 

At the start I'd have gladly taken a point, by the finish, a bit frustrated not to have won. But our class did show, and our bottle, and we will win more than we lose playing like that. As you say skates played like an away side hoping for a 0-0 and getting a lucky break, as they did at Burnley & yesterday, but that is no way to set up for a season and they looked seriously limited. Overall, glad it's out the way & we did ourselves justice in front of the TV, and top at Christmas - well, I'll take that, thanks very much. Nothing to fear in this league.

[Viking Warrior]

I have another moan about the BBC. I looked at ceefax this morning to see what they had written about the game.

 

They are so skateville. They refer to us as the opposition (not a mention of the word Saints) but when it came to them they refer to them as Pompey.

 

I have a dislike for the BBC even more so now. Oh and thank god sickly dancing has finished. What a waste of licence payers money. What happened to good old saturday nght TV

[doddisalegend]

I have another moan about the BBC. I looked at ceefax this morning to see what they had written about the game.

 

They are so skateville. They refer to us as the opposition (not a mention of the word Saints) but when it came to them they refer to them as Pompey.

 

I have a dislike for the BBC even more so now. Oh and thank god sickly dancing has finished. What a waste of licence payers money. What happened to good old saturday nght TV

 

Wow were are you living? the 1980s........

 

You get used to it. I was reading some sunday red top yesterday morning (forget which one) that had nice piece about Lallana wanting to get revenge for the 4-1 drubbing in the FA cup a couple of seasons back that was played at fratton park:?

 

Unless you're a big four side the press don't seem to give a rats arse

[Andyb1]

Very forgettable first half, but a lively second half. Some great play by Lallana, especially when he walked through 3 skates with the ball glued to his boot! The goal really woke us up and gave us the upper hand, whatever attacks they had were broken up with ease and turned into counters. Thought NA was a bit negative towards the end, looking to hold onto the 0-1, but that nearly always leads to trouble. I would have liked to see SDR come on for Guly with 10-15 mins to go as the skates were really on the ropes and i dont think they would have coped with the runs he makes.

Guly had a 'mare for me though, just didn't seem that interested to make things happen. He can be so frustrating at times! I would have given anything to have DC on the end of that chance that Guly fluffed. Before kick off though, i would have settled for a point and i think the end result was pretty fair.

 

As for people saying 'at the start of the season you would of bit someones hand off to be top by a point come Christmas', I can't agree with that. We are top on merit imo, and we have missed to many chances to strech our lead by poor performances. Everyone has a blip at some stage of the season, i'm just glad ours has come as we limp towards the transfer window. These last few games have highlighted the fact we have some big gaps in our squad which need addressing asap.

 

Overall though, it's ours to throw away, just hope we don't.

 

Guly was awful but I didn't think the goal was his fault. The guy was closer to the ball, had the momentum and was always going to get there first.. Funny thing is if he'd stayed on the line he might have stopped it..

[Chez]

Guly was awful but I didn't think the goal was his fault. The guy was closer to the ball, had the momentum and was always going to get there first.. Funny thing is if he'd stayed on the line he might have stopped it..

I think the same, but the BBC Jake fella has made many fans opinions up for them.

[Viking Warrior]

Doddisalegend

 

LOL about your comment re ceefax. I have no idea what it is called to day but its just one of those names that stick in your head IM afraid.

 

Its a bit like the debate re Marathon Bars or Snickers. I watched Jamie oliver last week and he says they will always be marathons bars to him

[doddisalegend]

Doddisalegend

 

LOL about your comment re ceefax. I have no idea what it is called to day but its just one of those names that stick in your head IM afraid.

 

Its a bit like the debate re Marathon Bars or Snickers. I watched Jamie oliver last week and he says they will always be marathons bars to him

 

Ahhh yes like opal fruits and starbursts.......

[Bourne Valley Saint]

A bit of a weird day out all in all. Sort of arrived in the ground in a vaccuum - no contact with anyone bar the people on the bus, queued for a bit until the gate was opened and then we were in. Weird feeling really, especially compared with the trips by train on the past two occasions. Hence the atmosphere was a bit subdued for such a game. Obviously the ticket arrangements and the "Bubble" dampened the passionate support you would normally experience for such a fixture but I didn't think it was as bad as some are making out. Fair play to all those that went - even though a lot were young, elderly or female. At least they travelled unlike the "coming for you" mouths that watched it on tv.

 

As for the game, I thought Saints played well and did enough to win it. They weren't intimidated by the tirade of abuse and insults from the stands (unlike the last visit) and stood up to be counted, especially Hammond and Cork who worked tirelessly in midfield. Guly was a disappointment and should have been taken off before they equalised.

 

As for their fans, quality moments were when we were 1-0 up and such is their blinkered hatred for all things Southampton, they couldn't even manage to give the ball back to our players for a throw in, thereby wasting even more time. As for singing about their Cup "sucess" recently, I'm sure most clubs could have achieved that by spending £120 million pounds without any intention of ever paying it back!

 

All in all a bit of a strange day out!!

[rudi-skacel]

well what a ****e game that was,should av hammered them.

[Whitey Grandad]

Guly was awful but I didn't think the goal was his fault. The guy was closer to the ball, had the momentum and was always going to get there first.. Funny thing is if he'd stayed on the line he might have stopped it..

I don't blame him completely, but I fell that he could have done more to put Ward off. He should never have turned his back and should have let Ward know that he was coming to get him, even shouting "Guly's" would have distracted him a little.

[Whitey Grandad]

Doddisalegend

 

LOL about your comment re ceefax. I have no idea what it is called to day but its just one of those names that stick in your head IM afraid.

 

Its a bit like the debate re Marathon Bars or Snickers. I watched Jamie oliver last week and he says they will always be marathons bars to him

It won't be around much longer. The big switch-off is next March in this region. Ceefax was the BBC's name for it, we called it Teletext.

[Mowgli]

Just so I'm clear - what is the general concensus on the goal conceded. some seem to think Harding should have risked a pass back to the keeper rather than the safe option of kicking it into touch. Some feel Kelvin should have come for the cross. some feel Guly should have challenged more and other think he should have stayed on his line. Seems to me both goals were down to poor defending. Then again, if defences never made mistakes, I guess there would be a lot of 0-0 draws!

 

Poor game but a draw looked a fair result. More than happy to be still top. There are no teams below us that seem capable of putting a mega runv together to topple us. WHU, Leicester and Cardiff have all looked good on occassions but when push comes to shove they blow it.

[Gemmel]

I don't think the games was as bad as some are making out. Derbies are never going to be about pretty, free flowing football for 90 minutes.

We had our moments of decent football and were certainly the better team, their goal was sickening, but all in all a very disciplined and professional performance. There is some steel and mental strength in this team and those are qualities that we havent seen for a long time.

 

Didnt understand the subs (Harding, but seems like Fox might have been injured) or lack of them (De Ridder would have seemed the perfect choice), but in fairness pompey didnt look like scoring.

 

We won't play there again in a league match for many years, possibly even decades, so disappointed not to have signed off in style. But we go into Christmas top and we would have all snapped at that back in August.

 

2011 probably my favorite year out of the 34 I have had supporting Saints. Soon to be replaced by 2012

[Surman4no7shirt]

At the start I'd have gladly taken a point, by the finish, a bit frustrated not to have won. But our class did show, and our bottle, and we will win more than we lose playing like that. As you say skates played like an away side hoping for a 0-0 and getting a lucky break, as they did at Burnley & yesterday, but that is no way to set up for a season and they looked seriously limited. Overall, glad it's out the way & we did ourselves justice in front of the TV, and top at Christmas - well, I'll take that, thanks very much. Nothing to fear in this league.

 

I was looking at those stats earlier and thinking they were a good argument for another forward. Guly, whether you are a fan or not, was not in form today and we had no other option.

[dellbert]

I'd be happy for that, the goals and assists he has clearly shows we can't do without him.

 

Totally agree but the konbs who do not understand footie will drive him from the club eventually!

[Saint_John]

Just so I'm clear - what is the general concensus on the goal conceded. some seem to think Harding should have risked a pass back to the keeper rather than the safe option of kicking it into touch. Some feel Kelvin should have come for the cross. some feel Guly should have challenged more and other think he should have stayed on his line. .../QUOTE]

 

Non of them for me.

If I remember correctly i think the cheats have scored an almost identical goal previously this season (corner far post; head back for players arriving at the near post). imo Nigel would have known this and would have had certain players being man marked.

 

My view is that 2 of their players went to the near post for the head back, and I believe only Fonte went with his player and (if you can bear to watch it again) Jose does a good job of shielding his player out of it.

HOWEVER somebody else has left ward and didn't go with him to the near post.

That is where the fault for me is for me. Who was picking up ward at the corners ?

 

1) imo Guly doesn't know whether to stay on the line (again if I remember correctly he has cleared 2 off line recently i.e coventry ??) or come out and is in two minds trying to cover for one of his teammates who has switched off and lost ward.

2) imo kelvin would have never got through the crowd of players to get to the ball.

3) yes, Dan gave away a cheap corner but in his defence he had only just come on and had watched a number of players slipping on the turf all match (? were they wearing "blades" or "studs")

[WokingSaint]

In all this fuss about Guly and the goal no one has mentioned this:-

a) Why was Guly on the near post? (Left Back position)

b) Why wasn't Harding on the near post?

c) When Strikers attempt to defend it invariably ends in disaster. Why don't they stay out of the way and let the defenders defend?

[Barry the Badger]

Guly could definitely have been more commited in his attempt to get the ball. However, as the corner is taken who is the player marking Ward? It's Lallana.

 

I'm not one for scapegoating, players will make mistakes, so I feel a bit bad for highlighting this. But for Guly to get ripped apart for the goal is completely short sighted.

 

I wonder what we would be talking about if Guly had left his man at a corner and Lallana then not made the header. My bet is we would be talking about Guly.

 

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Personally although I was disappointing not to win the game, my overriding emotion as we left was more relief that we hadn't lost and happiness that we'd not bottled it. Was a great goal celebration, though I spent half of it trying to save the glasses of the old bloke stood behind me who had them knocked off in the madness.

[Minty]

In all this fuss about Guly and the goal no one has mentioned this:-

a) Why was Guly on the near post? (Left Back position)

b) Why wasn't Harding on the near post?

c) When Strikers attempt to defend it invariably ends in disaster. Why don't they stay out of the way and let the defenders defend?

a+b) Players don't stand in the same position all game, including set-pieces. If they did, you would also be asking why centre backs came forward for corners, and why is a left back taking corner in the 'right wing' position. Sorry, but that's a bit silly.

c) Strikers will stop defending, when defenders stop attacking...

 

This is real football, not 'American Football'. 11 players on a pitch with various jobs to do.

[stanthemanfairoak]

I just don't get Guly at all, looks lazy and uninterested.. If we don't get someone else up with Rickie we won't be going up ![/i have been postin this all season now will someone listen.QUOTE]

[Minty]

I just don't get Guly at all, looks lazy and uninterested.. If we don't get someone else up with Rickie we won't be going up !

i have been postin this all season now will someone listen.

Not me. Given his goals and assists, I think his positive contributions have been there for all to see. He's not perfect, he can improve, but then so can all of our players. Black and white judgements like this are simply not appropriate IMO. I think we do need further options upfront, but Guly has an important part to play.

[stanthemanfairoak]

not me. Given his goals and assists, i think his positive contributions have been there for all to see. He's not perfect, he can improve, but then so can all of our players. Black and white judgements like this are simply not appropriate imo. I think we do need further options upfront, but guly has an important part to play.

hug!

[derry]

Guly could definitely have been more commited in his attempt to get the ball. However, as the corner is taken who is the player marking Ward? It's Lallana.

 

I'm not one for scapegoating, players will make mistakes, so I feel a bit bad for highlighting this. But for Guly to get ripped apart for the goal is completely short sighted.

 

I wonder what we would be talking about if Guly had left his man at a corner and Lallana then not made the header. My bet is we would be talking about Guly.

 

 

Lallana was the front man in case the corner comes in low. We had ten marking seven FFS, Guly was marking nobody, but as he then dropped back to the post which possibly Davis was covering, but Harding should have been, with somebody else on the right post, he took himself out of the very area the second ball dropped in. In any event presented with the second ball he had to make a determined effort to get his head to it or force the attacker to bottle it, but he pulled out, turned his back and ducked his head. It was not liking the possibility of hurting himself that caused him to pull out.

[Norm]

I hate to hark on about Guly but derry summed it up for me.

 

quote, 'In any event presented with the second ball he had to make a determined effort to get his head to it or force the attacker to bottle it, but he pulled out, turned his back and ducked his head. It was not liking the possibility of hurting himself that caused him to pull out'.

[Barry the Badger]

Lallana was the front man in case the corner comes in low. .

 

Yes that's right. He is the golden boy and above criticism. As the ball comes over his head instead of switching on to possible danger he just drifts away from the nearest Pompey players making no attempt to mark anybody.

 

But he's a local lad so lets blame Guly.

[Norm]

Yes that's right. He is the golden boy and above criticism. As the ball comes over his head instead of switching on to possible danger he just drifts away from the nearest Pompey players making no attempt to mark anybody.

 

But he's a local lad so lets blame Guly.

 

If AL had done the same, I would expect him to receive the same comments. I have no axe to grind with any of the players inc Guly! Say it as I see it. Mind you, I am due a visit to Spec.....

[derry]

Yes that's right. He is the golden boy and above criticism. As the ball comes over his head instead of switching on to possible danger he just drifts away from the nearest Pompey players making no attempt to mark anybody.

 

But he's a local lad so lets blame Guly.

 

I was one of Adam's biggest critics, ask THEVMAN. Guly bottled the challenge and ducked out of the physical contact.

[Barry the Badger]

If AL had done the same, I would expect him to receive the same comments. I have no axe to grind with any of the players inc Guly! Say it as I see it. Mind you, I am due a visit to Spec.....

 

I'm not really arguing the Guly point. I agree that he should've done better. I just find it amusing that he's getting slated while Lallana's role in the goal (which was, in my opinion, at least as bad) barely gets mentioned.

[Thedelldays]

I'm not really arguing the Guly point. I agree that he should've done better. I just find it amusing that he's getting slated while Lallana's role in the goal (which was, in my opinion, at least as bad) barely gets mentioned.

I am slating july for just being shyt on sunday....at least lallana was pretty good going forward

Edited 19 December, 2011 by Thedelldays

[CanadaSaint]

Yes that's right. He is the golden boy and above criticism. As the ball comes over his head instead of switching on to possible danger he just drifts away from the nearest Pompey players making no attempt to mark anybody.

 

But he's a local lad so lets blame Guly.

 

In the context of that goal Lallana was relatively faultless. Guly certainly wasn't.

 

Lallana is due some of his own criticism - such as when he, infuriatingly, turned away from goal in the second half after we'd opened Pompey up like a sardine can.

 

The comments have nothing to do with whether the player is "local" but about how they performed in given situations. Guly bottled it and cost us two points, and whoever told him to guard a post (especially the critical near post) needs to have his nuts kneed as well.

[Saint_John]

Guly could definitely have been more commited in his attempt to get the ball. However, as the corner is taken who is the player marking Ward? It's Lallana.

 

I'm not one for scapegoating, players will make mistakes, so I feel a bit bad for highlighting this. But for Guly to get ripped apart for the goal is completely short sighted.

 

I wonder what we would be talking about if Guly had left his man at a corner and Lallana then not made the header. My bet is we would be talking about Guly.

 

 

Great picture.

Guly is stoping the corner coming into the near post, but as soon as the corner is hit deep his job is to get back on the post to cover the looping header.

Jose correctly shields his player out of the action when the ball is headed back.

As you say it is Adam job to pick the other player up when the ball is headed back to the near post.

 

Cork has also lost his player as well at the far post, but because of the sunlight it is hard to say who heads the ball back.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I was dissapointed with harding conceding the corner in the first place as I'm sure that he could have knocked it for a throw instead. That said, Halford could have thrown it in long and they scored from that. I didn't think Guly's defending is as bad as people are making out. Yes someone like Franny may have put his head in there, took one for the team and cleared it. Guly isn't that sort of player, and neither is Adam, Morgan, De ridder or David Connolly.If Guly let us down it was not finishing the chance when we were 1-0 up, that's what he's in the team for, not throwing his head into defensive situations.

 

Just did not want to lose, especially after the last 2 results against them.Could not have contemplated another defeat to them. Would have taken a point before the start, so can't complain too much. Come the return, I think we'll knock 3 or 4 past them at our place. Saw my Skate mate last night, could say to him "top of the league", "17 points clear of them", and all he could say was he was happy with a draw.

[70's Mike]

did kitson win the first header

[skintsaint]

I think my annoyance with Guly for the goal was turning his back and getting out the way, at least get in front of the ball if you're not going to win it. I bet a fair few of us wouldn't have the bottle to go 50/50 with your head first.

[skintsaint]

did kitson win the first header

 

Think he did but Jos was marking him as the picture shows not Cork.

[shurlock]

Just so I'm clear - what is the general concensus on the goal conceded. some seem to think Harding should have risked a pass back to the keeper rather than the safe option of kicking it into touch. Some feel Kelvin should have come for the cross. some feel Guly should have challenged more and other think he should have stayed on his line. .../QUOTE]

 

Non of them for me.

If I remember correctly i think the cheats have scored an almost identical goal previously this season (corner far post; head back for players arriving at the near post). imo Nigel would have known this and would have had certain players being man marked.

 

My view is that 2 of their players went to the near post for the head back, and I believe only Fonte went with his player and (if you can bear to watch it again) Jose does a good job of shielding his player out of it.

HOWEVER somebody else has left ward and didn't go with him to the near post.

That is where the fault for me is for me. Who was picking up ward at the corners ?

 

1) imo Guly doesn't know whether to stay on the line (again if I remember correctly he has cleared 2 off line recently i.e coventry ??) or come out and is in two minds trying to cover for one of his teammates who has switched off and lost ward.

2) imo kelvin would have never got through the crowd of players to get to the ball.

3) yes, Dan gave away a cheap corner but in his defence he had only just come on and had watched a number of players slipping on the turf all match (? were they wearing "blades" or "studs")

 

This sums it up perfectly.

 

And you're right: Guly has cleared a number off the line - the most recent being at Donny. Almost seems as if we're playing zonal rather than man-to-man defence - and they exploited it.

[Hedgehog]

Saw the goals again briefly on South Today, looked like Fonte was being held back, one of theirs tugging/hanging on to his arm, or was i imagining it? Maybe he could have got there if not being impeded?

[doddisalegend]

I just don't get Guly at all, looks lazy and uninterested.. If we don't get someone else up with Rickie we won't be going up ![/i have been postin this all season now will someone listen.QUOTE]

 

What the Guly with seven goals to his name the same as an established championship striker like Chopra and only a couple behind the likes of Billy Sharp............ TBF I don't care if he looks lazy if he keeps scoring

 

Lambert Southampton 15

McCormack Leeds 10

Andrews Ipswich 9

Henderson Millwall 9

Sharp Doncaster 9

Wood Birmingham 9

Austin Burnley 8

Davies Barnsley 8

Fryatt Hull 8

Jutkiewicz Coventry 8

McCann Peterborough 8

Snodgrass Leeds 8

Chopra Ipswich 7

Cole West Ham 7

Guly Southampton 7

[Barry the Badger]

Think he did but Jos was marking him as the picture shows not Cork.

 

It's not Kitson. He moves towards the front post.

 

It's their number 20, Thorne, who back pedals out of the pack. He's being marked by Schneiderlin but ends up where Jos is standing. Jos and Schneiderlin sort of get in eachothers way and Thorne knocks it back across.

 

Essentially the point I'm trying to make is that there are a lot of players making mistakes for this goal, it was late in the game and we were tiring. Harding did panic slightly when conceding a corner, Lallana isn't as switched on as he could be, Schneiderlin doesn't read it as well as the player he's marking, Jos doesn't quite take control of the ball in the air as he could, Kelvin's positioning could perhaps be a little better, and Guly could have done better. We should defend as a team, and as a team there were a lot of small mistakes contributing to a pretty sh*tty goal, so to focus so much on Guly's reluctance to get knocked out is incredibly harsh, it should never have got to the point where he needed to.

Edited 19 December, 2011 by Barry the Badger

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

I think a wider point here is whether or not its worth having the likes of Lallana and Guly back at corners in the first place. If you're relying on Guly to win a 50-50 to prevent a goal then you already know that the whole defensive effort has failed somewhere already. We had all 10 outfield players in our own box, they had 7 in the box, with one taking the corner, one on halfway and the remaining outfield player in between our box and halfway. If Guly and Lallana go and stand on halfway then in all likelihood they would have put a further 2 defenders with them (might have been less cautious if deep in injury time) which would have left 8 v 5 in the box, still 3 more but more proportionately an increase plus you've got rid of the weaklinks to provide an attacking threat.

Edited 19 December, 2011 by anothersaintinsouthsea

[St Matty]

Reading through some of the posts, i disagree on our support. We've been louder and the likes of Leyton Orient for f*cks sake, disappointing. Yes we were good at times (after we scored) but i didn't feel we got behind the lads that well.

 

On my previous visits I was disapointed at how quiet we could be. Seems to be that whenever we started something 17,000 skates would drown us out , not many away games do you get the whole crowd singing against you. However, this time it was better - on and off the pitch (although if Kevin philips shot had gone in in 04!!!)

[simondo]

i like Guly and i think the lads played great, BUT Guly DID bottle the challenge and ducked out FACT.... shame and its done, moving on....

[Lazlo78]

It was not liking the possibility of hurting himself that caused him to pull out.

 

Great observation! Or... actually it's more than an observation, I think you'll have to be a mind-reader to tell us what went through the mind of Guly

[Professor]

Its no use blaming a forward for not being an instinctive defender as well. A FB would have handled the cross differently but Guly is not a FB. Harding and Richardson should have been on the posts, so you could blame Richardson for being AWOL but personally, I blame the club management, NA and NC for not consolidating our position with a loan striker when Connolly and Barnard have been out with injury. We are top by luck, not judgement, so now we need judgement in the January window to make sure this fantastic chance isn't blown.