My initial thought was that 4-1 flattered Spurs a bit, but then I remember the Wanyama miss, Eriksen smashing the bar, the missed penalty and it is probably a fair enough result. 2 goals were scored when we were reduced to ten men and it was arguably never a red card but it isn't as if we missed a multitude of chances ourselves. Bar the first 15 minutes Spurs were far superior to us. That's my opinion anyway!
And out of the darkness comes a shaft of comedy. Someone on the Echo site is suggesting it's time for us to have Pardew back. Vin
Vertonghen and Walker both get one match bans after picking up their fifth yellows, there is some justice.
To be honest, I imagine he'd have been rotated for Tadic anyway. If that was going to be case, then all we'll miss is him as an option from the bench. Instead, I imagine that will now pass to Sims, which is no bad thing.
Away to Watford though. I'd rather they were at full strength for that one. And then miss Chelsea instead. EDIT: Actually, Spurs play on 1 Jan not 31 Dec. And in previous years 31 Dec has been the cut off for five yellow cards. I've no idea if that applies this though, or whether it's delayed by 24 hours due to not all sides having played 19 games by 31 Dec. Seems unfair to keep it at 31 Dec otherwise.
Leaving couple of mins early to beat the traffic nearly always works and saves me half an hour on a 3+ hours journey. Doesnt work nearly so well when half the stadium leaves early though.
Have to agree with a few things here CBK. Part of the reason why I can't see a stadium expansion being done. The younger support does seem to be dwindling. I take my 10 year old son (season ticket holders). Last season he came out of many games buzzing about being a saints supporter, The Liverpool comeback, Man City, Arsenal to name a few and the Spurs away game. This season I have noticed him hunched forward with his hands on his face, looking totally bored with the match. Also noticed this season other kids on their phones or buggering around, as the football is not entertaining enough for today's youngsters. I'm sure like a lot of parents who spend a lot of money taking their kids to the games, if he loses complete interest (hope he doesn't as both complete football & SFC nuts), I will have to think about the costs of renewing for next season.
Not sure what the answer is. I tend to find "Ultras" like the Palace lot, a bit twee, but clubs that have them, do tend to have improved atmospheres as a result. Northam & Itchen singing sections have shrunk a lot in last two seasons. Can only see it getting worse.
Someone travelling the distance you do is somewhat forgiven. I don't think 10,000 travel that far. At only 2 hours, I stay
That's a shame CBK. However maybe many of them take your other believe that they are entitled to moan a lot, leave early and boo when things are bad or not at their expectations. Perhaps they could even tell you they are entitled not to sing. Now there's a thought. Maybe you've reduced them to not singing enough anymore because that's what they are entitled to do. I don't agree with that statement I just made by the way. I believe I am there to support the team and that is what I do. You can't have it both ways mate.
I have been going with to games with my daughter, but she's now old enough to go on her own (well, with her friends) which I think is how it should be. I started going with my Dad, but as soon as I was a teenager, I was off with my mates having a sing-song & bundle on the Milton. Obviously, lack of terracing stops kids doing that now unless they plan ahead and buy match tickets or season tickets.
Making substitutions when the horse has bolted! I would argue it was clear, that although 1-1 at half time, the pattern of the game was set with Spurs the very likely winners. If you remember the Bournemouth game Claude was pro-active at H/T when the score was 1-1. I was suggesting he should have been pro-active last night. It was in my opinion, and of those around me, that the most likely result if things weren't changed at half time was that we would lose and so it proved. We were being entirely outplayed in midfield and Jay was isolated up front. JWP produced one pass of note in the game in the first minute then faded away. Boufal and Redmond allowed their fullbacks to attack at will after the first 20 minutes leaving the ever durable Davis and Romeu fighting a rearguard action. One can argue that given his resources Claude was on a loser, but not changing things at half time was in my view symptomatic of either indecision or having no plan B. The introduction of Reed and Hojbjerg at half time for Redmond and JWP would have given us 4 ball winners in midfield and allowed Boufal to play off Jay without too many defensive duties. Keeping Long or Tadic in reserve as an impact sub for either Jay or Boufal. So as you so quaintly put it 'for **** sake' in my view Claude could and should be faulted.
Come and have a go at the Milton aggro ! Stop clinging to the past, old man...and stop being a deama queen
I can kinda see what you are saying but on the other hand I would want to see the whole game. I have a similar journey and if I am traveling for 6hours I want to see every second of the game. Especially if the game is close with an odd goal in it, leaving without knowing the result seems bizarre. Just a personal thing also but I think the players generally deserve to be applauded at the end of a game, win, lose or draw.
You make a very good point about terracing. Do you think, as many others do, that "safe standing" at the Northam End (extended beyond the goal) might help improve the atmosphere?
