Slightly interesting thing I picked up on MotD2 in Adkins' post-match interview. When asked about Ramirez he said "Ah he's outstanding, the chairman's done great, we've pushed the boat out to bring him in here." Do you think this is just Nigel making a nod to the funds available, or does it add more weight to the commonly held theory that Nicola and other people like Les Reed, have a lot more to do with transfers, non-domestic ones anyway, than Nigel? Personally I think Nigel's involvement in Ramirez, Mayuka and Yoshida's purchases was not a major one and he only came into the process late, to have a large/complete part in the final say on whether the trigger should be pulled on the transfers. Then again that's mostly just calculated assumption, and considering all three of them showcased their talent in fairly major tournaments, it's not out of the question that despite Nigel's inexperience and lack of in-depth knowledge outside of these shores, that he saw them and was the catalyst of our pursuits of them. Not trying to start up the 'Nigel is just a puppet at the hands of the evil master Cortese' nonsense again, just found that interesting.
My take was Adkins was showing his appreciation that Cortese was willing to give him the money to bring in a player like Ramirez
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/gallery-two-brings-joy-against-magpies-508733.aspx See picture 78 in the gallery.
Last week a pundit referred to Saints as 'your team' when talking to Murray. Another chap on Sky is a Saints fan as well. I think Adkins made a reference to Nicola buying Ramirez solely so that he gets some credit. I suspect Nigel feels that Cortese doesn't get a fair press. Lambert won't play on Wednesday if there is any doubt, especially with the Liverpool game coming up. JRod was onside, but it was close. He had the disadvantage of being the nearest player to the linesman. The lino would have had a clear view if he had been the player furthest away.
Have you seen Michael Owen lately? http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=mi...=140&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:100
Ref Adkins interview - i agree, they were discussing a very good performance by Ramirez and Adkins was saying that he is a top player and this is why we made a major effort to bring him here in the summer. Nothing more in my view. JRod was on-side, and was done out of a very good goal by inept officials - from my seat and all those around me it looked onside, although we were all biased admittedly. It really frustrates me that marginal decisions almost always seem to go against the attacking side. The offside rule was changed some years back so that if the attacking player was in line then he was onside, but you see countless examples where they are given offside even when level. It seems easier for the linesmen to give decisions against the attacker than in his favour. Of course its not easy for a human to watch the attackers movement at the same time as watching the ball being played, but surely any element of doubt should go the attackers way for the benefit of a good spectacle. Offside is crucial to football to stop a team keeping a man up on the opposition goaline at all times, but these marginal decisions against the attacking team annoy the hell out of me.
Does seem a bit fussy when the match has been won anyway, not like Newcastle would really have had a complaint if it had been incorrectly given for example. Shame for Rodriguez, would have been good for him. Just cramp then?
Lambert's 'injury' was mentioned on Sky...said he was being assessed. As I said before, can't see him being risked before the Liverpool game if there is any doubt. Remember Nigel has form for dropping Rickie if necessary.
Rickie seemed to pull something after jumping for a ball in midfield. He looked in pain, bent over and then sat down until the physio came on. It could have just been cramp, but my initial (panic-stricken) thought was that he'd done a knee or ankle. Glad he played on for a bit, and glad he went off, but I bet he won't play against Norwich, except possibly from the bench.
