It must be quite frustrating for a journo. He is so well spoken and positive that they have no genuine reason to dislike him.
I managed to suss out that there was a match against Sunderland on Saturday. Get any more news, I'll let you know.
They're running a 'limited' service. Perhaps too limited for Arsenal's enormous ground but not Fulham's little one.
Southampton midfielder Jack Cork believes clear-the-air talks have helped rejuvenate their season as they prepare to entertain Sunderland on Saturday. Nigel Adkins' side were in the relegation zone earlier in the season after recording just one victory in their first 10 Premier League matches. The Saints let in 28 goals during that period but have since improved defensively, conceding just four goals in their last six outings as they lost just one game, to move up to 17th in the table. "When you're going through a bad patch, the thing you do is look at everything you are doing wrong and try and put it right," said Cork. "The manager came in and said 'what do you lot think we're doing wrong?' Everybody put their input in, we changed things we needed to change and it worked for us. "A couple of months ago we had a few talks and we had a few things around the training ground. We all decided as a team what we needed to do to put things right. "We focused on different things at the training ground, a lot more people spoke up. We created little groups at the training ground to talk about certain issues. "I think everything has come together at the right time when things were looking bad and somehow we all just pulled together and started picking up a few results in big games we had." In particular, Cork was keen to highlight the improvements made in defending that have led to their recent improvement. "The team just seems a lot more defensively assured. We have not conceded as many goals as we did at the start of the season," he added. "We just look a lot more confident in our defensive play and obviously with the attacking players we've got, we always know we're going to score. "As long as we stopped conceding goals, we always knew we would start picking up points because the attackers always do their jobs."
I don't believe that our Adkins doesn't read the speculation in the papers and online. He knew too much about the recent pressure that Wenger and O'Neill have been under (beyond what you could tell from recent results) and in the past has been able to quote speculation which affects other clubs. However, we wouldn't have him any other way - I for one am happy that he doesn't spout stuff to the media like Warnock and Allardyce have been known.
Some of the media seemed to feel that Shaw was on his way in January. News to me, said Nigel. Obvious rot as Luke is under contract and we are just getting the defence to gel. We all love gossip, but perhaps Nigel has the right attitude. He is close to the facts, so why bother with speculation. However, I suspect the recruitment department keep their ears close to the ground in case a player that we might want is looking for a move.
Ahh! No that makes a bit more sense! I remember going to Highbury and the tube was packed then even when the trains were running so I supposed with no trains....
really hard for the police to manage with thousands of Arse and Spam fans swarming around North London still abit pissed from the night before
Be interesting to see who we play on the left unless we play a 4-4-2 with the ball/4-5-1 without hybrid and then it most certainly will be Rodriguez. I think we need to isolate there full-backs they keep playing Cuellar at right back and he is clearly not comfortable there, so we need to play a wide man on the left who will cause him issues. Sunderland have pacey wingers, but I think Clyne can cope. Their biggest danger for me is Sessegnon being given too much space infront of the back four, hope Cork and Schneiderlin are on their game!
Just said on Sky that today is a big relegation match for Saints and Sunderland. Am I in cloud cuckoo land? I just feel that we have turned a corner and, whilst I realise we may bob back into the bottom three, I believe we will be alright. I think there is a positivity about the club. I know it's ridiculous when we are only in 17th by GD (you wouldn't have expected that we would have a better GD than others a few weeks ago).
They are right for this game, but I find it unusual that I feel so confident when we are only outside the bottom three on GD. I hope it's because I am closer to the club and can see what's happening and not just because I am deluding myself.
I think its the first Fran. We can feel and see the difference between the first few games and now, The players have turned a corner!
I'll reserve judgement on that until we face the better sides again. This is a game we should be winning though.
Agreed Fran - we can all see the confidence growing in the players and feel the growing confidence in the crowd. I think we will do a straight forward 2-0 today and that will set us up nicely for a real go at Fulham who dont appear to be having a good time! Nearly time to jump in the car and drive down to "sunny" Southampton!
