Was (unfortunately) sat with the Arse fans (well - it was a free ticket!) and I've never sat with a bunch of one-sided, arrogant berks in my life. They booed everything about Saints, moaned about their own players, didn't see that it was actually a pretty good game and Saints were easily the equal of, admittedly, a second(ish)-string Arsenal team. They certainly didn't like it when I leapt up to celebrate Clyne's goal and also gave my daughter grief for wearing her Saints shirt. Very few of them had anything good to say about Saints. Wish we could have been with the REAL supporters!!
I was also sitting in with the Arsenal fans. I go a fair bit, living less than a mile from the ground and having 3 young sons who "support their local team" - something I believe in. The Arsenal fans were focusing on their own deficiencies more than praising a Saints team that gave a similar lesson to them as the one I saw Dortmund give them last season (albeit to the full first team then). But worrying more about your own team is normal. We should understand that many Arsenal fans are deeply unhappy that they are light in defence, have no holding midfielder (in the Gilberto / Viera) mould and no RVP replacement. Even so, the fans around me all thought they deserved to lose and saw it coming at half time. They rightly picked out Fonte, who was awesome in the 2nd half, and Wanyama / Schneiderlein as the sort of players they need.
Verge..? I took you for better than that Lamb. He's been knocking on the door for 3 seasons. Unfortunately, he's now 30 odd, so Portugal may pass him by, but he's matured into a stonking CB, and should be a shoo-in. Of course, FLT and I have a deal with him and Portugal that he can only have one game and score a winning goal, then retire from international football. Isn't that right, FLT..?
Definitely. He's so much better now than even last season - and there was me thinking it was Lovren who was giving him confidence! Would be great to see him recognised internationally!
Fonte was absolutely immense last night. Mane was a huge plus for me - not only did he ask questions of their defence every time he picked it up, but he tracked back and did his defensive duties whilst looking strong. I think he will adapt quickly - I am already more excited about him than I have ever been about Gaston.
Was watching a dodgy arabic stream with my wife, she likes to semi pay attention to the game but is no football fan. She suddenly said ´that tall guy (Gardos) is so laid back he is almost horizontal´. So good to have a selection of CBs that are comfortable with the ball, but Gardos may well be something special, you feel it comes easy to him and reads the game like a book. Also congrats to both clubs (think the away club has to sanction ticket prices for cup games aswell as the home team) for the 10 pound tickets, the ground full and im pretty sure a large % were people that can not normally go to games
Mane was impressive last night especially only after a few days of training and can see him getting better and better as he settles down The only "slight" negative is that I hope he stays on his feet a little more as I would hate to see us get labelled as a team of cheats like Arsenal...disgraceful diving last night especially Wiltshire and Alexis
Was thinking after the game what a legend our Jose is becoming? I thought he was great last season, but so far this season he has been immense. Is it the captains armband, or the need to raise you game due to new starts all around? Whatever the reason he is very important to this team, on, and most definately off the park.
