I am going to spend the night looking at the location of these possible opponents. A trip to Minsk would be a bit of an unknown. Anyway have our Singing Saints Supporters managed to add a Dutch song to replace those that give praise to our might friends at the eastern end of the M27?
Massive well done to the travelling support. Think those who suspected them of going out there to cause trouble look a bit silly now that the truth has come out. Have a little bit more faith in our boys and girls next time. It truly looks like they have represented our club impeccably, and made a lot of Dutch friends in doing so.
I'm not sure I read many suspecting anyone of going out there to cause trouble, Black. Tom admittedly suggested most of the 1400 tickets went to hooligans, but he is rather extreme sometimes I made the point that I don't understand the need to get pissed at games and would get me and my lad straight to the ground if we'd gone. Not really sure anyone needs to feel silly unless I've missed something.
Just felt at the time a few people were jumping to conclusions without knowing the whole story (maybe it was all just Tom haha). I thought it was a bit harsh. I wasn't thinking of your post when I wrote that by the way. But, I will say, it is possible to get pissed up and not get in trouble.
Just got back from gig managing not to find out the result so watched on record. Just regarding the game and some thoughts - a great, solid, professional job. I was surprisingly impressed by Cuco Martina, and once again thought Vic was absolutely immense. The majority of the others did what needed to be done (and again Maya lets absolutely nobody down even paying out of position). I'm feeling very enthused just by the presence of Stekekenburg too. He oozes confidence and calmness. Caulker really is a curate's egg though, and watching him closely, you know what, he *could* be an inspired signing. There are all the attributes there to be a really top class defender - strong, quick enough, actually has some good reading of situations and great in the air.... .....BUT - my god you can so clearly see he's been coached badly. I don't think it's so much lapses of concentration, but just nobody has taken those attributes and really moulded him into what he should be. He was caught ball watching a fair bit and also out of position on a couple of occasions, but to me it wasn't mental laziness that put him there, it seemed like he was doing what he thought he should be doing. Now I may be giving him too much credit here, but it honestly looked that way to me, which screams poor coaching at a level way below top class. I really hope we can reverse that (and I do believe we can, and playing alongside Jose will help) because there is absolutely still a very good centre back in there.
Couldn't agree more about people getting hammered at football games, particularly before the game. The only thing worse is the ones that wear it as a badge of honour and somehow seem to think you're not a real "football fan" if you don't. No mate, you're a beer fan, not a football fan, or you'd want to see the game sober enough to remember it. Sadly that's a concept beyond most of them.
We need a nice cultural venue next up so we can admire the architecture, visit the museums, wander through the markets, amble alongside its picturesque river, run through the park before breakfast. Where is this city?
Well, we did what was required and no more. We didn't create much but then we didn't need to. So great result and no injuries. Was a bit nervous with Caulker early on but he seemed to settle. Will clearly need to step it up against Newcastle.
Two nice goals from Saints and could have had a third. Mane looks so lively. Lovely to see JRod's smiley face....he will be a force for us this year. Their possession and chances could have been a concern, but sometimes the balance of a tie changes things. Once the first goal went in and they needed five, Vitesse were playing for their pride and pressure on us went down. Will give the coaches food for their post-match discussions, but not too much to worry about. Job well done by team and fans.
