Agree- Richardson was fantastic that season. Feel bad he was released so quickly. Perhaps if Clyne wasn't so hardy he may have stayed and got to play fox's role on the right. Were is he now bttw?
Richardson is at Middlesborough, I believe. I think it was his age and the timing more than his ability that got him released. His contract was up and he was turning 31. If he'd have had one year left, I think we would have held on to him. Or if he was 27 or 28 and could be expected to stay at the same level for a few years, we might have offered him a new one (likely on backup terms, though).
I loved our Championship year...PL overall has been good once we settled in, but will always have fond memories of that season. Starting with the Leeds game which made me sit up and think, wow, I fancy our chances here. We should have won by a country mile if we hadn't thrown the title away at the end. That may have been the beginning of the end for Nigel. The Burnley match reminds me of how good Richardson was and how good Connolly would have been if he could have kept fit.
Shame for Richardson, but you can't really argue with the performances of Chambers this season. Think the club will do the same with Fox and let his contract run down and Targett will become 1st reserve. Based on team news I think we'll field this team K.Davis C.Chambers (Clyne slight knock) M. Yoshida J.Hooiveld D.Fox J.Cork H.Reed (JWP slight knock) S.Davis G.Ramirez J.Rodriguez R.Lambert Subs P.Gazzaniga J.Turnball J.Ward-Prowse M.Targett S.Gallagher T.Lee O.Rowe Weather is pretty yuck right now
Well the European place via the League Cup was spurned by Poch, as evidenced by his team selection against Sunderland that night. Why will he treat the FA Cup any different? I'd rather have given the League Cup a real go at winning and settle for 17th or 18th in league than say 9th or 10th and win naff all as usual.
Oh! Ha ha! No of course not. I got my placing's wrong, that's all. Ok 15th or 16th then, but the sentiments the same.
I don't agree. I love a good cup run and think we should take it seriously, but it will say more about Saints if we finish in top half. A slide to just above relegation could get Mauricio sacked...no, thank you.
I get where you are coming from but still too close for comfort for me. If we were down in 16th or 17th I would happily dismiss the FA Cup to ensure we survived.
Rain hanging around longer than forecast, but still should be dryer by kick off, a decent stud (on the boots) will be needed.
I agree entirely Fran. Just when I thought everyone was on the bus, I see a few people being tempted by the juicy looking apple on offer in the short term. When, not if, our progress moves on another level or two, we will be regularly 'in the mix' for these trophies as we will be a stronger, better, higher club, attracting better players and have a stronger, bigger squad. Yes, I'd love a cup run now, but not at the expense if stopping progress. I listened to twitchy this morning bemoaning 5 games in 13 days and how it could lead to players breaking down. Next round go for it; this game fingers crossed that those we put out do the job.
Come on guys Burnley are a good side but whatever 11 we put out should be too strong. I think it will be a comfotable win.
Pardew had a good idea....he suggested moving one of the winter league games into August and replacing it with an FA Cup match so there would be two games together. He felt it would be nice to have an FA Cup week and take pressure off teams at the bottom having too many league matches in the Xmas period.
I hope you were typing with crossed fingers then. I was surprised by the stats in The Times which said we have rarely lost to lower league teams in the FA Cup in recent times. Funny how the brain plays tricks on you...guess you remember the bad losses the most.
For some reason I just feel really confident. Remember only the top sides have out played us so far this season. Burnley will also rest players and their back ups wont be as good as ours.
I know as fans this is often said, but the reality is that there is not really much of a choice. Roberto Martinez was interviewed yesterday about Wigan last season and whether he felt the Cup run effected their league placing and if they would have survived without it. He felt that the cup run actually benefitted his team and squad. In the earlier rounds (which people often forget) Martinez played his 2nd string and it was the performances of some players in these games (e.g. Calum McManaman) which gave him confidence to select them for PL games. His only negative on the cup was the time of the final itself and it coming before the final match of the league season. He said his players were mentally fatigued going into that final league game
Four Accrington Stanley fan travelled down for their game at Fratton Park, only for it to be called off due to rain. However, James Beattie heard about them on Twitter, and has hooked them up with 4 tickets for Saints v Burnley.
