susie b

Has anyone seen the three goals they conceded yet?  I haven''t...yet...but judging by BFJ''s comments on teletext this morning he isn''t too pleased with - guess who? - his defence!!!  (No points for guessing the obvious there!)

Last night was finally the time for me to forgive Darel Russell for cutting me up at Notcutts roundabout two years ago when he was hurrying to get to a class at the college! It''s good to see another so-called unfashionable club at the top of division one (no I won''t bow to the promoters of all things fizzy!).  Long may it continue...at the expense of those we don''t like as much, no names mentioned of course!

I think it will become more interesting now to see them up against some of the apparently stronger teams in the division as, until now, they have mostly played some of the seemingly weaker sides.   One thing they have done right so far is begin to build a good home record, which we know is essential.  However, although I haven''t yet seen what was described as an awful mix up between Diallo and their goalie for Stoke''s third goal, it does seem as if that department might be their achilles heel yet again.  As for their title or promotion credentials, there are still eight or so months to go so it''s way too soon to say.  One thing''s for sure: it will not be easy for them to go top and stay there for 141 days consecutively like we did.  I think we might be safe to assume that they will not emulate that one!

This is sad news but somehow inevitable, I''m afraid.  I met Zema just before Christmas last year signing for hundreds of people at a store''s preview evening.  He was trying so hard to be cheerful but I thought then that his agony was written all over his face.  Having had such bad luck it doesn''t seem enough to simply wish him good luck for the future but what else can we do...other than show our support if the club decides to give him a benefit match at some time perhaps?  Just a thought.

Judging by the report on the latest reserves triumph it sounds as if Hendo is more than busting the proverbial gut to show what sort of form he''s in and how committed he is.  (As I reported last week he was a real livewire against Pompey reserves too).  Keep this up and it surely won''t be too long before Worthy gives him a run out.  He''ll certainly have earned a go!

I was thinking the same thing, shropshire canary.  The atmosphere at the ground was woeful throughout, with only patches of singing - and that was mostly from the travelling fans.  Mind you the game wasn''t the best in terms of quality and passion, but that shouldn''t stop fans from trying their utmost to lift their team.  (I think Charlton missed Matty Holland badly last night as their midfield never really got going!)

rich, I think you''ll find that West Brom are that much richer than us at this moment in time, largely because they didn''t spend much last time they went up, then they had the parachute payment last year, and now they can use the majority of their Prem money on transfers and wages whereas we have other financial obligations that have to be met as well.  Before their spending started there were people connected with their club who were mentioning figures of up to £20 million being available for transfers.  This is possibly an exaggeration, but we could never be anywhere remotely near that figure right now because of the baggage we currently have and which they largely don''t have.

Let''s get the chant going for Saturday guys...it doesn''t matter if it comes to nothing ultimately.  It''ll be good to see his reaction (if any) and at least will let him know that we continue to be grateful for his efforts.  "HUCKERBY FOR ENGLAND!"

Some Baggies are already devastated that they are in the bottom three, which I don''t understand really.  I think they probably have enough quality to survive but they need to get their behind-the-scenes problems sorted out quickly to help the team.  Even if we were bottom right now, having played the way we have I would still feel reasonably optimistic for the rest of the season.  (Do I need to see someone for this complaint or is it just a mild outbreak amongst those of similar persuasion?)

I thought Holty did ok today working within that diamond formation, although I thought we took some time as a team to get used to it and didn''t ever fully get to grips with it.  Anyway, Holty has definitely improved on his first few performances, I feel, and may yet improve further still.  At least he didn''t back off from the opposition as much as he had done previously and he closed down space much better. Safri gave the ball away too easily to begin with but, by the second half, looked much more composed and his distribution was also much better.  I think he may turn out to be a really good buy for us.  Hope so!!!!

Also worth a mention here is Richard Keys on Sky who said, and more than once, that it was great to have Norwich back in the Premiership...and I really do think that he meant it!  Rock on Ricky!!!

I am MPR!  Mendes and Redknapp each had two plus bookable fouls greeted with a ''now don''t do that again, there''s a good chap!'', and Flem and Charlie get done for the first little hint of anything.  I know the Spuds guys did get booked in the end, but it doesn''t seem like a level playing field at all in terms of what is and isn''t overlooked depending on who you are.  Still, we were warned by lots of fans of so-called less fashionable clubs that this would be the case so I guess we should expect it.  Doesn''t make it easy to swallow though, does it?

Nice try Peter!  If I were feeling a tad horrid I could say ''don''t give up the day job'', but I try to be a nice person so ''good effort but how about working on the last line a bit?''  Only kidding!  I''m sure it sounds good after a few!?!

Yet again magnificent away support! It''s a huge pleasure to hear our fans making such an impact at large grounds like OT, SJP and WHL.  It can only help to inspire the lads so well done to everyone again on today''s vocal performance.  (I heard the ''Huckerby dirge'' but not any new song for him.  Does anyone have a clue how we can get something sorted on this one?)

I know he was a little conspicuous by his absence in the first half but then he didn''t get much service as we were defending pretty deep and feeling our way in, I think.  However, Sven cannot have failed to notice the impact he had in the second half and the way he had Naybet in knots more often than not.  As I''ve said before, England could do worse than Hucks but he is as his best when given a license to roam (and thrill!) and I couldn''t see Mr Conservative Swede letting him do that, that is if he even considered him for the team in the first place!    You never know though...stranger things have happened.  (Suppose we supporters could start up a chant of ''Huckerby for England'' at all of our games until Sven gets sick of hearing it!!!)

I was interested to hear Gunny saying on Sky today that, in his opinion, Hucks was the best bit of business the club has ever done, partly because of the impact he had on the club and the part he had to play in our success last season, with it being so difficult to get out of division one and into the Prem these days.  Whether he has had the biggest ''buzz'' factor it''s hard to tell, but he''s certainly made one hell of a noise!

 I echo your sentiments guys!  A really good point and a decent platform to go into the Villa game from.  Have to say I love Worthy''s post-match interviews.  Despite the proliferation of ''knowImeans'' he is calmness and dignity personnified and full of praise where praise is due.  This attitude of enjoying every single second of the Prem experience is sooo much better than sounding like the prophet of doom and then passing on the tension to the players.  Go Worthy!!!

Good to hear that he still wants to be playing every week and is happy in his work and where he lives. Even though he didn''t score today in the second half he gave Naybet the heebie-jeebies several times and created a lot too.  (Did Sven notice?) My hopes for Hucks for this season are a) that he will continue to feel the way he clearly does now; b) he shuts up some of his critics and doubters, and c) that, come the new year, he is the next one we are reading about re: an extension to his contract.  I want to be watching him for a few years to come, not just until 2006!

The title of this thread is ''Malky had to go''.  I think that if he asked Worthy whether he was going to get regular first-team football this season, and if he got the reply I think we can all guess at, then the thread title is correct, sad though I am to say it.  The man will always be a real hero in my eyes, just like Iwan will. I would imagine, having watched him give his all for the cause, that Malky is passionate about the game and takes immense pride in his performances, hence it is likely that some real heat-of-the-moment stuff went on in Worthy''s office, with the latter being left in no doubt that Malky felt let down and would be far from happy to play reserve team football or warm the bench if lucky.  I don''t doubt that Malky is being honest when he says he didn''t ask for a transfer, but he probably didn''t leave Worthy much room to manoeuvre in that it would not be good for the overall team spirit if someone so clearly discontent with the situation remained, hence the offers that were accepted this week.  (Bearing in mind the length left on his contract and the unlikelihood of it being extended just added to the urgency of getting a deal sorted out, I believe).  Whether the club handled it well or not we could debate into the wee small hours and still not resolve for we don''t know how things have really unfolded.  In all probability we will never know the whole truth. Anyway, I''m sure we all wish Malky the very best of luck.  He''ll get a huge welcome when he returns to FCR and will always be remembered for the great memories he has given us.  It is such a shame that he won''t get the chance to play in the Prem for us after working so hard to get us there, but there are clearly those who are in a much better position than any of us to make the difficult decisions.  That''s what they are paid to do and I, for one, wouldn''t want their job for a king''s ransom! 

If, as I''m imagining, Malky went to Worthy to ask ''the question'' as soon as he was fully fit again, i.e. just prior to the Newcastle game, the rumblings of discontent have probably been around for two-and-a-half weeks, and possibly a bit longer.  It''s could be that they have only just fully surfaced as Coventry made a firm offer this week as opposed to a request for a loan deal.   What I''m trying to say, in a round about way, is that if the dressing room has not been so happy during the time I have alluded to then I haven''t seen any evidence of it on the pitch as we didn''t exactly look disunited at SJP or against Arsenal.  I could, of course, be wrong...that''s just how it seems to me!

I''m sorry if I''m being naive here but this has definitely got to be seen as very good news.  Damo is a quality player who is surely going to go from strength to strength.  It''s got to be good for the club that he has signed as it should benefit both, again whether that''s ultimately with us or not.  At a time when a lot of people feel very gloomy about the Malky situation it is a reminder that clearly there are players who are pretty happy with their lot here at the moment, for whatever reasons.    I see it as a welcome shot in the arm before Sunday.  Now go out there guys and "unleash hell!!!" 

Since the fire, gazza, the Plaza area is now all open air as opposed to under the dome.  It gives it more of a continental feel as you can get food from some of the outlets and eat on outside terraces, complete with patio heaters if it''s a bit chilly.  Apart from that it doesn''t seem to be a whole lot different!

This won''t settle the ''did he, didn''t he?'' debate, but there''s mention of the alleged incident/behaviour in this week''s Bird''s Eye View column for anyone that''s interested.

I too was pretty amazed to see this come up on NewsNow yesterday, rainbowchaser, especially when I looked at the date on the report!                                                               A move for Harewood is surely completely and utterly impossible now the window has slammed shut on all the Prem clubs, so why this should pop up now, almost three weeks on, is a mystery!!!                         

First up, I really enjoyed the game...live footy for me is always better than watching on the box.  Anyway, apart from the first frenetic fifteen minutes I thought we pretty much controlled the game.  Shacks was very solid and calm in possession; Leon and Svenny did ok until subbed midway through the second half, but the two youngsters (Danny Crow and Robert Eagle) who came on to replace them look terrific prospects.  Both never stopped running, ran into space very well, always wanted the ball and showed very good close control and distribution.  As for Hendo...I''d like a dose of whatever he was on last night!  He was everywhere and had several attempts on goal, scoring one midway through the first half.  Definitely seemed to be giving Worthy a reminder of his presence.  Jimmy B also had a good game playing at left back.  He made several good runs down the flank and switched the play very well with some very accurate crossfield balls.  Surely not long before he gets a runout in the Prem?! Final score:  City Reserves 1  Pompey Reserves 0  Well done guys!