Sing Up The South Stand

It could be something to do with politics his beliefs as a Northern Irishman - particularly as despite being from Derry he decided to play for the Republic. Would he have received some abuse for it possibly? However other players from both sides of the borders wore the shirts with a poppy. Whilst I understand people thinking it''s disgraceful, I would think it''s more than just simply not wanting to.

I asked someone there, who said they''d almost sold 14k tickets, but were expecting 20k...

Typically vague I thought. If they''ll convincingly beat us if they are at their best, I would have thought he''d think they might beat us, but less convincingly. I can see it being quite even though. I think Lambert will get a mixed reception, but predominately negative, largely due to the recent stuff in the media.

It''s a long time where it''s been so hard to choose, even in the Lambert years, but for me it''s either Hoolahan or Bassong. Maybe Bassong, that block on Gervinho, and just how much better the defence are with him in the team!

I think we should even this up a bit. Yes, he said that about Arsenal - which to be honest I don''t think is unreasonable. If asked about Arsenal, what do you expect him to say? Everybody knows how strong Arsenal are, how successful Wenger has been and it is not going to be easy to get anything today. It would appear from this that Hughton said nothing about us when actually that isn''t true. - The mood around the place is good. - A lot of plusses in our last game. - Although disappointed with the 4th goal, we started well and played well in the second half - which has to be our outlook. - We need to carry a threat, and give a good Arsenal side more competition than perhaps we have in the lat couple of games. - In between our poor performances, we had 4 very good ones (I imagine he includes Newcastle in that, and although we didn''t score we did hit the woodwork and have one cleared off the line). We needed to get points and should have. - Despite their quality, we have to have our game plan on the day and make it as we can. What did Lambert say prior to the Carrow Road game last season? Negative - There’ll be times when we don’t have it (the ball) and you want the crowd to be patient. - Arsenal are a top side and you see how they play football, but then Barcelona go there and they can’t get near them. But Arsenal do that to other teams in the Premier League. That is the magnitude and reality of what we are up against. - I think it’s the whole team you have to try stop because I am pretty sure if you asked him (RVP) he would say he needs the service of the other lads to do what he is doing. - You can see the speed with which they counter-attack. That is the major difference in the league. - Defenders can’t concentrate on what your team might be doing in the final third. They have to be alert because good teams can hurt you so quickly. - They have a top manager who has been there years and years. - What has he been there for? Fifteen years. Brilliant that. You lose one of your best players going in Fabregas and he rebuilds it. - It always is (a concern) [we conceded 6 goals in 2 games before Arsenal, against Blackburn and Villa - yes we''ve conceded more this time, but against much better teams). If you ask the lads it would be the same for them. - Sometimes you can’t stop goals because you are playing against top players. Some of the goals have been our fault. Positive - I think if you ask the Norwich crowd they would not turn up wanting to see Arsenal pass it around five million times. They’d be the first to let us know that is unacceptable. - When we do (have the ball), we’ll have to keep it. - You have to create, but you also know you have to keep the back door shut. It’s not a concern that I am weighed down by it, because, like I said, we are always in the game. So, some would probably argue that Lambert was more positive about us, but in reality he said even less about us in his pre-match Arsenal interview than Hughton, but I''d say it''s fairly even comparatively. Although I suppose, the anti-Hughton lot will not like him being positive as we are struggling, but then use him being not so positive to bash him.

York - I''m hopeful, that as Bennett came on for Bassong at Chelsea instead of Turner even though both were on the bench is a sign of things to come and maybe Bennett will get a chance soon.

I completely agree, funny it''s had no responses!

[quote user="paul moy"][quote user="Grant Holts 3 year contract"]I give up. It''s like people expect us to beat the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Hughton out because we lost to 3 of last seasons top 6! Well so did Lambert but you all liked him so it''s fine... [/quote] If they''re off form we should try to beat them. I''m not saying we should expect to win, but to lose 5-2 to Liverpool was poor and we could have attacked Newcastle more and who knows but we may have got something. QPR was a poor result and so was West Ham. If you don''t try to win you don''t win. I don''t expect to beat Arsenal but please let''s give their defenders something to think about. [/quote] QPR we could have done better, but it was only a questionable penalty and a rebound after encroaching that stopped us winning... Also R Martin hit the cross bar, and possibly had Green been sent off for handball it might have been different (although that is not guaranteed). Spurs we could have won if we''d been given the penalty we should have got on Morrison - but like last year we didn''t get one). West Ham we had 14 shots on target with a number of them excellent saves by Jaaskelainen.... Even Newcastle we hit the woodwork and had one cleared off the line. I don''t think it''s fair to say they haven''t tried to win, a lot of the time the margins have been so fine, but just haven''t gone our way. That is not an excuse for Fulham/L''pool though.

It''s internationals this weekend, Arsenal is next weekend.

The issue I have with posts like Yellow Shirt''s, if Hughton was more positive people would be saying stuff like how he''s deluded, and hasn''t got a clue. So he can''t really win.

We might get relegated, we might not. Going by last seasons results, if we''d played them in the order we have this the result would have been similar. All the games we have lost this season, we lost last season. Best comparison to QPR is West Brom at home (who last season were in their second prem season after promotion in 09/10). Spurs we did worse than last season, but a point at WHL is always a good one. So West Ham is the only one where we''ve genuinely done worse - as we beat the promoted teams last season. I would point to the Stoke/Wigan draws as they were both at the start - last season though I''m sure we didn''t have 14 shots on target against either of those like we did West Ham. Yes, it''s concerning we haven''t won yet. But it''s too early to be certain we are going down. Wolves had a good start last season (7 points from first 3 games) and Hull were 8th in December in 08/09 and stayed up by a point. So it''s not over yet.

However, there is plenty of time left.

Only thing is, our old way of playing like Southampton do still only just got us a point against Fulham, which was seconds away from being 0.

I wondered if Ryan Bennett coming on, albeit for Bassong, suggests he might be starting again soon?

I''d agree there, 4-1 definitely flattered Chelsea - but then if you are a bit sloppy against someone like Chelsea you will get punished. Taking the lead was a big plus, as obviously we''ve only done that once so far. Also, Holty getting his second goal in 2 games. The return of E Bennett and Pilkington are huge too.

I might be wrong, but if you go on google maps and satellite view (make sure road names are visible) and look for ''malvern road'' just a bit further up from that are a few lines which I believe is where the ground used to be...

We really missed Bassong''s leadership, and also Pilkington. I''m not sure we really lack flair, just pace. Snodgrass is clearly a quality player and is technically good just doesn''t have any pace. Likewise Surman although he''s a bit lightweight. I think when Tettey, E. Bennett and Pilkington are match fit and in the team we will improve. I think Hughton will now make changes. Battered at Fulham things changed the next game, last few games they''ve played well enough to not deserve to be dropped - but now I think changes will be made again.

Thing is Jez, I am generally quite reasoned and don''t normally have scape goats. But each time I''ve seen Turner (and I thought he was a good signing) I''ve been disappointed. It''s not a coincidence that our worst performances have been when he''s been on the pitch, and Bassong hasn''t. Turner has been dreadful.

Sons of Boadicea - Turner played the ball to Suarez for the first. It''s not just that though, he was responsible for Newcastle''s winner last week playing him onside. And conceded a clumsy penalty and had a bad game V Fulham.

I agree, Bassong has been immense so far, we missed him. He''s such a presence - not just the defending, but being so vocal. Brings out the best in Barnett and puts the other defenders at ease. Also think it helps the midfield as I can imagine he gives them a bit of guidance too. Coincidence the two games Turner has started we''ve conceded 5 goals and also was responsible for Newcastle''s goal? Probably not. In Bassong''s games I believe we''ve let in 2? R Bennett also has to be above Turner from now.

The problem with being more adventurous with 2 out and out wingers, is that the two old fashioned wingers we''ve got are injured! I think Pilks and E Bennett will be heavily involved when fit, as that''s all we are missing. Their directness.

The thing for me is, not many teams will beat Newcastle on their patch this season. Realistically it''s not one where we were ever likely to win - and actually we weren''t far off getting something. I can understand people being concerned, but it''s not time yet. I''m convinced we will do Liverpool next week. It''s ridiculous how many good chances we''ve had that just haven''t gone in. Clearances off the line, fantastic goalkeeper saves, hitting the woodwork, penalties we should have got. There''s not much you can do about that, if we were skying all our chances or not having any I would be way more worried.

I''m a bit surprised myself, but he''s a solid player...

It''s a hard one. You are right, it would be paid for by money that would otherwise be given on the team. But equally, there is only so much money the club can make from the current capacity, and if the club are to progress a bigger stadium will be required, as they can''t keep rising the prices. If they do, the current demand will subside.

What gets me. I imagine if we had signed 7 players, and got Snodgrass tonight people would be happier. Even though it wouldn''t be any different to what it currently is.