RedM

Just don't assume anything until it's announced. I think many have decided it's a 3pm Saturday KO purely because we are not a TV pick.

I'm thinking our Board thought "Hey, do you remember when Steve Cooper took over at Forest and they were bottom or thereabouts. Well he got them promoted later on that season. We aren't bottom so Manning has a 'headstart' on Cooper, so we will tell him it's achievable so get on with it"

I don't. Nothing like that.

It won't be any thing like £45, trust me on this

So if we don't get the team to play 'our way' under the coach (who has played a different way all his career), then the coach has to change (his way) which seems bonkers?

The argument seems to be that we took 6k or whatever it was all the way to Manchester on a Wednesday night.

No indeed. And I know he won't want a sacking on his CV, (but what Manager doesn't), but even if he only lasts 6mths it's a hell of a payout £££. Obviously for someone as driven him, and indeed most managers, it's the winning that matters, but as with Pearson when you are released the money certainly softens the blow. In short, no nobody forced him to take the job but if we are going to offer it then why not.

Wouldn't you lack confidence too? look what he is surrounded with on and off the pitch. And all eyes looking at him. I do actually like him and obviously I want him to do well, but he must be looking at the hand he's been delt and thinking "oh fluck".

Unless your name is pretty much opening doors for you perhaps?

yup, my first reaction was is that his own decision.

That's the max yes, I was just reading about what other teams have had in the past. I think there must be an option of upper or lower tier, or both. 8k being both which I'm sure we will ask for I love the DLR. Disappointed whenever I go to London and don't use the DLR

Read it's between 3 and 8k for previous cup games there. Just got to find out what day it's on now, please not Monday night

So the Gas now have a more experienced manager than us, strange how things turn out* *I wouldn't swop though.

I was very close to the segregation on Wednesday night and saw a few of the overspills. Even before they scored fans were having a go at eachother and the police moved into the area but remained lower down in the stand. I was surprised to see the Police very obviously filming the home fan troublemakers and at least one was removed fairly early on. I've never seen them do this before. No matter what the home fans are doing it's always the away fans who are treated as the troublemakers in my experience. I've seen home fans throwing things and acting really threateningly but police and stewards always ignore this, even turning their backs on them and just face the away fans who seemingly just have to take this. Some away games are a great experience, but some still are pretty ropey.

Yet on the local news in Southampton, (I'm still down here), he was quoted as saying he wants his players to create more chances. He can't have it both ways can he?!

I work with a lot of youngsters in my job, I mean they are colleagues. I am absolutely staggered about those who regularly smoke weed or whatever just to 'cope' with daily life. Many have depression, self diagnosed in all cases and need a smoke to get through the day. They cant wait for their shift to finish so they can get on it again. Got to stress they don't smoke weed at work, instant dismissal so make do with ordinary cigarettes or vapes. They are nearly all heavy drinkers too. On weekends they get absolutely hammered through drink and drugs. It seems their way or life amongst them and their mates/peers.

Yup, whenever we travel in large numbers to these sort of games it always attracts the idiots. Go to Rotherham etc and you see none of that.

No chance of a win on Saturday, you are right.

Last night was his first match where we have gone behind, so it's early to deduce this I think. I also think any manage playing away from home to an ex Prem side who went into 4th place after scoring, would find it an uphill struggle too. In short I don't think Pearson would have faired any better.

As for the game, I think first half was ours but that goal knocked the stuffing out of us and we didn't recover. We got to stop conceding after HT, decent goal though to be fair. We didn't give up but we didn't look the team we were before HT. I think we might have nicked a win from Boro on Saturday, but Southampton certainly stole all the points tonight.

And their screen was crystal clear and they made good use of it. They split the screen when they did have adverts, which were not too often and showed other stats like bookings etc. Their screen made ours look awful in both size, clarity and info displayed.

They just put possession stats on the screen here. Doesn't feel like 64% to 36%

Best I've seen us play for quite a while. Even if we do go on to loose it just proves what we are capable of. Really enjoying this so far.