Saints and sinners

The Silver Fox may have dismissed Saturday's touchline altercation as "pretty pathetic" and "a bit of panto season", but the FA have taken a somewhat dimmer view. While the club as a whole won't face any punishment, goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman, sent to the stands by referee Mike Jones, is up on a charge of improper conduct.

As Paul mentioned in his match report, the fact our bench were incensed by Morgan Schneiderlin's foul on Massadio Haidara was understandable, though that's not a sufficient excuse for the powers that be. Of course, had the powers that be taken appropriate action against Wigan's Callum McManaman last season, then the whole situation may not have arisen in the first place.

Jumpin' Jak backed

No sooner had Paul ventured to suggest that the promise shown by Jak Alnwick might remove any need to bring in a replacement for the departed Steve Harper than Andy Woodman has expressed exactly that view.

The comments from the club's goalkeeping coach make for interesting reading: “I think you can always look at your squad in any department and want to strengthen, but there comes a point when you’ve got to look at what you’ve got and promote within. You’ve got to have belief in these young kids, that’s the point of producing them". On the one hand, yes, this sort of promotion and structure is essential for long-term sustainability - but on the other, the kids have to be good enough in the first place. Time will tell if Alnwick falls into that category, given that many other youngsters have promised much but ultimately failed to live up to expectations in recent years.

Also, is it just me or do Woodman's words appear to prepare the ground for (and justify) a summer marked by minimal investment and few acquisitions?