Its Blackpool and Birmingham then!!

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

Lets get it on!!

[saint lard]

Good.

[Thedelldays]

brum will be pushing for promotion straight away

[Lighthouse]

Premier League? Mr Holloway, I have to inform you that you are infact having a laugh!

[Thedelldays]

pleased for wigan

[saintpat]

BLACKPOOL- Premiership- they really were having a laugh!!!!!!
Absolutely delighted they've gone down- can't wait to humiliate them in the Championship next season!

[Shrek]

I've gotta feeling Holloway is going to regret that comment in the FA Cup, big time. If he's still around when they visit SMS of course...

[Crispypie]

oh dear, what a shame, never mind. Maybe he'll think a bit before being so derogatory (doubt it tho). I believe Punch was on the pitch somewhere. Think his name was mentioned two or three times.

[Thedelldays]

oh dear, what a shame, never mind. Maybe he'll think a bit before being so derogatory (doubt it tho). I believe Punch was on the pitch somewhere. Think his name was mentioned two or three times.

we sound just like brighton fans when it comes to holloway

[Lighthouse]

we sound just like brighton fans when it comes to holloway

I can't see hundreds of Saints fans booing, cursing and chucking bottles at 'Olly at SMS next season some how.

[verlaine1979]

oh dear, what a shame, never mind. Maybe he'll think a bit before being so derogatory (doubt it tho). I believe Punch was on the pitch somewhere. Think his name was mentioned two or three times.

He was actually instrumental in setting up their second goal. Nice back-heel to feed the eventual cross that got turned in.

[Crispypie]

we sound just like brighton fans when it comes to holloway

Yeah, it is a bit galling to admit some of them know what they are talking about.

[paulwantsapint]

Brum for top 6
West ham top half
Blackpool really could end anywhere from up top 2 to bottom 3

[Badger]

brum will be pushing for promotion straight away

Lets hope they are distracted by their European adventure.

[dronskisaint]

Brum are having a dodgy time financially - they will need to unload some high earners. R5 said they were 17 million short on their break even figure so the firs parachute payment is spent already.

Blackpool...I'd care but for big neb's comments...the laugh was on him after all!

[The Cat]

brum will be pushing for promotion straight away

Maybe, but they are in the cack financially and could well ship out a huge amount of their squad.

[St.Jeweller]

Lets hope they are distracted by their European adventure.

I was just thinking that myself,will they still be competing in the europa thingy from the NPC?

[beatlesaint]

brum will be pushing for promotion straight away

They have admitted that their budgeting has been worked out on staying in the premiership.
They will lose their high wage earners and need to rebuild, same with West Ham.

What we didnt want was Blackburn and Wolves coming down so a good result for us IMHO.

BTW - Welcome back to St Marys Mr Holloway......same league, who would have thought it eh ? :-D

[Matthew Le God]

I was just thinking that myself,will they still be competing in the europa thingy from the NPC?

Yes.

There is nothing in the rules that says they can't.

Quite how they will fit in the matches (especially if they reach the group stage) with a 46 game Championship season is another matter...

[Saint_Jonny]

Ooooo just one team to complete the championship line up now...

[Thedelldays]

there european adventure will last no more than 2 matches I would have thought..so not much bother

[September Saint]

Ooooo just one team to complete the championship line up now...

No, 2
1 coming
1 going

[Matthew Le God]

Blackpool and Birmingham are both in the Europa League, so both have to fit in those European midweek games with a 46 game league season.

[S-Clarke]

Blackpool and Birmingham are both in the Europa League, so both have to fit in those European midweek games with a 46 game league season.

Blackpool?!?!?! How have they managed that...?

Fair play league?

[Spudgun]

Pleased with that, the two teams I'd hoped for to go down.

[Thedelldays]

Blackpool?!?!?! How have they managed that...?

Fair play league?

yeah, but can hardly see either of them bothering and going on any sort of run in europe..so no issue really

[Hopkins]

Fulham clearly desperate to not be in Europe, 5 bookings in each of there last 2, plus an immediate sending off from a sub today.

[Legod Third Coming]

I am looking forward to a weekend by the seaside. As for that other shyte hole, I wouldn't go there if you paid me.

[Kingsland Red]

Premier League? Mr Holloway, I have to inform you that you are infact having a laugh!

You beat me to it. they were my premiership team until that comment.

[corky morris]

After Holloway's comments I have wanted to them to go down, but I am now feeling a little guilty!! And Puncheon is a t w a t!!!

[Saints Fan Dan]

Always liked Holloway until he made that comment about the fans but now every time he speaks I can't help but think that he constantly talks ******** but gets away with it because of his Bristolian accent.

[Chez]

still no opportunity to go to Wigan.

[Toomer]

Hollaway = a poor mans WGS for his post match interviews.

[Crispypie]

He was actually instrumental in setting up their second goal. Nice back-heel to feed the eventual cross that got turned in.

Was that his second or third mention from the comentary team? I mean if he did the flick that set up the cross the made the knock down that bounced the ball that cofused the defender that allowed the shot then he must be worth several tens of thousands of pounds when we move him onto his 57'th team where he will make a huge impression until he goes awol when it matters. Now that he has premeirship experience of being relegated, we are quids in.

[Matthew Le God]

Was that his second or third mention from the comentary team? I mean if he did the flick that set up the cross the made the knock down that bounced the ball that cofused the defender that allowed the shot then he must be worth several tens of thousands of pounds when we move him onto his 57'th team where he will make a huge impression until he goes awol when it matters. Now that he has premeirship experience of being relegated, we are quids in.

He actually had the ball a lot. Did you actually watch the game for when he touched it or just when the commentators said the word "Puncheon". Commentators don't state the player in possession for every touch.

[Dazza82]

Always liked Holloway until he made that comment about the fans but now every time he speaks I can't help but think that he constantly talks ******** but gets away with it because of his Bristolian accent.

What exactly did he say? I cant remember.

[Rebel]

Foster and Larsson were already leaving Birmingham anyway - as is Bowyer by the looks of things! They are running at a loss and in debt. Also sounds like McLeish is going to quit. Their better players will jump ship in the summer.

To me they look like a club in freefall. It will take them at least a season to get things straightened out - but with 4 years of parachute payments they will be contenders the season after next.

Blackpool will lose Adams and Vaughan and maybe one or two others. Its also possible we could swap Puncheon for Phillips now although its more likely they will lose both players. As we saw in the cup game they have no strength in depth - there second string was abysmal. I think they will struggle in the Championship at best!

Oh and welcome back to St Mary's Mr Holloway - you're not quite as big as you think you are now are you!? One lucky play-off campaign and one season in the top flight doesn't make a big club. Try 27 years!

As for West Ham they will be in a worse state than Brum and B'pool financially! Although they at least have a good academy and a lot of good young players coming through. But I think they are looking at mid table and long stay in the Championship.

I'm just glad Wolves and Blackburn didn't get relegated as I think they would have been much stronger contenders in the Championship than any of the others.

It's just a shame Wigan weren't relegated though.

[Legod Third Coming]

Foster and Larsson were already leaving Birmingham anyway - as is Bowyer by the looks of things! They are running at a loss and in debt. Also sounds like McLeish is going to quit. Their better players will jump ship in the summer.

To me they look like a club in freefall. It will take them at least a season to get things straightened out - but with 4 years of parachute payments they will be contenders the season after next.

Blackpool will lose Adams and Vaughan and maybe one or two others. Its also possible we could swap Puncheon for Phillips now although its more likely they will lose both players. As we saw in the cup game they have no strength in depth - there second string was abysmal. I think they will struggle in the Championship at best!

Oh and welcome back to St Mary's Mr Holloway - you're not quite as big as you think you are now are you!? One lucky play-off campaign and one season in the top flight doesn't make a big club. Try 27 years!

As for West Ham they will be in a worse state than Brum and B'pool financially! Although they at least have a good academy and a lot of good young players coming through. But I think they are looking at mid table and long stay in the Championship.

I'm just glad Wolves and Blackburn didn't get relegated as I think they would have been much stronger contenders in the Championship than any of the others.

It's just a shame Wigan weren't relegated though.

Hmm don't be so sure. Gold, Sullivan and Brady are no mugs. They know they need to be in the Premiership and have masterminded more unlikely promotions than Fred Goodwin...

[Matthew Le God]

Hmm don't be so sure. Gold, Sullivan and Brady are no mugs.

They appointed Avram Grant, and kept faith with him. West Ham still have huge debts and a huge wage bill.

[dubai_phil]

Brum are having a dodgy time financially - they will need to unload some high earners. R5 said they were 17 million short on their break even figure so the firs parachute payment is spent already.

Blackpool...I'd care but for big neb's comments...the laugh was on him after all!

The Telegraph said something similar today although they said the shortfall was 23.5mil & that since Brady et al went their behind the scenes management had gone to ratsh1t. It also said that like the ghosts up the M27 the owner hadn't actually given any indications at all of what he intended to invest.

Still nice to know we can bank 3 points against Blackpool next year - and he won't have any excuses then

[Legod Third Coming]

They appointed Avram Grant, and kept faith with him. West Ham still have huge debts and a huge wage bill.

No, they tried to get rid of him and it went pear-shaped. You only need to look at the success they had with Birmingham to know they're no mugs.

[FalkirkSaint]

Glad Blackpool are down as I hate that wannabe comedian Hollaway. Was hoping for Wigan to go down for my selfish geographical reasons but as I have a soft spot for Wolves and Blackburn, I'm glad they are safe. Not a fan of Birmingham as their stuffy style bores me but as they are a "yo-yo" club, I can see them going straight up.

[sandwichsaint]

What's with the faux Blackpool rivalry!

FFS, some of you sound like Bompey fans.

Blackpool have been a breath of fresh air in the Prem and Holloway is a much, much better manager than his village idiot persona lets on; shame he won't ever get to prove it a bigger club.

If they've looked after their finances (and no reason to think they haven't) IMO they will be a major threat if Holloway stays and he gets some of the parachute money to rebuild.

I would expect both Blackpool and the battery-chuckers to finish top 6.

[Give it to Ron]

They appointed Avram Grant, and kept faith with him. West Ham still have huge debts and a huge wage bill.

Hahahaha kept faith with Grant.....because O'Neill turned them down in January...Grant expected to go he even waved goodbye to the fans after the home defeat.

[Matthew Le God]

What's with the faux Blackpool rivalry!

FFS, some of you sound like Bompey fans.

Blackpool have been a breath of fresh air in the Prem and Holloway is a much, much better manager than his village idiot persona lets on; shame he won't ever get to prove it a bigger club.

If they've looked after their finances (and no reason to think they haven't) IMO they will be a major threat if Holloway stays and he gets some of the parachute money to rebuild.

I would expect both Blackpool and the battery-chuckers to finish top 6.

He had a public go at Saints fans in the media for a playful chant at St Mary's. He also completely ignored the Blackpool fans chant beforehand.

It isn't a real rivalry, but I'm sure he'll receive some interesting banter on his next return to St Mary's.

[Matthew Le God]

Hahahaha kept faith with Grant.....because O'Neill turned them down in January...Grant expected to go he even waved goodbye to the fans after the home defeat.

They still could have sacked him and appointed someone else other than MON. Grant is hardly the inspirational manager you would want in a relegation fight is he?

[Saints Fan Dan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcAOMzOamd4

[Give it to Ron]

They still could have sacked him and appointed someone else other than MON. Grant is hardly the inspirational manager you would want in a relegation fight is he?

What and then have the managers know they were second choice - hardly going to set the right tone when you are in
for a relegation scrap.
Plus Grant then had a little run of results - do you think Gold wanted to pay compo and not get his number one choice?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...td/9364690.stm

I wouldn't want Grant anywhere near my team - miserable looking git!

[Crispypie]

Now look what you made me do, that just cost me a fiver

He actually had the ball a lot. Did you actually watch the game for when he touched it or just when the commentators said the word "Puncheon". Commentators don't state the player in possession for every touch.

Yep, fully aware of comentators bias to choose who they want to talk about during the game, especialy against Manure, but they do highlight those that are having an impact on the game, hence I now know that Adam, Vaughan, Crainey play for Blackpool, hell even Ormerod was more involved than Punch, at one point I thought Punch went off for him.

[verlaine1979]

Was that his second or third mention from the comentary team? I mean if he did the flick that set up the cross the made the knock down that bounced the ball that cofused the defender that allowed the shot then he must be worth several tens of thousands of pounds when we move him onto his 57'th team where he will make a huge impression until he goes awol when it matters. Now that he has premeirship experience of being relegated, we are quids in.

I see you're as trenchant in your analysis of football as you are stylish with your prose. Without his very well executed back-heel under pressure from a couple of defenders, there would have been no unopposed cross, and thus no tap-in. I've no doubt at all that he's a disruptive influence and lacks the requisite quality to be a sustained influence in games week in week out. However, from someone who watched the game today and can thus speak from the pedestal of, y'know, actual experience, he was one of their better players.