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Lallana and Euell in for Thomson and Smith. WIth Oscar and BWWW coming off the bench.

On the other hand when we beat them 4-0 at SMS I thought Hull were truly shocking - the least skillful side I'd seen for ages. Hull have a manager with what looks like the Midas touch, but the Baggies were head and shoulders the best team in the CCC last year. Might be the best team in the CCC next year too -- but hopefully second best

I wondered how you might make that Saints related. Good effort!

Looking at the table this morning only Wolves have won more away games than us. Our away form is play-off form. But at home... nerves set in, fans get restless and our form is the worst in the league alongside Forest and Donny. I know some of the stuff served up at SMS this season has been pretty unpalatable. But there was also that early season promise... the Carling win over Brum... we know they can do it, they just need to be consistent. Big shout for the lads on Saturday. Every little helps. There are going to be setbacks and **** performances through the season. This team is still learning. But one win at SMS and I reckon we could go on a mini-run. COYR

Fair point my friend. Rory still runs like a duck with a poker up his arse though.

Beat Bristaaaal, draw with Wolves, lose at Reading and beat Plymouth with a Paul Wootton hat-trick. But knowing this team we'll lose to Bristaaaaaaaal and then win at Reading 5-4.

From The Observer: "There was also a rousing Houdini act from Southampton, who fought back from 2-0 down at Preston to win 3-2. Eddie McGoldrick scored their late winner, with a great run through the Preston defence followed by a composed finish from just inside the penalty area." That should shut up the moaners who say we don't have enough experienced players in the team. I thought Eddie retired from football in about 1998.

And the pitch invasion after the winner tops it all off. Just like old times! Turning point? It could be -- that little boost of self-belief that's been missing. And sounds like Alex Pearce had a stormer. Well done lads, and well done to the invaders! COYR

Personally I think Jan should keep it simple. Right lads, last year we got absolutely blatted here and it was a ****ing embarrassment. You're playing for the shirt, and the fans, so go out and deliver. No ifs and buts. Oh, and the big thing at the end of the pitch with the net on it -- that's the goal. And I don't mean the one behind Kelvin.

......................Davis........................... Cork.......Lancashire....Pearce......Skacel.. ............Gillet...........Morgan.................... BWP..........Euell...............Surman...... ....................DMG...............................

No it's not. It shows our boys have real potential. No-one's pretending it's all going smoothly so far, but i don't see why that's a good reason for this forum to be so ****ing negative about everything. I'm off to read saintslist on my email. Bit more productive.

I'm guessing that (leaving Killer aside because realistically more than a couple of games here and there will be unexpected) he's finally settled on Cork-Perry-Lancashire-Skacel but he needs Olly to stay on the pitch for a while. I don't think Lloyd James has got the guile yet, and Wotton's a bit-part player. If Skacel leaves you slot Fish in with a wee bit more experience under his belt. Shaky, but we have what we have. As for up front - McGoal, Tommy P, Jordan, Patterson. Talk about inexperience at the back, that must be the greenest forward line in the CCC. I'm praying that one of them goes on a hot streak but I can't work out which one it's going to be. And don't get your hopes up about Greg or Saga coming back... If we can't afford Stern now why on earth will we be able to afford the Polskis in January. Bright spot? Some of our lads are really good - Lallana, Surman, Cork all in/around England U21s. I think Morgan's class, and I like Fish, Gillett and Holmes. FWIW I think we'll avoid relegation (just) and have to hope our boys will be a year wiser and a year better next season.

... in the first few paragraphs of the BBC's Stoke-Spurs match report. "Tottenham had Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson dismissed as Stoke took advantage to claim a vital victory. Bale saw red for a foul on Tom Soares and Danny Higginbotham scored the penalty before Darren Bent poked home. Rory Delap tapped in to make it 2-1 before Ricardo Fuller struck both posts with a penalty and Delap hit the bar." Meanwhile we're starting with an on-loan Sheff Utd reserve, an on-loan Millwall reserve and half of last year's youth team. Come on lads, surprise us. Three points at Bramall Lane. (Please). Shurely Stern has to play???

For the first time this season I'm embarrassed. The kids may be trying but this is sh1t.

Are you sure it wasn't Keith Harris the ventriloquist, who used to appear in ****e variety shows with his hand up Orville's bum?

If Lallana is sold I reckon we'll get relegated.

Oh well, you could try the Washington Wizards I suppose. Nice reminder of our magical chairman. By the way are you the bloke who lives on a park bench in the middle of Dupont Circle and shouts "Whatcha doin' with my wife?" at everyone who walks past? I sense the same yearning for attention. It's uncanny.

Yeah - perish the thought that any footballing reasons would come into it. Don't these people know the chairman is trying to run a business? Jeez. I don't know about you Scooby but I'm not that interested in all this soccerball stuff anyway. You got your Redskins season ticket yet?

he hasn't even been manager for a dozen games yet for ****'s sake. all this nonsense about billy davies who we can't afford - lol. i must be getting old but the demands for instant success are starting to **** me off. one thing which will guarantee we fail is changing the manager again and again and again. or haven't you been watching for the last five years.

Don't sell. Keep him for another season at least. Building for the future Rupert, remember? Thank you.

Quote[Can I be in the holding role]EndQuote sure, i'll be in the hole

Sadly, that's the position we're in. But I think the way the chairman handles it will be critical -- ie how long do the good young'uns stay until we cash in. If he's fit there are bound to be some inquiries if not bids for Lallana in January. Fulham and perhaps others. But if he goes that quickly -- after just half a season in the first team -- then the future looks really grim. With Theo we didn't have any choice. With Adam, and others, we do in terms of contracts. So unless the bank are literally kicking the door in, I hope Lallana stays for at least this season and next. Big test of the board's long term intentions/ambitions IMO.

Squeaky bum time. coyr

Big Dave was good, but past his very best when he came to us IMO. I always thought Jimmy Steele was a legend too, but mainly because he looked so ****ing hard -- at least he did to a ten year old standing on a box in the Archers.

Too true. Wrighty was class. One of the best centre backs I've ever seen playing for Saints. Along with Killer in his prime, I'm struggling to think of anyone better in the last thirty years. Who else?