Chez

I was surprised Fonte didn't get the chance to play in the San Siro. I would guess he would be annoyed at missing the opportunity. I know I would, but in general I think Puel has been wise to rest him during the Europa Cup. In the end, the season as a whole matters more. As regards his contract. It makes total sense to me that he is not offered an extension in terms of years. He will be five months from his 35th birthday when his current contact ends. Do we really want to paying a 35/36 year old £80k, £90k or perhaps more a week? For once we hold the cards. We have him signed on a contract that is just long enough to see the best of him. After that we can offer a one year deal if he is still playing well. If he has faded we can let him go wherever he wants. The club gave the right deal at the right time. If he wants to go elsewhere now that's up to him. But remember, he signed his current contract with us. No one forced him to. We've offered him more money - we didn't have to do that, but the club values his role at this moment and is willing to reward accordingly. What they are not going to do is hand out a contract extension that means he is earning a shed load of money, but possibly (due to his age) not able to put the performances in that warrant that wage. The club has it spot on IMO. We don't want an unhappy player, but if he thinks he deserves an extra year, then earn it over the next 18 months. Come then end of his current deal if he is playing well he will get another contract either with us or someone else. Everyone says football is a business these days (which I hate, but I guess its true), well this is just business.

I don't believe that is the case

When Higgins left he took two players, Cureton and Eadie, with him and hawked them both to Norwich. Regarding Rods transfer, Somehow over the course of time this 'act of treason' became the reason for Higgins departure from the club rather than Radfords allegations. However, Higgins left in 1989 and Rod moved in 1991.

Whether anyone at the club knew of anything untoward prior to Radford bringing it to light is open to question.

He stopped being employed by Saints in 1989.

yeah, don't they realise cafe profits are at jeopardy here?

two very poor games games Inter, giving the ball away far too much in dangerous areas, but he shows flashes of real talent so I'll look forward to him becoming a fantastic player very soon Batman.

likewise. Apart from a decent shot, well saved, I saw nothing from him to explain the fawning on here. As previously stated many times, happy to give him plenty of time to fulfil his potential, but don't see a first choice midfielder yet at all.

Its a very small sample I know, but from what I have seen, McQueen is a much better option than Targett. I'd be very disappointed to See Targett selected ahead of him. They both have a decent touch and composure on the ball. Both put in a decent cross, but only one offers the required pace and strength at this level. Targett may get stronger, but he will never have pace. Targett only looked good when we hid him in a 3-5-2 and he wasn't asked to go one on one with an attacker. when he was he was taken to pieces by Zaha. Loaning at Targett in January might be a good idea.

Just a few hours of work left. Starting to get excited. 30 odd years supporting Saints and never thought I'd see us play the likes of Inter. I realise the result is not the be all and end all, but let me assure you that once you are in the ground and you start to consider that this is our chance to beat Inter at the San Siro you will deem the game to be a huge moment in your Saints supporting life. Win and you have a story to dine out on for ever more. Can not ****ing wait.

are there loads of Saints there already all trying to find lunchtime refreshments?

if you go down that route you will probably end up paying for the hotel rather than the airline, who will be responsible for not only finding you a new flight but also putting you up in a hotel (plus refreshments). Personally I wouldn't try to second guess the airlines as these situations are very fluid.

12.20 flight time back. Bugger.

the half empty stadium will no doubt put a slight dampener on our hopefully impending victory, but the shear wonderfulness of playing Inter at their place in a proper game is enough to place this game in my memory books for ever. It's something that we may never experience ever again and tops off a tremendous period in our history. Dellhurst, the victory against Sheffield United to keep us up, the promotion at Plymouth and the home win against Cov to take us to the premiership are hard to match in terms of joy, but this will be something equally special, just in a different way.

not a scooby. My experience is that airlines leave it as late as humanly possible before cancelling flights, so most likely you will be travelling over before they tell you your return has been cancelled.

If it goes ahead the general strike on Friday is going to be a nightmare. The rail strike is between 9am and 5pm, ATC all day: 0.00 to 23.59. I know these sometimes get called off though...

Very well done Sir. Observational comedy at its best.

Bertrand really is a far better player than I gave him credit for. He makes the game look easy but is one of our best weapons going forward. A good example was when he sucked Mahrez in with a subtle drop of the shoulder then put the afterburners on forcing the foul in a very dangerous area just outside the box. Tadic apart, I thought with Mane's departure we would be seriously lacking in players that can create something from nothing, but he is another that can do something other than simple passing. Decent display and we seem to be full of confidence. Thought we would have been worthy winners. Enjoying the fact we are controlling games through possession. I thought those days were over. I wonder if we can do the same when we play the very top sides.

No pies, pasties, sausage rolls or beer for away fans. Football catering at its finest. Don't these ****s want the money to buy new table cloths or what?

Rovers well deserved their 2-0 lead, ****ed up for their goal and did well to hold on in the end. The skates had chances. They look a small side to me. Two decent passing teams at this level though. Donnys Marquis was the class act. Too good for the fourth division. The North stand has a new breed of skate. Teenage girls giving the ****** ****** ******** to gents like Coppinger. I should get an away season ticket there, every time I go, Saints games apart, the skates lose. Great day.

I'm probably off to support Donny at **** Park on Saturday. Hopefully Rovers will do the honours.

one of the worst games I've seen this season, anywhere.

In a way I hope so, because he was woeful. If he was injured then that would explain why he was so laboured.

Tadic shows in a minute exactly how average the rest have been.

Blimey. Puel doesn't mess about. Like it.