SW11_Saint

And I was also right, you'll cope.

Well, that's what we've got. I am sure you'll cope.

What were you expecting - debate on the merits of the European single currency? Discourse on the problems in the middle east? it is a Saints forum FFS, you should really expect there to be a fair number of posts on erm, Saints. See you after your sabbatical.

Stating the obvious I know, but: 1. Always play your best player. Liverpool don't drop Gerrard. Man City don't drop Kompany. If Rooney doesn't play for Utd they at least have someone of similar quality to replace him. So for gods sake PLAY RICKIE LAMBERT! And keep him on the pitch when he does play, don't keep dragging him off after 70 minutes to bring on 'fresh legs'. He's our most effective player, our leader, our talisman. Just bloody well play him. 2. Replace Lallana as captain. His appointment surprised most, but I suspect there was some logical thought behind it - he'd likely be an ever present, and the added responsibility might inspire him. However, it hasn't worked. I've seen nothing from Adam that suggests true leadership and, like Le Tiss before him, the mantle doesn't seem to rest easily, and may even be impacting his form, which in my view has been sub-standard for a lot this season. Call me old fashioned, but I like captains in the Alan Ball, Jimmy Case mould - barking out orders, encouragement etc throughout the game, and striking the fear of god into those not pulling their weight. Sadly we don't have players of that calibre available, but I'd give the armband to Steve Davis. He's done it for Rangers and N. Ireland and seems most suitable from our current crop (Rickie is another leader on the pitch but I've never been a fan of centre forwards as skippers - he definitely commands respect though). 3. Sort the bloody defence out!! An obvious one, and an issue that is unlikely to be resolved until January (when sadly it might be someone else doing so). I don't know of any Saints fan who felt our back four from last year was up to Premier League standard. It was glaringly obvious, yet we failed to do anything about it in the close season. Clyne is a good addition, and shows promise. The jury is out on Yashida - though to be fair to him he's had to play full-back which he clearly is not. The central pairing is the real problem. Jose and Jos, great guys that they are, are just not up to the job. I am not even sure if we needed to buy the best defender in the world, just someone with Premier League nous and experience - someone in the Ryan Nelson mould. Someone to marshall the back-line, and keep a cool head when others lose theirs - which is pretty much every game. Would also have added some much needed on-field leadership. As I say, with our current personnel I can't see any change in fortune (unless Yoshida settles and excels in the middle), they are unfortunately just not good enough for his league. He also needs to stick with. Goalie now and let him know that he's #1. Presumably Boruc from now on. 4. Be flexible. We need to be able to change our tactics to suit the occasion. What is the point of playing 'tippy-tappy' against Arsenal (who do it way better than anyone else in his league) when 3-0 down? I would have been happy to see us change to a more direct style. We likely would still have lost, but might have made more of a match of it. Don't get me wrong, I have no desire to see us play like West Ham or Stoke, and I think football 'on the ground' is laudable, but we need to be able to adapt when required. The same with our formation - when it clearly isn't working, change it; don't just bring on subs to play the same way. And on the subject of substitutions - they have often been baffling. Taking our best three performers off vs Man Utd. Continually withdrawing Lambert. Even yesterday taking Rodriguez off puzzled me, Guly had offered little (and I am no Guly hater). Nigel, we know you are learning at this level too, but you need to learn quickly from your mistakes. This league is ruthless, and so is the guy who employs you. 5. Keep confident. One of the things I love about NA is his positivity, keep that up fella. Like last season, after every game (win, lose or draw), draw a line under it and start again. That is a good way to approach things. The fans are behind you, however yesterday - losing 4-1 to a very ordinary West Ham - has many now starting to waiver. It's a steep learning curve and you need to learn from these early tough experiences - and fast. COYS!

The problem is, most of our players are Championship quality, and it shows. We are paying the price for not signing enough Premier League quality players, especially at the back. We knew the problem, we didn't address it. Paying the price now; simple as.

Sorry, I'll chop one of my fingers off as punishment. Jeez...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19780609 Our sh1t kit discussed at 21:47

More than anyone else hopefully. I have money on him at 80/1.

Feck. 1-1.

Like it.

Well done Adam. Great news and well deserved.

Time for change I suspect, and since we didn't buy the centre back with Prem experience that we needed Yoshida is the obvious choice. Fonte had a slightly better game against United but is, as suspected, generally struggling at this level. At fault for Van Persie's winner. Great servant for the club, and deserves his place in the squad as cover, but no more. That said, have no idea what Yoshida is like!

Initially thought it was bland, unimaginative and without any connection to our history/tradition. Now... I still think all of those things, plus have realised how awful it looks in 'real life'. Cheap and horrible looking. Just sh*t basically, no other way of saying it. Oh yeah, it's clearly a jinx too.

Neither is OK.

You missed the last couple of seasons then?

It doesn't - I was just trying to avoid "what the **** does this have to do with Saints" accusations.

This probably. Or the Skates at home in 88, when Barry Horne scored for them. All over them, yet somehow contrived to lose. Oh Steve Baker...

Anyone see this? Not sure if the victims were Saints fans. Police appealing for witnesses. http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/news-and-appeals/double-assault-in-southampton

Sensible given their reaction.

Bought to get the goals to get us promotion and he did that. Have never been convinced he'd cut it in the Prem, so a good move for him and the club. Personally disappointed for him mind, he'd waited a longtime to get to the top division and only got about 15 minutes. Good luck at Forest Billy. You'll score goals and the fans will love you.

Poor old Deano. These pr1cks don't deserve him. Good luck, and thanks for leading us to two promotions.

Managed to get tickets - my mate queued for over 4 hours. Only 3 windows open apparently. A quite ridiculous way to treat customers.

Was online bang on 9am. Sat there until 9.47am when the 'Sold out' sign went up. Can't believe a couple of posters went on at 9.15am and got straight through and got tickets. Yet another shambles with this useless website / ticketing system. Am also trying to get tickets for Man U for my g/f and kids - seems impossible to get past the 'select block' page. Useless, just useless.

This site truly is appalling. As someone involved in web design it breaks almost every rule. Trying to buy tickets now, and it is literally impossible - takes you to a ticket selection screen and leaves you hanging (as a distraction you are able to see your potential view from the ground if you ever were successful!). Anyone had any success? No navigation help. No FAQ's of any use. Just appalling as a commercial site.

Bit flat. Guly haters to the fore towards the end - mistakes by JWP and Fonte, not much reaction; similar by Guly, foaming atth mouth and expletives. Disappointed by the swarm of people leaving after the second goal. We have a part to play this year - got to keep behind the boys, there will be a few days like this I suspect. Credit those who were there at the bitter end though. COYS!