SW11_Saint

By the way, my original post wasn't meant to be devisive - although I understand it might possibly have been interpreted that way - today for me is just as much "thank Marcus/Nicola day" as it is "back Pardew day" (and I do think it's important that the board understand how much we believe in AP and want continuity - after all, they haven't been through the managerial dregs as we have!). So, let's thrash Southend, watch Rickie get over 30 league goals, support the boys and celebrate what on balance has been a positive season. Onwards and upwards!!

Talking of looks, it occurred to me last night watching Jonathan Ross that 'Poof 1' (right hand side of picture) of "4 Poofs and a Piano" bears a passing resemblence to Pards... No doubt this has been spotted before, and apologies if so, but it is a little uncanny/disconcerting... has anyone ever seen them in the same room at the same time??

Think they would have previewed on the OS if we were, but you never know. I remember that year they got two apprentices to model the new Pony Kits at half time (remember the awful one with the big tick in the desgin, red and white at home, dark and light blue away, though of course fondly remembered now for Le Tiss's goals v Newcastle, Blackburn etc.) - huge choruses of "What the ****** hell is that?, What the f***** hell is THAT?". I'm looking forward to the new kit - nice idea for the one season, and it sounds quite classy.

Are we wearing the new home kit today?

I think we need to show Cortese exactly what we think of Alan Pardew today - as we did at the JPT Final. He is being as deluded as Lowe if he thinks we'll find a better manager for this Division - and one with the ability to progress with us through the leagues. Okay, we haven't made the play-off's and it's hard to take, but keep AP and the nucleus of this team together and I am convinced we'll be champions next year. So, get behind Alan today in any way we can - and let's let NC and ML (if he's there) know exactly how we feel. Today should be a celebration regardless - after the last few years, this has been a GOOD season, playing great football, and scoring for fun. When's the last time we were able to say that? In Pardew we trust!

Luckily it's in the Mail so we can likely discount. But I agree, Cortese needs to come out, clear the air and back Pardew, otherwise this isn't going to go away. If he thinks we are going to find a better manager at this level, then he is as mad as Lowe. Come on Nicola, do the right thing. Lose Pardew and we risk losing a number of his signings too.

Must have been. Michael Wilde was there too. Also saw Lawrie Mac, Melvyn Bragg (Carlisle/Arsenal fan - not a great weekend!), and Reuben Agboola. Yes, I was in the "posh seats"! Right next to the players as they went up to get the cup, got a nice handshake from Ricky Lambert. What a great day! Added: Oh yes, and Gavyn Davies - knew I'd forgotten someone.

Just heard the interview on Solent, and didn't think it was bad at all. Certainly not as bad as is being made out!!! Think he's just trying to keep the pressure on the players to carry on playing like that, and not let up. Good management - Tuesday is a big game.

Well, that's not impossible, but highly unlikely, so Cortese would be better sacking him now if that is his viewpoint. Personally don't believe it anyway.

Poor performance, no doubt. A 'rugby pitch' in every sense, but then we both had to play on it. I was at the game with some locals - some Wycombe fans, some neutrals and one who watched Wycombe regularly said, and I quote, "that was our best performance of the season, possibly the last couple of years" (?!), they also seemed quite pleased taking a point off us. Which probably makes the result even worse - they had about 8 new players in their squad too. I think we had a 3-4 minute spell of football (I mean literally '3-4 minutes'!) in the first half, and weren't much better in the second. Antonio was awful, and rightly hauled off after about 35 minutes - he could barely stay on his feet. I was sitting quite close to Pardew who was absolutely furious with him and bellowing at him - no handshake for him when he came off!! I was near their Directors box and there was a few old faces there - John Gorman, Steve Wigley, and also Mick Harford and Tony Coton (scouting??). Poor result, and I guess it does for our play-off hopes, but they were pretty remote anyway. It's all about finishing as high as we can (you never know!), building confidence, and of course Wembley. And next season of course, when we will win League One... PS Saw most of the Saints players as I came out (was a guest in Wycombe Corporate area) and like policemen, it's amazing how young players look these days - well, I suppose they are?!, but Dan Harding literally looks like a schoolboy in 'real life'!

Great win and great performance - against the runaway form team of the Division. Sends out a message that we are a force, let's just hope it enables us to slip into the play-off places. Our performance last week was superb, and we've carried it on (and this time got the result we deserved!). Well done Pards and the lads. All I need now is Pompey 0 Stoke 5 (Beattie 3, Delap, Higginbottom) and my day is complete! Not too much to ask, surely?!

Avram wants a lady, He needs to spill his load, If he wants a 'happy ending' We're close to Derby Road! (to 'My old mans a dustman')

By they way, there was a distiinct lack of "Oh when the Saints" at the MK Dons game.. not sure why? Need to sing that tomorrow - again, and again, and again...

But if we win, let's drown them out with "Amarillo" while their fans are locked in!!

I think it's a great idea, if it's only for the one year - worked for Arsenal. If it is the 'sash kit' (can't see the pics posted here for some reason, but think that was our first kit), then that also explains why there's no logo. Really look forward to it. We can revert to stripes (which will always be our main kit going forward) after. COYS

Great article. Pardew always comes across so well. Nice to see intelligence and ambition back at the club. I am not worried by Cortese's apparent impatience for success - christ, rather that than the 'make do and mend' mentality we've had in the last 10 years! - and I rather think Pardew is enjoying the challenge. By the way, the written article has few of the errors people are *****ing about (e.g. it says 'local Echo' not 'Dorset Echo', the main picture references it is the Sheff Utd game when we stayed up etc.). Just enjoy the fact we have a double page spread in a quality paper FFS - it's been a while!

I think that is the key - rarely ever based on fact or substantive knowledge though!

Loved his face when that journo's phone rang - absolute classic, well done to Roy!

Agree, and transport to/from games.

Great post/story. Incredible that one of members was supporting Saints that far back - and great that you are still an active member of the forum OC!!

Got to get the old 'Amazing Grace' "Cha-a-nnon, Cha-a-a-non, Chan-non, Chan-non..." chant going again...

At least Kaboul has the good sense to live in Southampton...

Two leagues above us (for the time being...) and they still have a chip on their shoulder!

Should be applauded well by both sets of fans too. Well done Mick, a true Saints Legend.

Yeah, heard that too - bound to be Hammond. Midfielders always make the best captains in my humble opinion (ref. Ball, Case, Williams). How about a poll, just for a bit of fun...?