ulstersaint

Ulstersaint thinks this is a cracking post.

Spot on. Perhaps the sacking of Pardew was structural - and the OS announcement could be read as a breakdown in relationship between the manager and development teams. Or perhaps there is another reason around which discretion is the best option.

1 point from 3 very winnable home games - relegation form.

Well put and well intentioned optimism - but the result and more importantly the performance today indicates deep problems that need more resoution than another rallying call.

Tater doesn't know what Wilkins will say in post-match ..................................... sorry?

Merrington can't understand taking Chamberlain off and criticised the leadership from the touchline ...... "Saints have totally lost their way technically and tactically".

We are being taken for mugs. Hammond on the OS "We are in good hands with Dean ....", and next week the OS will give us yet another rallying call from senior pro'.

As it stands we are outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Might be something to do with the manager who signed him getting the sack.

Everyone knew teams would come to SMS this season, park the bus and try to hit us on the break; and we could'nt find a plan to overcome this tactic. We're stuffed.

Agree - Williams left for Arsenal for big money and Lawrie paid Brighton peanuts for Jimmy Case who was brilliant for us.

Sounds like the team is flat compared with Saturday at Bristol - wonder why.

Agreed. What an unimpressive list compared with AP. Looks like we are moving away from the old style Club Manager model (eg Pearson and Pardew) to the Lowe-style First Team Coach model with NC in the RL role. And look where that got us.

3 games = second chance?

There might be more behind this decision than we are aware of - ie who decides on transfers in and out - but the timing is crazy. It was common knowledge that missing the play-offs did not please NC and that the relationship between NC and AP appeared to be strained. But if a change was necessary, why was it not done in the post-season review some months ago and not 3 games into a new season?

Lots of transfers will take place as the window closure draws near and, as Pardew has said, when that happens movement higher up the football food chain will mean that Saints will be able to sign better players than those who are currently on offer. Some of the players Saints want are probably on hold until their present clubs secure replacements. Makes sense to me.

I was at the Plymouth & Bournemouth games but not Orient; my view is that Hammond has not improved on last season and probably gone backwards. He lacks pace and does not keep the play moving. With Spider it means we have two CMs who are slow. Perhaps time for the creative box-to-box player midfielder we have needed for a long time.

The voice of reason.

John Ot semiskimmed obor

Painting the roof? If someone sits in the left window seat on Flybe descending into Southampton airport they could check.

Anyone know if this will be played Tue 10th or Weds 11th August? SMS midweek games seem to be Tuesday in recent times.

John Sydenham on the left wing running down the cinder track to get past the fullback instead of a boggy pitch. Mick Channon fouled outside the penalty area and crawling inside while the ref' was not looking. Terry Paine - the best crosser of the ball I've ever seen. Ron Davies soaring above defenders for another headed goal.

Would the nonsense mentioned include silly posts about ginger-haired players?

Wee Gordon Strachan - great player and great Saints Manager

he a loser?