Fitzhugh Fella

About 100 Saints fans (2 coaches) decided to go into the Sheffield end soon after the turnstiles opened. So in effect when all the locals turned up they were not best pleased to see "their end" inhabited by intruders. I never forget all of a sudden there was a large chant "you're gonna get your effin head kicked in" and thinking they are right I am. The Saints mob stood thei rground surrounded by about 1000 United fans and I remember looking for a convenient escape route Fortunately the old bill intervened as as far as I can remember we were all sheperded to another part of the terrace. I seem to remember Clint Hodder being there - I often wonder what happened to him, way ahead of his time fashion wise - one of the first skinheads in Southampton and then one of the first to grow his hair and get into Bowie. Talented artist and a nice guy too. Had a brother who's name I can't recall.

A man desperate for votes will say anything.

After 17000 posts can I now be permitted to say "I told you so" and shall I buy my original informer a beer?

Some of our best passes this season have been Waigo's first touch!

I agree with them on the club crest but if they think Harry did us more harm than them they are seriously deluded.

Good idea

It certainly could be a lot worse Jam and if the Wembley experience helps cement a long lasting affection for the Saints then great. I still think AP needs to buck his ideas up however and NC is very aware that tactically things aren't right at present..... Wembley visit or not.

Because I am a cynic? Seriously there is so much bull **** in football - just look down the road - I tend to treat everyone as guilty to proven innocent. That picture is good evidence.

That picture is somewhat reassuring. Let's hope they enjoy the big day and want more.

You are correct Ian - ML paid out around 12m which satisfied the creditors and wiped out debt and morgage. A bargain when you see what is on offer down the road.

On paper our players are good but something is still not gelling. A lot of our problems are in the head. We have no composure and no leadership. Waigo and Antonio have good points but both are erratic - great coming off the bench but over 90 minutes both are light weight. In my opinion , Wayne Thomas was an absolute disgrace - he should have been sent off tonight. Having been booked 5 mins earlier he then chose to run across the pitch to assault a MK player who had just committed a foul. He was a lucky person to stay on the pitch. At that point there was only 2 goals in it and with us down to 10 men, it could have been awkward. As an experienced pro he should have controlled himself and even as he went down the tunnel he had to be restrained from approaching Ince. If ever this team needed a Jimmy Case/Alan Ball type figure it is now. I do feel once we get this problem sorted we can build but at present we suddenly get shambolic under pressure. Sorry to rain on a happy parade. It is marvellous that Southampton are going to have a day at Wembley but there remains an awful lot of work before we can be regarded as a solid outfit. MK Dons were without their main forwards (Puncheon and Easter) and yet they still caused us awkward moments. We flattered to deceive but now we are there I hope it is an enjoyable day - but if I was AP I would be far from relaxed tonight because there are still massive deficiencies in our makeup.

Thats a good question. On paper our players are good but something is not gelling. A lot of our problems are in the head. We have no composure and no leadership. Wayne Thomas was an absolute disgrace - he should have been sent off tonight. Having been booked 5 mins earlier he then chose to run across the pitch to assault a MK player who had just committed a foul. He was a lucky person to stay on the pitch. At that point there was only 2 goals in it and with us down to 10 men, it could have been awkward. If ever this team needed a Jimmy Case/Alan Ball type figure it is now. I do feel once we get this problem sorted we can build but at present we are shambolic under pressure. Sorry to rain on a happy parade. It is marvellous that Southampton are going to have a day at Wembley but there remains an awful lot of work before we can be regarded as a solid outfit.

I hope not trousers - we were pretty awful again from 40 mins onwards. I would never start either Waigo or Antonio - they are both impact players. Great we have got to Wembley but it was another unconvincing performance and we were tested by a very much depleted MK Dons.

"Rumour" has it though that he gets a multi million bonus if we get to the Prem in 3 which means if we don't get up this seson we are going to have to do the dirty double in 2 consecutive seasons. NC has a lot riding on Ap's abilities.

Things move

Plain speaking and no doubt you will attract flak but I think you are spot on.

sorry my informer has not replied yet giving me permission. I think he has gone into hiding. He did say it was not looking good for them.

I think NC is just saying what some of us on here have recognised over the last 3 months. The side is not playing well and although we have picked up ugly wins, we haven't picked up any pretty ones. The standard of the football has been poor. When you let a team like Exeter off the ropes, only for them to nearly deliver the ko blow you know there is a problem. I really don't want to see AP go because we just do not need upheavel but, let's not forget as far as NC is concerned there has been no upheavel. I don't think AP will be here at the start of the season because quite simply we will not finish anywhere near the play offs and that is not good enough for NC. And Steve Coppell has not got any desires to come back into football just yet. A mate of mine went with him to the recent Reading v Burnley Cup-tie and asked if he was still interested in the Saints job and he replied in the negative. Doesn't mean that NC won't have another go at persuading him though. A shame really because this debate and uncertainty is not needed in this week of all weeks but maybe NC has spoken when he has for a reason.

I am waiting for my source (the guy who spilled the beans to me in the first place) to give me permission to spill a bit more on what's going on behind the scenes. As he has not got back yet all I can say it's not looking good for them and steps might have already been put in place for administration. I will post as soon as I can, but a lot of what is going on is obviously pretty sensitive.

Brian Truscott kindly got the Board's permission back in the early 90s to give me the title of official historian (it was really helpful when contacting player's families etc and borrowing photos etc). But I have always worked with Gary so I asked if he could be given the same title which Brian agreed to. A few years later we joined forces with David Bull and Dave Juson to form Hagiology and we then came to a formal agreement with the club to produce books for them so all four of us became joint historians. So you now have the history of the historians.

Not being funny here, but have you watched many of the recent games because if you are saying you have and you still don't think our recent dip in form is not "drastic" then you have me concerned. For instancewere you at yesterday's game. Lowly Exeter had us fighting, in the 2nd H for our lives and everyone around me (not friends) were quite shocked at our malaise and inability to conjure up any resistance.

I hear the tax man is really p+ssed off with Pompey because after agreeing a new instalment package last year they welshed on the first payment. Just waiting for permission to post a few more juicy but well sourced rumours.

Yeah I agree - we got to go with what is realistic so JPT it is. We are not going to win the Cup but I hope we beat Pompey, and the play offs were always a figment of some of our more "hopeful" fans imaginations so guess we better settle for the Paint trophy. Let's hope NC has his priorities going along similar lines.

Good point. I said when they arrived that this season that I would be happy it it were one of consolidation but as you say expectation has since risen. The reason for this is some fans bigging up the chances of reaching the play offs when in reality we were never in with a shout . We all foolishly got our hopes up after a good autumn, but really the team have never really been playing THAT well, especially recently. And the money spent on new players has meant we are now seen as the M City of Div 2, and when people spend serious money they want instant improvement. NC was unhappy after the Millwall game because his new defence did not hang on for 3 points. Unrealistic? Maybe but he and ML have backed AP with cash and they want to see tangible improvements. Unfortunately if anything things have got worse and the standard of football over the last 3 months has been poor, and I speak as someone who has seen most games over that period. The 2nd halves yesterday and v Brentford were shocking. I like the way AP speaks, carries himself and I think he has a real feel for the game but from recent evidence I am having doubts as to his tactical nous. It will be a great pity if this does work out, but AP was never NC's first choice and I don't think he will hesitate if he does not get what he thinks he ought. Pardew places a lot of emphasis on the pressure he is under in today's Observer and for me his words spoke volumes. Two wins this week and this wobble will go away. Fingers crossed.

I think you will find the 5-year plan is now a 3-year plan