DT

Very late to this as was coming down off a massive high. That's the best atmosphere I've ever experienced at St Mary's and I think the crowd definitely played their part. Seemed like everyone was up for it. My daughter commented that because there were so many away fans in, it meant we HAD to be louder. I watched the game on telly yesterday and didn't think the atmosphere quite came through, particularly the brilliant response of OWTS when Arsenal scored. That was amazing. In terms of the team I thought Bragg and Jander were superb, and noticed them even more on a TV watch. Scienza such a handful and Stewart pulled one of the best defenders in Europe all over the place. Manning's performance was excellent on the (quite amazingly good Max D), and it got better with a rewatch. A word for Wood, too, who was sensible throughout - did the simple things well. And Peretz continues to be the reason why we have such a solid foundation - nervous about losing him now to teams who have noticed too. Hope we have some good keepers lined up or we will fall back to the Bazunu years, although Ramsdale is due back (perhaps). Azaz did a great deal of running, and his impact was more obvious too on a rewatch, while where Fellows felt a bit lightweight on the night to me his movement and soft pass to Shea for our winner was brilliant. Larin's hold up play was also superb. I was concerned we might not field such a strong side given the Wrexham game so kudos to Eckert too, who is getting better with every game. Have to hold my hand up here - I didn't think he'd be as good as he has been. A calm and effective presence. All in all one of the best ever nights I have had at St Mary's and I see no reason why we can't beat City. Up the Saints. PS forgot Bree, who was largely excellent, although Martinelli had him on toast a few times with his pace. Solid though, and a great addition back to the team

oh hello Fareham Saint. Has Ward Prowse left yet?

There was never a minute’s doubt that the FA want a Man City Chelsea final. Happens every year. There is so much money in football now it can’t be anything other than corrupt. However. We can beat City. And then Chelsea. Plus all the dodgy decisions/ ludicrous extra times etc.

Gosh what a surprise. Chelsea and Man City kept apart. #hotballs

40 and we're talking, but would rather, just once, keep a good player

Another great player we'll see less than a season from and sell for too cheap. Really hope he likes it here and stays, but he's probably too good for us if we blow the playoffs (and even get there)

Great win. Would have lost 5-0 with Bazunu in goal because he wouldn't have saved any of those. Peretz was immense and has made a huge difference to the whole side. Was wound up by the Lampard-licking Sky coverage beforehand. It was all about Coventry. Ha! That'll teach 'em. Well done Saints. Eckert is proving some of us wrong on his tactical ability but the key thing appears to be that there is contentment in the camp. I suspect getting rid of certain bad eggs is paying dividends.

That was thoroughly enjoyable. Good performance all round and it has to be said that the new signings are - after all - pretty astute ones. The goalkeeper has made a huge difference in transmitting confidence to the back four and beyond - even Flynn Downes seems more into it and mobile, which is great to see. Larins is pretty good, I think. Makes a difference in his high quality hold up play. And not having Adam Armstrong scuffing it and running around aimlessly has given a focus up front. Scienza's energy is so key. He plays with directness and ability and is not afraid to take people on, which would make Russ very nervous and which Eckhart has clearly learnt to live with... But the best thing is that morale is clearly high. They look like a team (barring Archer who is beyond hopeless (promote the youngsters please) and that will stand us in good stead to grab that last play-off place, which is definitely achievable. Not sure we can afford to go up, mind...

I'd like to see us go balls-out for the win with direct, attacking football and intense pressure throughout. Like the good old days before Pep and the tedious 'tippy tappy from the back wait for the oppo to move forward and then 'pounce' ' nonsense. Come on, Saints. Try it. Home win. Has to be.

I thought he was great on Saturday and when he was taken off by Eckert I thought it was the coach's classic and slightly idiotic knee-jerk 60 minute sub where he thinks that taking off our most threatening player was somehow a brilliant masterstroke like he does with Scienza, no doubt thinking he needed to preserve his energy or something. Anyway, great to see him being something that we can draw on to unlock defences when we need a bit of directness and penalty-inducing dribbliness. Like having a new player, as the cliche goes.

I was at the game too and was amazed he wasn't subbed earlier. I've seen far better players in the national and non-league. Amazingly bad. However, lots of good points in the other players I thought. Keeper much better than I had expected. Solid, and decent distribution. Larin's hold up play not bad at all, fitness coming along a little. Cam Bragg - excellent performance. Quarshie and Wood did well. Manning won most of his duels, and decent delivery. Impressed with Matsuki and his work rate Dibaga not bad when he came on - could be more direct Oyekunle excellent strength and persistence. Should start ahead of Cameron Archer every time Some very nice touches from Barnaby Williams Good to get minutes into Oriel - he is still classy Overall, much to be happy about, especially the result. THought we were heading for penalties. PS You can see how Winks is a cultured player, but also how he never does anything remotely risky

Professional footballer unable to do their job shock

Keep a settled team. Benefits beyond the 'resting'; builds momentum. No doubt he will completely change it. PS a few more managers suddenly available. Hmmm. Tempting.

Wow. Well done Saints. Perhaps his half time team talks are getting better! 😉 Hope this is a turning point. Looked liked there was a togetherness there that has been missing for a long time.

We should insist that Aribo is allowed to play. Think we can win this now we have a non-shit keeper. Who knew? All those months saying Bazanu was useless and we kept losing. Then we get rid and start winning. It's almost as if this fan base knows something. Also, getting rid of the bulk of the clique appears to be working, now there are no bad eggs stinking the place out (although perhaps there's still a faint whiff of a wantaway striker). Would take a draw but think if things click we can pile on the pressure and win 0-3

By Adam. Shame you tarnished it all by your lousy attitude. Still, hope he does alright in his Wolves in the Championship stint before not really doing it in the Prem again.

Yes. What has happened to Romeu? Is he still here? What a great shame

Worth noting that journalists who first cited the possibility of Adam Armstrong leaving were greeted with posters 'calling bullshit' on it before it, again, being true. Nixon, I think it was, who posted first. Proof that those who have journalism as their full time job are sometimes better than blokes with a keyboard in their bedrooms or who post with seeming authority of an inside track. Armstrong clearly didn't want to be here and his attitude wasn't great so I think selling was the only option, especially given his contract status. Would have been nice to have replaced him with more quality, but let's see before we pass judgment on that donkey we have brought in. 😉

At least they seem to have noticed the bad clique and made moves to get rid of the childish twits. Hopefully this will help morale. At least we seem to have finally accepted 442, and at the very least the Canadian's height will offer a target. I'm clutching at straws, but it's something, I guess. Good to have a keeper who isn't shit, totally agree.

We are an absolute embarrassment of a club, Ankersen doing his Poundshop Ted Talk Moneyball bollocks and getting on the phone to call tactics. National League clubs are run better. What a brilliant metaphor for where we are, this Canadian 'prospect'. Doesn't even fit the age model. So confused it's laughable. 'Get someone in who owns legs!' being the desperate call of Spors to his phone bunnies. 'But who we can call an international. Even if he's shit. Just get a body in!' 'Yes boss'.

With Lallana's history in moisturisers I bet he's made up that we are signing C.Larins. Thank me later.

Wow. Is this a wind up?

Hence why we're looking at a 16year old/foetus Tyro league CB to replace him

Which is a bit of a turnaround from you 'calling BS' on any possibility of Armstrong leaving because you didn't believe some 'lazy journalism' and seeing only one report, or something. Plus ca change. Where's Fareham Saint when you need them? Oh

I would have thought they are working on a loan striker in order to let Armstrong go. If we can't get one, which might itself depend on that club getting someone in (I'm thinking Leeds and Piroe), then we won't budge on AA. Like buying a house in a chain. Armstrong looks fed up with it all to me, and wants the Hollywood Wrexham 'story'. Plus they would stand a chance of going up with him.