Shroppie

We've lost a brilliant charismatic, intelligent manager who understands the English game for someone sacked with his team bottom of the league with 9 points from 13 games. Lunacy. Nigel: you don't deserve this. Thanks for everything. Saints legend.

Disgraceful act of a power-mad chairman. Suspect he wants Saints to be an an Italian club and didn't think NA ws a big enough draw.

Disgrace and appalling decision.

Got my ticket and cheap train. Looking forward to a fun day out and hopefully a win.

The number of Saintsweb posters who seem to have no grasp on reality and the steady development of manager and players in the top division. Can't get my head round the way some seriously seemed to think (or still think?) that we should be storming this league, and that every setback needs the manager to be sacked and 12 new players bought. Get real.

Permission to join your one-man club? I think he's been great recently, working very hard and due a goal.

On that basis we won't be playing Adam again this season.

That's five games unbeaten.

Probably should have been RL for Davis.

Need to strengthen CM. Lampard would do.

Only £17 return (with Railcard) from Doncaster. Bargain. Ticket bought too. Looking forward to this one.

Cyprus is pretty Greek and has suffered less. Had a great time in Paphos last year.

Absolutely. Yes.

The problem I have with this whole debate is the difficulty some seem to have in accepting that it's not just a question of a correct penalty or a dive. Between those is a huge grey area of tackles that may or may not be fair and collisions between players, resulting in the attacking player going down. That is not diving. It happens, and my reading of the incident yesterday was that it fell in this category. On the other hand, I dislike intensely the culture of cheating diving that does exist. But who is to blame for that? The players themselves? Encouraged by managers? How often do you hear comments such as "he was entitled to go down - up to the ref to make the decision". And commentators who regularly suggest that players should go down - "he was too honest staying on his feet" "if he goes down the ref has to make a decision". And, on The pen yesterday, I think those who suggest it was given against the keeper may be right - the ref played a moment's advantage until J Rod didn't score. Be interesting if he makes an comment. But I do not accept that there was a deliberate act of cheating.

Should have been home 2hours ago but needing to top up beer first. Very important 3 points ground out.

I'll go for that. Jos and Guly.

Ok. Day underway with first pint at the Shakespeare. Looks like we've got good support.

Met office says dry but chuffin cold. In fact the perfect day to try out the thermals I've got ready for the Arctic next month.

This ^

Enjoy.

My recollection too. Not a place I was inclined to frequent.

20 min walk or taxi, according to footballgroundguide.com

Train is easy and quick to Aston. Loads of good pubs in the centre (see other thread)

Would prefer toast.

Could well be cool. But maybe warmer than Northern Finland where I'm headed.