Ewell

Agreed. This is why bookies are very rich people as so many mugs love throwing there money away.

I would sign two quality players but firstly I would sell Gaston and here is my reasoning. It seems quite clear to me that Pochettino does not rate Gaston and I have finally come to that conclusion this week for two main reasons. Firstly he was hauled off to give a youngster experience against Sunderland when he desperately needed 90 minutes, why not take Rodriguez off as the competition obviously was far from a priority (team selection told us that) and Rodriguez is a regular starter playing 69 minutes pre and 90 minutes post the stoke game. If he wanted to give Gaston 90 minutes then make no mistake this was the time. Secondly he allowed Gaston to leave early to play in Uruguay's very important world cup play off with Jordan. Whilst you would think he is not a likely starter at the moment on form he would be an important game changer from the bench. Pochettino allowing him to go early can only mean one thing to me and that is he does not see Gaston as a player who can make a difference so my argument is why keep him. In my opinion is we should cut our losses. So who do we sign, that I am not so sure. The continual call for wingers from the fan-base seems pointless to me as I think Pochettino has the wide options he wants as he likes to play a fluid but narrow formation allowing our full backs to overlap. The likes of Rodriguez. Lallana, JWP, Isgrove, Gully and Lee are the options and I do not see Pochettino wanting to block the path for the likes of JWP or Isgrove. So that being said I think if the interest is still there then a bid for someone like Banega could be sensible as whilst his form has not been great he is still a class act and we would be able to get him for a very reasonable amount.

I think the best we can hope for is a victory and a defeat, I cannot see us going unbeaten over both games unless we manage two draws. Either of those scenarios would be a great return. I would say even 1 draw would not be bad but two defeats would be a shame as it would show what most of us already suspect that we are punching a little above our weight and not quite at the big clubs level yet.

I think we had the last laugh though. It would have been good to see there faces at the final whistle of the 2nd match that day. Fair play to all those still playing, particularly the over 30's. You need to play as long as you can as you never know when you may not be able to and then you will miss it. Also not an easy thing to organise playing a game a few 100 miles from home so top effort all round especially to Mr Grant. So who really gives a **** about the score?

That is because they do not have our defence or midfield. I agree that United were there for the taking today but mark my words they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

A great team performance and a brilliant and well deserved point but there were a couple of worrying signs for me. 1. The final ball into the box was pretty appalling at times. We got into great positions and then our decision making or execution let us down. 2. Take your chances when you are on top, particularly away from home against a top team. You never know when that next chance will come along. Luckily it did in the 89th minute. 3. The Strikers whilst working hard I would say Osvaldo, Rodriguez and Lambert just do not look that much of a threat away from home. If we had Rooney and Van Persie up front we would be potential champions (yes I know most teams would). Some real positives though in that defensively and and in midfield we look a really strong team with a great spine and if we can click going forward then potentially this could be a great season. We do need a striker\winger, particularly for away games who has a bit of pace though.

Whilst I hope he is on the bench to provide a nice attacking option and some creativity if required, he really does not deserve to be in the team ahead of the 11 names that have done so well recently. Other than Danny Fox dropping out for Luke Shaw I really hope we are unchanged other than Gaston moving onto the bench in place of Guly and Fox dropping out of the squad and off the face of the earth please.

The Daily Echo now reports. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/10745028.Saints_urged_to_slash_ticket_prices_for_travelling_fans/?ref=rss

It looks like Newcastle, Swansea, Hull and West Brom are all getting there act together. Still no news on Saints I take it? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24559809

I fully agree with you both and am happy he is slipping under the radar. The kid just oozes class and once he fills out and builds up a bit more strength he is going to be a top premier league midfielder and I have no doubts will represent England in the not too distant future.

Well England have opted for the option of drafting in Raheem Sterling after starting 1 match in the first 7. Adam Lallana, Nathan Dyer and Nathan Redmond all ignored despite all having decent starts to the season and arguably contributing more to their clubs. Another example of big club bias and not picking players on form. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24439799

A good win. 2nd half we were under the cosh for very long periods and had Swansea played a decent final ball or taken their chances we could have quite easily drawn that match. We played very well in the first half but have Boruc to thank for making some wonderful saves. Fox couldn't get near Dyer, I hope Shaw is fit for the next game if not switch Clyne to left back and bring Chambers in on the right please.

First half it looked a good open game with both teams going for it. I think Saints have edged it but Swansea have had some good chances on the break and Boruc has had to make some great saves. I think stopping JonJo Shelvey is the key give him time and space and his passing can hurt you.

Well I got the train down to the game from Clapham Junction to Southampton central on Saturday morning and shared a couple of cans with a Palace supporting mate. There were a few Palace and Saints fans on the train all having a beer or two and all guilty of this henious crime. I guess the logic would suggest we should have all been mobbing up, kicking off and coming to blows but surprisingly both sets of fans shared some alcohol and took part in some friendly chat and banter. Weird huh?

Talking of credit cards. For those who have a Barclaycard football credit card this has now been discontinued. This is a shame as it was useful for purchasing a season ticket at interest free and then paying it off monthly. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/cards/2013/06/barclaycard-football-gets-red-card-act-soon-to-score-0-deals

So Mata has suddenly turned into a wide player and not a number 10?

I am not sure I agree with that. Also I have to say Swansea are a very Spanish team and they are incredibly decent. On tonight's performance I am glad we missed out on Banega, he is pretty average and I cannot understand what all the fuss was about. Oh I remember a collection of 5 or 6 You Tube clips doh!

Ummmm No it wasn't it was completely daft as he could have played Lambert in with a simple through ball too his left.

If you want fuller grounds for televised matches that are played at not so convenient times then make them more attractive by reducing the price *simples*.

Ooops wrong thread!

Whilst I appreciate the majority see Rio Ferdinand as a complete tool (and I would also go along with that) I do appreciate this kind of media coverage as like it or not parents and kids alike will listen to stuff like this from a celebrity footballer like Rio. My hope is that we will be seen as the premier youth academy for parents to send their kids too who will then be given a fair chance to play for the first team if\when they are good enough. Whilst some may say we are already that then I see no reason to rest on our laurels and pat ourselves on the back but I'd rather we push on and become recognised worldwide as the best producer of young players in English football. Words like Ferdinand’s help spread that message and I welcome them.

Whilst I appreciate the majority see Rio Ferdinand as a complete tool (and I would also go along with that) I do appreciate this kind of media coverage as like it or not parents and kids alike will listen to stuff like this from a celebrity footballer like Rio. My hope is that Southampton will be seen as the premier youth academy for parents to send their kids too who will then be given a fair chance to play for the first team if\when they are good enough. Whilst some may say we are already that but I see no reason to rest on our laurels and pat ourselves on the back. I would rather we push on and become recognised worldwide as the best producer of young players in English football. Words like Ferdinand’s help spread that message and I welcome them.

Nick Harris the writer of this article was on talk sport this afternoon and he mentioned he had interviewed Rio Ferdinand (linked below) for his column in the Daily Mail. He said Rio was talking very highly of our academy and strategy. Nick Harris also mentioned that Rio had said to him that we were the best at producing young English players at the moment. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2414962/Rio-Ferdinand-There-minimum-number-English-players-Premier-League-teams.html

Up there with Ali Dia but we all know how badly we were mismanaged in those dark days. This situation would have never happened under the current regime.

Agreed, and not bad for a bloke who you consistently say is no longer good enough to lead the line for Saints and a man you consistently drop from your team selections yet good enough to be the stand out performer in an international side, weird!