um pahars

13 points between 3rd and 4th, yet only 10 points between 4th and a relegation spot.

The flare looked impressive from where I was stood, and as others have said the red mist added to the spectacle. The way it enhanced that Lambert picture is absolute quality, it really is a wonderful shot. PS the OP needs to have a rethink (or do some in depth reading and experience games on the continent) as he obviously hasn't got much of an idea or experience about how the Ultras work.

Who will now be paid a large figure as a result of promotion to the top flight, as the original deal had repayment of the outstanding debt becoming crystallised if we went up to the top flight.

Agree with this, if we don't win Saturday then that would be only two wins in last six and not worthy of automatic promotion

That's the difference for me, in that in this passionate, enthralling and exciting game you're always going to have knee jerk reactions and moments of jubilation and frustration (fook me, my missus got out of the room pretty quickly on occasions yesterday!!), but some on here do take it a tad too far (be it Dalek's repetitive finishing 17th trolling to the over negative posts some seem to thrive on). I'll always forgive those posting in moments of highs and lows, fook me if you had seen after West Ham had thumped Brighton, you'd understand!!!!

I actually feel perkier than I did prior to the Palace and Posh games. I thought we had blown it after throwing away points prior to those two, thought we'd struggle away and was pretty piffed off (West Ham winning 4-0 & 6-0 didn't help). It's a real rollercoaster at the moment, full of ups and downs and knee jerks, but I just have a hunch that West Ham won't win tomorrow. Of course if they do, then it will be a few days down in the dumps!!!!!!

It could be like that square in North Korea up at St Mary's!!!!!!!!!!!

I make it that if we draw 0-0 with Coventry and West Ham win their last two games by scoring four in total and not conceding, then I make it we're tied on points, goal difference and goals scored!!! (someone check my maths though!!!) How tight is that (we go up though, having a better head to head record). Saints 0-0 West Ham 2-0 & 2-0 we're up Saints 0-0 West Ham 2-0 & 3-1 they're up Saints 1-1 West Ham 2-0 & 3-1 we're up

Indeed and I remember a stat that showed something like 2/3rds of those who plead not guilty at a Crown Court were acquitted, so just because the CPS want to pursue the case is not an indication of guilt (not a slight on the CPS by the way).

I totally agree and would have been happy with consolidating this season (perhaps sniffing at the play offs), BUT having been up there for so long it all seems to be falling apart. Reading's run has been amazing and hats off to them, whilst West Ham have found a semblance of form (and their goalscoring boots!!!!), whereas we have 4 pts on 4 games!!!!! Wrist slitting time for me I'm afraid. AAAAAArrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh

But we also need Bristol City still to be playing for their lives when West Ham play them on Tuesday

Yeah, you're right. I was livid after the Portsmuff game and same again last night. If I had posted last night it would have been wrist slitting stuff. Knee jerk me up, but football is a passionate & emotional game. In our own hands, but we just seem to be limping across the line (although we did play well in parts last night and just got punished by a very clinicalside). Come 5:00 tonight and Brighton have ground out a result and I'll be a happy bunny again. However, if West Ham win then .....................

It might of course be reverse psychology, but I don't think we are going to make it. West Ham looked impressive on Friday and I think yesterday was a real downer for us. Reading on a roll and will go up champions. Feel so different from last week, but throwing it away so late on has caused a rethink for me. Injuries aren't helping. If we match West Hams next result, then maybe I'll cheer up, but Reading on Friday isn't one I'm looking forward to (plus away trips to the Boros). Down to the wire!!!!!!!!

I think West Ham are something like Lower Middle of the current form table whilst we're in top 3/4 (depending on number of games = current form). THink we've got 13 points from 6 games and they've only got 7 They'd have to seriously up their game as well as us fall away massively. Champions will be a push and the home Reading match critical, but I've always been a top two man and am not at all bothered about going up in first place (although it would be nice). Although yesterday's performance and no Lambert isn't the best way to end a season!!!!!

Agree with that and particularly given West Hams recent form. But that doesn't mean I can't be fooked off with a shoddy performance. We will go up, just don't think as Champions and think we will actually still be quite a few points ahead of a choking West Ham

Butterfield would get an 8 from me if you added us score to Jose, Jos and Fox as well. Midfield similar, Sharp 3 & Guly 3. De Ridder 2 Whole team maybe 30/110, only cos Kelvin gets 8

You might have a point but we are still 13 goals better off (imagine its effectively 14 as presume we have scored more). That said another couple of these and it's squeaky bum time. Poor tactics today, missing Lambert massively and awful performance.

Sharp is anonymous, full backs getting opened up, midfield losing the battle, just very poor all round.

Knee jerk me up, but for fecks sake sort this out. Well out of sorts and at all up for it. Nothing on the bench do the the current 11 need a fecking rocket up em!!!!!'

Nutshell. Cortese stands in The Northam, ergo he's right and Lowe was wrong HTH

As you say please don't confuse the concept of financial management with the reality of a poorly executed plan. Point of order on FCs point 6, when Lowe spoke about £20m, £25m, £30m (the figure changed regularly) to replace him he was talking about someone coming in and buying the Club in its entirety. Heard it regularly from the horses mouth and would regularly point out that that would be a decision for the shareholders, not him with his 6% or so holding.

Southampton has for long lacked a Council and an Executive with any real foresight or drive. Walk around and you'll see flats built on top of Medieval Vaults, centuries old walls knocked down for shops or roads or shops just plonked right in front of the Wall (Hannover Buildings). The Germans must take a fair share of blame as the reconstruction after the war caused many shortcuts, but I still maintain those in office have not made the most out of our city (although I also accept trade, commerce and a working docks are more beneficial than a theme park). As for the Sea City Museum it would appear that the local Conservatives are as bad as their peers at a national level!!! Wrong museum in the wrong place.

As Granty said somewhere the conversion of the debt/loans to equity should be a really positive thing as it probably removes any threat of immediate repayments etc. However a slight word of caution as after Abramovich had done the same at Chelsea David Conn of the Indy still had some doubts (think you have to look at the transaction itself and it's intention) http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/19/roman-abramovich-chelsea-loan-debt?cat=football&type=article

At the expense of repeating myself: "I don't see what all the fuss is about Shearer, he misses too many one on ones"

There must be so many different game going on at SMS today. If I could have been bothered to do a player rating post then I would have given De Ridder 4!!!' Might have been because he was asked to hug the touch line, but we were playing with 10 men for lost of the first half. Never got in to the game, never did anything of merit, never contributed, but is good at Tweeting. Flattered to deceive and don't think it's going to get an better