um pahars

Much better performance tonight. Looke decent from the off and kept it going for most of the match. Lost a bit of shape & momentum when Lallana went off, but never looked as though we were going to do anything but win. Back five were really solid and both Richardson and Dickson had good games (Jaidi & Fonte as solid as usual). The new lad, Stephens, didn't seem to do much before he got crocked, but then again not sure Chaplow did much either. Interesting to hear Adkins quite positive about lallana and Stephens as both looked well crocked going off the pitch (Stephens on a stretcher and a lot of fuss over Lallana before he hobbled off). Thought Guly played well (very well taken goal) and Lambert and Barnard did what was asked up front. Whilst tonight's performance wasn't champagne, it was closer to what we are capable of. Just hope the price paid (a couple of injuries) isn't too dear. Have to say disappointed by the attendance and horrified at Charlton's turnout. I reckon about 10% (300ish) of what we took there a fortnight ago.

You may have hit the nail on the head. Your kids would either hand the phone over, or then if punished they would be worried about the effect it would have on their education and also what you would say to them when they got home. They would either have respect for the teachers, for you, for themselves or for all three. Sadly too many parents wouldn't care if their kids were using their phones in class, nor would they care what the consequences would be. As for some of the kids then sadly any follow up would mean nothing to them as they don't value their education and there is no punishment that can cause them to alter their way of thinking and nothing their parents can do either (that's if the parents are keen to do it anyway). Taking your next step of "I would expect the teacher to send them to the headmaster", then for many the next act on their part would be a) refuse to go to the Headmaster, or b) go but refuse to hand over the phone. Logically the next move would be an a) isolation room, or b) sent home, or c) temporary exclusion. Their reaction to a) might be to refuse to go to the isolation room (so fast track to b or c) or to go to the isolation room and doss around (fast track to b or c). Their reaction to b) or c) might be "good news, I don't have to go to school", particularly if the parent has no control and/or doesn't care, so ultimately they've got what they want.

Would certainly say "not very good" as opposed to "abysmal" (a tad harsh), but I would also take exception with NickG's view that we were playing lovely football. The formation in the first part of the game was wrong, too many players couldn't play in it, we didn't have enough width and the midfield was overcrowded. Guly and others were trying one sexy pass too many and too many were making the wrong choices in the final third. We never had a clear chance in the first half and can't remember their keeper making a save in anger. MK Dons didn't threaten either, but then again they were happy with a point until they went ahead.

What if she said you're not having it?

Middle row, fourth in. Turin Shroud

Knee jerk me up. That's twice in two days, you've morphed in to Alpine & Dune's love child. But on a serious note, go away and do some more reading and then come back with a more informed opinion as your opening tirade is somewhat wide of the mark.

have to agree that I think their manager made an error and went defensive after their second inviting us on to them. He'd taken off Vine and replaced him with a midfielder and then took Baldock off and replaced him with a winger.

Personally thought he was a bit anonymous and on a couple of occasions the game was passing him by. Towards the end of the game he seemed to be trailing behind MK Dons midfielders who were pouring forward. That said it was only 20 mins and the first time he had played with his team mates, so not long enough for him to get accustomed to them and what was expected of him etc. Additionally, the period he came on was rather frantic and a tad end to end, so a bit difficult to put your foot on it and take control!!!!!!! Certainly looking forward to seeing him play, and a midfielder with a 1 in 4 goal ratio this year is promising. Wouldn't change the centre pairing for him just yet, but good to have him as back up in the hectic run in.

Although Lallana (and then Fonte) must be the closest thing to it. I don't think people are actually looking for the faultless player and most I have seen have been fair in their assessments of players' performances (particularly when we have seen the same players and team play much better) and at worst pointing out who hasn't played at their optimum. I also accept that players are fallible, particularly at this level, and that it is much harder to be consistent. I interpret most of these types of posts as a fair and honest opinion of what people have seen (ignoring the few barbed weirdos) and not some sort of bitter tirade. If anything, I find those who attack those giving their honest opinion as rather more strange. As for Davis, I can't think of anyone in this division who I would swap him with (and only a few in the Division above), but that doesn't mean people shouldn't express their opinion (and even their doubts) about his performance yesterday. I thought his distribution was really good yesterday, an area he sometimes get criticism for, but I think even he will be disappointed by being beaten at the near post. I was sat in the Kingsland in line with Baldock and Davis showed him too much of the goal. Butterfield giving Baldock too much room, a tiny deflection and even it being a good strike doesn't take away the fact that I think Davis should have got something on it (IMHO of course). I was in the same position for the Posh goal at their place which seemed very similar.

Have to agree about the ref, he seemed to let a lot go and the game flowed better because of it. As you say much better than many we have had. Certainly can't remember any barking decisions (although he bottled it when one of their players roughed him up a bit).

I think most of the older fans would also have experienced a sojourn in the second division where the standard in the 70's wasn't that great. Seriously some of the football back then wasn't all glory stuff (not helped by atrocious pitches either). Additionally, they have experienced performances and players who by modern comparisons would scare you. There can be no doubt that football across the board has improved immensely (the skill level, fitness levels etc are streets ahead of what we used to watch) and I don't think it would be unrealistic to say that the current team would have given some of our older teams a run for their money. I'm certainly more than aware of what division we're playing in and that therefore we are unlikely to see superstars or champagne football (that said, we are lucky to be able to watch Lallana and a few other decent players) and I also don't think people have been over critical in their reviews. I don't see any problem in suggesting we're not playing at our best and that some performances have been under par.

25 mins is current form????

I admired his chicken like second half runs as much as his sublime skill today. He was running his socks off at the end. Top man.

Was at the Boro game and knew it would end in tears the minute the Saints fans started to sing it's just like watching Brazil!!!!! Granted we were totally outclassing Boro, but having been a Saints fan for 30+ years I always thought it was a tad premature and somewhat asking for trouble. Sure enough a very late, and dubious penalty, meant it would end in tears. Anyway, twas a good day out and that Tuxedo Royale/Princess or whatever it was called has to be one of the best pre match boozers I have been in.

Fantastic comeback, anyone know when we last came back from 2-0 down to win???? A number of players should be really proud fo the way they never gave up with Lallana in particularly refusing to give in. As for the match itself and our performance, well once again it was a mixed bag for me. We started well and were in control of possession but the line-up never really looked balanced. Centre of the park looked over crowded with Guly getting in the way. Lallana was busy as usual and Harding was trying valiantly to give us some width on the left. Seemed to be a little bit over complicated at times with Guly in particular being guilty of overplaying. Hammond and Chaplow struggled a bit, but MK Dons never really looked too threatening. Then their Malcom Waldron look alike scored a bullet header from a corner (couldn't see who should have been marking him). Seemed to knock the stuffing out of us and we needed to regroup at half time. MK Dons didn't look a bad side and we needed something different if we were to get back in to the game. Second half started similar to the first in that we seemed to control the game without creating much, but then a number of errors gifted them a second. Harding seemed to nod the ball down too easy to their player who passed it on to Baldock. Butterfield didn't close Baldock down and let him get in a decent shot, but Davis was again beaten at the near post. Beingt honest I would have settled for a point at this point!!!! Then we managed to pull a goal back and all of a sudden the belief was there and more importantly MK Dons seemed to panic. Saints sensed they had a chance and before you knew it we were level. Now we were going to get all three points!!!!!!!!! Not really sure what changed the game and being honest I'm not sure it was the introduction of either Stephens or Forte (if anything it was the negative tactics by MK Dons which invited us on to them). Of course Forte got the two goals, but he didn't do much else (in fact I don't think he did anything - not complaining mind, those two shots were enough for me) and the Stephens seemed to be off the pace at times and the game was passing him by. I certainly think Lallana and Barnard never gave up and a couple of times lallana was running his legs off. The crowd got behind the players and as a unit they seemed to respond. Even if we're not playing well we definitely seem to have a good spirit in the team which bodes well for the run in. When they hit the bar from the free kick in the last few minutes, I thought that this might be a defining match!!!!!

Can Chamberlain become better than Walcott??? why yes he can. It's still early in his development and he could go on to be a better player. Will Chamberlain become better than Walcott??? IMHO, No.

Swiss flag was flying a couple of months ago. No idea if it's there or not now.

You could argue the same thing about a number of our players, after all many on here have said that they think some of our players would need to be replaced if we go up (only recently there was a thread where people were suggesting that Lambert and/or Barnard might not be cut out for the Championship). I'm not sure why you and Delldays are getting your knickers in a twist, no one is advocating it, no one is saying it will happen. instead people are merely speculating on a football message board about something and having a chinwag about it.

As others above have mentioned, I don't think this is as fanciful as you may think. I think it is eminently possible for Cortese (and others) to consider what will work best in the Championship (fingers crossed we go up). I'm sure they will review the playing squad and work out who could hack it in the Championship, releasing some, relegating others to peripheral squad places and bringing new faces in, so why not with the coaching staff and/or manager??? Obviously stability, planning and continuity may mean this is not considered, but you never know. I'm not saying I advicate it, nor that I think it will happen, but just it's not as fanciful as you may think.

Ferguson's and Adkins points hauls have been similar since they were both appointed - DF 1.88 points per game, NA 1.97 (that would equate to 3 extra points over Adkins tenure). If you take it from Ferguson's appointment, it is even closer - DF 1.88, NA 1.92 (that would equate to less than a point over Ferguson's tenure). Of course that doesn't tell you the while story as there are many other factors to consider - what team did they inherit, what teams have they played in those "snapshots", what resources are there at their disposal etc etc etc. Personally, I'm not over enamoured with "matching" Darren Ferguson given our resources, ambition etc.

They really do seem to be obsessed!!!!! A rather small time, Bournemouthesuqe mentality, so happy to be getting one over their "rivals". They would be better off putting their time and effort in to celebrating a great season.

!!!!!!!!!!

What has been frustrating the regulars is that IMHO we have not been performing as well as our individual and collective abilities should be. Maybe we just have high expectations of a team that has much talent within it (relatively speaking of course). We've ground out results and stayed in the hunt, but for a couple of months now we haven't hit full power. Hopefully it will be a good thing and we find our best form in the run in. But reading your post I haven't really seen that massive a change in the style of play. Yes, it seems as though we are keen to pass the ball and get it forward to our creative players, but we've also been happy to attack quickly, hit it long and mix it up etc. It's nowhere near the sea change that Brighton have adopted. When they played us it was as though their keeper was on a warning of death if he kicked the ball and anyone who lost possession would be transfer listed. The style has not seen a huge change and IMHO it is not the style that is frustrating some punters, instead it is the application of it. I think you maty be exaggerating somewhat there! It wasn't 90 mins of champagne football, but neither was it garbage. There were periods (particularly at the start) where our set up was wrong (particularly in the midfield) and we didn't keep possession well, but I certainly didn't get any feeling leaving the ground (certainly no boos!!) that people were that upset about our performance/result.

Ditto!!!!! Great news seeing two draws (the Posh one being more important). Fingers crossed for a Huddersfield slip up as well on Sunday.

You make it sound as though he just built a team of old seasoned pros with no eye on the future. You seem to be forgetting the role played by Ole Soapy Massage Man, Bob Higgins in bringing youngsters through to the first team and the great mixture of youth and experience that many of McMenemy's teams included. In his last season the following were playing - Dennis 24, Townsend 22, Whitlock 24, Wright 22, Agboola 23, Lawrence 23, Moran 24, Wallace 21. Other stalwarts such as Case and Shilton were also around for a while after he left as well. Others for the future who were on our books/linked up with us when he left included two Wallaces and a Le Tiss amongst others. During his time with us he certainly brought in experienced pros (and got a second wind out of many) and played them alongside numerous youngsters and he certainly left us with a decent amount of younger players.