Miltonaggro

I think it would be tolerable for a novelty season, an amusing stepping stone on our march back to our rightful place in the Pantheon of world footballing excellence! Assuming we beat Yeovil this evening...

If we could get MB on loan and then permanent in the summer on promotion, perhaps he could recreate this dainty interception when we play the blue few:

I thought the original post summed it up very well, but as usual it is likely that what is glaringly obvious from the stand will not translate to the dugout. We need that seasoned pro who has seen it and done it to b*llock and nurture in equal measure - also to provide a positive focal point for the supporters. The problem I fear is that this type of player does not fit into the SFC blueprint, as a big profile / ego, on potentially big wages with no sell on value is not likely to appeal to the Chairman...

To be fair, had we got the 'housewives choice' Martin O'Neill (he was in the penthouse at the De Vere for a week waiting by the phone ffs...), we would have beaten Oldham 16-0 and be in the quarter final of cup. Also, all of the players would have been shown him respect, and be happy to pay their own fare to sit on the bus with a smile on their faces...

What was a mere seven points now looks like the f*cking Grand Canyon once more ;-)

I think an implosion is more likely than a blip for the Punch & Judy crew at this stage in the season (and dearly hope so), if the next set of results see the gap closed to four points it's tally-ho. The best case scenario would be for us, Brighton and Bournemouth all to be promoted this season. Then next season us to get promoted to the Premiership with Brighton, Bournemouth and Portsmouth being relegated to Division three and to remain there for ten years until Milan Mandic buys out all three for 500 euros to form Spartak Brightmuff with home games at Lee-on-Solent...

is now only two wins and a draw...

RIP Deano, you were great for us, and should have played for England...

I think that these Brighton chaps are great, witty and real stattos when it comes to their football. I think that we should all meet up before the Brighton away game somewhere central for a laugh and a well deserved drink. How about the Pier? It would be just like the old days...

Thing about Poyet is that he is a big lad and a fiery b*stard so there is a presence and determination to win that is obviously being taken on by the players (I think that this is the real key to this debate, their side is running through brick walls, ours is happy to trot, which is dangerous). If the run continues I doubt that Poyet will be there at Easter let alone next season, he's a hero in Spain as well as the King's Road...

I too will be sticking with NA to the bitter end (or hopefully the sweet smell of success), and feel that we will go up this year. But an interesting subject being mooted is Poyet the great player translating to Poyet the great manager. I don't think it necessarily follows that all great players make great managers, but I do feel that it helps their cause, particularly when dealing with journeymen and youngsters. Take Bally when he was at Saints as manager - Everton, Arsenal, 72 caps for England, many as skipper and a world cup winners medal - if nothing else it sure as hell shuts up the barrack room lawyers (which after all is what caused Sturrock's untimely exit). I remember reading an interview with Chris Marsden who said that in Hoddle's first training session he joined in the training match at the end and completely blew the players away with his skill; which got him instant respect and harnessed the senior pros. I suppose it's like any walk of life in business where a new senior manager is unveiled and the staff ask 'well who is he, what's he done, and why should we listen?' it's always less galling to work under somebody of known experience and pedigree at the highest level. That's not to say that managerial stars cannot be created (McMenemy was no great player after all), the process just takes longer and requires the person to develop a rhino thick skin and brilliant man management skills. As I said, 100% behind NA, but when the names were being touted after Pardew's departure I would have given my eye teeth for Kevin Keegan (perhaps above Shearer). Never in the NC remit I know, but I think we would have torn this league a new one...

Reading this bollo makes one realise how important it is to get out of this tosspot league with its psuedo rivalries. At least I now know what Leeds supporting mates went through when Huddersfield and Hartlepool fans (their Brighton and Bournemouth) used to get on their case and message boards with similar nonsense. The current Brighton fervour reminds me of Oxford United fans in the mid eighties when Smith and Maxwell were in charge, a bit of sporadic success and they were going to be the Real Madrid of the Thames Valley right up until the point where the wheels came off. I can't recall us posting on Arsenal and Spurs sites when St Marys was being built 'our new ground will only have 5000 less seats than your decrepit stadia, but our toilets are better and the radio station is tip top, and given that we are only 80 miles away you must be looking over your shoulders and crapping yourselves at the birth of Leviathan'. We would have looked a bit silly, wouldn't we...

How about: "There's Only One Forbes Phillipson-Masters - a Complete Who's Who of Southampton FC" For the purists...

Chaplow demonstrates to the rest of the side what a major kick up the a*se looks like!...

Danny for me, a right handful as a youngster, tricks and pace...

Dead right Ibizasaint. It wasn't announced until the night of the game and he played an absolute blinder (I was aged 13 and watching from the Archers), supporters assumed that he was Chinese at the time, but he was in fact a Dutchman and a star at Ajax. Surplus to requirements after Cruyff returned hence the trial at Saints. To this day I don't know what else he could have done to get a contract (shades of MLT in that infamous England B match). Great night at the Dell though, pure entertainment!... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tschen_La_Ling

"Can I have your autograph now, as I'm never likely to get out of division three!"...

F*ck me! If anyone needs reminding as to why we are in the third division the names being put up on here over the last 24 hours provide a stark jarring reminder. Let's sign 250 players for £700K in the hope that 11 might not be too sh*t...

Which must make you Nora Batty! As part of the 70s generation with Um, I still have one of the chequered silk numbers somewhere (at the time the height of playground chic) and an inherited knitted job with a Paul Bennett badge (now there was an enigma...). Never had a rattle, but as dementia takes hold I may have to turn to ebay...

Lol! It's like last of the summer wine on here!...

All a bit silly from the club really, attempting to crush the 'little guy'. The fact that he is allowed to buy tickets as a member and so in effect can attend every game makes the decision plain daft. Whatever your stance on Nick's personality he is a loyal fan and doesn't deserve prolonged poor treatment - the ombudsman is seldon wrong in cases of reasonableness...

Grind 'em out Saints. Onwards and upwards...

When we achieve the glorious five year plan (hopefully the glorious three year plan), I think a statue of Marcus should be commissioned and installed during the close season between Championship and Premiership so that the great man is tangibly with us on our return to the elite. Lest we forget. Just don't let Ian 'Jimmy Krankie' Brennan near the brief...

Nice one Gemmell, tapped into the feelings of many on here. Cortese must be congratulated for being very canny in this window. Saints took it to united for much of the match on Saturday and looked like a TEAM, Chappers, Harding and Butterfield epitomised this new bond and heart that the players seem to have. So, the two new additions (both well known to NA) will fit this team ethic, versatile six footers with power and pace, lots of options and competition. AL and AC is the icing on the cake and a win, win. If we get promotion things are cranked up another notch, it becomes a more difficult proposition for the player to leave, and a much more difficult proposition for any courting club to put in an appropriate offer - AC @ £10M after half a season in division three, how much for him after half a season at the top end of the Championship per se with a few England U21 caps? Now all we have to do is tear this league a new one, and I rather think we will...

Hear, hear, 'plucky lower league clubs...better quality showed in final half hour'...