Miltonaggro

Dons to win and Mackerel-Smyth to Norwich on Tuesday morning as we go second later the same day...

If it is the Axis of Evil must consist of Mike Osman and Jimmy Cricket...

And there I was praying for the Manzil Tandoori! Adkins out...

Pizza Clarke Graham Baker Painer Golac Budgie Flymo Hughie...

I would go for a mafioso theme in honour of Nicola 'Teflon-Don' Cortese...

Howard would be an excellent signing, a vastly experienced player and a solid pro (quality in the Murty mould) - could just give us that cool head in the middle of the park for the run in that we have been crying out for. Would love it if this happens...

We can't win, they lost 3-1 at home ffs! We have played them three times this season and the aggregate score is 7-1 - what do they want us to do, beat them 10-0 with gusto and guile to rival Brazil 1970, and then apologise? This is not journalism, it is blind hated, the kind of blind hatred that winds people up and can result in violence after a few pints and some mis-timed provocation, for that these stupid hacks should be reported to the PCC. When we got beaten by united in the cup, it was a case of the better side having better players and consequently another gear, and I think that has been the case when we have played Bournemouth this season. Had we treated united with such animosity after that match (and after all they put the nail in the coffin of almost three decades of top flight football for us), we would have looked ridiculous, just as Bournemouth and large elements of their small-minded, ill-informed fan base do now!...

Measured and reasonable in the circumstances, well done Daren!...

This tick turd of a provincial journalist is an agitator, pure and simple. Football history is rather more sophisticated than making rash assumptions and unsubstantiated comments, every statistic of the past 50 years shows Southampton as a mid sized top flight club, whether it's tenure, attendance, or international players. As far as I am aware mis-management, administration and the Taylor report were not Saints choice - have a look at Birmingham, Sunderland and Middlesborough for comparison - are they small arrogant clubs too? There seems to be a collective mental illness effecting our seaside friends...

Reminds me a lot of Richard Hall, a really good prospect who could be our first choice in the Prem. Grounded too, so that won't be lost on the lad...

I think that it's a misprint, it's supposed to be Laura Ashley!...

Spot on...

Need Paul Tisdale to fire his boys up now!...

The south coast survival battle next season will be Portsmuff FC V PricewaterhouseCoopers...

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...