saintstowin

Is Wood a late replacement?

Me and my boy are definitely wearing ours!

It's not overly helpful that the club website page about semi final tickets still refers to a sell out and doesn't mention these additional tickets.

Crikey it's close. The draw today can't be sniffed at. Ipswich and Millwall 4 points from the last 9 available. Middlesbrough 3 points. We know what we've got in that same set of games. We're gaining. We're in with a shout.

I'd go for Duncan's brother Charlie in case it goes to extra time and we need his stamina.

I think we're all Saints. There aren't going to be many/any there that don't care passionately about the club, whether they can make it to see us play on a regular basis, or not. Everyone has their personal and good enough reasons for how often they can or cannot make it to games. We're all probably as nervous and excited when we kick off, whether we're there or following it on here, or on the wireless as my Grandma in Southampton (her official name) used to say.

And I was logged in! At least it worked out both ways.

Yes! We can spread out!

I grabbed what I could at the price range I wanted and now realise how close I'll be to the opposition. Block 552 near the barriers, on the other side of which I assume they'll be....

Mine was instant. Others have said slower to come through.

That was odd and a panic moment. Joined a little before 930 and about 1500. Got to the front and then it said not eligible - I assumed at this stage I had made that error of joining queue before 930 (but I couldn't resist). Thought I'd need to rejoin or phone. But I clicked buy now from the original way I joined the queue and the system must have remembered me (?) because that took me straight to selecting seats etc. Success. So if this does happen to anyone else just try clicking that original red buy now link.

At the same moment as the semi final date was announced my two FA cup shirts arrived. They seem good. Definitely a yellow brighter than the official one (and more like the yellow of our away kit) but I'm happy with how they look on delivery.

Lovely stuff. So creative and dominant. Couple of periods to get through; an equaliser at 2-1 or a goal back at 3-1 shows that you've got to be on it all the time. Thankfully we are. One funny moment. Their final subs on the touchline ready to come on at 3-1 eventually took to the pitch at 5-1 such was the speed of the last two goals!

Interesting approach. If we weren't expecting it I doubt they were. I hope the ones starting can step up. They can definitely do that. May be more attritional than first thought if Scienza and Fellows had played from the start.

I've a memory of the Chelsea semi final being on marathon day as my son and I went to near the finish before heading to Wembley.

I don't think the draw is fixed but that was amateur hour with Joe Cole 'I'm not looking honest I ain't' while he held the bag away from him.

What an embarrassment for the 'best league in the world' when we beat Arsenal and Man City on the way to winning the cup.

Wonderful. That's football at its very best. Superb effort from everyone everywhere. I'm loving the fact we're representing the lower divisions and great that it was on proper telly. Very proud to be a Saint.

Good stuff. Strong team. Light on defence on the bench especially at full back though. So Welington and Stephens not fit I assume. Hopefully both back for league fixtures. Attacking bench too.

I feel similarly to before the Fulham game - I'll be annoyed if we rest fit players. I understand Scienza on the bench (although want him to start) due to his fitness, and the same may apply to Stephens, although Wood deputised well that day anyway. But everyone else, get them on the pitch and give ourselves the best chance possible, it's the FA cup quarter final.

I always suspected he didn't actually get killed at the end of Die Hard.

Crikey Manning. Well he doesn't discriminate. Brainless moments affecting an entire nation not just us. Must be gutting for him and Azaz. And Charles. The most pointless friendlies ever next week.

Good memories. I missed most of Le Tissier's best ones in-person but did see an early direct free kick v QPR in 1990 so I'll count that. And I was at the last game at The Dell and that was special. Certainly no love lost for this player but the best skill I've been present for could well be Osvaldo v Man City. Crazy player, crazy goal.

The Fulham win showed that going 'strong' is the best plan against a better team. Firstly for obvious tactical reasons - the old fashioned concept of having the best chance of winning. Plus after this break (with some but not all playing competitive football) I'd much rather they get back to playing for Saints as soon as possible and not wait for the Wrexham game. Playing a game before the league restarts will help rather than hinder match fitness. I can't see a downside apart from the random chance of an injury which can happen at any time. And we're missing a couple in midfield for the cup game who can come back in. And I totally agree about the cup and its importance. I believe in this case we can achieve success in both if we play well with our best players.

I've just ordered an anniversary one and I made the order with no sponsor (and that was the picture in the basket) but the order confirmation email shows it with the P&O sponsor. Let's see what turns up.