saintstowin

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.

Ref sympathy whistle with zero injury time despite 5 goals and multiple subs including the goalie.

I'm going to stand outside looking in the window of Radio Rentals and/or Rumbelows (don't mind which) waiting for their televisions to update the Ceefax page. That's how I found out we beat Man Utd 6-3. One for an older generation.

If he carries on with this form then Norwich will be in for him during the summer.

Adam!

Ref having a bit of a mare Palace v Leeds. Definitely thought he was giving a first yellow to the player already on one. Then had to send him off. And earlier. I think it was the correct decision not to book the player already on a yellow. But he might have sent him off if he hadn't already booked him.

Fair point, he's one of our own so takes priority and will get the crowd excited until we realise his legs have gone.

Yeah that was a good football moment. Maybe we'll get him in on loan when he's out of favour in 2044.

That was wonderful. I thought our passing was really good and enabled us to take pressure off on many occasions. Such a contrast to midweek. Defence and GK great. Everyone had a brilliant game.

In my opinion if you play through the lines the game should stop until the ball is back on the pitch.

Norwich are mustard.

That was my view. The decision not to immediately clear it was the wrong one, and then it became a rushed attempt when the ball wasn't going to run out for a goal kick, resulting in the corner. They still won 3 consecutive balls from the corner to score so it was a team effort on our part I guess.

A terrible good point. Not seen us that disjointed in some time. No point listing the bad ones. Glad Edozie and Larin bailed us out. We didn't have a clue once Scienza wasn't there to pass to. That non-booking is the most incompetent decision I've seen. But still time for some funny moments at the end. Manning deciding to play up top for several minutes even when they cleared it. And Archer giving up trying to kick the sphere thing and trying to shoot using their player as the ball.