mprobert

Yes but I'm happy to wait - he's in my fantasy team so its important he's playing at Man Ure

As usual people see things differently in the game. I think this is quite often because we see what we went expecting to see. A common thread to the match reports though is the ineffectiveness of Spiderman, which is a bit worrying. From what I saw pre season he looked a class above the rest of the team but he sounds a bit shell-shocked by the realities of the real thing. Lets hope its just an adjustment period! ...and no, for all is ability I don't think he is a CB.

Just back after dinner (steak and kidney pie, potatoes, broccoli and green beans followed by strawberries and cream). But to answer your point - I wouldn't argue with that defending at the back is good. I think the point was, Jan wanted someone who could then distribute the ball well and start attacks.... moving out from the previously defensive situation. Maybe a coffee and mints to finish off the meal now I've got the half time score

Jan played him there for a couple of pre season games - wants to build from the back

I'd love to see a confidence boosting Saints win - but they never make it easy for us

Master Bates - you must feel a right tit

Bay City Rollers?

I'll be looking on this forum for all the doom merchants starting their posts with "yes but...."

I think most things come under the category of "possibly" , like Drogba coming here to be guaranteed first team football (or would he be?!)

Saints have never dealt well with corners

Superb post, well put together. Reminds me that every thousand or so posts on here there is something worth looking at, makes a refreshing change. Makes me think that, like last year, there will be a lot of good teams taking points off each other, and the final shake up will depend a lot on squad size and quality, injuries, lady luck etc. I'll be very happy to see matches in the style of the WHU game, a season or two of consolidation, and then real progress.

Why not just get behind your team 100% and cheer every good bit of football you see from them ....crazy idea , but it might just work

Davis James Perry Killer Surman Shneiderlin Gillet Lallana BWP Holmes McGoldrick Stern John for some games up front, and we might need Wotton with MS in CM for some of the more physical battles. ...and Andrew Davies Centre Defence instead of Perry when available.

A game of two halves I thought. First half was close to the 1st half form against West Ham, but somehow not with the same sustained energy - I think Stoke played a bit more of a spoiling game compared to West Ham. Overall continuing to impress though. Second half was strange, and very disjointed after some of the flowing moves of the first half, but somehow felt a bit more threatening in the box at times with Stern John and Rasiak on the end of the crosses. Pericard should never have been allowed to go as far as he did and the winner was a bit of a comedy effort. Looking forward to watching our best 11 perform.

Recrimination and blame is the path to the dark side. Look forwards, not back. Onwards and upwards with confidence. Pass ..... move

zzzzzzz

I've seen all of Saints pre season games now and its great to see posters getting excited about the new season. I cant remember enjoying a game as much as the West Ham one for a very long time. There were a lot of smiling faces around St Marys! The new Saints style, their technical ability, pace and enthusiasm bodes well for the new season and we will see some great games at St Mary's. They will surprise a lot of teams. I see more and more posters making comparisons with Arsenal. Spiderman will be in the Premiership within a year, with someone, and a few others show talent and ability beyond CCC. On the reality check though - we still look vulnerable at the back, set pieces especially will catch us out. There isnt a great deal of height at the back. The other thing that worries me is the first few games - they're all pretty difficult and with a new young side, a few bad results could have a big impact on confidence levels.....on the other hand if they get away to a good start...

Given that most Saints fans haven't yet seen the "new" team, formation and style its not surprising that outsiders don't know much about us. If everyone is expecting us to fail - thats a good thing, less pressure