coalman

We're all waiting for when the dream comes off the rails. This is Saints after all. And, yet I feel the expectation that we're going to come back with 3 points. The squad is working well, there are goals everywhere and we're hard to score against. The biggest worry is Swansea sucker us into a game of 2-sided Russball. 4-1 to Saints.

Last night Larin was excellent. Not just his all hold up play and goal but his work rate was something else. That tackle he made on their winger was timed to perfection. Then busting a gut to get up the other end to get on the end of a cross for his goal and make the chance for Matsuki. He wasn't fully fit when he arrived but he's clearly worked on his fitness and having a number 9 that can last 90 minutes gives us yet another option.

The best part was how happy everyone in the team was for Archer to score. The team spirit is something else at the moment.

I think we'll have to disagree on that one. Ramsdale's save percentage was 65% last season for us. This season, for Newcastle, it's 61% which is the third lowest in the league. The top keepers in the premier league have a save percentage above 70%. For a much smaller sample size - McCarthy had a save percentage last season of 68% in the Premier League.

He was definitely our best 'keeper last year. Saying he was our best player seems like a stretch when compared to Fernandes.

Nothing that 11 minutes of added time can't fix

Manning was brave to put his head in there.

Get in!

Leo!

Is this Tonda's first real test?

Should be a penalty there to Norwich as well.

That should be a second yellow too if they're giving yellows for going down and grabbing the ball.

Nunez should be off there.

VAR-lite

Commentators are quite pro Ipswich. That was an easy yellow card.

After our miserable season last time and start this time, I'd forgotten what it was like to look forward to Saturdays. Now I'm waiting for the hope to betray me. 4-1 to Saints

FA Cup winners. Promoted in 2nd. Widespread disappointment we only get two visits to Wembley this season.

The resistible force versus the movable object

For the first time in ages it feels like we have credible options if we need to change.

I don't think there's any excuse when you lay hands on one of the officials. That's just inviting more abuse of referees at all levels of the game.

Dumb question, now the dust has mostly settled. Why did Martinelli only get a yellow card for shoving the referee? I thought that was about as straight a red card as you can get.

If I'd seen Manning in team 4 months ago I would've died a little inside. Over the last month and a half that has changed. He seems to be in better positions and making better decisions. Fair play to the lad.

The Saints way would've been a heroic defeat against Arsenal followed by not turning up against Wrexham. The bit which scares me is I am starting to believe we'll show up to this match as well. And, it's the hope that kills you. Saints to win 3-1.

If you contrast the season we went up from the Championship last time with this one - we also played a top Premier League team (Liverpool) in the cup and their kids tore us apart. Last night we competed for the full 90 minutes against the side top of the Premier League. Previously if a team had pegged a goal back like that we'd have folded. Instead we went again and got the winner. Last time we went up I was scared for how we'd adapt to the Premier League. The performances against Fulham and Arsenal give me hope that if we do make it up this year that we'll make a much better showing of it. My biggest worry about Tonda was he had one style and couldn't adapt. Not only has he learned his lessons in the Championship from a rocky spell, he also set us up to beat two top half Premier League teams in the Cup. Now my biggest worry is where he'll be next season. Fair play to him for that.

Fucking hell, yes!!!!