OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

The concern was that they had more clear cut chances with their 22% possession! In fact, we looked at our most potent towards the end of the first half when Baz hoofed a couple of long balls and the wingers took on their defenders. It wasn't that long ago that every goal kick was a thump by the goal-keeper and then it was all about who got to head it first and who picked up the ball from there. Along comes building from the back, which in itself is a good idea because you keep possession but this has morphed in to keeping possession for possession's sake. Perhaps the players should be docked some of their wages for every sideways/backwards pass!

Turkish, don't know what your DEF is or the ABC or the GHI but the police seemingly got wind of you being there because I haven't seen such a large police presence (as opposed to stewards) for ages 🙂. People complaining about the view. Even directly behind the goal we couldn't quite work out how we scored. That tiny bog was also a joke. As to the football, we seem to have real problems breaking down teams set up to defend. Sulemana should have been getting to the byline instead of poncing about doing nothing; the set piece coach needs to earn his corn because we're resorting to short corners and free kicks don't show any thought/flair; and only Downes seemed to come away with much credit in the bank today. Lacklustre display and devoid of ideas today. At least there won't be many two week breaks for a while.

It is starting to appear in the championship. There's a good half a dozen teams that lose constantly and half a dozen that are constantly winning. Ipswich were wopping in 3 a game and Leeds often score three or four against minnows. Expecting a full strength team with Stewart playing a longer cameo.

Is there some competition going on for the longest knee skid in goal celebrations? The ones that wag their finger or sway as they're skidding deserve a bonus point! Wonder if our Charlie has been practising.

Also interesting to see where those three clubs currently stand in the premiership. There's usually at least one promoted team that starts off ok but not this year.

Thought there was a thread about Sulemana but can't find it. I can't work out whether I want him in the team or not. He's been given a lot of chances recently. Yesterday, he did very little and almost got in the way a couple of times. Of course, he's super quick and there was one game where he ran the defender ragged, but he seems to flatter to deceive. His control is naff, his crosses are average and he can't shoot. Does he defend? Maybe it's time for Edozie to come back in the fold.

Certainly am...well almost. Just seen the video of one of their fans asleep at the game😃

Must admit, wasn't convinced by today's performance. Thought we were lucky, whereas we were always in control in the previous couple of games. West Brom were shit. They had quite a few opportunities to find the right pass and instead found the touchline. When they were on top in the second half, they had the ball in the middle of the field with acres of space but made the wrong pass or were too slow. We were lucky today. RHB was great. KWP great. Dare I say it, but thought Holgate was very good. And who says the Loch Ness monster doesn't exist? Great to see Stewart and his cameo. Good news is RM will be in the stands for the next game. Keep him there and let someone else do the half time team talk because his evidently don't work.

Great guy. Strange what you remember. I also recall seeing him acknowledging everyone and then there were those alcohol free lager ads he did...before he got done for drink driving. 🙃

With Bednerek (and is Bree fit?) missing, think this will be a good pointer as to where we are. Are we chasing after Leicester and Ipswich/Leeds for an automatic promotion or in the pack going for a play-off place. I reckon those late late goals in the last couple of games are more than luck. This is a winning team on the ascendency and we'll be angling for the automatic spots. COYR!

This game is a mess and VAR is causing chaos. How many cat lives is Romero going to have?

Two weeks ago I said some things I thought I'd never say: "I wish I went to Hull." Then the week after: "I wish I went to Preston." At the moment, loving this league. Just bought my tickets for Huddersfield today. Problem is, as a lot of people say, you don't want to stay in this League too long.

It also goes to show the benefit of having a balanced side rather than chopping and changing the personnel each week. In fact, with Bree in for Manning, it's difficult to see who is the weak link. Possibly Smallbone, but poster boy won't be left out anytime soon. With Stewart hopefully ready before Christmas, if he comes good, then there really will be good times ahead.

I didn't realise he was even on the pitch yesterday. And once Stewart comes in to the side, I can't see a place for Che at all. In some respects, it's a pity. Always used to think of him as being crap but committed to the cause, but in recent games he seems to have lost his way...not that he ever knew where the goal was.

KWP brilliant, Downes brilliant, central defence super solid. First half was a bit pedestrian, but you add a goalscorer to this team and you have the minimum of a mid table premiership side. Really impressive. Don't want to stay in this league, but this has been the most exciting Saints football for years. COYR.

Reckon you're right. Us Saints Plus members didn't get a look in, so tickets were nowhere near going on general sale. Pity, because some clubs could do with extra revenue from visiting fans (extra 1,000 fans @ £25 per ticket is £25k on ticket sales alone).

And what nations are these? Most of Latin America runs their football season similar to Europe, African leagues run from September to June but yes, we'd cock up the Australian season! The only reason they won't play the World Cup in the the Middle East in summer is it's too hot. So we all have to kow tow to the Middle East because they have the cash. Sod that.

What it needs is for the English, Spanish, Italian, German & French leagues to get together and say 'you're not going to cock up our winter leagues again, we're not going'....but sadly, that won't happen.

Think we paid about £10m. That's quite a gamble. Given we forked out £22m for Sulemana, a fully fit Stewart would probably still have been in our price range. Problem is, now SR have spent that money, I can't see them buying another striker until Che goes.

Guess you meant November/December, but Stewart bears all the hallmarks of a Jay Rodriguez. Jay was never the same after his injury and the crystal ball is saying Stewart will start by playing sub for a few games then get injured again. I'm more annoyed with SR paying a relative fortune for someone who is crocked. Being too clever for their own good. Surely the scouts could have identified a couple of lower league players who have ability and the physiology to be trained up to the fitness required in the Championship and Premiership. Sell Che in January and there's still time to find them.

And can't see RM changing that stat. His ego suggests he is always looking for a bigger and better club so if we do well, he'll be off and if we don't get promoted he will probably also be out.

Like you and Turkish have said, we're definitely improving. That's not entirely down to RM. There's understanding all over the pitch, there's confidence in keeping a lead and there's that eagerness to find a winner/equaliser. RM's style, which initially seemed to be interpreted as building from the back and then when nothing was on, pass sideways or backwards, has morphed. He seems to have twigged we have the fastest wingers in the League and they're being used to good effect. With more speed, there's also more intent and looking for the through ball. And his subs make an impact.

And as a Saints Plus member living near London, I could get tickets to Chelsea when they allocated 3,000 for away fans, but I can't get tickets to Millwall when they allocate 3,000 seats to away fans.

One of my most depressing football memories was League 1 Saints losing 4:1 to Premiership Portsmouth in the FA Cup around 2010. Like Toussaint has said, we've had some great thrills this year, but the novelty will die off if we stay in the Championship. I'd always prefer to be bottom of the top class and look for improvement than be top of the second class.

Must admit, thought Manning, Smallbone & AA were the first names on RM's teamsheets, so fair play to RM in keeping with Bree after his Preston performance. After today, Manning should find it even harder to get back in to the team.