OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Actually think we've got a better chance of catching Ipswich than Millwall. Their run in looks the easiest. And those play offs last time were great fun, so I don't mind getting promoted through that route.

Give them to us and then we can sing "shit on the bastards below!"... I also expect Tonda to put out his best team for the semi final and not save players for the Ipswich match. We're now more or less guaranteed a spot in the play offs and I can't see him gambling a weaker team on the hope results all go in our favour. Anyhow, the way things are going, Millwall could be claiming that automatic spot...though it could all change after this weekend's matches.

In Tonda we trust. The sooner we offload Archer the better, but playing off a striker like Larin could be his best chance at showing us he's got some talent. Vaguely recall against Norwich in the League Cup earlier in the season he did well working off Ross.

When you're in the Chapel next to the away fans, they're effectively singing directly at you so even the smallest away following can sound noisy. And the Northam feels like it's half a mile away. Personally, I thought the Derby fans weren't particularly loud. They also steal our rendition of 'Oh When the Saints' (but who doesn't nowadays?) and the steal Millwall's anthem so there was no originality there.

Exactly. Thought the midfield were brilliant today. Some of the tackles Downes and Jander made were spectacular. Was as Wrexham and few days ago and that was special but today was in many ways equally satisfying. At 1-0 down, there was no panic though there was increased intensity and once in the lead, you don't expect this team to surrender it. Also thought Matsuki and Larin were great subs today. Happy times indeed.

Both teams are equally dislikeable. Think Spurs going down would be funnier, though got 12/1 on Leeds being relegated so have conflict of interest. Adam Armstrong was useless again. Genuinely believe we was one of the main reasons why we were so bad earlier in the season and which idiot thought he'd make a good vice captain?

My first ever Saints game was watching 5-0 against Derby. Would round off a great week if we could do oit again but these guys are coming for a draw and looking to catch us on the break. Not convinced Matsuki gives physicality but I'd also like Larin to start. Fellows with the crosses and Larin to knock them in...with an early goal just like we did to Oxford.

They are and £10million on agent fees!

Would prefer him being fit to play....would be one less striker to be concerned about.

Yep, surprised me too. Up to yesterday, I thought of him as a replacement for Che, a hold up player who can score the occasional goal. But I don't remember Che taking the ball off a player on the half way line, running with it and belting it in to the goal. Absolutely fantastic.

Dear SR We have something truly special developing at the moment. There is every chance we will get to the play off final and be promoted and many of this squad are more than a match for most of the teams in the premier league. But even if we miss out on promotion this year, do resist the urge to sell our top players. Their agents may encourage them to leave for more riches, but anyone can see this current squad enjoy playing for the club and we enjoy watching them. So it's your reponsibility to keep them as a unit and build something special at Southampton. PS. Ok, you can see Archer for a few bob.

You must have heard their piped in drum music...though it did stop after the second goal. Too right we're allowed to be fickle. That's what forums are for. Just look at the Tonda thread back in January and look at recent posts! This team is actually becoming quite likeable and it's not just the winning. They have character; the way they came over to us yesterday shows they really care, and you can almost sense the unity in the squad. Certainly (for me) in the last ten years, this is as good as it's been watching Saints play.

I used to really like KWP but now I think about it, he did do those mazy runs which often ended up him falling over and not getting a foul. And his defensive duties often went missing. Whereas Bree just looks solid ... stops the crosses one end and is actually pretty good at crossing/corners the other end. Don't know the background behind him leaving on loan for Charlton at the start of the season but the club probably wanted to distance itself from the players of the previous season. Hopefully those bridges have been repaired because he's got such a good engine and now one of the first names on the teamsheet.

People comparing it to West Brom which from my poor memory was the best I have been to in recent years...but was in the Northam that day and the concourse was buzzing, while yesterday was in the Itchen so difficult to compare. But certainly one of the most enjoyable games I've ever been to. Makes it all worthwhile supporting a team like Saints when these days come around every now and then.

His Blackburn appearance epitomised the Saints season at that stage. Absolute shambles. Recall he was thrown on without a name on his shirt which just about summed up where we were. Then he had a start with Tonda and everyone thought that was a brave move by the manager and Bragg didn't do much wrong. To yesterday when without Downes I thought we would struggle but he looked really solid. Really pleased for him.

Yes, at the start of the day you would probably accept a point each for Hull and Wrexham is a good result for us, but at half time, I was hoping for more. Watched the Oxford game second half and right at the end Oxford had a great chance to win it...fine margins.

Thanks for the tip, CheshireSaint. I've taken your advice and booked in to the Premier Inn by Chester Station. Interesting, this Premier Inn is half the price of the one at the Racecourse Ground.

Is that what Tonda did or is this hearsay? I vaguely recall Tonda at the time saying he had no input in the recruitment process but he was ok with Peretz coming in. A goalkeeper who can make saves and a striker who can score goals. Arguably the two most important positions on the pitch and something many on this forum have been clamouring for years. Now we've got a good goalkeeper and while Larin is no superstar, his goal against Oxford was pretty classy...happy days.

Weird, but the closer you live to London it's true. Two of my Spurs season ticket friends are in denial. When I first started going to Saints games, both us and Spurs were in the old Division 2. What comes around goes around.

Even the first game against Wrexham was a concern because he just threw on strikers at the end and got lucky but Turkish's comments about the Blackburn game are incisive because that also for me was the game when I realised he really wasn't very good. That stated, Tonda was on a downward spiral until we changed the goalkeeper, got rid of the dwarf and the incompetent Downs up front and he stumbled on the four at the back formation. I think even Will Still would have got us up to mid table with those changes.

But isn't is great to be at the tail end of a season and have so much to play for? Actually looking forward to the next Saints game and can't say I did that last year.

Stating the obvious a bit, but really want to see us come out the blocks quickly today with players running at them. Passing around the half way line and down the wing and back again looking for people to make runs won't hack it. There again, Tonda will have worked it all out. And while I don't agree with time wasting, I do think we don't make enough of penalty claims. Like on corners, feel a tap and go down and scream and shout at the referee. Then, when something a little more serious comes up, like when Edozie had his takedown against Norwich, a scream and shout will be a penalty all day long.

Peretz arguably a more important signing than Leo. Still think attack is the best form of defence...so does my heart rate! Shit-houserie, time wasting. It's so frustrating when you're on the receiving end of it and even when we're doing it, I don't agree with it. We're better than that. Some tired players out there. As some else has said, the international break will be doing us a favour.

Ah we've missed your in depth pre-match analysis, Wade...and no mention of six fingers? There's often been goals when we play Norwich and can see this game will go the same way. 3-2 or 4-2 Saints win.

So do we want Portsmouth to win or lose tonight? Win and they put a dent in Derby's claims for that 6th spot...