jasonb

On the subject of City... the speed they are building their training complex is crazy. I live just up the road from the Etihad and they have completed the main building work on the various stadia they are putting in there. It all went up in the space of three months. Crazy money being spent. The main training stadium wouldn't look out of place in the Championship! The Etihad itself has recently had planning approved to build two more tiers at either end to increase capacity to 61k

I sort of agree. Would love to of drawn them in the cup this year... We would of smashed them senseless. Oh but they are utter **** and couldn't beat Stevenage FFS

You've missed out on some incredible humour that's what you've missed. Although you have to look very closely to see it admittedly.

Thoughts on Lovren? Was moving awkwardly after tweaking his knee late on against City. No news is good news I suppose.

Thank you sir. I thought it would go to waste on the illiterate proles!

Exactly.

I give up.

Brilliant post. Points duly noted.

Kin ell you and others completely miss the point. Disagree agree it's all good and banter is brilliant. I've laughed so much at this forum over the years. I like the characters and as an infrequent poster it's always amused me. However, some of the constant bickering and point scoring is getting boring. Sorry to say it but there you go. Try living in the real world instead of a shell.

Another pointless thread. Well done all involved.

It does make you wonder doesn't it. The little technical players you mentioned have flourished in this high-speed and combative league. The same league that Gaston cannot seem to get to grips with. I say it's got bugger all to do with adaptation and more to do with lack of ability. Look at Coutinho at Liverpool, tenacious, great feet and basically hit the ground running in his first few games. We've bought lemons and there is no getting away from that fact. There is a reason we signed these players instead of Liverpool, Spurs et al.

My pleasure Sir. I know it's not much but would a temporary banner at the top of this website not help? A direct link to the website for purchase included in the banner?? I'm sure you could replicate this on other fan sites too. Just an idea to help with visibility of the book. It truly is a shocking marketing decision not to stock such a wonderful book.. I assume the club make no money from it so aren't that bothered?

Good post. The other positive you missed out is that Saints don't usually start playing until after Christmas. I can recall some great escape seasons where we would of won the league if the league started in January. It's all good. Nobody died etc.

Oooo we created a moment of danger!

Collected my copy today and have to say after only briefly browsing the book it is fantastic! Another triumph and a real labour of love. I can't praise the people behind these books enough. Yet another thing to feel extremely proud of regarding our great club and especially its supporters. Every Saints fan should have a copy. Well done all involved. P.S. Hope the situation with the club stocking the book is resolved in a timely fashion and doesn't end up costing the producers.

Perspective, well written. Also props (as the kids say these days) to the OP for a decent summary. Some people do take all this a bit too seriously. I know some of you like the sound of your own voices but it really isn't that bad. So, we may of signed some players who, up to now, haven't been smash hits. I'm just chuffed that my club is in the market for players of this caliber. Rory Delap anyone?? It could be a lot, lot worse folks... Both Sheffield clubs, Forest, Leeds FFS would all LOVE to be living the dream like we are at the minute. I've been guilty of having a whinge at times this season as well and I've got on Gaston's back at times too. No more though, I'm behind the 11 we send out come what may. Top 10 will do me just fine thank-you very much. We were never going to win the bloody league or get into the Champions League for that matter.. but it's bloody nice mixing it with the bog boys that's for sure. Oh and don't bother labeling me a happy clapper either. I care, as much as the next fan. I'm just not going to spoil a brilliant season so far with my own negativity or others for that matter.

Can't blame Gazza really... he's the third choice keeper FFS. KD not featuring due to injury. Merrington confirmed that Boruc dislocated his finger but it had "popped" back in and he wanted to continue. I would imagine some swelling but he will play midweek.

Best team won in the end after a very good first half from Saints. Chelsea are just too strong for us and Mourinho going two up top was the difference. It enabled Mata to drop in behind the strikers and that was that. I'm a little concerned that we are looking very toothless up front. It seems we are a good striker away from a decent team. Someone with some pace and guile and a bit of grit and determination. Sadly, Osvaldo isn't that striker. Ricky is not the answer either. Hmm.

Yep. No shame in losing to Chelsea here. Very good second half from the blues it has to be said.

We always knew reality would kick in eventually didn't we??

Sue, have you ever been captain of England's ladies football team and did you used to teach P.E. ?? I could be mistaking you for one of my old teachers is all.

I thought it was MP who spoke to Mourinho after being offered the job by Saints?? Could be totally wrong though, just the way I remember it.

I just hope this place doesn't go into complete meltdown if we do come up short over the next few weeks. I am confident we will give a good account of ourselves and at least we'll try and play our way. How many times in recent history can we say that... I can't remember the last time I was this confident that we were going Into games looking to impose our game. It might not always be good enough by bloody hell... You stand more chance of winning with this mentality. Fwiw I think a draw at arsenal and a close, unlucky and very undeserved victory at Chelsea haha

I am unfortunately in the 'think he's been a bit of a let down' camp. However, I feel he can still do a job in the Prem and become and integral part of our success if he works on one thing! ONE THING!! SHIELD THE BALL!!! Surely with our quality coaches this can be hammered into him?? I personally would have him doing one on one sessions with Wanyama twice a day until he learns to fight for and keep the sodding ball more. He'd be a world beater if he did that IMO.

Great thread. Another Milton Muppet from the late 80s here. Went all through the early 90s until buggering off to Uni. Loved the Milton. A proper laugh and even managed my only ever brush with law for a hand gesture that my mother wouldn't be proud of. Copper grabbed me by the scruff of the neck... marched my up the stairs to the back of the stand and picked me clean up off the floor by my collar and read me the riot act. Taught me a bloody good lesson. proper policing that. None of this nanny-state nonsense. Been on the straight and narrow ever since LOL! Funny thing is I remember that incident far more clearly than many of the games. I did fail in one mission though to convert my younger brother to support the Saints than Liverpool. I almost had him when Le Tiss and Shearer et al were doing the biz. To this day he denies ever saying to me during a game that he was thinking of changing his allegiances. Bloody plastic!!