Mowgli

Oh come on. Are you guys real? Of course I want to go up as Champions. Of course I want to be in the Premiership. Apart from those last few seasons we were rarely out of class in our 27 years in the top flight. More importantly we saw some quality players on the opposition. None of this searching for a programme to see who No 9 is and say 'whoooo????' when the sub is announced. I've supported Saints for 45 years and 'enjoyed' all the highs and lows. Never have I felt so confident about the future of the club. We are not going to the Premiership to be an also ran. We will be challenging in that league too. We will be going on European trips in a few years. Sure, there is something very magical about the Championship but there's no point being there if you are going to win the league every year. You want to stretch yourself as far as you can. Don't you??

Actually last night it was 'You Fat Wotsit'

Singing is just plain stupid. We should sit there in silence and allow the players to concentrate on their game. Polite applause after a goal should last for no more than 15 seconds. And don't get me started on people who stand up to celebrate.... Actually even the cringeworthy songs make me smile most of the time (we are Southampton we're taking the p*ss is just asking for trouble though....)

Sad. He is a talent for sure and I think he could have done a decent job at Saints. NA has shown that for players that want to improve they will improve at Southampton thanks to our excellent training and coaching facilities. But Jason did not like our style of play so end of really.

Classic irony. The funniest post I've read in years.

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?33417-4-680-at-the-Dell-to-see-Saints-in-the-Super-Cup

We must be doing something right if that's all there is to moan about!!

In a word - no. Why, why, why when we are tracking up and coming proven scorers like Rodriguez, Maynard, Rhodes and developing our own youth talent would we pick an ageing donkey like Smith?? Apart from everything else, his lack of discipline on and off the field would not impress NA or NC.

Would love to have been there last night to see some of the youngsters in a truly competitive match. Very envious and respectful of those that made the trip. You can't win every game and there is no real evidence that the defeat was down to the team selection. The game was still winnable with Guly, Barnard and Lambert on the pitch. Try to see the bigger picture. If in doubt - look at the league table.

Really? Even though NA has officially announced Ward -Prowse will start? I would go for Bart, Butterfield, Martin, Jos, Harding, Forte, Ward-Prowse. Cork, SDR, Guly, Barnard. Barnard is the only injury doubt i think. Would expect to see other youngsters on the bench - pick two or three from Sinclair, Racine, Shaw, Stephens, Dean and Reeves. Also have Dovey, Lambert, Chaplow and Schneiderlin on bench. I think we can have 7 subs tonight.

Sorry - that should read Adkins!! I do know who our manager is really.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that a team without Harding, Barnard, Lallana, Jaidi and Oxo (and Fonte in the second half) would still be good enough to help keep us 3 points clear at the tope of the table. Who would have thought that Hammond, Guly and Lambert (and Adkin for that matter) would have 'stepped up a league' with such ease. Not our best performance by far but Reading were good and deserved all 3 points so I see that as a good day at the office frankly!

I think we've had some really good managers over the years - Bates, MacMenemy, Nicholl, Ball, Hoddle and Strachan spring to mind but the comparison of Nigel to Sir Alex is almost unique. Nicholl and Strachan had probably squeezed a much as they could from the squad within the financial limitations operating at the time. MacMenemy, Hoddle and Ball unfortunately always had one eye on their next next management move. Bates loved the club and would have sooner eaten his own tongue than move on to another club. Early days but I sense the same is true of Nigel. I can see no limits to what this club can achieve under the current regime and Nigel will have the financial backing that no other m anager has ever had before him. Liverpool might be a temptation were it to become available but that is not going to happen for a long time. Dalglish has made that his own in the same way Alex has with Moan Utd.

To be honest I can't remember anyone saying that. All I can remember is there being a debate around 'we haven't signed a big name yet' and another debate about how important the results are. The preseason under Pardew seemed pretty good at the time (lots of spin on OS) and I was quite happy at the time but once the season got started there were injuries and it seemed pre season was blamed for that. NA clearly has a better relationship with the physios (not surprising really given his background) and has a more measured interpretation of pushing the players hard in pre season - which started the same time as it did under Pardew. The evidence suggests he has got it right. We've learnt. We've moved on. We've got it right. Hopefully.

Do we really need a 3rd thread on this?

Agreed. Ted Bates is #1 at the moment. It wasn't just about Paine and Davies. There was Sydenham, Reeves, Chivers, Channon, Webb. He had a knack of picking good Scottish goalkeepers (no, really!) and some great combatative midfielders.

Very harsh. NA would use him where he is most effective and there is a still a role for him at this level if he can get his fitness back. I always thought he lacked pace but he's quite deceptive really and not many people get past him. Trouble is, when they do, they are generally gone and out of reach. But thats when the full back should come across and help.

Now sold out.

Crab lungs - are you serious about leaving Guly out or was that a mistake. He is undoubtedly one that has exceeded my expectations this year and all the opposition fans area talking about him as one of the two biggest threats in our side. Has been MOTM for me in 4 of last 6 games.

Just can't see how the next 4 games will make or break our season. But I do agree it was 2 points dropped. Having said that I'm more than happy to take a point away from home against a promotion rival. Their goal (offside debate aside) was pretty good considering the excellent tackle by Fonte and he save by Kelvin - yet they still battled to get the ball in the back of the net. Gulys strike in the first half brought an awesome save out of their keeper who appeared to have been bnlind to the shot cos of the defender moving across. Great game of football and both sets of fans got their moneys worth. Actually, in that context I can understand why a few fans would NOT want promotion to the EPL.

Fair point. Allergies are a big part of our diet nowadays. Not just the obvious ones but as you say, those that do impact on capacity to perform.

You've got to love Harry. He epitomised what football was all about in the 60's and 70's and it lined a few peoples pockets. Right now he is a dinosaur about to be made extinct. He's in denial but Spuds is probably his last job in football - even the FA would be foolish to touch hi now. His time at SMS is a stain on our history that unfortunately we will never be able to clean off completely. All history. I think Adkins is on his way to surpassing Lawries achievements and could even challenge Ted Bates for his. We've been very lucky to have those three as part of our club.

Yes I think that is an accepted part of the game (AFTER the game rather than before!!). And why shouldn't they enjoy themselves on a night off. In fact no food or drink is bad for you providing it is not in excess. You'll pay for it in training the next day though! What we will hopefully never see again is an incident that happened (allegedly) under WGS when one young player returned for pre season training and fitness tests after a summer of partying and was immediately sent to hospital as they suspected liver damage.

...and no one has yet mentioned Frank Saul.... Can't help feeling we have enough potential youngsters in the club already. If we did get a loan in I think it would be with a view to purchase as well. Ideally in the 21-25 age group bracket.

All this excitement over washing and ironing - I thought I'd stumbled across to the Brighton forum for a minute there.... ....listen to yourselves guys!! ;~)