Lymington Saint

We all know we should have played a back 4 all season. What we dont know is what interference from SR kept us playing a back 5 for so long. Key thing for me is that Tonda is still learning and is not afraid to make changes. Target has to be to make the playoffs and see where it goes from there.

I think that he is growing into the job. He has shown an ability to learn and to make the necessary changes. There is a much better shape about the team and the players seem to be responding. Still a work in progress though.

Wrexham are playing Pompey on Tuesday. Feel dirty saying it but for once i hope Pompey win to do us a favour. Cant see it happening though. Going to have a lie down now until i feel better.

Thought the selection yesterday was fine and Tonda Eckert will have learned a lot. Felt like watching a pre season friendly. Good to see he persisted with 4 at the back. Had to give Archer another game but doubt we will see him again.

Brought back lots of memories. Saints v Liverpool at the Dell in the late seventies/early eighties always seemed to be good games. Worth making the trip back from Uni to watch.

Been reading Gareth Southgates book. He was honest enough to say that he wasnt ready for the Middlesbro job and needed to learn his trade first. Maybe SR should heed the lesson and stop appointing inexperienced managers

Was in the chapel yesterday and very few stood up when we scored. Kind of shows the level of indifference

The SR strategy is to buy promising young players and hope to sell them at a profit. Some dont step up and Baz is one of them. For me he simply isnt big enough to be a top keeper

We will limp on with Eckhart until the summer. Expect lower mid-table mediocrity and a miserable end to the season. Rinse and repeat in the summer when another random assortment of players arrive and others depart. And another inexperienced manager is appointed. The whole strategy is broken but until Solak realises that and bins SR then we are stuffed.

Fulham game in 2012 was at Craven Cottage. Late Rickie Lambert penalty to equalise. I remember it as an enjoyable day out.

Any favourite memories of Boxing Day matches? Back in the day watching games at the Dell on a semi-frozen pitch. 4-0 against Arsenal in 2015 with Cuco Martina's goal sticks out for me.

This. Coventry supporters were decent that day. They had a terrible time with SISA. Havent got a good feeling about today despite recent optimism

1976 and Fratton 1984 having been mentioned. Scoring 3 goals in the last 5 mins against newcastle in the mid nineties

Its fair to say that this thread has not quite gone in the way that I anticipated!

To make a change from the Manager merry-go-round Southampton's Northam Rail Bridge to be replaced by 2030 - BBC News This has been kicking around for a while. Looks like it is getting serious. Anyone know whether replacing the footbridge from SMS would be included in the scheme? It was built one the cheap when the stadium was built and is inadequate. Also, how is it going to work after they have built the new bridge and are replacing the existing bridge? Anyone ITK?

Article on BBC website says that SR will keep Eckert on as interim manager for the time being and kick the decision down the road. Has the ring of truth about it. So if it doesnt go well then they will bin him.

Think the comments about Baz after today's game are harsh. He made a couple of decent stops in the first half, especially the one down low to his left. And the shot he let in bounced just before him, which made it more tricky than it appears. Having played in goal at local league level, I can vouch that these are horrible to deal with. And he came for a couple of punches which he doesnt normally do. But I agree that he is never going to make a premier league keeper. He simply doesnt have the presence. McCarthy will crash through people to punch balls away. Baz isnt big enough to do this well. And his timing is sometimes suspect, as it was at QPR on Wednesday. My guess is that we will limp on this season with McCarthy and Baz, but we definitely need to trade up in the summer.

Agree with the comments that we need someone pragmatic to bang heads and get some results. Would also have the effect of forcing players out who dont like it. Someone really single minded. Cant see it happening though

This team is incapable of grinding out results in the championship and winning ugly. Cant score goals and periodically self destruct. And occasionally look really good. Cant see Still turning this round unfortunately. Need a manager who can get this lot to play plus a striket who can hold the ball up

Seemed to switch from a back 5 to a back 4 mid way through the second half. Agree with the comments about Aribo. Worth a try. He will at least put himself about and hold on to the ball. Real shame about Ross Stewart. Looks a decent player when fit

Was at the game yesterday. There were moments when we looked really good especially before Stewart went off. Then seemed to lose shape. Still clearly likes to play with a target man. Desperately need cover for Stewart. Downs was dreadful. Simply unable to hold the ball up. Think we are all forgetting how much of a mess we were in last season. Going to take a while to sort it out. Still needs to be given the season in my view and then take stock

I was also under the East Stand for the Villa game but towards the Milton End. Remember passing some very disgruntled Villa supporters on the way back to the car. Probably a sign of age but the cup is not what it was despite the BBC hype. Going to be one of the big teams that wins it again this year.

Brian Clough on Centre Forwards 'Get hold of the ball, keep it because it is yours, then give it to someone who can play' Problem is that the ball seems to bounce off him most of the time, and when he does get hold of it he rarely makes decent passes.

Lowe thought that appointing football managers was like appointing managers in business. You make appointments individually, not buy in a team. This was why Moyes didnt come. Lowe also believed in promoting through the ranks - hence Steve Wigley and Stuart Gray. Again, common in business but very unusual in the world of football. I think that this season is gone. Whoever we bring in has to be building for next season and try to move some of the deadwood on in January. I just want to see a team that it well organised, playing to a sensible system and players giving their best. Not much to ask really. And enjoy a few games.

I can't remember ever being less bothered about a Saints result. I think that we are all resigned to relegation this season. An intransigent manager and an ownership that is completely disengaged from the fanbase. I think that we have collectively given up and I can't see a repeat of the kind of protests that got rid of Branfoot. Which would probably be ignored anyway. Just have to hope that by the start of next season RM is gone and either SR are gone or they have got a competent CEO and someone who knows about recruiting players. Otherwise next season is going to be equally miserable.