Colinjb

Stand up if you want Ralph out? A modern twist on an old classic.

I'm going to be optimistic. Spurs 1-2 Saints. Aribo's running will make space for Armstrong to hit an instinctive shot into the top corner. S. Armstrong to come on and get a winner. Have I been out in the sun too long?

A child at my school lost their grandparents in the early stages of the war because they didn't want to leave their homes. Not a refugee, a child who has joint russian/ukrainian heritage, don't you dare ask them what they now feel more affinity to. The mindless b*llocks that some come out with is staggering.

This is just wonderful. Who cares if it was scrappy, Football came home tonight.

Almost feel the need to apologise for biting.

No, but two promotions during his tenure is.

Well, He was the first choice keeper for those three seasons as we rose from league 1 to the top flight. And the no1 spot was never on offer at West Ham, so your point is moot. Such strange bitterness to a player who was a rock of stability during one of the best times to be a fan in our history. At that time we didn't need Buffon, we needed someone to dedicate himself to the cause and work. He did that.

You may not understand it, but you describe it well. He chose to stick with us, it may show how desperate things were at the time, but it was the start. That he went on to be key in our rise back to the top flight cements it. Leeds away in 2012 still gives me chills. Just don't mention the near post.... And yes, I was there at Hillsborough for that game. "Brazil............. it's just like watching Brazil........"

Had wondered if the sanctions on Russia have effected old Maxim Denim at all.

This is the bit I am enjoying the most, it's football but without the bullsh*t.

Try telling that to the refugee children now attending the school I teach at who are from that region. Their response will be far more compelling then any propaganda you are peddling.

That Eastleigh v AFC Stoneham tie looks tasty.

A new family home, some fantastic cars and a Non-league football club, preferably Winchester City FC. The remaining 180m, no idea.

Good to see Djenepo getting his one good game of the season out of the way early this year.

Saint No Mountain High Enough Saint Seen Nothing Yet Saint Misbehaving

Thought the Bristol City lad was Nicky Maynard, but, clearly not their captain so probably wrong.

Seems we really are trying to do things early this summer. A striker next? Welcome to St Mary's Joe, looking forward to seeing what you can do.

Yep. 1999 to 2008. Finishing with that GeckoSaint design.

Good thing about the away shirt, it's so busy it makes the sponsor more difficult to pick out.

Honestly, wouldn't be adverse to a mangerial change, but I am grateful for the relative stability (if not consistency) he has brought to the club when we could so easily have been relegated.

A 6 from me. Despite our uncompetitive transfer dealings over the past 5 years, Ralph has ensured we have never truly been in any danger. We have had those horrible runs were it looks like we could be on for back to back relegations, then it twists and we are sustained by looking like we should be in Europe. The worst bit from me is this continued propenisty to drop points, had many of our results worked the other way, clawing back draws when behind, finishing games strongly, things would feel a lot better even if the results were essentially the same. He needs a good assistant to balance out his man management foibles, hopefully the new guy does this. With our new structure and owners I doubt he or the players can hide if they are dragging their feet.

Apparently the lad's mustard.

Was there, didn't see the goal. We attacked from kick off and pressed, turned to Dad at the point Begovic booted the ball to say something like 'Well, positive start,' only for the stadium to erupt and me turning around wondering, errrr, what just happened?

Memories of Kelvin Davies up at Sheffield Wednesday in 2007. We got humped 5-0 by an astoundingly ordinary Owls side and Kelvin was heckled by the away end, leading to him turning around and screaming back at us. I doubt he was solely to blame, none of our defenders covered themselves in glory that day, even Andrew Davis who conceded a stupid penalty.