Colinjb

I do indeed! Trying not to think about how long ago that was.

Yep. Relax! (Unless you have Xmas drinks tomorrow of course.) Out of interest, how are we doing in this? Genuinely no idea.

Bertrand in with a shout too!

Thanks Badger and sibster for filling me in on that, I'm too young to remember the late 70's. Interesting. My memory of Brighton will always be the very final game at the Dell. Uwe Rosler scoring in that friendly. Loved that day, even if it was sad to leave the Dell, one of my defining teenage memories as a football fan being 17 at the time. I will never forget adults and children alike dragging anything that wasn't nailed down out into the surrounding area after the final whistle. The mental image of a small child struggling with a large advertising hoarding outside Eastleigh bus station still makes me chuckle. But, back to Brighton, everyone laughing, drinking together outside the Dell. No hint of any atmosphere or animosity.

More Brighton disliking us. When in League 1 our manager at the time, Nigel Adkins, wondered if Brighton could 'keep up with us' as we both went for the League 1 title. As it happens, Brighton more then kept up and won the league but we destroyed Brighton's proud home record by winning at the Withdean Stadium with two goals in the last few minutes to keep automatic promotion in our own hands. A game in Which we refused to give Brighton a customary guard of honour for the champions as we still had work to do. They considered Nigel Adkins very arrogant, and our focus on still doing our own job disrespectful. Try this for size: [video=youtube;cDIE9f7Lf-M]

No. I like seeing Bournemouth do well. As such I cannot consider them a rival. They are more like a sibling.

Scoring a winning goal against the reigning world champions counts for me. Ignoring semantics about what international may constitute, I stand by my point.

Absolutely not. We should not deal with our shortage up front by selling an international standard striker simply because he is off-form. If Jay can return to form and fitness then Long has every chance.

When the strikers are on form, I do believe Puel's style is very easy on the eye. Today was excellent, we grew into proceedings and really looked authoritative. Extremely encouraging and enjoyable. But of course, it should be all about Jay. The first goal lifted him, he looked the same awkward skillful forward we remember. Long may it continue, so glad that he is reaping some reward after the last two and half years.

Three years ago he may have been an option. Hope he finds a good patch of form at Cardiff, he deserves a flourish.

Still waiting for some more Europa shirts on there. To who-ever got the JWP Inter Home shirt.. Curses!!!!!!

Ah, great. Another kit that's unavailable to buy. Just like the yellow shirt at Newcastle, just like the plain back Europa league shirt. Saints you awful c**k teases you.

Errrrr, a white away shirt? For Bournemouth, ok.

Entirely agree. Puel's challenge is to get our strikers firing again. Jay and Long are shadows of their former selves and without Austin we need them, Tadic, Boufal and our our midfield to take some chances themselves. At the moment only Boufal is making anything happen. All manner of sins can be forgiven of our attacking players show their full hand.

True, but we did penetrate their defence when Rodriguez missed another absolute sitter. We really, really miss Pelle.

If they had some infrastructure to work with they may have had a chance. Initially they went to Man City, then it was us and Cov. They ended up with the one of the three that didn't have anything of material worth and the income stream it could bring was utterly compromised.

Their plan was get to the Premier League, pick up the stadium/training ground with the PL money, sell a Premier League spot and infrastructure to someone who actually wanted a football club; Enjoy the profit. They however didn't have the initial capital/staff/competence to get promotion, undermining the whole shebang. The Council at that point wouldn't sell the stadium to them as they (rightly) saw them as asset stripers causing the conflict of unsustainable rent and a fading football club, which saw the Ricoh Arena eventually being sold to Wasps RFC instead. So, SISU have run out of money, there's no point in selling the football club as all it really is now is a membership of League 1 and some player registrations. They have no home, no infrastructure and no worth.

On the Saints Sportswear shirts from a fair while ago the Font used for that was away from the Times New Roman type script that's in there. Looked quite contemporary (although I suspect it was due to the limitations of the stitching process.)

Haha, No, I'm saying that he has been rotating based on the fixture congestion. He will be able to pick his strongest side more regularly when the fixture intensity dies down. So, your second paragraph I wouldn't consider to be a separate note! Very pertinent, but every side in League 1 had the same congestion baring cup runs. Combining Europa/League Cup/PL has been a comparative strain compared to some of our peers. Chelsea this season must be benefiting from having their players totally focused on the league for instance. Leicester too last year.

That and over half a season of league football. Be disappointed with your perception of how we play if you wish, but I'm going to continue enjoying my hobby and will give Puel more time. His Nice team was celebrated for it's style, when the fixtures calm down and he is given license to be less pragmatic in his team selections then we will see what he can really do.

Considering the upheaval in the Summer, that Koeman, in a more settled position had such a 'shaky' start reflects poorly on him not Puel. I have no expectations on us improving after losing our manager and the players we did after our most successful season for a generation. As things stand we are entirely safe with players trying to get back into form in important areas while still being in striking distance of last season's achievements. This has been achieved despite a better run in the league cup then last year and a Europa league campaign. Knee jerk reactions based on disappointment that we may not match last years success would be entirely foolish. Last season was unprecedented.

So many 'poor' performances, yet only 3 points behind where we were at this point last season and within striking distance of the European places. Just imagine if we clicked. I'm happy to give him time.

Kasper Dolberg please.

I won't disagree! haha. I would like to see him have the opportunity to do it again. I see this as ideal. Davis for Hojbjerg. Wouldn't be unhappy with that, but.......... I want to see him also have the chance. We shall see after the game! (Hopefully positively.)

I disagree, Ward-Prowse ran the show v Inter and Hojbjerg has been working well when given license to go forward. Use Romeu as the anchor, give those two license to push up and they would support the attack nicely. It also ensures a reasonable shield in front of our back four.