obelisk

Cliff was part of the team when I started watching Saints in the early 60s. Good man. RIP

Just got in to discover the result. I guess a 3-0 defeat is pretty depressing but I'm of the school where it's better to get this sort of result out of the system before the season begins. Easy pre-season wins against inferior opposition often hide weaknesses. I suspect Hughes will have learned a lot today.

England have at least beaten the teams that they should expect to beat in this World Cup. Trouble is they've lost to the teams that they needed to compete with. All pretty average really but I suppose that's an improvement on losing to Iceland.

Bertrand must be looking at the England left wing backs and wonder what Southgate was thinking.

We knew the England defence was suspect from the start of the tournament and this time Pickford couldn't rescue them against a stronger Croatia side. If the plan was just to outscore them that failed on a string of missed first half chances. Normal expectations can now hopefully resume.

England just stopped playing after about 30 minutes. The defence was always a liability so trying to protect a 1-0 win was crazy. Let's face it England not quite as good as we hoped.

Rose on for Young. Should have happened 30 minutes ago.

Think I'd be pressing for a winner in the last minute too if I was knackered and 30 minutes extra time was looming.

When I was his age I was looking to get as far away from family as possible.

Full stops are your friend but you make some interest points nevertheless. However when you say "Reed is perceptive enough" I think you'll find that the evidence points in the opposite direction. The last two years have seen a decline right across the board. In my opinion, if you're happy to take a large wedge to be the man at the top then you should also be prepared to take the hit when things go badly. If Les Reed isn't considering his position then why not?

That would be a reasonable thought.

A lot of corporate ass-covering waffle that basically boils down to an ongoing lack of ambition. Maybe that's all a team like Saints can hope for but I'd rather he was honest. Wonder what Hughes thinks of it.

Far too many late goals conceded.

Guardiola says Saints will play in the Premiership next season. That's good enough for me.

It's just part of being a Saints fan. Come 5 o'clock I should hope we'll be wondering what the fuss was about.

I'll be happy to see lots of sideways and backward passing this afternoon. From both sides.

Anyone expecting 3 points later today? In the not too distant past we'd give the likes of Man City a game. I know cash rules these days but is it now deemed that lesser teams are only permitted the occasional draw against the money launderers? Up and at 'em lads.

Bednarek is due a poor game and Lemina, while being excellent of late, can be guilty of losing possession cheaply. Plenty of cover available. If it was a 2 or 3 goal difference I might understand the furrowed brows but it's 10. Were that to be overturned then there'd be room for a meltdown but I suspect it'll turn out just fine.

That has me worried actually.

I'll just be glad when this season is over to be quite honest. Yet another dreary home draw to finish it off would be perfect.

Can't see much beyond a 0-0 stroll in the park on Sunday. Man City is a team full of players heading to the World Cup so will probably be at 80% or less. Saints under Hughes are becoming a decent outfit and no easy push over any more. Could be fairly interesting in displaying the finesse of passing between defenders and midfielders but I anticipate the atmosphere of end end of season testimonial. At Swansea I expect Crouch to sign off with at least a brace.

A nice friendly kick about is in order on Sunday. If anyone on the City side thinks differently a firm reminder that the World Cup is just around the corner should be enough.

Shattered by the tension. Elated by the relief.

Redmond has looked a bit lightweight. We need him at his best. Not sure I can bear the tension.

Saints have dealt with the hoofball from Swansea fairly well but we all know there's a mistake in that back three some time. Really needed one of those Austin strikes to find the net. Can only hope Swansea will run out of puff. Dreadfully tense.