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Oh yes. Great day. Was a 22 y/o "steward" on one of the special trains to Wembley Central which meant I had a free ride. Yellow jumper, blue jeans, yellow and blue scarf. In complete contrast to my normal 21st century pessimism I was an absolute optimist back then and just knew we'd win that day. It was also back in the day when the FA Cup Final was the last game of the season and took place on a Saturday at 3pm.

Watching rugby is pretty frustrating these days. Too many technical infringements giving refs the opportunity to strut the stage and basically decide who wins the game on a penalty count. Can't say I'm disappointed at the news.

I'm balancing nicely on the fence here. I look at the bookies offering 80-1 on Saints to be relegated so have to take comfort in that. Things would really have to go pear-shaped to Saints now enjoying another season in the Prem. Let's face it, Wigan have an uphill struggle while those in the NE must be feeling a tad worried. On the other hand I look at Saints indifferent form over the last 3 games with no cutting edge in attack while the defensive panic stations have returned. There's also all those points thrown away against the likes of QPR, Wigan, Stoke, Norwich, Sunderland that, had we been as good as some believe, would have seen as looking at a nice and comfy run in. Instead we could be needing something on yet another tense last day of the season. When it comes to games that I cannot influence directly I'm an out and out pessimist. With that in mind I've decided to take control and plonk a modest sum on Saints to be hosting Bournemouth next season. I do this for two reasons. One, because my infrequent bets (almost) always result on more profit for the bookies. Two, because if the unthinkable should happen I can spend the summer forgetting about football in some place far away with a large pile of notes in hand.

Just to help to try overcome my usual pessimism I've had a go at the predictor thingy. My normal sense of doom and gloom predicts no points from the next 2 away games while Wigan and Villa pick up points. On a fraught last day I have Wigan and Villa sharing points while Saints battle out a 0-0 draw with Stoke. The tension is unbearable but Saints survive on goal difference with 40 points while Villa look to a future in the league below. Admittedly the odds are with Saints but I'll not be assuming that we're safe until the arithmetic confirms it.

Wigan 2-2. Some good news at last.

Now Fox out for the season too then.

Woeful. Looks like it'll be a last day escape required then.

I dose of reality.

Wigan 2-1

I can only hope that WBA will end up regretting all those missed chances they've had.

Actually it's Saints that more likely to concede at the moment. Not creating much at all.

Could be another of those games where Saints struggle to break down a team that we might have hoped to beat.

Scrappy thread and a scrappy game. Weather didn't help I suppose. Looked like hard work. Could've had all 3 points but could also have thrown away the one. Not too disappointed.

What's it to be then? Concede just before half time probably.

Or maybe not after seeing it again.

A bit harsh perhaps.

I'm disappointed that we didn't score more.

Another miss!!! Guly!!!!

Boruc is the calmest we have back there in defence.

Saints defence still looks panic stricken.

That should do it.

Saints need to finish this lot off. A one goal lead is too precarious.

Poor Saints defending again.

A 2nd would have been nice. Would probably have put Reading right out of it. Expect Royals to come out with some gusto after half time. See that off and then their heads'll drop once they concede another to Saints.

Spurning chances to put Reading to the sword.