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Two good strikes by them from the edge of the area with no Saints player challenging at all. Saints have started to concede goals and possession too easily. I predict squeaky bums during April with Saints outside the top 2 at the end of only one day this season. Of course I might change my opinion with 3 points on Monday but I fear Reading will be enjoying the prospect of St Mary's on Friday more than us.

At this rate a lot of Reading players could be sporting some nasty injuries that might make them doubtful for the week ahead.

A bit of calm calculation like that makes me feel better. Having supported Saints for near on 50 years I have an in built pessimism that has served me well during that time. If those 6 points could come in the next two games then I'd be most grateful.

Some gripes. 1. If their's was a pen then my mum is the Queen. Still, poor defending to let him into the box for a dive. 2. Was Taylor-Fletcher offside when their keeper hoofed it up the pitch before heading it on? Even so, to let the ball transfer from their keeper to the back of our net in just a couple of touches without a Saints defender managing a tickle is woeful. 3. Never a corner for their 3rd. Should have been a goal kick. Nevertheless, Jos must have been marking the invisible man. Either that or he fancied a stroll on his own. All that said though. Had Guly not missed an open goal early on. Had someone confident been on hand to take the penalty. Things could have turned out differently. Blackpool weren't that great really. Long balls into the channels for their pace to use was all they had. Let's just hope that reminds Saints of what would be waiting in the play-offs should they screw this up. Time to draw a line under that result, learn the lessons and give our neighbours a spanking next weekend. I really don't fancy the idea of a squeaky bum for the coming month.

This is going to be a bad day methinks. Their pace will kill us tonight.

Oooh! Let me have a go too. Don't post much these days but .... 58. Born in Southampton and brought up in Woolston. Have lived up and down the country since I left Southampton in the summer of 1976 (a very good year) but am now in the Tilehurst area of Reading. First home game was a 3-1 win over Leicester City in 1963 (I think). First away was at White Hart Lane in 1967 (I think) - a 6-1 defeat. Travelled up in a Coliseum coach from their office by the floating bridge. Now no longer a season ticket holder because I really can't abide the thought of all those journeys up and down the A34 but I get down there as often as possible.

The "poor" adjective seems to have been used correctly in this case though.

Sounds like Saints were profligate with the chances yet again. If that problem gets sorted then promotion will be a breeze. Would have taken a point at the start but playing against 10 for most of the game it really has to be considered as 2 points lost.

Saints finishing has been poor for months now.

Despite the performance Saints had enough pretty reasonable chances to get something from the game. It's often said that the sign of a good side is when points are gained when playing woefully. I've been worried about the poor finishing for a while now and we're now only winning when playing against 10.

Had a couple of chances to get back into it but, as usual, the finishing was worse than woeful.

Finishing has been so poor for weeks.

Shoddy finishing again.

Saints finishing is just woeful.

Not his best position though is it?

Play him as left midfield then.

Saints were so much on top in the 2nd half that should have been a comfortable 3 points. Something that needs addressing is the poor finishing that is certainly costing us at the moment.

Finishing is very poor. Could have had 5 or 6 really.

And nor 'boro score in the last minute.

Some work is needed on sorting out these dire away performances. Losing at Doncaster FFS! And Donny are a team that just can't win at home .. until Saints show up of course. Oh well. Time for the pub.

Reading away is showing as sold out this morning. I thought they were going on general sale today. Have they already all been snapped up then?

I'll be somewhere over the Med at that time now. So much for my plans of relaxing in a Cretan taverna while watching Saints bag another 3 points.

I haven't managed to get to one game at all this season I'm sorry to say. Too many other things going on. Given the turn of events I could take it personally and make myself officially a bad omen. It was my plan to attend many more games next season but maybe if I stay away another promotion can be guaranteed.

Same old story aint it? Plenty of time yet. Saints can't be expected to make things too comfortable for us.

My pessimism was completely misplaced. My lack of faith totally uncalled for. My diminishing confidence in the players and manager absolutely out of order. Apologies for my misplaced misery. Congratulations to everyone involved. My spirits are rekindled and am now looking forward with expectation and hope while digesting some humble pie.