Alain Perrin

No evidence either way (crouch's view is hardly unbiased is it). Gutfeel says a Dutch unknown gets less than an English incumbent. Like a popstar who died young I think Pearson's results are overegged. He did well with Leicester with money behind him, a situation that we were certainly not in. Having seen us capitulate a number of times in our run in, I was never convinced he was the answer.

Firstly it is bizarre to suggest that RL had anything to do with the introduction of Markus. And I say that as someone who was generally pro-Lowe. RL had no desire for Saints to go into admin, he had millions riding on it not. If you feel you could kiss goodbye to a million when there was an outside chance you'd be able to turn it round then you're a bigger knob than RL ever was. Pearson would have wanted more money than the Dutch duo, plus had less of a track record with youth. Our wage constraint meant that every penny was needed (remember £5k tipped us over into admin). Lots of things contributed to our delegation and administration, chief among these was: - Lowe's failure to reappoint Hoddle (resulting in Wigley being forced on him and the ****storm that followed) - the failed Wilde bunch gamble on promotion (not saying it was wrong to gamble, but we failed and did spray money around). It's ironic that had we not been relegated, the talent coming through the academy could have been the root of something great for SFC. All my opinion of course, and there are many ways we could have survived. Regardless we are now in a better position and the signs are we are growing the club in the right way.

(note: if there is a Steve in accounts at SFC, then please don't fire him, I am only joking.) .... or am I

That maybe, but Cortese will quickly work out it's Steve from accounts.....

It's got nothing to do with retail price or even joe publics wage inflation and everything to do with footballers wage inflation. Sky's pockets, billionaire bankrollers and the Bosman ruling are the big drivers here.

In fairness it was only 7 words, the rest is conjecture: a) that's his job b) this thread is doing the bigging up for him.

I've no problem with pitch invasions at SMS, if there's something to celebrate you should (especially towards the Itchen / Directors box). Celebrating at the away fans (a la Derby at the playoff semi) is moronic and I'd put celebrating at a team's stadium who've just been relegated would be equally classless. Imagine if someone had done it to us on our fall from grace, there would have been outrage on here - most likely by the same who are suggesting that an invasion is appropriate. Which makes those that are suggesting going on the pitch not only morons, but hypocrites too.

Some fans have short memories. Remember the graceless Derby fans when they won the playoff semi-final? Plymouth would be relegated by a Saints win so we should have the good grace to celebrate in the stands. Save the 'on the pitch' for the home game at SMS.

I will consider the question and get back to you by 2.30pm.

Fernandez once picked up a yellow for taking the **** out of another players dive. Clipped his own heals just in front of Kingsland centre. Very funny, not sure which game though (Leeds?).

Obviously there can be only one winner but I could think of many games in which most our first choice 11 have been game changing. Fonte earlier in the season and for recent goals, Jaidi has had some really good games. Lallana is spectacular and Davis has kept us in it on more than one occasion (Saturday at 1 up was one example, the pen save vs. Brighton another). The unsung hero for me is Lambert. He's played a different role and hasn't been as free scoring, but the number of assists he has created have been essential. That said I've voted for Fonte, for clean sheets, cultured passing, important goals and an ability to get away with some very dodgy wrestling in the penalty area.

For what it is worth I would avoid the first game of the season. It's never a full house because of holidays etc. Better to pick an anniversary eg. the date of his passing etc.

I think there is a 'Southampton Way' of playing and that is to make it hard for ourselves (MK Dons at home is a classic example, as was Saturday when we were 1 nil up and they were down to 10 men - we almost threw it away. That said it is hard to play against sides that park the bus in front of goal. We're the kind of team that likes to get on the bus, and that's hard when it's parked and the doors are shut.... What Adkins has instilled is patience (I saw him having a 'thrombo' when Richardson launched an aimless ball up to no one on Monday), and that has helped us breakdown defensive minded teams. The mentality of the crowd is funny too. There's a loon behind me who shouts "Forward" at every opportunity. We're passing the ball across the back four, looking for a space, an opportunity, and this guy is shouting "Forward!" like a crazed WWI general. With park the bus teams you can't rush things and that will lead to less pretty football.

You can get it in Swindon in the CO-OP carpark. HTH.

I actually think the ref had a good game. He wasn't card happy (the red was unavoidable for that kind of contact on goal) and he talked to a couple of players early on when others we've had this season would have gone for the pocket. The offside was marginal but the lino infront of the Kingsland had a bit of a mare (mostly in our favour to be honest).

Other than league position it's irrelevant what happens tomorrow. Ultimately it will be the Plymouth game that will define our destiny. If we can win then great, if we draw it's largely immaterial (because of GD) but don't be swayed by the doommongers that will be cracking one off on here because that's what they seem to live for.

Or his neck [nb. just trying to get a hysterical reaction on their forum before you do ]

It's not nonsense. If you assume we had (which we did back then) a limited amount of money then investment choices have to be made. Who's to say that investing in Malbranque or some untried africans wouldn't have an impact on the budget to invest in youth. But you misinterpret my point, it was to say that every club can point to success stories (either home grown or bought in for a steal), but they'll also have their fair share of bad buys or ones that got away.

I've read his autobiography and (by my recollection) they weren't in there to such detail. But it was a while ago. Regardless, for every missed Drogba there's a Theo, so on balance - regardless of who your chairman is - generally it balances out. My point is (and as your "was a c*ck" comment illustrates), there is too much bad blood for Lowe's failures (or achievements) to be discussed objectively.

According to urban legend Lowe failed to sign Drogba, Ronaldo and Rooney because of a shortage of o's in the shirt printing department. But, to be honest, I think there's been too much vitriol flowing under the bridge of Lowe hatred for any of the stories of 'missed' signings to be given much basis. I do agree with the Fitz Hall comment but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I don't think anyone, bar Danny and Adkins, knows what the reason is. Anyone who says they do is probably n'guessan.

You haven't noticed yet.

A few months ago I thought the wheels would come off at Brighton but they seem to have ridden through dodgy spells relatively unscathed. Poyet has them well drilled and I think their style is uncomfortable (patient or frustrating) for many teams to play against. I base most of my knowledge of how they played in the game against us at SMS and a few highlights here and there. I don't know if they always play like that? One thing I don't like is the South American mentality that seems to encourage the dive, nudge and carding of the opposition. That certainly happened in our game and also in the Huddersfield game shortly after. I know Barney's makes a meal out of things but it is quite isolated in our team. No doubt Poyet is good (he made Dennis Wise look effective), but it will be interesting if his style works as well in the Championship. Certainly against quicker players they may struggle (as they did against Stoke). I don't buy their ground being much of an influence. It's not like the Dell which had an intimidation factor, it is a bit too open and their not playing against prima donas every week. FWIW I think we have a stronger depth of squad, better individuals in most areas but they have a better team - and certainly have the results to back it up. They probably have a better manager too but I prefer Nige (less of a tosser).

I used to hover an inch or two above my seat until the game had kicked off. Good for the glutes, yet not disturbing the sitters behind me. Realised it wasn't working when we got relegated and missed out on the playoffs last year. Now, ahead of the game, I just crack one off in trap 2 of the toilets beneath block 42 and wipe the results on the coat of the person who climbs the stairs in front of me. I've not seen us lose since I started doing this and I encourage others to do the same.

Is N'Guesson injured? I know some people are on his back but I'd prefer him to a marginally fit Lallana. Sometimes pace can be a better weapon than guile away from home.