Professor

When we were leading 3-1 against Oldham with 8 mins to go, plus added time, I expect you still thought the game would end in a draw.... Saints have made some great signings over the years, for every Delgado, there is a Michael Svennson, for every Wright-Phillips there is a Crouch. Rickie is on the way up - and even better, on the way up with Saints.

Away to any non-league side would be great. Lose a little on the cash front compared to a home match, but would gain in publicity and in good will.

Excellent approach. Makes for a far more accurate assessment.

If you hate them, its best not to see them go bust, as they might get the benefit Saints have got from being debt-free!

It is a shame Surman had to go as on last year's form he would be holding the left midfield place, which might have made a difference in some of those early season games that were lost or drawn. The money from the transfer kept the club going before the sale went through, but its hard to believe that the administrators would have let the whole thing fall apart if there had been no bid for Drew, or if he had refused to go, but the lure of a Prem club - even one likely to be relegated was understandable.

Sorry to pour some cold water...........there are actually 6 teams with a better GD than Saints - the original post omitted Millwall on +8. Without the -10, Saints would be equal on points with the 8th and 9th placed teams, but due to an inferior goal difference would only be 10th. On the other hand, after failing to win any of our first 7 games, current form suggests that if we get up to mid-table the GD will be far more positive by then.

The Adminstration decision seemed the lowest point at the time, and could have seen the club go out of existence, but with the benefit of hindsight it has worked very well for the best, which is exactly why the League have the 10 points deduction rule.

When we play Leeds in December, a draw would be a good result, but by the home game in March, we should have the beating of them. That will show if the basics are in place for the promotion push in 2010/11, which I believe they will be.

It was Redknapp who played Walcott, and admitted that he did it more than he intended. Said that once he was in the side, he was just too good to drop.

Can't help noticing that Peter Crouch and James Beattie are catching the eye at Spurs and Stoke, whilst Theo Walcott is a regular in the Arsenal and England news these days. Stoke is home to 3 other ex-Saints, Delap, Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller, while Gareth Bale is at Spurs, but not getting many games. Kevin Davies still seems to be doing a job at Bolton but Drew Surman doesn't seem to have made an impact at Wolves. In the CCC Dexter Blackstock and David MacGoldrick are both playing regularly at Forest, as is Nathan Dyer at Swansea. Anyone aware of how any other ex-Saints are doing in the top two leagues?

Last saw Saga play against Yeovil. He looked worth his place in the side with some nice touches but he didn't threaten to score. Saints were 2-0 up when he was subbed (to the 2 disputed penalties) and he was immediately overshadowed by Papa N'Diaye who was all action from the moment he got on. Even if Pardew uses two strikers, Saga is now 3rd choice after Lambert and Connolly as well as having to compete with Patterson. The Polish coach obviously still rated him last summer but I'd think it was in his own best interest to look for a move in January.

Agree. He's too good to leave on the bench - so hello 4-4-2!

I remember David Burnside as a fixture in the Saints side when I was in my teens but had forgotten until now some of the fantastic things he did. In 1963, Saints were in Div2 and had a great cup run to the semi-finals. The quarter final was against Notts Forest then in Div1. After a draw at Nottingham, Saints were 3-0 down in the replay at The Dell with 16 minutes to go. They scored twice and then Burnside scored the equalizer in the 89th minute. In the second replay at White Harte Lane Saints beat Forest 5-0 with Burnside scoring two of the goals! A great player with a firm place in saints history. He would have been 70 this year, so very sad that he has gone too soon.

Next week's result against MK Dons will be good time to reappraise predictions, especially if its a clear home win.

Interestnig to see what football grounds used to look like back in the old days - thanks Janet.

Trouble is, we all want to see our own team and the BBC are responding to a very wide audience but have to lose the depth, due to the time available. Not ideal, but surely better than the prevailing idea that you concentrate on a few teams in the Prem as if all football fans were interested in them, which they are not. As for Lizzie's role, it does create a link to the fans, and she could be a role model for the girls to show that football is not just for men to follow.

Not 'worrying' at all Mr AS - on the contrary, with the team on form its a great thing to be able to savour next week's game. I'm looking forward to it tremendously and I'm sure a lot of the fans feel the same.

This is friendly criticism, because the result at Oldham was absolutely great and ultimately its only the result that really matters, but at 2-1 the game was back in the balance until a great strike by Connolly settled things. With Wally Downes up in the stand and Pardew at pitch level, I felt they should have seen the need to change the system sooner from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 by bringing Connolly on when the score was 2-0 and Oldham were fighting back. Going too defensive with 4-5-1 can hand the game to the opposition as you end up with your back against the wall, whereas attack is the best form of defence as long as you have the quality players to take the game into the other half of the field. Making the change after the goals was conceded produced the result, but I'd like to see Pardew having the confidence to be more attack minded by playing 2 strikers, home and away.

Connolly's goal against Oldham was taken brilliantly, buried in the back of the net with such power that the keeper had no chance at all, in fact, just what you would expect from an international class striker. After 18 months out of the game the injury and fitness doubts are inevitable but as he gets the games under his belt and confidence in his fitness grows, he must be a regular in the starting line up. Brilliant signing. The biggest problem for the team may soon be - who takes the penalties? - Lambert or Connolly! You can see the Saints' goals and Connolly's strike on BBC iPlayer - The Football League Show 17Oct 11.45 with the game at 49 minutes into the programme. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nfpkf/The_Football_League_Show_2009_2010_17_10_2009/

Fantastic - very pleased for Connolly - after not playing for over 18 months, to come on and score must be a dream for him. Hopefully Pards will have a bit more confidence now and play 4-4-2 instead of the deadly 4-5-1.

Time to switch to 4-4-2 and bring on Connolly. The 4-man midfield would have more control of the game and the two strikers would increase the threat pushing Oldham back. But what do I know..........

I'm expecting Pards to stick with a winning team, except for forced changes, such as if Mellis isn't back from International duty, but it would be great to see Connolly come off the bench and score!

Interesting history thread. Chance to suggest that (a) Harry (dont play kids) Redknapp played Theo Walcott so often that Arsenal grabbed him while he was still too young to be contracted to Saints, and (b) Pearson did not set the world alight at Saints but became an icon to the Lowe haters. If Lowe had kept Pearson on, his reputation at Saints might be very different.

I hear from a Brighton fan that there is a rumour around their ground, that one of Dean Wilkin's starlets, midfielder Dean Cox, may be on his way to Saints. Cox is said to be a young talent but he rarely plays a full game for Brighton and is currently a regular on the bench.

Interesting that Connolly says that Pardew initially said he just wanted a few days to check him out and then took four or five weeks. Reminiscent of Pardew saying in July that he needed to bring in 'one or two players' and then bringing in 8 or 9. Does Pards always underestimate issues, but does it matter as long as he makes the right judgement in the end? Connolly seems quite content.