The Cat

About 10 mins before a bunch turned up in the fanzone and let off a smoke bomb. They then gathered around this and organised a mob to walk up to the square where it kicked off. I was going back towards the fanzone between the 2 squares when they walked up, as you say chanting Arnhem. I then saw police running from the fanzone and heading up to the top area of the other square so followed them and watched from there. They dragged about 5 Dutch out and arrested them. As we got the bus to the stadium later they had a load more lined up by the main road in handcuffs. The Feyenoord rumour spread quick, Vitesse fans were stating it as fact shortly after but I had my doubts. Looked like all Arnhem to me.

One of the other Mum's at Eastleigh (whose son is at Chelsea and goes to school with my son) had an older kid who went through Saints, Bournemouth and Pompey academys from the age of 8. Got to 15 and was released, no one wanted him anymore. His younger brother was scouted by Chelsea at 6 while kicking a ball around at the side of the pitch as his brother played. Mental.

I know one of those kids in that first video. He is the goalkeeper and is is ridiculously good for his age. The Eastleigh team he plays for is incredible. In fact they have so many good players they decided to make one team that is just boys who are at Saints, leaving no room for the kids at Chelsea and Bournemouth. His Mum is nuts though, always going on about how he'll be earning her loads of money when he's a pro. Chances are she'll end up disappointed.

More here: http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5629/sir-edward-heath-met-also-investigates-claims-of-child-sex-abuse

"We have about had a meeting with the board of the fan club" I hope that wasn't with Richard Chorley. "where they day and night to keep their own party" Surely the idea of going abroad is to "party" with some different people? "if anything should happen disturbances, then the mayor has sufficient police capacity on hand" There can never be sufficient police to cope with our top boys. Never.

I was trying to work out if the €7.50 charge makes it worth getting one or not but then gave up. Do they check tickets on the trams in Amsterdam? Last time I was there I just hopped on and off without paying figuring I could plead ignorance if asked for a ticket.

Exeter? They ended up cordoning off a section behind the goal in their biggest end for Saints fans and escorted plenty more from the side stands onto the terrace.

Mane, Mane, Sadio Mane Mane, Mane, Sadio Mane And when he dribbles with the ball He's gonna run past all of you Oh oh oh Mane, Mane, Sadio Mane And you'll be the ones who are gonna suffer And you'll be the ones who are gonna suffer

The new Jim Magilton.

Exactly. If it had been that much of an issue the stewards would have moved them to the away end before the start of the match. It's not like they were inconspicuous, most of them had shirts on. For their goal, Target was marking the chap who scored but ran into the centre when the cross come to make a challenge because Caulker was AWOL. Ball then ended up at the feet of the player Target left who deceived Davis by shooting straight at him.

I thought he did ok too. Wasn't particularly tested defensively but looked sharp going forward. I wasn't going to go today but got hassled into it by the kids. Worth it purely too see Rodriguez's goal and Tadic's back heel a few minutes before which took half their defence out of the game. Juanmi impressed. Always wanted the ball and likes to drive forward with it when he does get it. Caulker was fine apart from the goal when he seemed out of position.

What will the crowd be? 10000? I'm not bothering.

There were plenty of them in the Itchen last night so it would only be fair.

Of course it will.

It's not pulling rabbits out of hats though is it? It's hours, weeks, months of research and analysis, it's hard work, attention to detail and a collective consensus. What do you think our hoardes of backroom staff do? Sit around playing Fifa all day before having a quick scan of random European leagues and then deciding to sign someone based on a few YouTube clips? You really are an utter tool.

I've been going to matches for 30 years. It's only in recent times that we have started groaning so loudly at small mistakes. When we are 2-0 up in our first European match for 12 years do you think it's good support to collective moan at a misplaced pass or should the crowd maybe ignore it because it's not really important and encourage the team instead? In other ways our fans are quite respectful, but at times we come across like a bunch of whiny pre-school kids.

That's the one. I noticed we haven't forgot to loudly groan when a player slightly misplaces a pass. Good work Saints fans, stay classy.

Second half they were excellent. There was one point where it looked like they were all moshing while a few of our fans stood there limply singing Oh When The Saints.

I thought both full backs were very good. Mane is on a different level though. We should enjoy him while he's still here because he'll be at a massive club in the not too distant future.

Enjoyed that. Can't wait until next week now.

We walked in with 2 bottles. My son even put his down on the table outside the Itchen to pick up a programme out of the box on the floor while a steward watched.

I used to be a slacker back in the day but now can't get away with browsing or posting while at work. Probably a good thing because I got in massive trouble because of my internet use at work about 15 years ago.

Decent signing for a loan. Was suprised he's still only 23, seems to have been around ages. Young, hungry and with time to improve. Exactly the type of signing we are famous for.

Di Maria to PSG. Has to be seen as a bit of a failure at Man Utd considering the money they paid.

Double his £15k a week wages? Surely they'll pay him loads more than that.