macca155

The FA have certainly gone for them. This is going to be in the courts for a long time yet. Makes no difference though, they have been found guilty of financial doping in the eyes of football fans. Mortal reputational damage that cannot be recovered. I do feel a bit for the City fans, but they knew in their hearts what was going on, we all did. The FA have to do something major. The integrity of the league is in question. My worry is that City are a significant barrier to an American takeover of the PL. That could bring hateful franchise football even closer. Hopefully football heritage in this country will stop that happening. I can't even begin to think what sort of punishment they'll receive. Just hope it isn't relegation to our league as that just hurts the other 23 teams. Potential for an interesting fire sale in January.

I think Sesay is starting to show his potential , probably a backup for Azaz. Princewill is a big old unit, certainly will occupy defenders. If Tonda remains with us I can see him trying him out. Sadly I think we'll have someone more functional, and risk averse.

Shearer was a freak though, few can score a hatrick at 17 against Arsenal. Great game that, he scored his first right in front of me. Normally young players need time to develop. I remember seeing Ronaldo for Utd when he was very young, lots of tricks but a long way from the player he became. It needs a manager to believe in a player, and for the fans to see past the odd, inevitable weak performance, and to focus on the potential. Princewill and Sesay must start knocking on the door soon. It would be great to see them turn out for Saints.

I'm not sure that would be the case, as long as you have access to a Euro league. Three up three down that sort of thing. However never happen, no one is paying mega bucks for Bournemouth v Porto. The model they have is as good as it gets really. The success of the conference shows there is an appetite for it, with smaller clubs. The real battle is to avoid the franchise, closed shop model, so beloved of the Americans. No doubt they'll continue to push for that, whilst stopping any other league becoming a competitor.

Not as an exclusive entity as originally intended, but there is a case for extending the pyramid another notch. As long as it is accessible to everyone, it would vastly improve the Premier league, as that would become a bit more wild west like the Championship. You can imagine that quality run clubs, like Brentford or Brighton, having a real dig at the title. Plus teams like Saints wouldn't have to pile on debt to survive in the top division.

They'll be a ban of some sort, I think we can be confident of that. The FA won't have the stomach for negative headlines at the moment. I guess it will be big enough kick in the bollocks, to satisfy Gibbo, and the manager of Cambridge (apparently), but hopefully just an 8 count not a knockout. One thing is for certain, the FA won't give a flying pig's arse, what the impact is for Saints. All they'll care about is headlines, and whether the punishment will withstand a legal challenge. They have considerably bigger fish to fry with City and FIFA. That may help, as no doubt they'll want closure.

That sounds horribly familiar

That's probably because Saints had such a severe punishment from the EFL. The bar has been set. I can't see it not being substantial. Luton had similar and I suspect Leicester are about to feel the pain. They love sticking it to the smaller clubs. To answer your excellent question, I'm sure they have several contingencies. Almost certainly from within, probably the reason Lallana was brought in. Having said that a 6 month sabbatical for an out of work manager, might tempt a name to join us. Saints remain a good prospect , despite our current woes.

Many reasons for that,it was his first start, he was playing against his home club he probablysnatched at chances a little, maybe he was just unlucky, or .... he isn't as good as people like me think he is. The latter is the most likely sadly I guess we'll have to wait and see whether he makes it.

I think we all realise the club dropped a bollock letting him go. He was very lively, and on another day those chances go in. Better than Archer and Downs, and the club would have saved a bunch of money. Nevertheless he remains a promising Championship striker. If Saints go up they need to take PL standard players with them.

I thought he was excellent when he came on. He's becoming an essential part of the squad. By their nature midfielders get bashed about a bit, and booked, so we'll need him big time as the season progresses. Agree on Wood, he's heart and soul, a human brick wall. He's doing well and keeping his place in the side on merit, but Tonda must be itching to give Abbott a go.

1st half was a grind 2nd half our squad depth killed them. They simply couldn't maintain the same intensity. Like Saints last year, their subs really weakened them. Bragg slotted in to the middle, and really imposed himself. He's a real talent, we better go up this year, or he'll be nabbed. Best opposition Saints have faced by far today. Very organised, and refused to be suckered into leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Eventually the Azaz/Larin axis got through them. From then on they were chasing a losing game Thought Ballard looked busy, not a superstar, but he looked a threat. Be interesting to see how his career develops. The West Ham game will be spicy, on the 24th. They'll be keen to put us in our place, as will we.

Proper game of chess this game. City are well set up and nobody's s mugs. They are refusing to be pulled out of formation, to avoid being hit on the break. Ballard has been very busy, and has been pulling the defence around a bit. He looks dangerous, but is being well marshalled. Fabulous goal from Larin, this will be a great game to win, but lot of work to do yet.

That's why this league is so wonderful, no matter the pedigree, every one of the fancied sides will get an unexpected spanking or two. Absolutely no one can relax. Saints just have to keep their form going.

No surprise that West Ham are getting into their stride. Was always going to be the case, their squad is stacked with talent, and they have an excellent manager. However, there's another team that can say that. They are starting to click as well. Keep the faith

Same team, same strategy , but make sure Scienza is protected. Otherwise they'll just kick him in the first ten minutes like every other team tries to do. Maybe even start with Edozie, take the sting out of them, before bringing on Scienza. Ballard has been on the bench and hopefully stays there. I'd hate it if he scores.

Just back (bloody traffic/roadworks) What a performance, as I said at half time, play like that and it will be a top two finish. Downes and JWP were superb tonight. The former is just loving his football at the moment. Schlotterbeck and Wood are already gelling. Personally I thought Fellows had a very good game. He is very good at making space, and Bree was constantly interchanging with him. They couldn't cope with Leo at all, let alone those two. Our form since January is ridiculous. They'll be dips , we'll have to cope with those, but onwards and upwards.

Great half so far, fabulous through balls from both CBs to set up the goal. JWP and Downes are owning the midfield. Fellows and Bree are really finding space, and causing havoc That's the performance of a top two side. Good times

That's been tried, I was a big advocate at the time...... it was a disaster, a useful reminder that you need pace, sound judgement, and quick feet to play in midfield. As I remember Jack was bypassed with ease. I hope we see Bragg, JWP, and Downes starting today. Be good to see the midfield controlled. Forwards will have to work hard though.

I can't say I share the general level of doom on here. We haven't suddenly become a basket case of a club, wobbly as a proverbial wobbly thing though. Tonda clearly needs time on the training ground to get these new players to gel. Critically find a way of playing Mubama, we need him firing. It's only Swansea, for goodness sake. They are clearly a useful outfit, but so are Saints. Players need to believe in themselves, and play Swansea as equals. Feels like a draw, but if Saints click they should have enough to win this game.

Spot on and we've seen it happen so often. The club has not recruited to be a high press, hard tackle, aerial battle team. So why try and go toe to toe, when they meet a team that has. We have one unit, that's Wood and he's pretty good when he starts. He's just a wrecking ball when he comes on late. As you say once the midfield battle was lost, we were in trouble. So don't bloody lose it then. Bragg should have come on to join Downes in front of the defence. They've already formed a decent partnership there. Push JWP forward to pass the hell out of Lincoln with Matsuki Dobbin and Azaz. Frustrate the clogging bastards and see the game out. Here's an idea if you are playing Mubama, then pass the ball into space for him. I suspect we'd see a very different player If Tonda really wanted to play long ball then put 6'4 Princewill on the bench. He's raw but all we have atm. I'm a little bit more confident of Tuesday and Saturday. Saints do a lot better when teams play a similar game, and take them on. City and Swansea have aspirations of promotion, sitting back against Saints won't be an option.

Wood has played ok this year and he is a solid old unit. No way should Jack have played in his place. He was beaten for the goal, but the defence was totally disorganised by then. Nobody was marking anybody.

Every time we sit back , we invite teams on to us, and our crappy defence cannot cope. Happens in so many games, just stop it. Tonda seriously messed up there. Wood should have started against Lincoln's mutants. Absolutely the wrong game for Stephens. Mubama is shaping up like Downs .... garbage. Get Prince on the bench next game, no way can he be worse Edozie offered very little and kept losing the ball. Dobbin was ok, has a bit about him. This squad has some serious defects. Didn't lose but most teams will beat Lincoln. Bragg should have been on for JWP at the end, he is stronger in the tackle. Fellows on for Matsuki, who I thought was poor today. Needed to attack them as passionately as they did us.

These last 10 minutes or so are going to be painful

He wellied that, what a goal