macca155

Not worth worrying about the autos really, what will be will be. Saints need to win both games, and rely on two teams dropping points, and make up a goal difference of 6. If it happens amazing but the odds are very low. I certainly don't think Tonda should be risking any player pursuing that goal. Really need to think about the play offs. Saints need to need to finish above 5th to have home advantage in the 2nd match., that is so important. That's really only happening if Saints beat Ipswich on Tuesday. That will force Middlesborough to have to go for the win against Wrexham, rather than holding out for a draw. The defence should be fine, Manning will be fresh and Quarshie can cover if necessary. Up front Larin, Stewart, and Archer are being rotated well. Edozie and Robinson can provide cover for Fellows and Scienza. Its the midfield I worry about. We really need Jander and Bragg to start but they must be on empty by now, both physically and emotionally. Charles and Matsuki should be fresh but both have a tendency to leave gaps, and are not as intense when tackling. Both are way better playing further up. Just have to cross our fingers and hope they are ok. We may even see Romeu's wrecking ball act for a few minutes. Azaz is a worry, need him fit. Need to remember Ipswich aren't Man City and they have their own demons to deal with. No need to panic, if the crowd are behind them they should have enough to beat Ipswich. Big big game

Not a time to be wobbling. 2nd place remains a possibility but it is unlikely. I'm sure Ipswich will play not to lose on Tuesday. At this stage of the season that won't be difficult, and that will be that. However the play offs are very different, Saints will be favourites and that's when the squad will show it's strength. Fans will need to be right on it again. Remember it took hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent, to beat Saints yesterday. The other play off contenders will all be looking to avoid us.

This , as I travelled back, I seemed to be in a City fans bubble. Lots of chat and without exception they were gracious, and frankly hugely relieved. Their beef was with Pep's team selection, they felt that was disrespectful and they were in danger of making the same mistake as Arteta. Class inevitably told in the end, but Saints have turned heads this year. Avarice eyes are going to be looking at Tonda and quite a few of our players. The club will struggle to hold on to them if we fail to go up. The stakes are very high.

They've got Wrexham last game, way tougher than ours

Why all the fuss about trains. Played a round of golf, straight on an empty train (stopper from Pompey) should be there before 2pm. We'll probably lose, but there's always a chance. They aren't invincible and this team continues to amaze me. Getting home will be fun with Arsenal playing at 5.30pm, but hey who cares.

Downes has been cruising for this for a while. He needs to learn some self control. That was a red every day, the yellow was very lenient. 3 games that don't matter that much, shame for him but he'll be fit for the play offs, which are the key games. Jander, Bragg, and Charles can cover defensive midfield duties and errr Romeu.

No team whoever they are wins every game. The run they have been on has been incredible, and I've enjoyed every minute. A draw feels like a defeat but City played well and rode their luck. Good old Woy did us again. Saints were caught off guard by the press, and they were chasing the game from then on. Sure they looked tired but City were gassed (see what I did there) after 70 minutes, and Saints nearly took advantage of it. Couple of observations. Whoever decided to water the pitch like that, needs to be put on litter duty for a week, ridiculous. Charles should have been subbed, he wasn't making tackles or tracking back. Both THB and Peretz had a right go at him on a couple of occasions. With Azaz anonymous today, there were too many holes in midfield. On the positive side how good was Larin. Find of the season imo. He battled constantly for the ball and made a right nuisance of himself. Archer also had a good game and set up several chances. Just need to get Saturday out of the way now. My 6th FA cup semi final. I just hope we get through it unscathed.

Problem is crowd dynamics are not straightforward. Saints were expected to beat Blackburn. 5 minutes into the game and it was obvious Blackburn's only ambition was to hold out and avoid a spanking. With zero jeopardy it's hard to raise the spirits. There was more interest on the phones watching the Pompey score. The players must be running on empty now, and no matter how professional they are, Saturday will inevitably be a distraction. A draw or defeat is very possible tonight, and I'm sure we'll all deal with it after we've got over the shock. Nevertheless the competition remains open, Saints are still in it, so I intend enjoying it while it lasts.

Good result today really. Pushes Boro further behind Saints and pulls Ipswich even closer. All we know is that Hull are pretty much out of the automatic fight. Assuming Saints beat Ipswich, and if they don't the discussion on autos ends anyway, the maximum each side can get is. Ioswich 85 Millwall 85 Saints 84 Middlesbrough 82 We still need two teams to drop points and somehow win ours. I was convinced it would all be over by now. It's incredible how Saints keep raising their game, but the dice just keep on rolling in our favour. Onto Tue/Wed games, we go again. Both Ipswich and Millwall will be desperate to avoid Saints in the play off . That's going to create extra pressure. Players of all sides will be knackered so expect the unexpected.

The stars are aligning

Everything is predicated on both Millwall and Ipswich dropping points, but if Saints are going to overtake Ipswich's GD, then not only must they win, they need to win by a few. No good going to Preston needing to win 3 or 4 nil. Need to ramp up the pressure every game. Ridiculous, under normal circumstances a win would be sufficient, but this is the situation we find ourselves in. We have to ask the impossible. All it needed was better management in Aug, Sept, and October, dreadful now we look back at it.

That is his key skill, he shoots on site, hard and fast. That was his trademark at Villa and Middlesbrough. It's what sets a Prem level striker apart from the journeymen like Armstrong. The problem is he rarely gets himself into a position to do it. Ings was similar but he did have that edge. I've always rated him and I'm pleased he's finally finding some form. Doesn't nullify some pretty inept performances though, although he probably wasn't feeling the love from previous bosses. Tonda really is a wizard with players. If we'd kept Dom Ballard, goodness knows what Tonda would have done with him.

Just madness to keep winning like this. 8 points clear of Wrexham with 3 to play. Play off essentially certain now. Just magnificent, and chapeau to Tonda. He really does manage the game and players so well.

Just walked in and they scored come on

The run Saints are on is ridiculous. I'm starting to forget what losing or drawing feels like ... madness. No wonder the other teams are feeling the pressure. It's great to contemplate the autos, but I'm convinced that one of these teams will find a way to frustrate Saints. Probably Roy, he's a wily old fox. Nevertheless if the run continues next week, with Millwall and Ipswich dropping even a point, then shit will get very real very quickly. Those last two games will be epic with thoughts turning to GD. Fortunately Saints have scored more than Ipswich, so should GD be level Saints will go through. However still need to make up the 6 goal difference. That isn't an issue with Millwall, but hard to see where they will drop points. What a brilliant league

Got there in the end, but what a bloody shambles. I had fab tickets at the start and had to let them go. Up in the Gods now but hey its Wembley

Nope still F&F greyed out .... shambles

So I'm in selected tickets but it won't let me allocate for season ticket holders who have no aways, anybody else got that problem?

I hope so, I'm ticket major general for our group and expect a smooth process tomorrow. As long as everything is set up ok, it shouldn't be a problem. There will be drama if it isn't

Yesterday pretty much confirmed our play off place. Saints are 5 points ahead of Wrexham with 5 games to play. All the interest will be on who joins us. Saints should get 3rd place now and will be favourites to win it. The autos are pretty unlikely and I doubt Tonda will want to waste too much energy chasing the impossible dream. Saints can achieve 84 points and Ipswich 90, even if they lose to Saints. plus their GD if way superior. The good news is that their two toughest games (Pompey and Boro) are next week. If they lose those two then game on, but otherwise Saints can calmly cruise into the play offs unscathed, and ready to kick arse. Oh yeah and a semi final to enjoy as well. To be that close to the autos really pisses me off. The poor decisions in August, mainly keeping Bazunu, appointing Still, and insisting on 3 at the back, has made this season so much harder. However we are where we are. Onwards and upwards and if they don't make it, then go again.

Over the season it has to be Scienza.He at least has remained consistent. In Tonda's reign then frankly pick anyone of a dozen. THB for me although Downes has been a revelation since his handbags at Pompey

Rotation is going to be crucial as fatigue is bound to be an issue. The players aren't machines no amount of adrenaline is going to compensate for the impact of playing so often. Thankfully this is where the squad size really starts to kick in. Crucial players are being protected, which allows them to make an impact. Larin,Stewart,Scienza and Edozie are alternating well. A fresh Fellows,Bragg, and Jander will help maitain the energy levels. Tonda has got the squad exactly where he wants it. Doesn't really matter who is selected now, but I guess Tonda will be looking to give Fellows, Jander, and Wood some decent minutes.

Azaz

Stewart !!! Scotland's no9

Azaz apparently