macca155

In March Hull's play Ipswich, Millwall, and Wrexham. That means 3 of the teams above us will drop points. In addition Millwall play Ipswich, and Middlesbrough. So 2 more teams drop points Wrexham also play us, let's back ourselves in that one. As I've said all along keep winning, ugly if necessary, and Saints will be in the play offs. 6 points can disappear easily. It's not getting there that bothers me it's staying there.

Time for Edozie and or Fellows, need to take them on a bit. It was never going to be a stroll in the park.

Small point Wolves have beaten Villa and are on 13 points now...... one above our massive total last year.

2 - 1 to Watford now, probably the best result. Means a win tomorrow gives us 7th place on our own. This is the game gradually shake off any contenders, and deal with those above us.

1 - 1 now that will do

Oh God I wish you hadn't mentioned that. Imagine facing them in the play off final. What a nightmare, they'd be cameras everywhere. It's in the stars isn't it, first and last game of the season. Anyway this is like publishing the league table at half time, when Saints are 1 0 up, fatal speculation. Probably best left until after the Coventry and Wrexham game.

Spot on, and hopefully they'll go into the play offs primed and prepared. The most likely scenario is Saints v Ipswich in the play off final. That will be feisty, but plenty of other teams could mess that up of course Regardless of Saints prospects, it will be interesting to see when McKenna backs off the race for autos. He'll want to avoid the attrition that hit Leeds and Sheffield Utd in recent years.

Barring an epic implosion the autos are out of reach, however the play offs are a reasonably sure bet. Doesn't matter whether it's 3rd or 6th. Saints have lost just one game this year, against Hull, and that was a self inflicted horror story. Since then, our collective shit has been got together. I can see Saints quietly easing into 4th or 5th position. Let Ipswich or Middlesbrough exhaust themselves battling for 2nd place, and then pick them off in the play offs. That's exactly what we did in 2024, and Sunderland did it last year.

Not only a great watch but that was a statement win. Firstly they right royally dispatched, a so called competitor. Saints have shown their squad depth and quality on live TV. That will make the other teams nervous. GD is now a positive. With WBA and SW coming up, Saints should be in a good position, going into the crucial games against Coventry, Ipswich, and Wrexham. That's where the season is ignited or disintegrates.

This is doing our GD wonders, that's worth an extra point in this league

My word this is a good watch, 4 great goals. Larin may not have scored but he's been instrumental in all of the goals. He's holding the ball up and dragging defenders all over the place. At last Saints are starting to show some class. Pompey letting us down though.

It will be an interesting game tonight. After their mauling at the valley, Charlton were set up to not lose. Credit to the mad Nat he did a good job. QPR sit level with us. If they have any aspirations for the play offs, they are going to have to be more open than Charlton. That will present both opportunities and threats. Should be a good test of where Saints sit.

It's all very simple, just keep winning, especially the key games against teams above us. They'll be draws and god forbid a defeat, but I'm pretty sure Saints will make up the four points needed for the playoffs. Problem is 11 other teams think exactly the same, and we're playing one of them tonight. It's a proper dog fight, and is what makes this such a great league.

My God this Utd Everton game is a real bore fest. Both teams with a defensive mindset. Welcome to the Premier League

Totally agree with this, I think he has the potential to be a real player for Saints. In Downes, Jander, Charles and Bragg we have a very competitive midfield. In the background is Williams who I was very impressed with in the cup game. He definitely doesn't take any prisoners. I'm not convinced about Charles yet. He is class but tends to drift out of games at times. Definitely not as strong in the tackle as the other 3. Now watch him ram those words down my throat against QPR.

A lot of our competitors lost today. After a winning run, a draw was on the cards at some stage. It happens, opposing teams work out a strategy to negate our threats, and we've seen Saints struggle against a negative defensive block for many years. Tonda seems to be learning to adapt, although a tad too slow for my tastes. Hopefully he has something up his sleeve for QPR. A win would have been nice, but they didn't lose, and gained ground on a number of teams. Just need to keep going, with our horrific start to the season, it was always going to go to the wire.

Blimey that was lucky

Agreed, hard to see that sort of shortfall being made up. However, I've said since the start of the season, Saints running into form will give other teams the shits. They all know Saints have the players, and squad depth to be competitive, if they can get their act together. I think Saints will continue the good form, but other teams will start playing a deep block and draws will creep in. A lot depends on Stewart's fitness and Larin's form.

That's how it goes, you pick teams off one by one. As long as Saints keep winning, with the odd draw, then gradually the other teams will wilter under the pressure. Wrexham play Ipswich tomorrow, so Saints could jump two places. Although a draw would be the best result. I reckon Saints will claim position 6 pretty quickly, as long as their form keeps going. Squad depth tells at this stage of the season. Making up the further 6 points to Hull and Ipswich, will be a much tougher ask. Need to bear in mind that there are still 14 games to go. That's 42 points up for grabs. A lot can happen still. Need Pompey to do us a favour at Millwall tomorrow. They owe us for Leicester.

Bristol City in the quarters it is then

Great draw, love Fulham away. Walk across Bishops Park in the Spring sunshine. Dress smart and avoid the wine bars, I'm still in shock from buying a round there 😲 They will put a strong side out, as they'll fancy beating Saints. Nevertheless upsets happen in the cup. Saints are moving through the gears now.

I know I nipped down to get some teas and was nearly swept away on the stairs, by an avalanche of early leavers. Bet the crowd will be different when we draw City at home

Grumpy about extra time, made me late for my curry. Great run out for the U21s, who equipped themselves well. There is some real talent there. Williams came on for the excellent Romeu and looked very good. Very strong in the tackle and always available. Oyekunle was equally a handful. Saints don't need to keep buying players, the future is right there under their noses. Bragg showed his class, keeping him out of the 1st team will be difficult now. The defence was really solid, Leicester struggled to get through. Took an overhead kick to score a goal. They really do have a lot of problems. For once Saints dominated midfield. Bragg, Williams, and Azaz really clicked at the end. Same old story though, not enough of an outlet up front. Archer missed his 2nd 6 yard sitter of the week. Another good win, into the draw we go

There's real quality there, just look at how the U21s are playing. Williams is knocking at the door, and like Sesay will no doubt grab any opportunity. O'Brien Whitmarsh was highly fancied before his injury, so it will be good to see him on the pitch at some point. Romeu better be up to speed, otherwise he needs showing the door. No Robinson which is a surprise

What a mental league 8 teams separated by 3 points. Well after that we're right in the mix. I need to lie down