macca155

We need to be realistic here. Spurs couldn't keep Bale Utd couldn't keep Ronaldo Arsenal couldn't keep Van Persie As much as we like to think we are in that league nobody else does. Ok Shaw isn't the finished article but he is one hell of a player. No player is worth the sort of money being bandied around but they are if a moneybags club need him. If a bidding war starts it will be messy as none of the big three (with money) will want the other two to have him. Personally I would pre-empt the whole thing and start a conversation with Chelsea which starts with Lukuka, that will test their mettle. There are other left backs but precious few Lallana's I think we will have to learn to support a team without him

Gaston wasn't brilliant but he made a difference and crucially he started to make things happen. He needs a run in the team to scrape off the rust. Way more effective than Lambo today and that breaks my heart as I fear Rickie may have peaked in 2012. Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

Saint86 I was just about to post almost exactly the same. What a great post and absolutely spot on. I'm loving every minute of this season, those 18 year olds will be 22 year old internationals before know it. As you say this is a time to enjoy not to criticise. Bright spots for me yesterday were Chambers who is going to make it tough for Clyne to claim his place back. The other positive for me was that Gaston for once came on and showed his class and along with JWP helped us stamp some authority on the game but all too late though. We all know Hos, Fox, and Gazza are not up to it, so does the manager and the players, but they've all we got at the moment so we need to make the best of it. You know what Saints are like, they'll probably beat Everton and Chelsea now. 27 points at Christmas that will do nicely. Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

I really hope not but our end of season form didn't inspire confidence. If MP can buy some decent defenders then I think we could be looking at 'one of those seasons'. I am old enough to remember the last. That's a big if because every other club wants the same. Second season in the prem is notoriously difficult. Lets face facts last year everyone had Saints as certain to go down. I think next year won't be dissimilar.

My god we have a real element amongst our fan base now don't we. Anyway well said Kraken nothing wrong with Holloway he's a character and football needs more of them. He stands up for the teams he manages and I respect that. If you can't take it don't give it out, if he was our manager we would absolutely love him. Anyway three perfectly decent clubs joining the Premiership next year. They've all been on a similar journey to Saints so welcome and as Rut says if you think they are all going straight down then you are a mug who doesn't learn the lessons of history. They'll be amongst the relegation crew that's for certain but lets face facts so will Saints unless the club can genuinely step up. One thing that's guaranteed is that all three will fight like terriers to stay in the league and will be no pushovers. At least one of them will take points out of Saints... guaranteed. And we get to have a night out in Cardiff again... great memories.

Signed Utter disgrace what is happening to football clubs at the moment. Stand firm comrades you are not alone

Come on get a grip bookies put 100/1 for a reason. There would have to be a bizarre set of results for Saints to go down First Saints don't gain a single point when they've managed to get a point from 7 of the last 10 games Secondly Wigan win three of their last four games including their game in hand against Man City, I accept that is very possible Thirdly Sunderland, Newcastle, Villa, and Norwich must all win at least one of their last three games, bearing in mind three of them are playing each other and a number of games are against Champions league chasing teams. Yes it could happen but Saints have only really had one iffy game, there was nothing wrong with a point against West ham and Swansea as they are both pretty similar to Saints. They'll manage at least a point no worries. Villa's win will have pulled six teams straight back into the fight so expect to see results ground out next week. There will certainly be some worried managers amongst the teams below us. If we are worried imagine how the North East are feeling with both teams having conceded six in recent weeks... that's not good very bad karma. I'm still saying Norwich will take the third slot and my wedge is firmly on them at a healthy 20-1 (taken a few weeks ago)

I lived through and suffered the Thatcher years. Her government's policies cost me thousands and I'm still paying. She sold off the country's assetts, wasted oil money on keeping employment high to break the unions and set people against one another. Just look at this bebate its dtill happening. Her rule changed this country no doubt about that. Yes industry needed modernising and unions controlling but not at the cost of the country's soul. Her policies of vengence and discord destroyed communities. She transformed this country from a focus on industry to service. Finance and banking ruled for the torys and that really turned out well didn't it. She was a strong leader and I respect that. Her profile was much stronger abroad as they bought into the caricature but i think history will judge her harshly. She died a frail old lady muffled and kept at an embarrassed distance by her own party. That says it all and she deserved better. Only Gordon Brown had the decency to put her back in the public eye. No death should be celebrated but her passing may help heal old wounds. I hated what she stood for on the eighties but I've mellowed a little when I compare her to the current crop of spineless opportunists. Alan

That's a brilliant result - a point we didn't expect - some self respect back where it really matters - a vital point above Newcastle with a better goal difference, they'll start to sweat now - 8 points above QPR, 6 above reading, and a vital 3 above Aston Villa Going to be a tough few weeks but we're slowly creeping up the table

More in his general demeanour not his play as I said he played some sublime passes but he was arguing a lot and there was handbags with a villa defender at one point. I wonder if he had an issue with JRod playing up front as he really doesn't have the fitness to keep tracking back the way he has to in the position he's been asked to play. Don't get me wrong first on the team sheet every time as far as I'm concerned just seemed to be an edge to him yesterday.

Just back... journey seemed to take ages. I wouldn't use words like fantastic, outstanding or excellent about today except for the result. We've had enough dodgy penalties against us over the years so I couldn't give a toss about todays. What did matter is that Lambert put it away with awesome power. It was a good performance from Saints solid at the back. I've liked Borac right from the start, he oozes experience and is starting to dominate his area. I doubt he'll be a top Premiership goalie but he'll certainly be enough for us. Jos did his job as best he could but it was obvious he isn't mobile enough for the prem. The pacier and more skilful forwards can turn him far too easily. Yoshida played very well and I liked his aggression. Shaw continues to improve but Clyne looked a bit exposed with JP not at a 100% today. I've always liked Villa I've been there a lot and I've never found their fans anything but friendly and appreciative of good football. We seem to beat them a lot which always improves my mood. They are in desperate straights at the moment and absolute certs to go down with that team so its no wonder their fans were quiet. Chatted to a few on the way back to the car and they were embarrassed by the booing of Shaw. When it happened my brother said to me that it was good timing as it stopped Villa's growing momentum in its tracks. Their fans realised this and I think what we heard was just pure frustration at their plight. They are genuinely worried about the future, they are skint and they know they'll slide down the leagues just like other teams. Back to the game I thought Lambo looked out of sorts today but he did play some absolute beauties to release other forwards into acres of space. Mainly JP and JRod and they wasted pretty much every opportunity. JRod needs to run at the goal not away from it. Overall I don't think Saints will have any easier games. In the first half they certainly weren't playing at a 100% and it was only when Villa threw everything at us that they looked in any way stressed. Dare we start to believe? No behave yourself Macca we won't be picking up many points in the next four games so things may look grim again in a few weeks.

Oh what absolute rubbish there is on this thread. Davis wasn't even good enough for the Championship but a strong defence and the odd brilliant game (Leeds) kept him in the team. Gazza simply isn’t ready to make the move from League 2 to the Premiership. Both made hideous mistakes and have cost us points. I’ve seen them all close up in ‘screamovision’ and I break out in a cold sweat every time I see either of them on the team sheet. Borac has genuine presence and bags of experience. He started badly but recovered and I thought he looked very solid in the second half. Considering the treatment he received from some of the idiots in the crowd I’m not surprised he was a bit nervous. He isn’t a machine and hasn’t had the benefit of a decent pre season and Adkins clearly told him to lose weight and get fit before he would be considered. He looked a lot sharper yesterday to when I saw him at West ham and I suspect he will improve rapidly. All players need match time goalies more than anybody. The defence clearly trust him and whilst his kicking needs work it isn’t that bad and Adkins prefers his keepers to throw the ball out anyway. Give the guy a chance

Well that's that then Not alot of respect shown to the uber Saints fans who are making the trip up to the dirty north. I had a ticket but my two petrol buddies dropped out so I didn't go as it would have cost me over a ton... looks like a sensible decision although I have now matched one of the plastic fan criteria. Bugger 47 years of watching Saints blown. That's a reserve side with knobs on, probably win 5 - 4 now

Weston not wishing to state the obvious but they are 2,3,4,5,6,7 because they have beaten us, Three points at this stage is worth several places in the league. Take your point though the stagger has to unwind at some point and it is the games against those around us which will count in the long run. There are a possible 42 points from Norwich, Reading, QPR, Swansea, Stoke, Villa, and Sunderland. Plus any points from these teams will mean they stay below us or not as far above. We've played just one game from this lot and have maximum points.... we'll be fine I do wonder if the team has the grit and or passion to beat these teams but we'll just have to wait and see. I guess Swansea on the 10th will be the first real marker.

Fab idea my lad is a 200m runner so he can earn his keep for once:) Be as funny as though to see that level of mayhem, there would be some dirty tactics going down the stairs. I missed out on Arse tickets as expected but I knew the rules I choose not to go to City and fully accept that those that did should have priority. I could have gone down to the ticket office early this morning but once again I was too lazy to do so. As Steve says it will even out over the season. There are other ways of getting tickets it's a big stadium I use to like the old voucher system. They would chose a game at random and give out a voucher that allowed you to buy cup tickets. It was always some desperate home game against Bolton or Coventry. News that vouchers were been given out would spread like wildfire and it was a mad scramble. I use to ask for extra one for my brother even though he was standing behind me and he did the same never failed. I remember getting a couple in 76 and just chucking them down in my room somewhere. There was the mother of all searches come April Maybe they should select one game for double points or have a fat bloke race around the pitch at half time for guaranteed ticket.That would beat warm larger downstairs.

"Depends where in Ch. and if you're near the border but it's on Sportitalia 1 so ask just in case...." Thanks but I'm near the middle surrounded by mountains so not much chance. I've managed to get some wireless so hopefully I can find a live stream. Cheers Alps as well I've checked and Sport Digital is subscription here as well... can't have everything on holiday I suppose. My own fault I thought I could grab a weeks skiing and still see Pompey and Reading. Then they moved it to Friday ....gutted.... but never mind come on you reds this is the moment.

"I've just found out its on live here in Austria." Which channel is it on Alps I'm stuck in Switzerland and we seem to have every european channel on the Tv except sky of course. That would be awesome if I could watch the game rather than waiting for updates on my mobile. I'm seriously nervous about this one... come on Saints

Not very good mind games either, it's a bit like when a centre half tries to shoot he really should have used his head.

Some interesting mind games by Sam...... can't believe players or fans want to hear this on the eve of an important game. Starting to look like the only people who believe Saints might not be promoted are ............ Saints fans. This won't work Sam http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4220741/Sam-Allardyce-The-Championship-title-is-Southamptons.html or http://tinyurl.com/cazcwvn WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce says Southampton have the Championship title sewn up. The Hammers face a trip to Peterborough on Tuesday before a home game with second-place Reading on Saturday. And Big Sam says it's that second automatic promotion spot that his team is fighting for. He said: "The title's gone now. "I can't see Southampton losing three or four on the trot for us to gain those points back. "We've made life a little easier for them now. They must look back and say 'we never thought we would be this far ahead at this stage' because we were always on their heels. "They must be delighted this morning, the position they're in. "Fair play to them, they've been there all season. We've always been playing catch up.

12 or 13 points will do it no question. The West ham/Reading game works for Saints whatever happens. Saints are currently 1/8 to be promoted that is essentially a non bet. I would say 2 wins aganist Donny, Skates, or Blackpool and the others will give up and start fighting amongst themselves. Lets be honest the only people now who think we won't be promoted are Saints fans! Everybody else thinks it is a done deal.

114-1 to be precise I've put a bet on for you and if I win I'll buy you a Carlsberg next home game However you're right some pretty long odds there draws alround has more value. Saints are 2/1 for an away win which is bloody good value considering their home form. I'm having some of that come on Saints make me some money

Medic! What a performancve but I seriously cannot go through that again Brilliant well done lads

That was pure football porn I wonder if the Barnsley fans started to sing it's like watching Brazil Either Barnsley aren't very good or Saints are playing some of the best football seen since the early eighties

I arrived 10 mins into the 2nd half and still got in. Don't ask had to work late seriously fed up but was determined to see some of the match. There is usually a late gate or just bang on the door and a steward will let you in. Avoid half time if you can they don't like doing it then.