trousers

"Saints trust coach to mk dons" Given the bad weather being forecast for Wednesday I'm not sure trusting a coach to get them there is the best policy to be honest.

It was just an idea from a lonely internet forum chum.... I just think having someone in the midfield who is in the 30-35 age bracket who's "been there, done that" and fancies a challenge in the twilight of his career is worth a shot. I guess Wotton fits the age bill but I'm talking more of an accomplished figure who would cost a few bob more.

I know a 'lady' called Rhonda who may be able to help out with that one...

Talking of realism, Didn't Pardew say just before Xmas that he now thought the playoffs were a 'realistic' target this season? If he did indeed say/think that then not to do it this year would now be a disappointment by logical deduction. if he didn't say it then apologies. All I do know is that next season is going to be one big pressure trip for our players if the expectations of this thread are anything to go by! Since when has anything been a fate acomplis aboard the good ship southampton?

Crossed my mind too

Yup

we've only got your word for that...

Why would Holmes cross the ball if there was no-one in the box? Was he crossing it to early or was he taking it to the byeline and still no saints players in the box?

Question: Would acquiring Stock vastly improve our chance of reaching the playoffs this season?

Yes, i would have prutton back. But isn't the more important question: "has Hammond stopped playing like he did at Colchester through a simple drop in form or has pardew changed the way he naturally plays? Perhaps pardew has told him to hold back to try and help reinforce our defensive cover? Who knows?

Quashie? "In November 2009 Quashie joined League One side Milton Keynes Dons on loan until 3 January 2010" Now 'available' again after latest loan spell it would seem...

Was that Seabourne who headed the punt up field across the front of his own penalty area?

Which all suggests that he was more than happy to take a point from a game that he had described as a 'must win'. Just observing what looks like a contradiction on the surface

I asked this question at the beginning of the season but will ask it again now: "if cortese thinks that a DoF is an important role, why wait until the summer? Surely such an 'important' role would be needed for the January transfer window too?" I must be missing a piece or two of cortese's logic jigsaw spmewhere along the line.

Which suggests that Pardew was happy with the point contrary to quotes earlier in the week?

So...."why was he on the bench yesterday?" He was either 'partly' fit and could have come on for the last 15 minutes or wasn't fit at all and therefore shouldn't have been on the bench....IMHO. Unless, as I say, it was a psychological tactic by Pards?

How old is Le Tiss by the way....?

Isn't this the 'missing link' in our side? A wiley old pro in midfield who can provide a link between our midfield and the striker(s)? Someone in the mold of Nicky Butt or Nick Barmby? Or just anyone who's name is Nick.... Shirley?

Sorry if the explanation is buried in another thread somewhere - couldn't see it. Why was he on the bench if Pardew never intended playing him? Surely being 0-0 away from home with 15 minutes to go is as good a reason as any to bring on your best striker on the bench? Unless Pardew was happy with a draw of course? Or perhaps it was purely psychological? i.e. make Millwall think that we had Connolly up our sleeves when in fact he was never fit enough to come on?

If Stock can make the difference between playoffs this season rather than next his valuation is largely immaterial IMO as it will be offset by the relative riches of the Championship. If Pardew doesn't sign another player of Stock's calibre then it sends out the message that we now don't think the playoffs is a realistic target.

Anyone else raise a wry smile at people starting threads to moan about the moaners?

A little disappointed that the word 'gel' has only been used 4 times thus far in this thread

...

Not surprising if the better teams in the league go there to secure a draw. A self fulfilling prophecy perhaps?

Should keep the Burley comparisonists happy... ;-)