trousers

I guess it's possible to choose different types (styles) of chairmen to emphasise different sides of this 'debate'.

Precisely. Backs up my 'only at Southampton' observation above

Only at Southampton can the chairman popping into the dressing room to help motivate the team be seen as a negative thing. In any other industry, and at most other clubs, the big cheese being interested and involved at 'shop floor' level, rather than shutting themselves away in a lofty office somewhere, would be seen as a good way of running a company. Only at Southampton....

If Wilde & Co are being consistent in the way they deal with the 'senior' players then the answer to that question will depend on his appearance fees and how often he wants to play.

By the way, what's happened to the "best catering in the world" mantle? They've gone from doing nice, round deep-dish pizzas to some pop-tart look-alike 'pizza pod'. About half the size, half the taste and half the value. WTF is that all about? And, where-oh-where were the Mexican chicken wraps? They were superb last season but nowhere to be seen last night. Best catering my ar5e

Agree with your review of the game....the only trouble is, in shipping out Stern John, we've probably just lost our main hope of achieving the ultimate goal (pun intended) of your last sentence. The words 'ourselves', 'foot' and 'shooting' and/or 'nose', 'spite', 'cutting' and 'face' spring to mind....

in bold

"If we would have kept the ball and been in possession we would have been very dangerous. We go for a result because at the end of the day we one and this result gave us hope that on Saturday we can do something." http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10810

Yep.....3 minutes

He had a good game last night - arguably our best player. He was at his best when he, on occasions, switched into attacking left midfield mode. Having not seen him for a while, his demeanor didn't look like the Rudi of 'old' though....he's definitely got his mind on 'other things' IMO.

When's the AGM? Would that be a 'window of opportunity' for Crouch & Co?

I haven't got it in front of me so can't quote verbatim, but he was saying that whilst finances played a part in Stern's move to Bristol City he seemed to be saying that the DECIDING factor was Stern's ultimatum that he should be starting every game. I think Wilde needs to clarify this. If Stern said: "I should be playing regardless of form or fitness" then I think Wilde had every right (in the circumstances) to say "Sorry, no can do, bye bye". However, if Stern said: "I should be playing every game if I'm in form and fit" then, in my opinion, Wilde's piece in his programme notes is potentially misleading. Given our current dearth of "20 goals a season" strikers, why on earth wouldn't we want to play John every game if he is fit and in form? Surely John wouldn't have made the unconditional demands that Wilde was implying he made? Would he?

The 'problem' was that we lost enough 'momentum' in that few seconds for Coventry to sort themselves out. We (Skacel?) was just about to pump a relatively quick free kick in whilst the Coventry players were still organising themselves - picking up players etc - and the substitution simply interrupted the flow. You could see the frustration in a few of the Saints players when the referee blew his whistle to abort the free kick for the substitution. Madness. (But of course, if BWP had headed the ball into the net it would have been genius...)

I didn't see too many kids there tonight. edit: apart from the players of course (thought I'd get in there first....)

I thought Smith had a few good moments - set up a good overlap with Rudi if memory serves me correctly - agree he had his fair share of mishaps too though.

Was just about to post something similar. Was my first game of the season (genuine reasons....letter from parents available upon request) and for the first 70 minutes I was pleasantly surprised. However, I couldn't believe how deep we suddenly started playing as soon as we'd scored. The people around me all looked at each other and knew what was coming....and it came....just 5 minutes later. To give Poortvliet some credit, he was livid when we sat back after scoring, animatedly urging the team to get forward. But his decision to bring on BWP was alarming....the ref was about to blow and we then waste 30 seconds. The players trying to take the free kick couldn't believe what they were seeing. Anyway, a draw was a fair result although we just scraped being the better team over the 90 mins. We just need to work out how NOT to give the ball away in the middle third and we're laughing.... p.s. I though Wotton played a blinder in thee first half, marshling the defence well. Other stand out players for me were DmG (until he scored), Skacel and Euell. Cork also showed his class on a few occasions. Was disappointed that Schneiderlin was relatively anonymous. All things considered, was relatively satisfied with the point....but we will get beaten badly (again) by better teams than Coventry (who, incidently were very poor - they reminded me of our game against Leicester at home in the FA Cup last season)

The other 1% being the missing sub I assume?

They are pre-match seat warmers at SMS

His nickname is "Pitbull". Just what we need....sign him up now.... http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=x4LaLMWk6aQ

I'm staying static.

New Dutch youngster joining us soon?