VectisSaint

I'm beginning to think that maybe we have a very good physio/medical team, far better than we had before, and that there is an understanding in our management team (not forgetting that our manager was a physio) that rushing players back before they are ready is asking for trouble. It would appear that the management team put more emphasis on the player being fully fit before he is allowed to play again. It means it takes longer before a player returns from injury but ultimately they are not only sharp and fit, but also less likely to pick up another niggle straight away. Connolly is a clear example, who has been technically ready for some time to come back, but the management team have ensured that he not "just" fit, but sharp and really at a high level of fitness. I suspect in an emergency he could have played sooner, and also that Morgan and Oxo could have returned a week or two sooner.

No, because he wouldn't have allowed us to be relegated in the first place, so would never have achieved promotion from League 1.

Whats wrong with a moran? Steve was great for us.

Great stuff, sorry couldn't be there. Pleased for Walsall, Chris Nicholl really should be happy tonight. To top it off the Gulls clinched a play-off place in League One (despite losing). Top day. Bring on the Championship.

Leeds are probably a poor example. Leeds very nearly blew promotion to the Championship. Their early season form and in the end the reason they held on just was down to Beckford. Once he left to join Everton in January they were a pale shadown of their former selves. It was clear that some of the players in the first team when they eventually won promotion were simply not good enough, hence a bigger than usual turnaround. Better comparisons would be with Norwich, possibly Millwall although I haven't got the time (or inclination) to compare their current first teams with the ones that earned promotion last season. The difference with Norwich and Millwall were that they were in-form when they gained promotion, unlike Leeds whose promotion was based on their early season form.

Two obvious positions that need quality added, striker and central defender, assuming we hang on to what we have (including Stephens). We absolutely must hang on to DC, even if Barney is available, and who knows at the moment about that. DC is exactly what we need in the NPC, experienced and skilful, and he seems to have got over his injury issues. Those who think we should get rid now are out of their minds. That said even if we have Lambert, Connolly and Barnard available (and Guly) it is not enough up front for a season in the NPC. Central defence we need a replacement for Jaidi, and although Seaborne and Martin will be adequate backup in the NPC they are not good enough for first choice alongside Fonte, in my opinion. I'm sure Jaidi will still have a part to play, but we need a replacement sooner rather than later. The only other position I think we could do with additional quality is wide midfield/winger. We don't have enough options when AOC is not available, and the jury has to be out with Holmes, very good player but lacks the pace to be totall effective even if he can keep injury-free. I still have doubts about Kelvin and Hammond, but they both proved me wrong in the second half of the season.

OS says you can order tickets online for collection at the ticket office - maybe it didn't before but it does now.

Would have thought Mick, Keith, Ronnie and Charlie are getting a bit long in the tooth for a game against Saints. Tonbridge Angles - are you just being obtuse?

He scored a lot more goals in a season at the same level than Barney has. 27 in 45 in the 3rd division (all competitions) in 2000/1, followed by 20 in 21 in the 2nd division the following season. At his best Brett was a top goalscorer in the lower leagues. The PL was probably a step too far, as it probably would be for Barney as well to be honest.

If there is any justice they will extend their unbeaten run by 4 games, not 3.

Would be a travesty if Huddersfield don't win the play-off final, they richly deserve it. The 2 best teams in the divison end up 2nd and 3rd. Play-offs should be scrapped, but Hudders will probably be pleased when they do win at OT, because then they will be promoted and get the financial pay-back for coming 3rd. Good luck Huddersfield.

Proves nothing of the sort, just proved that Wigley was not the right man for the job. Lots of good coaches at whatever level do not make good managers, while others do. I doubt that Doddsy will ever be our first team manager but just because he is currently the Academy Coach should not mean he is barred from the job just because Lowe fecked up with Wigley. Next we'll be told that physios would make good managers, or even goalkeepers. Whatever next. Great shame that the lads lost out in the end, I thought Fulham may have had a tougher game against Leicester, probably end up with Fulham winning overall.

I thought KD saved the pen, and so did many others on here, but both BBC and Sky earlier say it came back off the post. Replayed it several times last night and to be honest still wasn't 100% sure but it looked like a save. The OS says the post as well, so guess KD never did touch it.

So you would drop Lambert (80+ goals in 3 years) and replace him with Beattie (9 goals in the same time period). No way would they be effective together, Beattie needs a runner a la Brett.

9 goals in 3 seasons (0 in last 2), including a big fat zero in the SPL. Look, JB was great when he was here but he is older and fatter (too many muffins) and can no longer cut it. I would rather have Brett back than Beatts to be honest. The only possible role for JB is as occassional backup for RL, and he would not want that (JB that is). Everyone needs to stop the nostalgia, we need to be building for an NPC promotion challenge (assuming we go up) with an eye to the PL, Beatts does not fit into that scenario in any way, shape or form.

I mentioned on here a couple of weeks back that Pulis no longer appears in our Squad on the OS. All others who are currently on loan are still listed including Harlee Dean. I suspect he has already been told he has no future here but will not be officially released yet. I don't think there is a cat in hell's chance that Hajduk Split would want our Anth, more likely Banana Split. Connolly claims he has been fit for months, and also that he is one of the fittest players at the Club. If DC goes it will be because NA doesn't rate him, and this appears to possibly be the case, otherwise DC would have been used more if he was fit. IMHO this would be a massive mistake, DC is exactly what we need to Division 2, experience and guile, and a great eye for a goal. OK, it may be his last hurrah, but you need guys like him around, and lest we forget, Barney may not be available. What we do need is a new, young striker, in the mould of RL.

I guess that makes it 3 then.

I hope you are right, but its not the same as us leaving the Dell or Brighton leaving the Goldstone. They hate the Withdean and are embarrassed that they have to play there, they are not leaving it with any nostalgia. Nevertheless hopefully the little Urugyan knobhead can pump his players up to play their usual brand of ugly, petty, time wasting football and frustrate Huddersfield.

While sat in their car? FFS, do you have no shame? Blaming a kid sat in the back seat of a private car for being attacked by mindless morons. I also seriously doubt your second sentence. There are no grown men in Pompey.

29 goals in the previous season for the Gas would suggest otherwise. 84 goals in 3 seasons at the same level is no mean feat. Big Ron scored 85 in 3 consecutive seasons for Saints in Division 1 (37, 28, 20), 3 top notch seasons on the trot (hadn't realised the remarkable similarity until today) If you're good enough you will still score the goals, defences don't learn much.

Nope, they were actually chuffed that Lowe sent them payment that they didn't even know they were owed without waiting for the League to order the payment. Most Swindon supporters never even knew Walcott was on their books. They may have been more upset that Ted stole Mick Channon from them though, allegedly signing him illegally on a Sunday in order to beat them to it.

Interesting to know when Leicester and Villa have their remaining games. Leicester play Fulham and Villa play Charlton on Saturday. Assuming they still have 1 more match to play Leicester will be keen to beat Fulham (as Villa should beat Charlton) to keep up their hopes of winning Group B. Gives Saints a great chance playing against Coventry who are 8th in GpB. If Saints win then into play-offs, lets hope they are the only Saints team in play-off action this season. Well done Doddsy and the boys.

Arse bitten severely I believe. Seems Mr Fitton knows less than he thought about football.

Always reminds me of Nick Holmes. Think he is an underrated player and a crucial member of the squad. Occassionally has an off day, but guess thats why he never really fulfilled his early promise and is in 2nd/3rd tier of English league system. Certainly good enough for the Championship, hopefully will get a new contract soon.

Technically no, but barring a set of freak results, yes. But counting of chickens prematurely is not to be encouraged. We are Southampton. This season is showing why the play-offs are a bad idea and should be scrapped. The 3 best teams should be promoted, end of.