edprice1984

Sheffield Utd....Hmmm! Interesting that the Thai bloke was putting his daughter in the front. Where have we seen that before?

I have just been winding a few of them up on the facebook page - I almost feel sorry for them...then again!

Madejski not dancing around anymore.... Loving this, went to Swansea Uni - I was there at the Hull City game back in 2003, incredible achievement! They are my 'second team' after Saints so it will be weird seeing them in the Premiership and us in the Championship

Nice to see Arsenal losing again! Blackpool and Wigan to go, unless something really stupid happens at Spurs...

I agree. HMRC tried to an emotional argument which was the worst way to go about it. If they had argued on a purely financial basis, HMRC would have won. I reckon Chinny will try the 'we need the takeover to happen or the club will fold' trick again... I don't think it will work again though!

Liam Feeney = Leon Best

Thank the lord Saints aren't involved in this. I have never experienced a greater shift in emotion as I did during and after THAT game at Pride Park...Rasiak goal was my greatest moment as a Saints fan...all the passion I have for this club unleashed in a single moment - Then to lose on penalties (which we haven't done again since by the way!) was absolutely horrible. So much worse than England, sat in a pub in Swansea close to tears and having Swansea City fans coming up to me and trying to console me...got a lot of free drinks that night! I have changed my mind about who I want to win this...Bournemouth (just) and hope that Huddersfield go up as Champions next year...

Not 'just' back from the game, but as I was knackered last night I thought I would wait till this morning. I thought we did play well, but as soon as their keeper made the wonder save from Fonte in the 2nd half you had the feeling it was going to be 'one of those nights'. Losing Morgan in the first 10 minutes had a huge effect on the shape of the side. Harding/Lallana and RL all linked well on the left, but Butterfield didn't really have anyone to feed to on the right. N'Guessan (who reminds me of Antonio, in that I don't think even he is sure what he is doing when he gets the ball) worked hard but I am not sure he really grasped what position he was playing. The whole side seemed to be off balance, most of the play was down on the left which meant that Walsall just packed that side. When we switched it to the right we looked dangerous but we didn't do it enough. Macken took his goal well and their keeper (although a fatboy) was like Gordon Banks...One of those games that we battered them but wouldn't have scored if we had played for another 90 minutes. It's not the end of the world but it does put more pressure on the Bompey and Charlton games.

To be honest there is no need for an expansion for the RWC in 2015. Most likely St Mary's will get two or three games at best, probably hosting Scotland/Argentina or Fiji. The IRB and RFU will look to sell out the ground with an attractive fixture but won't give us any of the big five. The smallest ground will be Kingsholm in Gloucester which will hold 18-20K in 2015.

The Champagne is getting ready to pop at my house....here we go people!!!

Sacchi as manager or as DOF...seems pretty unlikely to me, but then again you never know. One little point to make about Foreign managers, or any manager for that matter - It doesn't make a blind bit of difference if they have 'League 1 experience'! What matters is that they have tactical awareness, more than just Plan A and can motivate the players. Obviously we would like teh team to play attractive football, but IMHO this season we can play like the old Wimbledon team as long as we go up! Seriously guys we should be able to beat Rochdale without any major problems, then we have another week before our next game. By then we could have our new manager in place. Don't panic Mr Mainwaring!

I've been supporting the Saints since I can remember - nearly 22 years now. I have always felt we are no different to any other club, in terms of the chaos, disappointment, ecstacy and joy that goes with following a football club in the modern era. What has happened over the last few weeks (I include Markus' death in this) is upsetting and painful but nothing too out of the ordinary. I am still extremely confident we will get promoted. We are only 3 games into the season, are big names are starting to find their form (I am quite happy at the moment to count last night as a blip, if we continue in the same vain on Saturday I will obviously reassess) and we all know the few areas that need strengthening. I do find it incredible that some people on this forum and on others think that we are going to go out and sign loads of players, some of Premier League standard with no regard to any possible wage structure and financial stability. I am still optomistic, I will admit to being a little annoyed that we have got rid of a very capable manager in Alan Pardew. I think Mr Cortese may have made a mistake, and to be fair (in my opinion, he hasn't made many so far) - but we will have to see. The players we have should be good enough to secure promotion no matter who is in charge. I have been a little disappointed with the lack of transfer activity in general, but the 25 man squad rule has had alot to do with that. Watch out for 5pm tonight and a flurry of activity in the loan transfer market. We may see some more players coming in then...I have no ITK or actually factual evidence to back this up by the way! COYR - WIFM

After getting back to Gloucester very late (or should that be early) I decided to leave it to today before I gave my two-penneth about the game. First half: After a bright start, we didn't look great. Too much long ball, lazy passing and too many mistakes. Lallana wasn't given the ball enough and Barnard was isolated up front (Puncheon kept going out wide rather than play in the central role we needed him). Seabourne and Davis were too often just lumping the ball forward, Wotton was too deep and this led to Bournemouth having quite alot of possession. I didn't feel that Saints were ever in any real danger from open play, set-pieces always worry me and Pitman was unlucky with his freekick. Oxo and Puncheon looked the more likely to score for Saints - we seemed to be very dangerous when we took some time and played the ball on the floor. Patient build up and we created chances. The booing at the end of the half was pathetic and the people concerned aren't true supporters in my books. It is easy to clap and cheer when you are winning - it is when the team are struggling that supporters need to be heard and be supportive. Half-time: Just a little note for all those numpties saying that Cortese has banned Le Tiss etc from the ground, well the stewards aren't doing their job properly because when me and my friend stood up at half-time, he was sat 8 rows behind us in the Itchen! Dickson substitution: I like Dickson and I think he will add alot to the side. I agree that the communication with Lallana was poor, but that will improve with games and training. The other problem is that Wotton doesn't and didn't offer anything on the inside so Dickson was having to check and make sure that if the move did break down he could cover. However losing the ball in one on one situations is unforgivable, but that can happen to anyone in any game - no need to write him off just yet! Second Half: Straight away Harding made a difference, over-lapping runs and supporting Lallana, gave space to Barnard, Hammond and Puncheon in the centre. We kept the ball very well for a good 10-15 minutes and as the pressure increased the players and the support (Northam -You were brilliant second half!) gradually gained in confidence. When Lallana stepped on to his right foot It was a goal...Can't wait to see that on the League Cup highlights tonight. Felt that we lost a little control after Bournemouth changed their shape and went for it, but it did mean they left spaces at the back. With some more composure from Puncheon and Barnard we could have had a couple more, Lambert showed when he came on he is a class act (although as my friend noted, he did look like he has gained a pound or two). Overall satisfied with performance and looking forward to getting either Pompey or a Premier League team in the next round.

I agree, but I can't honestly think of three games where there were any incidents - Tranmere and Bristol Rovers are the only ones that come to mind, and in both cases they were very minor! In comparison to the likes Leeds our record on away trips, with the numbers of supporters we are currently bringing, is nothing short of 'Saintly' (excuse the pun!) I always feel that one of the plus points about supporting Saints is that I have rarely experienced any trouble or felt threatened and when I go to away games the opposition fans are generally very friendly. We are seen (on the whole) as a 'nice, family club' and our supporters do the club alot of credit. The supposed 'Greatest fans in the World' are on all the Police forces black-lists and with good reason! I know we had alot of police attention last year, but I think that was an over-reaction to the sheer number of away fans that were travelling.

Couple of idiots ran onto the pitch at Bristol Rovers at the away league game too. But I think that is pretty much it! Unless they are including the trouble at the P*mpey cup game as well?

Although I understand some people reservations towards friendlies, particularly against a team like Reading, it does provide a good opportunity for some fans to go to see Saints play. I am a huge fan, but due to financial restraints and the fact I live in Gloucester I find it difficult to get to many home games. Last year I went to all the local away games and managed to see us play against Leeds, Pompey and Gillingham. Reading will be a good test, we should really be on a par with their standard if we are looking to win League 1 (the difference between Championship midtable and top League 1 teams is negligable at best) and hopefully we may have some signings to gel into the squad before August 7th. So if you can make it, get down there...create an atmosphere and check out the sash... All together now...'PERU...It's just like watchin' Peru!'

When I come down to home games ( I live in Gloucester and currently go to more away games ) I park at the Isle of Wight Ferry terminal (at the end of the pier) - normally £4-5 for 3/4 hours, and always plenty of spaces. 10 minute walk to ground, I tend to wander round town first - the only issue is that you do get caught up in the traffic getting out of Soton after the game. This would only really affect those who live to the West of Soton obviously.

Venue for the game against FC Thun...looks good!

I've heard we are replacing the entire squad (with the exception of Lallana, Lambert and Spiderman) with the Brazil and Portugal World Cup squads...

A bloke standing behind me in the terrace last night had Saints to win 5-1 @ 90/1...he put a tenner on it! NICE! The only saints fan there who was willing us not to score a 6th!

Best: Bristol Rovers (Cup) - Brilliant atmosphere and my first away win (after 15 attempts) Exeter - Stood in the second away end and a cracking day Swindon - rubbish performance but so many Saints fans for a mid-week game! Worst: MK Dons - Like playing behind close doors Stockport - Enough said Wembley - Couldn't go!!! (blimming wife's birthday!)

Dellish - sopke to ticket office yesterday and all seats have now been sold

Tony F - I will take those tickets if they are still on offer. I have been told by a girl I know who works in the Rovers office that it is unlikely that we will get the other 800 (terrace tickets) - something to do with Police/safety concerns?? Let me know how much and I can send a cheque or if easier online. Thanks

I was one of the 'nobbers' who claimed the small part of the Big Bank. Fair play to the stewards and Exeter who didn't have to do that! In terms of the game, the pitch was really awful but we lacked drive from midfield. Once Morgan got booked the edge and bite that was needed was not there. I agree that Pardew should look to be more attacking sometimes, but it was a difficult balancing act as Exeter are a good side at home. I got the sense that the players were looking ahead to the next week, but if you look at the bulk of the threads on this messageboard so have the supporters!

Are there any spare tickets still going. Don't really fancy standing/sitting with the locals! I can pick up tickets in Exeter, whatever is easiest for you!