Bailey

When the game finished at St. Mary's and news filtered through that Bournemouth had beaten Burton Albion to secure promotion to League One, I seem to remember most Saints' fans cheering. I was always under the impression that we quite liked them with a number of Saints' fans keeping an eye out for their results!? This rivalry that people are talking of is pretty much non-existent!

Looks good IMO. I can see why some are complaining about the red ball but at the end of the day, it's just a badge. I'm more interested to see the kit that it'll be on!

I'm delighted with the statement on the whole, and over the moon to hear that Pardew now has Cortese's backing. However, there's no smoke without fire and I don't believe that these rumours regarding Pardew's future came out of nothing. I feel that something was going on behind the scenes and AP came close to being given the boot. Having said that, Cortese's statement settles a lot of nerves and hopefully puts an end to some of the speculation. Maybe the way the media and fans reacted to the possible sacking changed NC's mind, but either way, it's done with now. I very much look forward to next season in what will be our 125th year, and I hope we can celebrate it in style with a league title!

Lallana was quiet during the first half but he came into the game more in the second period. Absolutely delighted that he notched his 20th goal of the campaign too, especially after Rickie refused to let him take the pen. I'm in the 'Lallana will stay' camp and I think that today just shows how committed he is to Saints. If Pardew was to go though, then I think the situation could be very different.

Spoken to a couple of Brighton supporting mates. They are gutted that we're on the verge of signing Inigo. Their 'best player' according to the Seagulls' fans that I've spoken with. Surely this signals that Pardew's future is very much with Southampton too!? Would love a statement from the club to clarify the situation.

A categorical yes. I find it amazing that there should be any question marks around his future. He's turned this club around in one season and has built some solid foundations, ready to push on next season.

Lee Trundle has been released by Bristol City. Good back-up for Lambert or past it?

The written article is only a snippet from the full interview, which lasts for about 18 minutes. When talking about the future, Pardew brushes off any speculation around his position and insists he's here to get us out of this division. All very reassuring to hear. If you do have Saints Player, it's well worth a listen as he speaks a lot of sense.

1. Rickie Lambert 2. Dan Harding 3. Adam Lallana Lambert because his impact has been massive. He scores at crucial times, sets up countless goals for others and his all round play has been first-class. He's got a chance to make himself a true legend at Saints, lets hope he is here to take us to the Premier League! Harding's in with a shout too as he's been a top draw signing by Pards. A very shrewd acquistion, especially on a free transfer, and he's arguably been our most consistent performer throughout the campaign. I can only think of 2 games where DH has been below-par, a great achievement IMO. As for Lallana, he's come on leaps and bounds this season, proving that he CAN cut it in this division despite some critics early on and I think he's shown enough to suggest that he could make the grade at a higher level, if not the highest. AL has also popped up with numerous goals over the course of the season, and to score 19 from midfield is a great feat.

Just listened to the full interview on Saints Player and it's well worth a watch if you haven't already seen it. Pardew talks in-depth about Tuesday night's disappointment, as well as his own future too. If you don't have Saints Player however, here's the written article version which is up on the OS. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2032369,00.html

Full credit to all the groundsman, a fantastic job! The pitch has been first-class this season and they've done well to battle some difficult conditions, especially when we had a lot of snow.

I think the likes of Lambert, Fonte and Puncheon will all be here at the start of next season. They would have joined knowing full well that promotion this season was a big ask, and to be prepared that if we fell short of our target, another season in League One would beckon. Still, if we are unsuccessful in our bid to gain promotion next term, then it will be a different scenario altogether, and I would be surprised to see Pards at the helm if we missed out again.

I too believe that Pards will replace Schneiderlin with Wotton but like others have said, I'd like to see Puncheon move inside to partner Hammond in the middle, with Barnard starting up top with Lambert. Either way, whoever Pardew starts with on Tuesday night, he needs to make sure that they, and the rest of the team for that matter, are fully motivated for this crucial fixture. If, and it's a big if, we win our remaining fixtures then I think we'd be very unlucky not to make the playoffs. The dream, albeit faint one, is still very much alive, and it will take a massive step towards becoming a reality if we win on Tuesday!

Pardew has done a fantastic job since taking the helm at St. Mary's. When you take into consideration the fact that he joined us late on in the summer, inheriting an awfully inexperienced squad which was low on confidence, then the turn around has been nothing short of phenomenal. With the financial backing of Markus Liebherr, Pardew has created a top side in this division, one that could even potentially compete in a higher division? However, that's another debate altogether. The simple fact is, AP has been first-class for us and I for one hope that he remains in charge for the forseeable future.

Fantastic win, feels even better to snatch the points late on. When things like this happen, you have to wonder whether it's meant to be! Full credt to Pards for throwing caution to the wind and going all out for the victory. To end the game with Papa, Lambert, Connolly, Puncheon, Lallana and Barnard all on the pitch is quite something! Shame about Schneiderlin's sending off however. Could cause a bit of a problem for us in the middle of the park. Like others have said, I'd like to see Punch and Hammond in the heart of our midfield with Wotton on the bench. I just think we lack creativity when PW starts and we end up resorting to long ball football more often than not. Still, I'll leave it to AP to decide, in Pards we trust! Massive win, great result, now bring on Oldham! The (faint) playoff dream is still very much alive!

I just can't see why Pards would consider Celtic. Maybe it's a case of me being biased and/or arrogant towards Saints, but the SPL isn't an attractive proposition in my opinion, especially when AP has a chance to make a real name for himself at St. Mary's. I know people will come back with 'Celtic are a big club' and 'they can offer Champions League football' but what about the rubbish teams they play week in, week out? Yes, they have a big fan base and a rich history, but there is only so much to achieve there, where as we're a club going places with big ambitions. Having said all that, I am slightly concerned by AP's comments. If there was no truth to this story, then surely he would have ruled it out altogether? The 'no comment' stance is a worry, but hopefully he'll remain at Saints for the long-term.

Antonio would be foolish if he didn't sign for us IMO. Pards clearly knows how to get the best out of him, and under his stewardship he's come on leaps and bounds during his loan spell here. Not to mention that Michail already knows everyone at the club and if he's got any sense, he'll sign a permanent contract and come along for the ride as we bid to reach the promised land.

Very frustrating from Walsall tonight, especially when they were so close to holding on! Still, we have to be positive. Colchester lost and dropped points, Huddersfield have a very tricky game against Millwall to come and they will be keen to get back into the top two after being held away to Yeovil tonight. So long as we focus on ourselves and keep the pressure on, then there is a very possible chance that we will sneak a playoff spot.

Great result, fantastic in fact, it's just a shame that Huddersfield snatched the win late on against Walsall. Still, Colchester slipped up, and Huddersfield have some difficult games to come, so it's most definitely not over! If we focus on ourselves and keep picking up the wins then I'm confident that the teams above us will drop points. The playoff dream is still very much alive!

Walsall pull a goal back against Huddersfield! 2-1.

Why are people writing us off already? If we get one this side of half-time, then we've got enough about us to go on and win the game. Look at our bench for example. Barnard, Papa Waigo and Connolly all itching to get on. Still a long way to go yet, keep the faith!

What do I need to do to make that link work? Nothing happening once the page has loaded.

Was wondering that myself. Sounds great, just haven't been able to work out if they're singing the original or an adapted Saints version!?

I'd sign him on a one-year deal. If he signs for another season, he won't be able to rest on his laurels as his long-term future will still be uncertain, so he'll have to be at his best to earn a longer contract at St. Mary's. With regards to today's display, admittedly he wasn't great, but he didn't do anything wrong as such. As others have said, his pace is a real asset and he does provide a good option down the right with his overlapping runs.

Good to hear Jose Fonte's song coming from the Northam today. Always nice when there are some new chants reaching the terraces! Wonder if Jose realised people were singing about him today!?