the saint in winchester

Not a bad draw. I'd prefer to play Luton, but it's not ManYoo.

PREMATURE indeed. Let's win the 2nd round match before we think of the 3rd round. Although home to Pompey would be good. :-)

I would guess so ... :-( Pernecky is sound when I see him in the reserves.

Don't worry, Glasgee, you can say you watch in online on 4OD.com :-)

Thanks. We know what you watch from 6pm-7 every night! :-) We watch it too, btw.

That's it, that is my point. So many almost wanting him to fail so they can say "see, I told ya he was c**p, we should have got in a loan keeper." So come on, Bart, prove you're the man! Our man, Bart! Yo, dude, wass'appenin'.

A few comments on here previously that we shouldn't trust Bart and should have gone out for a loan keeper. Unwarranted, in my view. It's time Bart was given a run in the side, and Kel's absence gives Bart the chance to show he's up to it. I like his attitude (below) and I appreciated him coming over to fans and spending time with us. He will answer any questions he can, and those he can't he politely bats away with "I don't think I'm the one to answer that." All in all, although I'm sorry to lose KD to injury, I do feel we have a capable deputy who deserves his chance. So let's get behind him, give him the confidence he deserves, and take a pride in him. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1888115,00.html "I am looking forward to it," he smiled. "Apart from Charlton a couple of weeks ago it's a long time since I played for Southampton, because that was not the same. This is a big chance for me to show what I can do. "I will just do my best and prepare in the right way, I want to play well and save every shot because that's my job. "It's been frustrating for me because I train so hard in every single session so that I can play in first team games. It's been so long I'm just happy to play football again." It is almost four years since Bialkowski was forced off the pitch with cruciate ligament damage at St. James' Park in an F.A Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United. Since that time, the recovery and form of other goalkeepers have limited the 22 year-old's number of games at St. Mary's, but the 'keeper bears no grudges and is just out to make up for lost time. "I played in the F.A Cup against Newcastle and that was a great experience for me. I really enjoyed that, but more importantly it's now time to show the gaffer what I can do. That's gone now I don't think about it, it was a bad moment for me as I was only 18 and playing well, but it happens in football, you get injuries and you just have to concentrate on games. "It's been a long time now since that game, the knee is fine and I am fully fit, so I am ready to play. "I'm really happy in Southampton," he continued. "I've enjoyed my time here and I just want to play games. A lot has changed from when I first arrived, we are now in League One, but we have a great chairman with ambitions to put us back into the Premier League which is where I think this club really deserves to be. "We have improved in nearly every aspect. The gaffer is spot on, he's a very good guy who manages well and I think everyone has improved including me in his short time here." The youngster also revealed that the form of the man he is replacing between the posts has made it difficult for him to dislodge the club captain as the team's number one, but is aiming to give the manager a headache between now and the time Davis returns. "Kelvin is probably the best goalkeeper in the league and possibly the Championship as well so it's very hard for me to get past him and play some games. Now that I have my opportunity though, I aim to show the gaffer that I can play at this level regularly. "Kelvin and I are good friends. He's a really top guy and he has helped me a lot in the past few years. "It is up to the gaffer to decide when we're both fit who the number one is, but I will do my best to make my mark in goal for Southampton. "That's why I train so hard in every session, and I'm happiest when I play football so I'm looking forward to it."

Word on the street is that AP is looking at Donnelly for the Jan transfer window, rather than taking him on loan now. Could be that Saga needs to go before he commits to Donnelly. But I'm only speculating, I'm not ITK.

Exactly. Seems an indiscrete comment to me, but I don't know if AP was put on the spot and had to clarify Saga's position. A simple "he remains a member of the club squad" seems appropriate to me. Privately he can tell Saga "actually, there's no likelihood of you making even the bench". Not sure why the public statement was needed, but I'm not ITK.

It was, yes. Keane was Sunderland manager when we took John in PX. Seems Keano DOES rate Stern John after all.

I'm with you, Guided Missile - it makes sound economic sense to ground share. However, that is outweighed by prejudice and bitterness on both sides. Until that is overcome, it won't happen. Love your neighbour, the scriptures say ...

GETTING BACK TO GEORGE DONNELLY ... People, focus!! So I don't see his name on the final day loan deals. Assume then AP hasn't signed him. Any inside knowledge?

Aw shucks, thank you to the Hartlepool fans too. Good losers.

Thanks - that made me laugh.

No, it occurred to me immediately, and I ready to post it ... but post 25 beat me!

+1. Hardly a mental leap, is it? Why can't we play 4-5-1/4-3-3 and then bring on Connolly in the second half and go 4-4-2?

Thank you for sharing with the group, Toni. :-)

Wasn't there a thread last week that suggested Patta was lined up for a loan move but he declined to go, saying he felt he was better served training with our players and occasionally getting on for us (competing for a place). Sounds like most of you would prefer him to go out on loan?

Did I read/hear somewhere over the weekend (think it was BBC Gossip column yesterday) that Nigel Quashie is going on loan from West Ham to MK Dons, and West Ham are still stumping up £20k wages when he's out on loan? Would we consider a last minute request ourselves to take on that deal, or better it? I'm thinking he could play the defensive midfielder role in front of the back 4. Some have misgivings about Wotton, but I do feel we need a steely no nonsense guy in that role. I think he only left us as he wanted higher level footie, but if he's considering MK Dons, let's get in there too.

Holmes is getting a regular place in the reserves and doing well. Most of the play goes through the left side - Molly and Holmes. He does have the pace and the trickery, but is an old fashioned winger in the mould of Sydenham and Jenkins. He doesn't come inside very often, is more a touchline hugger. AP comes down sometimes. I can only assume he prefers the more flexible approach for the left (and right) side using Lallana. If Holmes gets in, the play would be more cross and head it, and I assume that AP doesn't want to go down that route?!

Makes me smile that the Norwich commentary pronounce it Adam Layylana. 2-2 draw- all over.

Papa offside AGAIN!!! How many times ....

We seem to be shutting up shop - and hoping for a draw!!! Nooo - go for the win.

Yeah, I was confused too. I suppose the name Cortese sounds Italian. :-)

Papa offside! Quelle surprise. Norwich commentary smug - they sure they will win this.