ericb

The problem with the premiership is what it does to fan culture. At the moment we're loving it because we're winning a lot of games, taking good away attendances and having some cracking atmospheres. It's more like the old football experience and i guess many of us of certain age prefer that to the hyped up "jester hatted" dross that's dished out by sky/the prem. Of course there's better players on show, more chance of real success and international coverage. But to achieve that for us as a club we have to sell our soul a bit. I'm of the opinion that our time in the lower leagues has helped this club massively, gone are the football tourists (not that i don't want to see st mary's packed of course), and there's much fewer of the hangers on and facepainted muppets that only turn up for a few games a season. Instead our support is now made up of a lot of people that really ****ing appreciate it. Dredging away in league one, hell even coming close to not having a club, has hardened us as fans i think and really made us into a club with a soul again. That's not to say there aren't clubs in the premiership that aren't like that, Spurs spring to mind straight away, but think of the those that have got recent success and ask yourself the question, are Man City or Chelsea really the clubs they once were? Or have they lost a large chunk of what made them in the chase for success. It's actually pretty interesting looking at the Lee thread since if we are ever to get more successful think how much more of that we'll have. I mean of course i'm proud to have many new and foreign fans come to the ground. I've personally taken a multitude of nationalities, some have become big fans (one of whom came to Fratton with me this season) but i personally don't want to see people in India, Japan or even the home counties supporting saints because we win (highly unlikely i know). Call me old fashioned but i think a club is a representation of the city, pride in southampton, that's why i'd love to see more Polish etc at St Mary's because they're as much a part of southampton now as anyone else. But i don't want us to sell our soul down the river just for some fleeting success. [/rant]

Otherwise known as a pompey fan then? I've never met such a bunch of deluded idiots as that lot, they seriously believe their own hype despite any facts to the contrary. Oh and and top of that any made up bull**** about us they'll believe and commit to fact without thinking. So that's lying & gullible both covered in one!

in the upper tier at the back near the sumo guys, accidentally destroyed the seat infront of me when i landed on it, as did a fair few around me. Think millwall may be replacing a fair few backs of seats today!

This "joke" stopped being funny about the same time it started

It's about as worthwhile as every other suggestion on here

We hope you buses crash on the way home you cheating ****ing skate ****s

The irony of anyone claiming something they can't prove exists being responsible for anything and at the same time questioning people's intelligence is hilarious. Particularly when you see that a large number of academic studies show how those that believe in god are much more likely to be of a lower intellect than those that don't. Anyway back to the point the reason is money, pure and simple, money bought as the manager and players to achieve it same as any other successful club. No doubt that investment came in part because of a decent fanbase and stadium, but as the skates are finding out now that's still financial. Since that's the perceived value in the long run. As with most things in this world, sadly, money rules.

Personally i can't wait until we feature on such footballing greats as the Barclays Fan of India awards....

Agreed that it's a happy place and the respect is important but also think there's no need for the comment, if that's your belief keep it to yourself mush and let's get on with talking about football

It's absolutely nothing to do with God and everything to do with money and being run well (though some would argue the former is God). Long way to go yet so let's not count our chickens, and equally let's not forget what happened before and always question all areas of our club even when things are seemingly going well.

One of the things that really impressed me yesterday is how he plays with his head up, literally two seconds before he made the pass to Lallana for the goal i was commenting on the fact that he wasn't looking at the ball & instead looking to see who was in space in the box. That to me is a real sign of a good player since he even does it moving at speed, a ****ing difficult thing to do.

Because i'm intrinsically lazy so phone is easier - plus i get more time in the pub pre game - also i tend to book (when it's my turn) four or five at once so a booking fee doesn't seem unreasonable considering they're posting them out to me.

I live in london and think i'm treated fine, i have a season ticket & book my aways over the phone which they post out to me. On the one occasion i've not received one they put a spare on the gate for me (palace away in the cup). Other than that i meet friends to pick tickets up and give them the cash. With a little planning non of it is that hard and many use it as an excuse to moan or justify them staying away

I think that probably just shows your age mush, i was too young for Channon (just i started mid 80s) but i seriously remember the impact he had on the club and the stories i heard from older saints fans. Matt on the other hand was "my" legend, i saw him from his debut to his testimonial and he was probably the best player i've ever seen in the flesh. So many people remember his goals but they forget little things, like his stunning corners that just landed on dowies head/face and went in. Or watching him turn about five Forest players in one go so nonchalantly it was like he wasn't even trying. Rickie is great, but just not near those lads if you ask me. He's more of a Dodd or Timmy type legend.

Got to agree with all the statements here about unity, despite all the great things we've seen this season and last - i'll never forget THAT celebration at Fratton when Rickie scored - one of my favourite moments is a funny one. I can't remember who it was against but Fonte was having a bit of a mare and made a mistake, in times gone by you'd have heard the grumbles and moans but instead what happened instead was the entire Northam singing his name. This team really does feel like it's Ours and i haven't had that since the days of Matty, Franny and Dodd. Players that will give their all for the club and some who i really do think are Southampton through and through. Good times, let's just hope if we make the prem' that spirit doesn't go.

Obviously i meant "their" there but not being able to edit for some ****ing bizarre reason meant i couldn't change it.

Pretty easy criteria really... Are they the top scorer in the league? Is there name Rickie Lambert? Failing answering those two in the affirmative, Are you mentally challenged?

See that's what i want, let the ****s rot in the lower divisions struggling to get 8,000 at home and watching their "stadium" collapse around them. The problem with them going under would be that AFC Skate ****s would get a lot of media support and be everyone's second team. Let the ****ers rot and fall below even bournemouth, then we can just sit back and laugh at them for years to come.

The lack of football knowledge on here is ****ing shocking to be honest. Personally i put it down to the fact that there's too many that would rather play the game on the computer instead of actually playing the game. Fat messes of internet anoraks who concentrate on statistics and don't realise there's more to the game than that.

has anyone got a stream for todays game? either radio or tv would be great thanks

**** me we have some proper mongs in our support, they sound scared of shadows. Let's put it in context, i've seen drunk football fans on trains, drunk people on the way back from gigs, drunk bankers, drunk rugby fans.... the list goes on. Normally it's called being young and having a laugh. As long as they're not kicking off let them get on with it, otherwise you sound like a miserable old ****er who'd rather we sat on our hands, or maybe you've never had a laugh in your life?

Yeah ****ing hell why are people having fun at football games ffs, i mean can't they learn from yorkie and just drink coffee. Or if they really have to drink maybe they should have a nice quiet glass of merlot in a wine bar or restaurant. And we should all be wearing saints shirts and make sure we wait outside the home ends to shake the hands of the home fans and wish them well on the way out. Because all the best away supports are like that, i mean just think of the wonderful reputation Arsenal or Fulham have, if only we could be more like them.

One of those games where i'd definitely like to be in the Itchen corner, but i'm guessing they won't let you move season tickets seats for the game

Southampton Yoof in the pompey home ends unchallenged! Goes to show we're the most feared super firm on the south coast

Agree 100% with this, it feels like OUR club once more and it's been a long, long time since i've felt that (probably the Benali, Dodd, Le Tiss team was the last). Also i think we're one of the few clubs for which social media has actually helped. The good rapport amongst the team has shown on there and rubbed off through to the fans so that some of our geeky internet stalker types actually feel involved in the backroom banter.