The Kraken

FA Cup numbers have often been atrocious for a number of years now. We had 7,000 odd against Millwall at St. Marys not so long ago. The simple fact is that there are huge numbers of fans who simply don't give a sh*t about the competition; at least until it gets to the latter stages. There's been some hyperbole spouted on the subject, of course there has. But for the most part the line of "this was our best chance of winning something, a missed opportunity" I think is fair. Steve Bruce was interviewed just before the Sunderland game; he stated that Hull are never going to win the Premier League and so are prioritising the FA Cup. I'd love to see us do something similar, especially if we're pretty much assured of top flight survival. Because if we don't, then I'm not sure what the point is.

Probably because there's many fans (like Old Nick) who didn't consider it our most important game of the season. It's fairly obvious that plenty on here, and in real life too, couldn't give two hoots about the FA Cup. So the away attendance (despite being larger than for the league game) is hardly any indication of much, except for the fact that its not actually a bad number given the kick off time, TV game, distance there, likelihood of playing a weakened team etc etc. I consider it our biggest chance to have had a go at winning something this season, but I've got no problem admitting I didn't go to the game. That's not quite how it works though. I know plenty of Saints fans who didn't go to the cup final in 2003 but it didn't affect how much they cared about how we got on.

It's quite funny that you blah blah blah throughout that, calling people who don't agree with you a troll. Is the line that fine for you? "Don't agree with me? You MUST be a troll". Weird way of thinking. very odd. As for your "Guess what, we know the manager ****ed it up, we know the team were fukin shyte, we know that they blew the best chance we had of getting to Wembley in quite a few years - we know that. But after the event, we get it into perspective and move on - you know, to the next game - that's the beauty of football. It's also what most mature adults do. " comment. This is a serious question. What on earth do you think internet forums are for? Do you think it's just a nice little blazers club for the easily pleased to pat themselves on the back when things go right for them? Or do you think it's, you know a genuine place to come together to share opinions? It just seems that you, like many other, don't like hearing other views that are contrary (or even not) to your own. Do you think people won't talk about selections they don't agree with, and lament a possibly missed opportunity? Do you think people shouldn't actually talk about it? I'm wondering what you actually think the point of an internet forum is? That seems slightly overly precious to me. Just my opinion of course, china.

No doubt on that IMO, but last season he definitely struggled at times. Even he and others (Kelvin) have stated that the captaincy put a huge burden on him that he had to work on significantly to overcome. I love it that he's come through it all for the better. And if I'm honest, I never for one minute saw him hitting these heights, even despite the fact that he's always been a cut above at whatever level he has played. I'm so happy to be proven wrong in that regard. Top lad, and an exceptional player.

So had Nate Clyne, and he has got a pretty much zero chance of going to Brazil.

Do you play football, Sue? I'd imagine most of the people that went to Fratton paid. Unless they've started letting thousands in for free. But, given how close you are to football (playing and all) you probably know best.

To be fair, for vast swathes of last season he wasn't anywhere near this season's heights. It's easy to be wise after the effect, but to not recognise that his performances this season have stepped up by a huge degree would simply be daft.

Such a casual, confident little flick that would have had everyone purring were it just the other side of the upright. At odds with some of the scathing I've (somehow) seen of the big man on here today.

Gary Linker on Adam Lallana, via MOTD. A faultless appraisal IMO. Robbie Fowler and Danny Murphy saying that he's a cert for the squad and should be in the first XI. Again, I won't argue with those opinions.

Tick.

I don't know what that means. I've read it a few times. Perhaps I'm a bit dim.

Is that too much of a problem? Opinions are like arseholes. Or something.

manji = i'm simple

You'll get called a troll for that. Only by mindless morons like Frank and Aids and the idiotic brigade that align themselves with their laughable parade. But nonetheless, these witless wonders will throw their toys out nonetheless and throw aspersions left, right and centre to cover their own naivety..

Arsenal won't finish 9th. Fact.

Plus these: http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/southampton/news/cork-keen-to-extend-southampton-contract_136200.html http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/cork-seeking-southampton-contract-talks-4006658 http://english-football-league.co.uk/news/premier-league-southamptons-jack-cork-hoping-for-contract-extension-1391865806/

Depends what you're asking, doesn't it? Are you asking why MoPo picked VW every time? Or what that guy thought in his post? The guy you quoted suggested a reason why VW might have been picked over Cork, time and again. The "sometimes passing is less important than having a brick **** house in front of the back four." He also expressed an opinion that, in his opinions, there was room for both players. The "I don't see it...." part was that. Edit: Why am i explaining things here. I thought that was pretty clear.

I reckon it might have been the part you didn't highlight in bold from his post. This part: Having said that sometimes passing is less important than having a brick **** house in front of the back four. I don't see it as a one or the other but more horses for courses meaning there is a place for both Jack and Victor in the team. Not that that's necessarily my opinion, but his was fairly clear, I thought.

Foiled! You dastardly villain, you.

Are you actually incapable of answering a simple question? I was under the assumption this was a public access forum.

Which bit(s) were made up from GS's statement?

Of course it is all of those things.

Sober as a judge myself, Nicholas. Don't tar others by your own expectations. And the choices you lay down aren't mutually exclusive. The team picked wasn't full strength. The team picked didn't perform to their known expectations. The reasons are unknown, but it all led to a completely lacklustre display in all departments. Not sure what else there is to say. I'm also not sure why it causes such ire in others that some people have a wish that we had put this match as a massive priority.

Tick.

Reading the past few posts back again, it would seem that Frank has been on the red wine again tonight. He does tend to get a bit aggressive when he's been on the grapes. Chin up Frankie, old chap.