The Kraken

Thankfully the bellendery of that particular argument seems to have dissipated somewhat. I guess when you can't sell out the home end against a top 5 side it's a bit of a giveaway that the stadium is the right size, just for now.

There's a couple of things missing, f'sure. But then I quite enjoy the niggle and controversy. Meh. It's a bit sad if you can't accept some well placed negativity, even if some of it is a bit forced. Even Alpine makes me laugh these days, the poor old pessimistic prat.

Hmm. He's started 12 games in the PL all season. Chelsea have played a right back instead of him at left back. Fair enough if you think that; but for me it's the ultimate example of picking a player of past glories. There is no value to England whatsoever in taking him to Brazil. We're clearly not going to win the tournament, if we get out of the group it will be an achievement. May as well give our future players a go over some player who will retire from international football after the tournament anyway. Just my opinion, like.

And who would you make your first choice?

How is he going to get those? How many does he need? Tick tock...

Can't agree with that. Dribbling yes, but crossing no. Take our last home game against Villa, he got in so many opportunities but did absolutely nothing with them. Like I say, he will learn, but IMO his distribution is the part he needs to work on to become a truly top class left back.

Free in advance of his Director of Sport role next season.

Really? That's the one thing I think he massively needs to up his game at. When we had Bale his defending was pretty ropey but his attacking was amazing. And the free kicks, of course. Shaw for me is the opposite, solid defensively but naive going forwards. He'll learn, he's only 18, but I don't see him as a natural midfielder. Yet.

Wasn't up against Baines for the most part, but he took complete control of Deulofeu.

I'd suggest not without injuries. Clyne IMO would have had a great chance had he been in the Saints side all season (Roy Hodgson in attendance today yet again). But getting usurped at times by Chambers was his undoing. Today he showed why, IMO anyway, he is a better option than Chambers right now. A really good right back. Jack Cork's time will come after Gerrard and Lampard retire, both probably after this World Cup. He is quite possibly the most under-rated player in the Premier League, absolutely superb technique. If he could add goals, he would be in the England reckoning already.

Not much in it. Shaw was on top form today, as usual. But I thought Baines was decent too. Different types of player but both two very, very good left backs. And if Luke Shaw doesn't go to Brazil instead of Ashley Cole, it'll be a travesty.

To be fair, that's my favourite winner in SaintsWeb Bullsh*t Bingo.

Nah, don't buy that one. We painted the away concourses. What more do they want FFS?

My Jack Cork manloveometer just went up another notch. He's so dreamy.

Remember when you used to get indirect free kicks in the box for obstruction? What happened to that, yo?

Definitely agree with that, the corporate boxes are a bit outdated and in need of a rethink. And I'm not sure if the whole Mike Channon suite refurb really works well.

Two at least are those that you've seen given, Stones was a lucky lad.

We haven't had an attendance thread for a while..... 31,313 today at St. Mary's, which means our average attendance to date is 30,147. With a sell out against Man United a given, we'll likely average just under 30,250 for the season, about 500-600 down on last season. I still consider that a good figure, but given we've had our highest finish in 10 years and earned an almighty amount of admirers for our style of play, one has to ask where the numbers went. Prices aren't coming down next season, I think we can guarantee that (as season ticket prices have risen). So what more can the club do to attract more fans? Season 2003-04 in the PL saw an average of 31,717, a whole 1,500 up on this season. Any chances we can hit those heights next season?? The corporate areas are certainly a good place to start.

Impressive stats and a very impressive season. Hopefully we'll surpass the 52 points, 2 tough games to end with, United especially will be buoyant. It will be very interesting to see what happens in the summer. Rupert Lowe took a huge amount of flak for not pushing on from an 8th place finish. What will we do this time round? Interesting times.

It seems a long time since last April when he was signing a new contract and saying he wanted to finish his career with Saints.

Legend of a player, I'm completely unashamed of my spot of man love for young Jack. Future England star with Gerrard and Lampard out of the picture.

Brilliant performance all round, totally dominated from start to finish. Clyne and Cork stood out for me, especially Clyne.

Well this thread probably seemed a good idea at the time. Prat.

Either that or he is actually preparing to become our back up to Shaw. Now is the time to blood one or two youngsters, the season is done.

Reading or Brighton are a decent away day, but I don't much like either club. If QPR jettisoned Redknapp then them, but until they do I hope they fail. Has to be Wigan I suppose, and Derby would be my least favourite option.