Red

Sh1t happens! Just a bit self inflicted of late unfortunately. It's just frustrating after the prolific start - had we had a more balanced set of results so far, then I believe most fans would be happy after the summer to be fifth at this stage - I certainly would be. It's always the hope that kills you! Still, I believe we will ride out this horrible current form, and end up place or two better than last year, for which I would have bitten off your proverbial hand at the start of the season. A steady improvement year over year is the best way in the long term. After all, say in the extremely unlikely case of us finishing first or second this season, what happens next?? Liverpool mark 2? There is no way we have the resources to stay there on a consistent basis yet - that will take 5 to 10 years of steady improvement if at all! It's still annoying as hell mind - several beers, and a few days later things will be grand again in the life of a Saints supporter

The usual sh1t you proffer - but don't let that put you off - entertainment comes in many forms - allegedly

Agreed. Our biggest problem at keeping in the top 4 - when our star players are off form (as every player in the world is at times) we have no one to step in! I think that is why Pelle is scoring less, not getting the same service and understanding from Tadic. Let's hope we get lucky? Shane on for Tadic at half time??

I think Gary N nailed it (might have been Jamie though as I was only half listening) in the final analysis, when he said he did not see Shane L as a no. 10 player, and that his strength was more as a diagonal "nuisance" runner, and that we really missed Steve D in that role where he "drifts around the oppositions defense". So we should have had Cork in the Shane role, and Shane in place of Mane, who as others have said was too light weight for the Villa thugs. Still shows the Black Box is not perfect, and maybe Big Ron is human after all? Still a good point - who would have thought we would be so disappointed at only drawing away to Villa? Life is clearly not too bad these days

I have heard the old phrase "The table never lies" for more years than I care to remember by anyone and everyone in football, and it was hard to take (but true) when we had spirited displays but lost narrowly / unluckily / ref was blind etc. etc. So why would the fabled table lie now? Unless of course there really is a deep seated conspiracy against the Saints Strangely enough, I have yet to hear one football pundit refer this phrase to Saints this year - with the only"top side" manager to give us any respect as contenders being José Mourinho

bet you they won't if you care to? Anything up to £100

Don't think people realise just how bad our financial situation was at that time - we were bankrupt and the only reason RL got shot of Nigel was to save money - very simple. Not saying I agree, but going out of business (which we nearly did anyway) or getting rid of our Nig was not a difficult decision really.

Been a Saints fan for near on 40 years - but must have missed this bit

Bruce was very clever tactically and nullified our attacking strength (Pelle and Tadic), but unlike previous years we adapted and managed a hard fought win - probably a better professional result than against Funderland ?

Fair enough if you have inside info - just makes it even more of a poor decision to sign him in the first place! Clearly he wasn't shown the "Southampton Way" DVD

Not so in my opinion. Del Boy always wanted to play for us and was a great player when he was fit! Problem was we (some would say RL alone) took a risk and signed an injured player on the cheap, but with bags of potential. Trouble was he never got fit enough for our league, and moved on to a league where he did not need to be fully fit. Would certainly rate him much higher than Osvaldo in this debate! Include managers and HR has to be the clear winner by a country mile

try this one http://www.eplsite.com/stream21.html

corrected it for you

LOL the jokes are flying in!!! What's Poyet's fav chocolate = After Eights :-) Fav fruit = Sour grapes (re: Pen incident) Still it's "Ron"derful day for us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think I kinda agree with this view. I was no fan of Long before he joined, and still not too sure, but the I believe the "black box / room" guys had identified him as a battler if / in case we were in the relegation scrape, which we might still be? The fact that we have started so well (and let's face it no one expected us to, and am sure neither did the management!) may explain why he is not a regular starter? In any case, how far have we come to have a £12m "back up" player??? Honestly, I am still pinching myself as to where we are as a club on our resources!

Not our day really - simple as that. We did not play as well as we can (FF, MS, GP all had a mare). Spuds finally got their pressing game together, but we could still have sneaked a point if Mane had put away the easiest chance he will ever get in the PL. Sh*t happens - let's hope we get stronger after this? Only thing I would question is why Long did not come on earlier to give that thug Rose a taste of his own medicine?

Worry not Spuds cannot afford him - they apparently believed he had a release clause (£10M), which he does not. Would truly hate to lose MS, but if we can get £30M+ for him and invest wisely, then that is the second best outcome??

Given Morgan's initial tantrum I rather suspect this valuation / release clause came from his side (agent). You can imagine that Morgan might have been told he could leave for a decent offer once he helped us secure PL promotion (as a way of thanks and appreciation etc. but it had to be a good offer and certainly more than £10M, which at the time of securing promotion from L1 was quite decent) - only we get back to back promotion and get there much quicker than all expected. So in all probability we didn't get a bid (or at least a decent one) in our first PL season, and NC says stay loyal and patient my son, your day will come and I will honor it, meantime give us all you got! Nicky f's off, along with several other players and the boss, so Morgan ask's agent to see if there is any interest believing £10M verbal is still valid - new Sheriff says on your bike, £30M+ or stop wasting my time! Spuds are mashed, roasted and chipped all at the same time, whilst dreaming of the elusive french fry :-) All IMHO of course!

Ok (or rather "ok, ok, but but, Soushampton resspects everyones") - no offence taken - sorry if I came across a bit aggressive! Did not realise you were a fellow official, who in the majority do a terrific job, in an often "no win" environment. My point about Mane is that he will learn (or be taught) to make better calls, but as many have said as he plays just off the last defender, he will naturally be pulled for off-side regularly - nature of the beast. Anyway - last of my 3 posts, so enjoy Sunday everyone, and hope the yanks don't keep doing too well in the golf!

who rattled your cage?? Bit touchy are we? I was commenting on how ref's often interpret decisions, didn't realise this was a FIFA rules exam site - thought it was a fans forum, where people post their views - even (get this Mr Misery Guts) if they are different to yours!!! Ah well my mistake - won't bother next time. Jez - why can't people be happy when we are doing so well?

Problem is he is too quick for the linesman - at least twice yesterday he was level and was given off side as the lino was too slow to keep up with him - where is "give the attacking side the benefit of any doubt" rule? Even on MOTD they showed one incident where his feet were clearly behind the defender, but as he was leaning forward his head was maybe just ahead - how is that offside? Still as many hae said he will be coached to improve on this - he can be a yard behind and still win the race if timed better.

Just signed up for a day pass at €5 - best stream ever and true HD. Well worth the money!

"ok", and "but but"

Whilst this would provide short term euphoria, longer term it would work against us as every team would up their game against us and would want to put us in our "rightful place". Much better to be the stalking horse and peak towards the end of the season IMHO.

Fair enough - IMHO Sissoko was ok, but I thought Haidara (yes found his proper spelling) really bossed us about and he won virtually all challenges - even ones he was not expected to. We are a great flowing side, but could do with more aggression at times. That's beauty of democracy - expression of one's opinion without fear of retribution (unlike the IS scum - sorry getting emotional after watching the Sky news report of the pathetic cowards be-heading a hero helping real people in need)