saint1977

Tell me about it. All you hear at football games in the last 3 seasons or so, whatever level it's at, is that flippin Man U song (it gets on my nerves, it gets on my ner-er-er-erves, that Man Utd song, it gets on my nerves). You can't escape it at the cricket either although the Barmy Army haven't had a chance to air it to Mitchell Johnson yet due to the cowardice (Trott excepted) of our batsmen.

Hope Rickie is fit enough to get on at some point, would have started Friday if fit I reckon. Would have helped J Rod settle if he had I think. Lallana looked at home and should feature again. Great days for us these and I can see Clyne getting a call for the spring friendlies as England's RBs haven't nailed down that position at all IMO.

Exactly. They can keep that FA Cup in 2008 because they are still paying heavily for it - literally and metaphorically - and it may yet push them into another administration. We can admire our 1976 winning team with no regrets whereas their celebration DVD is full of players that are still owed money, Harry and Sacha Gaydamak. So viewing it for them can only be bittersweet at best, hence why they are retreating into the 1930s again. An era when there is scant footage of their exploits. Saints fans? For the 1970s/80s glory days we only have to record ITV4 for the Big Match repeats or look on You Tube and our current team may even surpass those teams so we may be experiencing another set of halcyon days. They can make up all the stories they want about dock strikes but like many rivalries, this one started by Saints overtaking them in the 1960s and apart from our implosion for 3 years and their criminally-funded (allegedly) activities, Saints have never looked back. Can't see it changing for at least a decade.

Amazed there's a thread on Hoddle and no sign of Dalek yet! Grateful to Hoddle for seeing us to the new stadium and raising aspirations a bit, not that keen on him as a person though and his rumoured arrogance still seems undiminished. Felt sorry for MLT at the time and it crushed Matt's spirit for the last 3 or 4 seasons of his career and finished comparatively young although Matt's fitness probably didn't help. With MP's fitness regimes, imagine how awesome MLT would be in this current Saints team? If you look at what some players go for in the transfer market now, you'd be lucky to get change from £40m if one of the top 4 wanted to buy him and even that might be too low. With Morgan, Victor and others providing the platform, he'd have also got a bucketload of England caps. Let's be honest, he kept squads of largely Championship, League 1 and League 2 players in a top flight for most of the 1990s.

Amazed there's a thread on Hoddle and no sign of Dalek yet! Grateful to Hoddle for seeing us to the new stadium and raising aspirations a bit, not that keen on him as a person though and his rumoured arrogance still seems undiminished. Felt sorry for MLT at the time and it crushed Matt's spirit for the last 3 or 4 seasons of his career and finished comparatively young although Matt's fitness probably didn't help. With MP's fitness regimes, imagine how awesome MLT would be in this current Saints team? If you look at what some players go for in the transfer market now, you'd be lucky to get change from £40m if one of the top 4 wanted to buy him and even that might be too low. With Morgan, Victor and others providing the platform, he'd have also got a bucketload of England caps. Let's be honest, he kept squads of largely Championship, League 1 and League 2 players in a top flight for most of the 1990s.

First half performance was stunning and worth every mile of the appalling driving conditions I had to contend with through Ringwood and into Southampton on the M27 pre-match! The passing, movement and cohesion was a joy to behold. Gave a silly goal away which Victor will learn from and Osvaldo and Davis picked us back up to nearer our first half performance level. Adam rightly gets the plaudits for a stunning display and goal, some of the Hull fans applauded when he was subbed which was a nice touch, but some of the other performances, including the full backs, Lovren in bringing the ball out from the back, J Rod, Rickie etc were also exceptional. The fourth goal was almost as good as Adam's third, J Rod flick to Clyne and that first time cross is superb. Even better is Davis's control and finish in a single movement. Good gate too but those watching on a stream missed out because the atmosphere was great, let alone the standard of our football which is on a par with that 83/84 team IMO. No wonder Hodgson enjoyed his afternoon on the south coast.

Lovren - Best Saints Centre Half since Mark Wright and Michael Svensson. Never thought I'd being saying that. Osvaldo - Will come good, has looked more effective at home, good strike v Palace and can't fault the workrate Wanyama - Is going to be immense. Saturday's display was his best yet. If he was the complete article, Barca, Man U or Juve would have been signing him FFS Ramirez - Slightly disappointing but I'm not sure he suits MP's system. Does apprear to be addressing his fitness and stamina levels however. To be fair, quality home displays last season v Arsenal, Villa and Everton. Rodriguez - Now we are seeing the real J Rod. Sensational on Saturday and offers us pace and direct running. Will get better and better and great link up with Adam and Rickie Mayuka - Players get loaned out - look at Andros Townsend - but needs a good season at Toulouse. Where's Window Cleaner when you need him to find out what's happening in Ligue 1? Yoshida - Good back up, decent engine but positional sense needs work. Regular for Japan and for £2m good value. Davis - Poor Rangers. Quality player and very consistent displays. Good communicator as well. Clyne - Best signing on this list, how Palace must wish they still had him. Could be on the plane to the World Cup. Gazzaniga - Give him time, Everton and a host of other PL clubs watched him extensively and he's highly rated within the scouting community. Was chucked in far too early last year which seemingly helped Nigel to his exit. Forren - No idea.

That hashtag and it's contents should NEVER be allowed to be taken down from Twitter, ever! Absolute comedy gold :-)

I certainly agree it's a problem for all clubs, inc PL, that so much is coming through streams in pubs. I still think the pricing for kids is very wrong by the club - I couldn't have afforded it at that age and the family day suggests the club know they have it wrong as do other PL clubs judging by even the biggest having empty seats. On the other hand, if you can't afford to go to games but can nurse a pint in a pub and watch a game for free, I can also understand that. BUT if you can afford it, want to go but put ther profit in the landlord's till instead by drinking a million pints of Carling at £3.50 a pop instead, sorry, that's weird. You can't watching football live, especially Saints, and I look forward to the games I can make from Devon immensely. If I lived much nearer, we'd much rather have STs than watch in a pub. Totally understand Soton isn't a high wage economy and that some have no choice.

I certainly agree it's a problem for all clubs, inc PL, that so much is coming through streams in pubs. I still think the pricing for kids is very wrong by the club - I couldn't have afforded it at that age and the family day suggests the club know they have it wrong as do other PL clubs judging by even the biggest having empty seats. On the other hand, if you can't afford to go to games but can nurse a pint in a pub and watch a game for free, I can also understand that. BUT if you can afford it, want to go but put ther profit in the landlord's till instead by drinking a million pints of Carling at £3.50 a pop instead, sorry, that's weird. You can't watching football live, especially Saints, and I look forward to the games I can make from Devon immensely. If I lived much nearer, we'd much rather have STs than watch in a pub. Totally understand Soton isn't a high wage economy and that some have no choice.

It's certainly possible but the question I would ask is why the tussle between Cortese and the trust fund/Katarina occured at the end of the season? The impression was that more funds had been released for the forward business plan. Perhaps a small amount of the estate is Plan B and the primary aim to is be self-financing, which is fair enough really and also fits with FAPP. All the more surprising then that Nicola has been opposed to FAPP.

September 2006 - hadn't Lowe resigned by then first time around before being probably forced to quit as Chairman at the AGM proposed by Wilde/Crouch in May 2006? Maybe I've got my timings mixed up though....

Good on Jim White for that Telegraph article, at least the sport part of the paper has maintained its traditional high standards. None of those stories surprise me. I was waiting to see what quotes might appear about Lowe but didn't realise - although I should have guessed - that Samuels was the ghost-writer. Given Rupert has already taken Samuels to the cleaners once already in the libel courts I would imagine the tone about Harry's time at SFC could be more subdued!

Wish Beatts well - tough job at Stanley and with the likes of Fleetwood, Oxford, Chesterfield, Plymouth and the skates with their wage budgets for that level, competing is tough for them. He's brought in some decent players for that level and I think given time they will pick up. Torquay locally have bought some very tidy players but are also struggling, Tisdale is doing wonderfully well to have Exeter in 3rd as they are totally skint. Some very happy people - not just Saints fans - at work this morning after they battered Plymouth 3-1 at the weekend.

Sensible summary and good posts from Turkish and elsewhere. He's clearly out of his depth at this level but to answer Ringwood's questions some fans were shouting about position but the ironic cheers and jeers from the Kingsland were no form of encouragement whatsoever and right out of order. We are 4th in the Premier League FFS! Quite why some fans feel the need to have scapegoats is beyond me and it frustrated me yesterday although a good win did take the sting out of the idiots actions. Some of the other posts about Guly, Sharp and other players that played key roles in our promotion season, some of my happiest as a Saints fan, have been out of order on here this season.

Great questions by Minty by the way but how many loans is that in 24 hours now? The keeper from Bury, Racon and now Mahon. The latter won't be on a pittance either. If they are already leaking money they must be leaking it by the bucketload now. Granted, the keeper and back 4 aren't great but any L2 squad with Connolly, Ferry, Agyemang, Racon, Wallace, Ertl and Barcham ought to be doing rather better than they are surely? Do they actually need Mahon as well with so many midfielders?

Started well - brave clearance from Ward on the line to deny Morgan but became too ponderous on the ball after that, especially Davis and Lallana. Second half was miles better and from 45-65 minutes we moved the ball far more quickly; poor old Palace didn't know what had hit them. Osvaldo got great power into that shot and looked delighted to get off the mark. As soon as he was brought down for the FK, you just looked at the angle and distance and knew Rickie would score and a great moment when he did for his 200th league goal. Should have scored another 2 or 3 as we got in behind Palace a number of times, a lull and then J Rod and JWP gave us fresh impetus, J Rod should have scored when Osvaldo put in him brilliantly but a heavy touch, he also put Davis in who lashed over. Wicked cross by JWP that hit the post - how did MOTD not show that?! Great day out and some oohs and ahhs at some of the other final scores. Big roar in the Itchen concourse when Sky put the league table up!

This does seem OTT - as another poster said, my understanding was that the regulations was mainly to deal with misbehaviour fuelled by bringing their booze in (in the early and mid-1980s some grounds had 'Social Sides' with a bar area pretty much pitchside and the legislation banned this post-Millwall riot at Luton). A friend had HIS hip-flask poured away in the 2004-5 season by an over-zealous steward on a freezing day but it was returned to him afterwards and there was no discussion of a ban. I think in the circumstances that a warning would have been sufficient. It's not like Wimbledon away in 1998 or so when a large group of lads smuggled a crate of Stella - I don't know how - and were knocking it back and well up for trouble before the Met stopped their fun.

I also noted this from my seat in Itchen block 10 and thought it unusual as Gaston is normally the first to celebrate goals/wins etc. We all have days at work like that though and other days when we want to keep ourselves to ourselves so not too much should be read into it. Gaston had a brilliant first touch when he came on and then a blind backheel to no-one, summed up his time with us a little bit! Fans sung his name though. The player he has the best chance of dislodging is Lallana. People talk about Gaston's inconsistency but whilst I've always been a big fan of Adam's, so is he. There were two different Lallanas on Saturday - the lively, creative, buzzing one that was taking people on in the second half and moving the ball too quickly for Palace and the ponderous, slow and predictable one that was lucky not to be subbed at HT. Davis and J Rod, whilst I also like them as players too, haven't cemented a first XI place for a run of 15-20 starts so there is potential for Gaston to get ahead of them IF he can improve his fitness - and therefore his ball retention and consistency one would hope.

It's expensive everywhere TDD, Exeter want £24 to sit in their dump and Torquay is £20 and that's League 2. I'm going to the Palace game tomorrow with my wife and like you travelling from Devon I probably burn £50 or so in fuel, then there's parking and food. I'll be doing well if I don't spend £150 all in with £70-odd quid on tickets. I love Saints and want to repay the club for putting the investment in that it has over the last 4 seasons but even earning a reasonable, I still can't go as often as I'd like especially if I'm going to go to my usual quota of away games as well. On MOTD most evenings, I'm seeing more empty seats at most grounds than SMS so I don't think we are the worst offenders but the OP does raise a point about pricing that is valid. I hope that the Premier League will listen to the voices about falling standards of living and see the empty seats, which aren't attractive commercially, and lean on clubs, players and agents to help the supporter by spreading the broadcasting benefits a little. Only a little but it will be good for the game's long term health.

Puncheon won't be able to play against us in either game this season, which is probably a good thing! We've got tickets for this one so will up and on the A30/A35/A31 nice and early from Devon. Can't wait as well. Doesn't sound like anyone really made a strong case to dislodge the current first XI last night so same as Anfield for me. J Rod and Lambert need goals and form, not worried about Osvaldo as he's looked lively and has got into the right positions without scoring, once he nets one he'll get a few under his belt. Got a feeling he will score on Saturday and it should be quite a celebration. Would imagine Fonte and Clyne will get a good reception from the Palace fans. Anyone know how many we've sold for this one so far?

Jack retains the ball, which VW doesn't and it is putting a lot of pressure on Morgan. I've stuck up for Lallana when he was getting some unfair stick last season but today was unacceptable. He and J Rod need a break, perhaps even a short loan to the NPC to get confidence but there is zero competition for their positions. Mayuka must be appalling if he can't oust them.

Both teams set out negatively - nil nil was inevitable, minimal chances and very little creativity. Far too many long balls, we opened up it up second half more but the final ball was league 2 quality and living in Devon I know what that looks like. I've got tickets for the Palace home game and hoping we at least give it a go in that one. Forgetting to get another winger/forward in with pace looks a very costly oversight – especially as Wanyama looks poor - and Jack Cork must feel rather aggrieved because our CM department is dreadful. My ratings: Boruc 7 - Solid, good early save from Maiga and when WHU got through when he wouldn't have seen the offside flag Clyne 6 - Defensively OK, didn't get forward much Shaw 6.5 - Got forward more than Clyne, Maiga did him for strength at times but part of his development Lovren 7.5 - Mr Reliable Fonte - 7 Tidy enough, second hald distrbution better than first Wanyama 4- Worked hard but poor man's Carlton Palmer with no first touch, seriously I see better technique at Exeter or Torquay. Saints got mugged by Lennon. Morgan 4.5 ne of the worst games I've ever seen him have for us and lucky not to be booked at least once. Decent second half effort on goal raised his score Lallana 4 - Woeful miscontrol when he should have scored when Osvaldo put him in and poor set pieces J Rod 4- Nice early run and cut back but poor performance after that, frequently mis-controlled and never read the game. Osvaldo 7 - Should have scored early on but his vision and work rate were first class. Not his fault Lallana and J Rod can't control through balls. Rickie - 7 Good outlet whenever we used him, which was not enough. Need to get Sinclair, Rowe and Isgrove regularly feeding off him if we must play this negative formation. JWP 7 - Instant improvement over Adam, shame we wasted two great deliveries Chambers 6 - Solid enough

Pretty much sums up what we saw at Carrow in a tight contest but if Rowe and Isgrove are on the bench it gives us some other options if we fall behind in games. Overall, the three players we signed are top drawer and in the case of Lovren is already making a huge difference. Wanyama was excellent in his first two games and I'm sure Osvaldo will contribute as well, we need him to. The reality is Saints probably had a far better window than most in the PL. Everton did well yesterday but there were some farces elesewhere. Why Moyes didn't activate Fellaini's contract release in July is anyone's guess but their activity yesterday, most of it aborted, stank of panic and disorganisation. Holloway bought whatever scraps were left for Palace, couldn't see any strategy to it. Ozil is wonderful player but Arsenal so badly needed a holding CM, a CB, two full backs and a striker. West Ham seem disappointed with their squad and whilst Bruce has signed some decent players to make Hull solid, you can't really see where the goals will come from. As for Sunderland, Di Canio seems to be repeating his Swindon experiment and their board had also better be prepeared to pay up a lot of unwanted players contracts just as Swindon's have had to. Can see him gone by October to be honest. Whilst I don't like Odemwinge, he'll score goals for Cardiff and Mackay has done some great business, they'll stay up no problem.

Oh I agree for the most part, the three players we've signed are of a quality we've not seen since Lawrie's first spell. However, if we are going to play such a narrow system, which does make us quite defensively solid by the way, we need two energetic full backs/wing backs/wide players on both sides as Saturday demonstrated amply. We've got some already - Shaw, Clyne, maybe Isgrove/Mayuka - but with Puncheon going, we need another outlet today who can either push forward as a wing back or a genuine winger. Cresswell from Ipswich from the little I've seen could be a good budget option, especially if Billy moves to Portman Rd as suggested.