saint1977

Hope so, Kelly had a poor game at SMS in the spring when they lost 3-1 and got slated on their forum big time. Not much pace there either, would start with Long (if he is able post-OT exertions) and Gabi. Very concerning if Saints can't manage to get on the scoresheet a couple of times given that makeshift backline. Mind you, we said the same at Stoke...hope that appalling defeat doesn't cost us in May. Punch is having a bit of a time of it isn't he?

I have an old programme somewhere at home from the 1985/6 season (I think) where Jon had just joined Saints reserves from non-league (Bromsgrove?) and was working as a tailor. Nice little article at the time.

Cracking night, was Valentine's Day IIRC - although I was too young to realise what that meant lol. One of MLT's most-underrated goals for the opening one, Maskell and then two MLT penalties, at least one of which was a Mark Wright handball. Wasn't it Magilton's debut as well? With the return of Ball and Lawrie, quite a night.

Perhaps I missed it but Kevin Davies left (for the princely sum of £7m) in 1997 and returned August 1999 (IIRC).

Looks like you may have your wish granted

Fully agree, if not McQueen. I like Targett but was at the FA Cup game a couple of years ago and Zaha comprehensively destroyed Targett

Caskaway sounds great, will look that up and interesting Brewdog have opened up in the city. Steam Town sounds good as well. I went to a stag do last year and what was The Highfield had turned into a brewpub, would be interested to see if that’s gone to prosper as well

Cheers, will definitely visit them, especially if they do take out. Southampton’s beer scene is definitely on the up by the looks of it

Before my time although have heard the stories, John Burridge could eff and jeff

Probably better off focusing on Salford - although Neville doing well there Scholes is a miserable git nowadays but was a great player

Agree fully with that - and why we need an active transfer window, and early on as well.

Glad it wasn’t just me thinking that.Although if Lukaku is out for a while after 1 Jan and Hodgson needs to sell to buy...

Good lad Alex, came for the ball and our makeshift defence looked miles happier. He’ll make errors as all keepers do but tries to do the right things and gets my vote. SKD should verbally hammer Fraser in training every time he gets gluefoot - undo some of the bad habits, Needs to be fitter, McCarthy looked so much sharper than him today

Yep, pretty fair summary

Certainly Hoj has been our best player since returning to the side. If this is a management tactic, can we please banish Forster to playing with the U18s until he loses some bulk and gains something approaching some agility? Even if he doesn’t, coaches should verbally hammer him with expletives every time he gets gluefoot to his line. Something along the lines of clucking foward.

Thanks The Cat, those links are great particularly the Thomas Hallett link, those 3 crawls are definitely worth trying on my next visit to SMS if I stay with friends. The take out option I may save for match day lol Has anyone tried Tap It’s beers? Impressive range of IPAs and pales and definitely fancy the Milk Stout and London Porter. Got that booked in for Doug soon. Friend of mine would love the London Porter

I do agree with you in the model which worked well for a few years. I think finishing 6th scared the club and the parochial ‘amp shire mentality kicked in again as it did in 2003. The business model relies on the drive to recruit the very best players and managers you can afford.

Cheers both, C Ford micro pub sounds good, will visit. Loved it that AFC fined for not putting Dons on the scoreboard when they played MK! Wellington Arms was quality when run by Bob, sounds like it’s still good. Micro pub there sounds worth an explore. If I’d had that Imperial Stout Sue I wouldn’t remember the whole season. Perhaps that’s the answer for this season lol

I see on BBC Sport Neil Warnock says Sol Bamba is better than VVD - tongue firmly in cheek surely? Talking of CBs, Caulker leaves QPR by mutual consent. Sad, wasn’t a loan that worked out here but seemingly troubled individual

In fairness to Reed, he probably isn’t being backed like a winner. Doesn’t excuse the last 2 managers and 3 I’d last 4 windows but just saying

Great post St Marco. Some will no doubt slate it but gets the root of the matter in terms of why the poll outcome is shaping up as it is.

Good post - only really Mane and to some extent Lallana have worked out. Morgan apart from the very start at Everton as not looked the same as at SFC which was a surprise. Shaw was just getting into his stride but that horror injury v PSV and Mourinho doesn’t rate his approach to the game, something that was hinted at by the ITKs here at the time.

They won’t give a toss as long as the fans keep turning up but if we go down they’ll want us to dig them out of their mess.

I’d love him to leave on a £6m transfer

Would agree with your assessment if he is fully recovered from that Vardy injury. It may that his head wasn’t quite right or lack of a proper pre season but looked well off his best this year. Loved the fact he was an offensive threat at set pieces as well. Will have to tighten up on concentration with that price tag. Up there with the best Saints CBs, just behind Svensson and Mark Wright in my time as a fan