Micky

Big hoof upfield, control the ball, side step the static defender and plant it in the corner. Pretty simple stuff really.

This maybe so, but what about the all important possession stats?

Ummmm Stoke City in a dead rubber, sorry but my 'give a shit' meter is not even flickering...!

Jobi Mcanuff said we are the team that every other team in the playoffs wants to play (for very obvious reasons), can't really argue with that.

Yep using phrases such as 'we were brilliant at breaking the press....'! Mind boggling stuff.

No bollocks, no steel, no aggression and no idea either. That was comical to watch, talk about getting played off the park, we looked like a pub side. I never expected us to win tonight, but I did expect us to at least compete, you know, actually try. I've said all season that we lacked bottle and when it gets tough we just throw in the towel, every fucking time. I'm not bothered about the playoffs, we've no chance but what does worry me is next season. We have had quality players this season but we've not readily got near to promotion, a lot of the quality will go and next season is likely to be carnage at St Mary's. We're scaring nobody this season and we certainly won't be next season. Clusterfuck.

Calm down son, let's not get ahead of ourself, next you'll be wanting us to have a shot.

Meh, what's the point, reckon the towels and deckchairs will be out for this one.

You can't blame Dragon and SR for taking that stance. Forget the football, from a business point of view, today was the day that we blew our very best chance of returning to the Premiere League, the richest league in the world. Our next chance is obviously through the playoffs, fail there and we could be facing many years in the football wilderness. In terms of both results and business, today was a bloody disaster.

Even if by some miracle he managed to get us up via the playoffs (spoiler alert, he won't!) I would sack him immediately after the final. His one dimensional gameplan and tactics will get easily found out in the Premiere league.

Worry not, we won't be, not for many many years.

I don't understand how he was allowed to play as he wasn't on the team sheet, was he? Would appreciate somebody explaining if they know.

I can't see us beating both Leicester and Leeds so it's not going to be enough, however if we can at least maintain some decent form, it should get us set for the playoffs. Gotta hope we win the lottery.

It ain't 'rocket science', so don't make it so. KISS concept and we should be fine. Simples.

Good performance, nothing more. Preston were the most passive side I have seen this season, they were very poor and offered nothing at all. I could've played in goal and the result would've been the same, Alex looked poor in this system and had a couple of dodgy spells. The subs made us weaker, but no complaints as it was a resting players exercise. We looked good tonight, but we looked good against a very poor side, there are much tougher tests to come.

Need to drive this one home in the second half, this is not just about this game, it's sending a message to those above us. I'll be pretty pissed off if we concede, and if we don't win at least five nil. More of the same second half, and keep that foot hard down.

Relax, this not just any Russian roulette, this is SFC Russ's Russian roulette - high risk for high rewards (supposedly)!

Got the job done. 3 points is 3 points. You make your own luck in this game. Onwards and upwards. Preston is now the most important game of the season. Any clichés I've forgotten?

More 'livin' on a prayer' actually....!

Are we really still kicking this can down the street....?

Exactly this. He was given all the tools to succeed yet we find ourselves out of the auto promotion places with 10 games to go. Even if he gets us up through the playoffs I still think that it's time to 'mag to grid', harsh maybe but the same pretty much happened to Nigel after he got us to the Prem.

Don't think Coventry will be too bothered about coming to fortress SMS at all. Most teams now probably see us as a bit of a test, ex prem side but easily beatable. They are actually pretty decent and their need is greater than ours, so I can see them doing us. That said if we play the right players, in the right positions, start fast, and most importantly, keep our foot on the gas once we are on top, who knows, our winning form may return. Unfortunately Russ picks the team and decides the tactics, so it's unlikely that any of those things will happen. Doing it my way 3 - 1 win, Russ's way 1 - 2 loss...!

Martin's possession football is nothing like Cities, ours is based around winning the ball and securing it. In order to secure the ball we always go backwards towards our own goal and basically reset the game with us in possession and 11 opposition players in front of us. We then mess about, sideways backwards, trying to retain possession, creating very little throughout the course of the game. When City win possession they are comfortable to transition from anywhere on the pitch, no reset required. Obviously they have much better players. We are one dimensional, slow, laboured and no plan B, enjoy this season because the next 3 or 4 seasons are going to be much worse I fear.

You are the best team I have seen this season, not in terms of tactics, or players for that matter, but your desire to win is unmatchable, I just wish we had half the balls you have. I said yesterday that I really wouldn't want to get you in the playoff final, if we scored 6 you'd score 7, that's the measure of your team spirit. I'm of an age that I remember the last time you were in the top flight and I think now your time come again at last - I'm certain you will get promoted. If you manage to stay in for the first couple of years, that's the first big hurdle, but your right, you will lose more than you win and you manager will be picked off within months probably. All of that said I wish you all the best for the rest of the season, good luck.

Why surprised? Yes, agreed, we have been really good this season, some great entertainment home and away. But the bar was set at promotion, that's what we had to achieve, so we built the squad to do that. Unfortunately it doesn't look like we will get to the bar, and so we will look much different next season, and ultimately much weaker. How will you feel when we start to struggle in the championship in a half empty SMS, not quite so entertaining then.