Micky

I'm getting quite tired of this line to be fair - too many people are having their opinions lambasted purely because 'they were not there'. Unfortunately people have to base their opinions on the information sources that are available to them at the time. For some that might be first hand at the game, others might see a stream on the net, some on TV, others might hear commentary on the radio, others (like me) might purely rely on the match thread on an internet forum. Even if we were all at the game, you can bet that opinions would differ on certain aspects - that's just the way it is. My point is, we offer honest forthright opinions based on the information at hand at the time - but unfortunatley that information might be second or even third hand. The forum would be a pretty poor place if opinion was restricted to those who were there. I really do wish the 'I was at the game' lambasters would appreciate this.

Have to agree with the OP - things are only going to get a whole lot tougher from here on in. This is the business end of the season - where you start means nothing, where you finish is everything.

I think the cracks are beginning to show - but even if I am of the opinion that we are going to blow it - I also know that we are much better than 17th. My worry is that we are in a great position - but it will be very, very difficult to do the same next season. Ergo - blow it this year, next year will be much harder.

Being fine and being promoted are two completely different things. As others have pointed out here - we are in a position that will be very hard to emulate in later seasons. If we do not capitalise from here, then we could remain in this league for many seasons to come. Yes, we will be fine - but fine is not the aim.

Said after the loss at Bristol that many seem to be quite blase about it - and that seems to still be the case. We have missed some fantastic opportunities to really put a marker down in this league, but failed on each occasion. Totally hacked off, can only see this giving other teams a boost, really expect to be overhauled quite quickly. Will be interesting to see if we can play catch up, or get through the play offs.

I fear that at the end of the season, some might look back at both Bristols and say thats where we lost it. Many men have.

Might also be the catalyst for a complete collapse as well - we have missed too many good chances to extend our lead recently. West Ham will go above us soon, probably followed by Boro - then we will see how good we are at 'catch up'.

Id take a point now.

Now you will see how much character we really have. I said we missed an opportunity at Bristol, we have really fecked it up now - so let's see how we reply.

Just the one sherry too many over christmas then Nick eh....????

I think probably more GCHQ and probably a few 14 Sig Regt (EW) may have been involved here - they may not see you - but you can be sure they will bloody well hear you...! The problem with such units is that, because their work is shrouded in secrecy, many commanders on the ground don't actually know the full value of the services they can (and still do) provide. http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Silent-listener-lifts-lid-Falklands-War/story-12969463-detail/story.html

I went for a name, and have a Ben Sherman S505, cost 40 quid brand new about 6 years ago - it tells the time. The leather strap is now on it's last legs. Went into the jewellers that I bought if from today - he said he could get me a replacement strap for about 30 quid. To replace the watch is only 23 quid now so will probably do me for another 5 years or so.

FFS was it quite quiet or quietly quite - these things are important to fans in exile...! FWIW I think it was quite quiet because it wasn't loud...!

Nor did I, had a group of bloody 20 - cost me an arm and a leg.....!!!!!

Indeed, Seasons Greetings to you all. Hopefully you will all (except Mack of course ) prosper in 2012, as will hopefully Saints and we all reach the promised land at our seasons end. Happy Xmas one and all.

It's not a problem Ziggy - they won't score....!

Tend to agree - but feel a little sorry for him as he sort of 'fell' into the job. Mind you everytime I see hi interviewed on TV I think he looks like the rabbit in the headlights. I fear that he is about to burst out crying. How many more positives can he pull out of the hat given his record and Blackburns current position. Well out of his depth and the sooner he goes the better.

Not strictly true - yes he did take some time to get back into the first team flow of it with WHU, but that's only to expected when you have been out for so long. I did see him perform for West Ham last season - he won man of the match. Perhaps football has given up on Wayne Bridge.

I can see some play off agony for us. Start of the season I'd probably have accepted as much, but given where we are now it is going to be a bitter pill to swallow.

Exactly, while we were all creaming ourselves over the thought of Michael Owen and John Arne Riise, NA went out and got Jos and SDR - not a dickie bird on here about them anywhere.

Personally Id've left Tim and got rid of Ross. Grade A knob.

6 quid for a sraight haircut, always give the guy a tenner - he always gives me a fiver change. Every other cut I tell him to keep the change. Real complicated over here in NI.

This. The sooner the 'football money pump' is turned off the better. Stupid contractual arrangements are the problem, not the players. Hands up all of you who, in WB's shoes, would walk away - right, not many then. Wayne may well have been offered other opportunities, but if they didn't suit him - then why move. The sooner football sorts out it's wage structure, where players are payed in line with actual appearances or /and service to the club, then this scenario will continue. 90k a week while you're doing it for the 1st team son, after that the going rate is 15k - take it or leave it. When a player falls out of favour, he has incentive to leave and try again elsewhere and smaller clubs may be able to compete in gaining good players signatures. Bridgey was discussed on TalkSport today, but if you look around the top flight teams, it would be interesting to know what is the wage bill for those squad members who never make the first team. So has WB lost motivation, probably a little - but then again, wear his shoes, and tell me whether you would of too.

Ummmmm, you may have a point there.....!