Minsk

Video refereeing will be used at next year's World Cup for incidents that include goals, penalties and red cards. Good news. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/video-referees-technology-world-cup-2018-russia-gianni-infantino-fifa-a7704161.html

McQueen and Pied are injured; Targett will return to full training on Thursday - who do you think will play LB? Apart from that, where did you hear about this 'bust up'? From some loon on twitter?

Match Day 31 - home to Man City - lost 0-3 Match Day Comparison Last season we won Match Day 31 (3-2) at home against Liverpool. So 3 points dropped, giving us an.... 8 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season we beat Citeh at St Mary's, meaning 3 points dropped here as well...... 15 point deficit Next up, on Match Day 32, is top of the table Chelsea away. Last season we had an amazing 3-1 win at their place; whilst Match Day 32 saw us lose (1-0) away at the champions to be, Leicester. I feel a repeat of Match Day 32 is more likely than our result at Stamford Bridge last season; but, as they say, anything can happen in this league.......

Match Day 30 - away to West Brom - won 1-0 I have to say, at times, that was one of the best performances we have put in this season. Forster and Yoshida were the stand-out players, and a classy goal from Classie. Match Day Comparison Last season also saw us win away from home, 2-1 at Stoke. Therefore, we remain with a...... 5 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Classie's goal was one more than scored in the same fixture last season, giving us 2 extra points. Therefore, we now have a..... 12 point deficit Next up, on Match Day 31, is a visit to St Mary's for Pep and Citeh. Last season we beat the blue half of Manchester 4-2 at home; whilst on Match Day 31 we defeated another of the 'big boys' Liverpool by a 3-2 scoreline at St. Mary's - who could forget that match?

I would very much like to see him replace Romeu for the next two matches, but I will be very surprised if he does.

Match Day 29 - home to Crystal Palace - won 3-1 Wow! After a couple of long (2 week) breaks, it feels as if the matches are coming fast and furious again.... Match Day Comparison Last season we drew match day 29 (1-1) at home to Sunderland. So the two points we have clawed back now gives us only a..... 5 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Not as convincing a win as last season, where we beat Palace 4-1 at St. Mary's. If only Shane had buried at least one of his many golden chances. (Yes, that was all written very 'tongue in cheek'.) Points remain the same with a..... 14 point deficit Next up, on Saturday (tomorrow), is an away trip to West Brom for Match Day 30. Last season we brought back a point from the Baggies, following a 0-0 draw; whilst Match Day 30 saw us take all 3 points with a (2-1) win away to Stoke. A repeat of either would be fantastic, especially given the players who will definitely/possibly be missing: VvD, Austin, Romeu, McCarthy, Davis, Gabbiadini, Bertrand, Boufal.

Match Day 28 - home to Bournemouth - drew 0-0 Highlight of the match for me was the shocking penalty decision followed by Arter's even more shocking miss from the spot.... Match Day Comparison Last season we lost match day 28 (2-0) away at Bournemouth. Therefore, we now have a.... 7 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Conversely, last season we beat Bournemouth by that scoreline (2-0) at St. Mary's. Therefore, the 2 dropped points now gives us a......... 14 point deficit Next up, tomorrow evening, is Palace at home on Match Day 29. Last season we hammered Palace 4-1 at home, on the last day of the season; whilst Match Day 29 saw us draw 1-1 at home to Sunderland.

Match Day 27 - away to Tottenham - lost 2-1 Unfortunately, our run of scoring 4 goals away from home came to an end...... Match Day Comparison Last season we also lost Match Day 27, only that time it was home to Chelsea. Therefore, this defeat means we remain at an.... 8 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season the scores were reversed in this fixture, giving us a beautiful 2-1 win over the North London Yobbos. Therefore, this defeat means we now slip to a...... 12 point deficit Next up is a home match against our south coast neighbours, Bournemouth. Last season we beat them, 2-0, at St Mary's; whilst Match Day 28 saw us defeated by that scoreline (2-0) away to.......... Bournemouth. Time to do the double over them...........

I don't know about now as I haven't used the bus from the station for a few years, but I have used it for free since our return to the prem. It was the Ramirez home debut Vs Villa match. I took my elderly parents. We traveled to Southampton by train and caught the bus to St. Mary's (and back). We showed our natch tickets and rode it for free (incidentally, so did a number of Villa fans). I don't when this stopped (if it has) as I haven't used that service since.

You are absolutely right - just checking that people are reading this thread - Thanks for putting me right Seeing as I can't edit posts I'll try again here: Match Day 26 - away to Watford - won 4-3 2 wins and 4 goals scored in successive away matches - get in there! Match Day Comparison Last season we won Match Day 26 (1-0) away to Swansea. Therefore, this away win keeps us with an..... 8 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season we drew away at Watford 0-0. Therefore, we have pulled 2 points back, giving us a...... 9 point deficit Next up is another away match, this time at Spurs. Oh, what I would give for us to score another four goals this coming Sunday (provided we concede fewer...) Last season we won 2-1 away to Spurs (which, I think, was the last time they lost at home in the league); whilst Match Day 27 saw us lose 2-1 at home to Chelsea.

Match Day 26 - away to Watford - won 4-3 2 wins and 4 goals scored in successive away matches - get in there! Match Day Comparison Last season we won Match Day 26 (1-0) away to Swansea. Therefore, this away win keeps us with an..... 8 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season we also won away at Watford by a solitary goal, 1-0. So, once more, our points difference remain unchanged at an...... 11 point deficit Next up is another away match, this time at Spurs. Oh, what I would give for us to score another four goals this coming Sunday (provided we concede fewer...) Last season we won 2-1 away to Spurs (which, I think, was the last time they lost at home in the league); whilst Match Day 27 saw us lose 2-1 at home to Chelsea.

Just heard on Sky News that they are going to trial a 'video lineman' system in next season's FA Cup. Good news, imo.

Last season he was second choice, behind Hennessey. This summer Palace signed Mandanda to be their first choice 'keeper (which he was until he got injured) making Hennessey second choice and McCarthy third choice. Hence, we signed Palace's third choice 'keeper. I would have much preferred us to have signed Hennessey, or Randolph from West Ham - both of whom started the season as second choice 'keepers in teams whom we finished above last season and who were not competing in Europe; both eminently doable imo. As for the match tomorrow, I am expecting yet another draw with Watford anywhere from 0-0 to 2-2.

Match Day 25 - away to Sunderland - won 4-0 It's been ages since I updated this thread, mainly because of another important match and the travelling involved. Anyway, here we go...... At the end of my previous post I said how we could do with a 1-0 win; well, we managed 4 times better. Finally, the thumping many thought we would give someone happened. Unfortunately, that was followed with the frustration of the EFL Final, but enough has been said that elsewhere.... Match Day Comparison Last season we beat West Ham at home on match day 25. Therefore, this victory leaves us with an...... 8 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season we won 1-0 up at the Stadium of Light. Despite a far more impressive scoreline this time around, we remain with an..... 11 point deficit Next up, on Match Day 26, we travel away to Watford. Last season we drew 0-0 there; whilst Match Day 26 saw us win 1-0 away to Swansea.

Excellent posts. Not only would I like to see more technology used (in many cases it wouldn't hold up the game at all, eg Gabbiadini's goal) I would also like to see a retrospective board used in order to punish clear acts of cheating, such as players feigning injury, etc.

The problem being McCarthy isn't all that either. There is a reason he was only 3rd choice at Palace when we bought him.

Many thanks for this kind offer you made earlier. Unfortunately, only now had an opportunity to get back to you. As I mentioned this morning, I was stuck in a recording studio all afternoon and then had 3 English lessons to give in the evening. Ahh, well, sheet happens. And I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I also always try my hardest not to get worked up about things; especially about things now beyond my control. Enjoy your day at Wembley my friend! Ulster, I know exactly how you feel. I too am a bit peeved that some of us who bought memberships before the season started have been somewhat shafted. Then again, I can't blame the bandwagon jumpers - that is just human nature. Also, I too (and you) could have bought Arsenal and West Ham tickets to jump up the queue. I didn't because I thought it crazy to buy tickets for matches I couldn't/wouldn't go to and because I didn't think it would still guarantee me a ticket. I was wrong. My mistake. As was not buying the 3 game European batch and giving the tickets to a friend/relative to use as I contemplated doing at the time. We live and learn. I hope you enjoy watching the match in the manner I shall now watch it - with an alcoholic drink in hand from start to wonderful, winning, finish. Wow! That is steep! I presume he bought them on a credit card? That is £390 each, by my reckoning. I had contemplated doing this (but just for one ticket); however, as with you, I really can't justify that expense. There are so many more important things that I could spend that on, such as my daughter's education, house, holiday, etc. I hope someone helps you out here. Good luck!

Indeed, hopefully most, but not me. My fault though. I purchased a membership back in July but, living abroad as I do, have only been over for the two home matches. I should have bought an Arsenal ticket, knowing that it wouldn't have been used, so that I could have bought yesterday. I didn't because I didn't think it would down that far. Internet connection played up just before midday (9.00 UK time) so got put in a long queue; now have to go to work and will be sat in a recording studio when it reopens. Oh well. Congrats to all who are going. Enjoy your day out. Sing loud and clear for those of us who can't be in Wembley. I'll still fly over and watch it either in a pub somewhere, or on TV, with the old man and much alcohol....... COYS (just don't expect me to ever buy a membership in the summer again)

Sold out! B*ll*cks! Money wasted on flights. Feck it......

Ditto

It looks like it will be Newcastle and Brighton plus one, although I would rather neither of them do. Of the two, I suppose I would rather Newcastle make it, for their fans, history, etc; yet, they would almost certainly stay up whereas Brighton could easily drop back down. Anyway, probably moot point, as already said I think they will both go up. Would love to see Brentford and Burton Albion go up, but absolutely no chance. If I could chose my three, from those near the top, it would be: Huddersfield (I have a good mate who goes to most of their matches); Norwich (I've always had a soft spot for them); and either Sheff Wed (preferable) or Leeds (because of Monk and Beats) - two team with history, but far from what they were. So, I guess, if Newcastle and Brighton are 'nailed on' I want Huddersfield to come up with them.

I refuse to ever quote an obvious trolling post; and your acceptance of what everyone else can clearly see is one of the reasons why I now also refuse to pay a fiver. Anyway, moving on......... Gabbi will obviously take all the headlines and plaudits. I really wish we could have signed him in the summer instead of (or, better still, as wells as) Boufal. However, big shout outs to Stephens, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic and my MoM (again) Romeu. Whilst I gave my MoM to Romeu, I really want to point out what a great performance Jack Stephens put in today.Many of the posters on here were begging for us to buy Defoe in January (as opposed to the magnificent Gabbiadini) but today Jack Stephens had Defoe in his pocket all match. Jack's previous best match was at Anfield. Following this one, I feel he will be very much looking forward to Wembley, and I will be very happy to see hid name on the team sheet. I hope this will see the end of posters calling for Bertrand to play at CB (in a back four) instead of Stephens being given his opportunity to shine. Well played Saints!!!!!!!

This looks spot on to me. I also believe it is just about what any other manager, bar Puel, would do with our squad. We really should be playing with 2 DMs; Romeu and Hojbjerg. Anyone with half a football brain can see that PEH's best matches for us have been at DM. There is also a reason why he has only scored 2 senior goals in his career - he is not an attacking midfielder. I do also think that Jack Stephens could be a good option alongside Romeu. The line-up above would do two things; give us extra cover in front of the defence (CBs) and give us a fluid attack with four players playing in their best positions. If only Puel could see, or better still try, this..........

Match Day 24 - home to West Ham - lost 3-1 Whilst I am inclined to agree with Batman's post above, I sincerely hope he is wrong. However, this match did nothing to allay those fears. Despite taking the lead with a very good debut goal from Gabbiadini, we again managed to throw a lead away by conceding three avoidable goals. Match Day Comparison Last season we drew match day 24 (0-0) away to Arsenal. Therefore, this defeat now gives us an...... 8 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season we beat The Irons (1-0) at St Mary's. This means we now have an....... 11 point deficit Next up, on Match Day 25, is a trip away to Sunderland. Last season Match Day 25 was the aforementioned 1-0 home win over West Ham; the exact same scoreline as we achieved when winning away at Sunderland. How we could do with a 1-0 victory this time around....... As an aside, we have now lost 3 on the bounce (in all competitions) since sealing our Wembley trip with the win away at Liverpool. The last time we lost 3 on the bounce this season it was followed by a draw and a win. I would most certainly take that for our next two matches: draw away to Sunderland; win at Wembley!

Match Day 23 - away to Swansea - lost 2-1 After the wondrous feeling when Shane buried the winner at Anfield to send us to Wembley and the abject dejection of seeing our 2nd/3rd team humped 5-0 by Arsenal in the FA Cup (to save/protect our first team players for the league) Saints fell to to a 2-1 defeat in Wales. Match Day Comparison Last we won match day 23 (1-0) at Old Trafford. This defeat means we now have a........ 6 point deficit Match by Match Comparison Last season saw us leave the Liberty Stadium with all 3 points following a 1-0 win. Therefore, this defeat now gives us an.... 8 point deficit My gut feeling (especially given VvD's injury) is that we are going to finish the season with a deficit in double figures for both means of comparison. I hope I'm wrong, but time will tell. In the meantime, next up, tomorrow, is Match Day 24 and a visit by West Ham (with our now ex-captain). Last season we beat The Hammers 1-0 at St. Mary's; whilst match day 24 saw us earn a point with a 0-0 draw away to Arsenal.