Brussels Saint

Leave Brussels at 15.00 with Missus, driving towards Tunnel on Fri. Swear at a few inept Belgian drivers. Swear at a few French drivers for doing that thing in the fast lane with their indicator. Swear at a few British drivers who give me dirty looks, as I've been on the continent so long I've naturally forgotten how to indicate at roundabouts. Arrive in Southampton hopefully around 9 for a few pints at the White Star Tavern where I'm staying. Bosh missus as am in a good mood already waiting for the next day. Lazy morning followed by happy walk to the ground randomly hugging other Saints fans. Clean up bloody nose due to randomly hugging other less tactile Saints fans. Get in to hospitality area for free booze and light hearted banter with other punters wearing "slacks". Watch game in a misty eyed, soft focus state. Probably get slightly more than Misty eyed during renditions of One Marcus Liebherr and Glory Glory Marcus Liebherr? Find a few season ticket holders and Josh with them about being a Glory Hunter. Get knee-ed in the nuts for using the word Josh. Save face by saying FFS, proving I'm no Rupes clone. Back inside for some Stilton. Yum! Leave ground in search of some suitable evening Boozers Back to B&B. Attempt to Bosh missus again, but let's face it after boozing all day it's not likely to be successful. Wake up, check nose and nuts, find I have hangover but am deliriously happy. Can't Wait!!!!!!

Cant wait for Saturday now.................Brilliant atmosphere, lots of happy smiling people, random hugging etc......

I love the Saints! Simple as that.

45 mins, not much to ask now is it.................come on, I believe in this team..................

No bank holiday in Brussels today. Wonder if my secretary will mind if I have a small accident in my seat at work........... COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was underwhelmed initially at his appointment, but hopeful it was the right choice. On that basis, its "so far so good", however I agree with those that say next seasons perfomance is where we should really judge. Promotion (and god help us, lets hope we don't eff it up now) was the bare minimum with the resources at his disposal. As some have mentioned the signs do look positive (ability to adapt during a game and his teams resolute mental toughness). Also I think we may actually find it easier next year than this.

Its going to be an expat festival at this game. Tim also going I noticed and I've had my tickets booked for a while.

This for me is the big one to finish it off. Win here and we get a free trip to Plymouth. Lose and we will likely have to beat Plymouth, which won't be easy. A win this Sat and its all over.

For me personally it would have to be the decision not to reappoint Hoddle and thus begin our slide down the divisions.

I wonder what Dalek's point of view will be on this subject?

For me, I hope they move Guly back up front with Lambert and use Connolly off the bench. Guly's outstanding form came earlier in the season when he played in this role and for me its his best. All the "Taxi for Do Prado" and recent criticism, come from when he plays in a wider midfield role.

Just as we did in league one (signing players good enough for the Championship) any players we now sign should be good enough for the Prem. As mentioned the 3 key signings we probably need will be a CB, CM & CF all of whom should be able to cut it at Prem level. I dont think much else is required as the majority of our team is currently at Championship level already. If you added those 3 signings to Lallana, AOC, Morgan & Fonte who probably will all be Prem level within a couple of years you have the making of a team to challenge promotion. For me those who are good enough for the Championshiip but not the Prem would be: Lambert, Barnard, Forte, Hammond, Chappers, Radhi, Seabourne, Butters, Richardson, Harding, Davis Those who might yet develop/prove able, to make the step up to Prem level: Gobern, Mills, Dickson, Guly, Martin, Stephens, Bart However, great that it is to speculate on this, we are still not done and dusted at L1 yet, so lets just all prey we get out of this frankly pants league.

I actually think Huddersfield will beat Brighton during the run in. Brighton will have already been promoted and likely champions also, so may well blood youngsters/fringe etc. If they do that, we would have to hope they do it for us too. Lets face it however, they would want to beat us more, so likely we will face a full strength team and Hudds not. Personally I think the tough Huddersfield run in is over stated, with only MK away likely to cause real problems. Update - Actually scrap that thought, Huddersfield is Brighton's last home game, so unlikely they will want to end with a loss at home. What do you know, I was wrong!

Thanks Jack, I booked it for Friday & Saturday night as everyone seems to have a good word. Hopefully this game will be a celebration or the weekend will be pretty duff!

Nice one, thanks all for the comments. The Kings Head looks great, but prefer this time to stay in the city as can then have a few pints.

Anyone know what this place is like as a pub/place to stay? I'm travelling over for the Walsall game in May and was thinking of staying here. Cheers!

Sambo Jennings................... clearly PC had not reached Cornwall in the early 80s

"I see that Hoddle is actually in both photos.....Dalek will be doing his nut. Might need to send an extra box of tissues round to his." ........maybe he is here to run our academy!

The guy in the black scarf in picture A front left, looks suspiciously like a former manager of ours........(who shamefully was not reappointed and ultimately led to our downfall!!!!) ...........third time lucky anyone?

Pahars/Kachloul for me and I always group them together as they came roughly at the same time. We were utterly plop at that moment and definitely going down, then we signed these two. I remember being excited as I knew this was our last chance, they were exotic, unheard of, potentially brilliant (the Latvian Michael Owen etc.) Then they played................... were class and suddenly the gloom, depression, despair was lifted. Joy!

Peterborough are definitely the biggest concern now. Stopped shipping goals, an excellent away record and in good form, plus we only have 1 game in hand on them. Brighton are pretty much home. Hudds have lost their best player and we have 2 games on them. Bournemouth look like fading.

Adkins mentioned a couple of weeks for Morgan in his post match interview, but also said similar to Adam who I think was about a month. 2-4 weeks, best guess.

Was a bit harsh making John Peel dig his own grave................

Question is, are their actions respectful to the club and its new owners...............I suspect had they both sat quietly in the background, they would have received that respect and acknowledgement due to them for their previous service, as with other legends. They choose an alternative route using press contacts etc. to air grievances, which seems to damage their standing more than it does our owners. It of course does not mean the club is beyond criticism, but there is a better way and means for this rather than what does appear a fairly spiteful approach. It's a real shame they are unable to accept their influence (be it good or bad) in our club is not what it once was.

Interesting that there have been a few comments concerning Cortese' PR blunders, but if you simply take this fans forum as a rough guide (full of Saints uber fan obsessives ), I would guess 95% of posters are broadly sideing with Cortese over a dispute with 3 club legends. For me thats an effing PR masterstoke not a blunder................