Piran

I thought he played okay, too, last night. Clearly following the manager's tactics. A bit unfair to compare with Maguire, who did cost £80m!

Well, I for one thought it was a fascinating game. Just as in most tournaments, Italy have a knack of doing enough to progress, and Mancini is a serial winner. I thought both sides last night were a cut above anyone else we have seen at the Euros.

Could this be one of the most boring threads ever on TSW? 'Interest in JWP' - haven't got a clue personally....

That's odd. He speaks very highly of you, Badger.

Or Dennis Wise? Or Kevin Phillips? Or why Chelsea released Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku? Perhaps someone's foresight wasn't quite perfect back in the day....

I have been one who previously suggested we need to 'size up' the team, but I believe that Smallbone was coming along nicely. Such a pity that he was injured just when he appeared to be part of the team, and gaining confidence; and a player's confidence is a major part of creating a physical presence.

Bring back Georges Prost, I say! I'm being flippant, as I know Georges had health problems, and returned to France, but what I believe is that he was a clever successful man who knew his job, and took care of most aspects below the first team. Maybe the present set-up will allow Matt Crocker to achieve similar results, only time will tell. Many points in the posts above are valid, regarding the knock-on from Saints' lower league journey, and one thing is for sure - it's a long-term project, and a lot of pressure to succeed. My reference to Prost is more about the ability of one good man to be allowed to do his own thing. There are plenty of examples out there of successful set-ups, not just in football, but it is noticeable how often the best ones have one person calling the shots....

Well, Saint86, obviously.

Where do you get this sort of information from? That 'we' have not done any searching?

I agree. Because of having a mate who is a big Palace fan, I have followed their games with a bit more interest than I might otherwise have done. Cahill has played some games where he has looked tremendous, a real bargain. But I would also say that he has had twice as many games where he has had a tendency to disappear, and look anonymous. Strange for a player who was once a nailed-on England starter. And what wages did he command?

If it is, Saints ain't doing it!

Well, there are plenty of words on this forum that have attempted to do just that.....

This season is the first where I have watched most games live. I soon learned to stop following the match threads on here, because a.) I found them quite depressing, and totally over-the-top in terms of criticism and comment, and b.) because I don't need anyone else's opinion of what I have just seen with my own eyes. The same applies to the TV commentators. Harsh, maybe, but I'm inclined to agree with Turkish's earlier comment about the 10%!

Well, I find him a good commentator, and don't hear any particular bias.

As of today, as little as 27 points will keep you in the Premier League! (GD)

As a wise old man once told me "You can't demand respect. You can only earn it."

Ask anybody - anybody - at Saintsweb Forum and I think there may be entirely different views of SKD's input....

I'm not knocking your viewpoint, but would you mind detailing the results for the 5 or 6 games that the four teams have left to play, that would enable them ALL to overtake Saints, and leave us 18th or lower?

I know the old adage - It's the size of the fight in the dog, not the size of the dog in the fight - and JWP in particular has done well to stick up for himself many times, but I think it is apparent that in many games Saints often appear noticeably physically smaller than other teams. It was clear against Leicester in the semi-final, yet we kept pumping high balls forward, against West Brom, against Spurs last night, and the one that really stood out for me, Chelsea earlier in the season. I know Romeo has a bit of beef about him, when he's available, but I think we should consider size when looking at potential recruits, and get the average up!

1976 and up early for the coach trip from Bitterne to Wembley. On the coach there was at least one copy of every newspaper that day, and they were all shared around. Without exception, every "expert" predicted a Manchester United win, some by a hatful, including a Bobby Charlton article, where he regretted not being young enough any more, and expected "at least" 6 goals. The real big memory for me though was being at Stamford Bridge for the semi-final, and the realisation at the end that we were GOING TO BE THERE! You have to be of a certain vintage to appreciate just how big the FA Cup was back then, being the highlight of the year's football, almost day-long TV coverage, and here was little old Saints taking part. Not just taking part, but against the might of United! The trip back, too. Every bridge lined with people with flags and scarves, even more so as we approached Southampton, and even though we were knackered from a long day, the realisation sinking in of just what a result we had witnessed that day. No-one can tell me that the FA Cup doesn't matter any more!

I guess some people's great memories differ from others......

Blimey! A Duckie post I agree with!

Well, that's 50 minutes of my life I'll never get back - watching the West Brom/Newcastle game. Absolutely dire. If Saints can't finish above these two, and Sheffield United, we may as well all pack up.

A decent debate above. My own view is "keep him", I think he brings a lot of positivity to our play. One puzzle, though, from many of the comments, is the wages assumptions. Surely it doesn't matter what his present salary is? His contract with Everton expires this summer, and at that point he would be free to negotiate a new one with potential suitors. If that is Saints, the club would be making a judgement on his value. They don't have to pay what he or his agents 'demand', he doesn't have to accept what any club offer. I suspect whoever from the club does the negotiating, has some idea of what they are doing.

My first game at the Dell - autumn 1959, versus Swindon Town. Sun was shining, Saints were on fire, and I just remember the sense of fun and happiness in the crowd. I don't remember the exact score, but I think Derek Reeves may have got a hat-trick, and Terry Paine was the real deal that day. Been a fan ever since.