View From The Top

I too would like to know why the OB were involved with Glasgow Saint.Anyway, just back from the game and anyone who blames the manager for that today is either A) A utter moron B) Didn't watch the game C) both A & B.We had great chances to take all three points before they scored and great chances for a point after they scored. We were thwarted by good defending, outstanding goalkeeping and p_iss poor finishing. The manager can do nothing about that.We moved the ball well, got into dangerous positions and utterly dominated. I watched us play way worse than that last season and the season before under RK on a regular basis.Around me I heard not a peep of criticism of the manager, plenty about buying a striker, which we all agree on. On the train there was mithering about the manager. Why? because the team and tactics were spot on today.We made Burnley look like the hoofers they are but Shane Long steals a living as a striker and jay is still a yard short IMHO.

Bloody hell, how many times does this have to be explained to the hard of thinking that it has nowt to do with Saints in isolation. Hants police want away fans there as it's the most direct approach for coaches and those coming by train. The carpark can be split during high risk games and the concourse can be divided, unlike elsewhere in the ground, making it easy to manage. They're not going to put them in The Chapel and neither are they going to put them next to the corporates in the Itchen. The away fans will never be moved. Ever. Get used to it. The more logical plan would be that the Chapel be turned into the vocal home end.

Some one want to explain why Glasgow was investigated by the police under his previous guise? Come on DPS, spill the beans. Touchwood that he's banned again soon as ignore is no use if people keep quoating. I've no more info about SB I'm afraid. Stoke REALLY want him, West Ham and Palace also interested but I reckon we could have worked that out ourselves. I'd still like him at Saints. He's the sort of nippy striker we need. The biggest problem is that there is so little value in the January market and if you try to buy from one of the big boys the players still expect big boy money which we won't, quite rightly, pay.

What I really enjoyed last night, from my seat high up in block 36, was how clear the defensive tactics were and how the team stuck to them. Press in the top 1/3 and then if that didn't work, surrender the middle 3rd to ensure everyone was back into their defensive set up in the final 1/3 and then 2 tight lines giving the dippers little chance to play between them, something they excel at. They were incredibly disciplined throughout the night doing it. Personally I thought Redmond outstanding; ran himself into the ground and was so unlucky with the chipped effort. Long may it continue. Unlike the malcontents on the 1st few pages, who are clearly such great fans that they couldn't be bothered to go to a cup semi final, I really do fancy our chances at Anfield. It may come to pass that we get stuffed but as it stands today, we are in with a shout and that'll do me.

Yeah, there was trouble last time, including a Saints fan knocking someone over with their car and a police chase on the M6, but I've used it a couple of times with no problem at all. We're going upon the train at the bargain price of £20 for the pair of us changing at Crewe and Preston. I always like going to Burnley. It feels like a "proper" football ground to me. Not sure we will get anything out of the game but Puel should put his best XI out again and then rest players on Wednesday night if needed.

You don't like it that they find it so easy to make you look like a tw_at. Although, TBF, it's not hard. I love the way they rip the bullsh_it apart. Long may it continue.

In the summer my mate at Stoke, and I think I put it on here, was 99% sure they had him at one point but the player REALLY didn't want to go and when I asked again a week or so later the Stokie said he wasn't moving. Hughes, really wants him and this will be the 4th window in which he's tried to sign him. Bony was a panic signing when SB turned them down finally late in the window. My mate who knows SB I'll be seeing on Thursday evening so I'll ask if he's heard anything new. Despite what people pick up from the press he is, apparently, a pretty quiet unassuming chap who is the church going type, he goes with his mum and pays a quite large % of his own money into a clean water charity in Africa. He turns up to regularly to watch a junior team he sponsors, he paid for their kit etc, my nippers team have played against them previously. However, he knows how he wants to play football and that's where the disagreements arise. Yes he's fallen foul of the law but many young players do. I'm certainly in no position to judge that! I genuinely don't know where he'll end up. I guess if Spurs come back in he'd be daft to turn that down. I'd imagine WHU and Palace will be back in as well. There is no doubt that WBA really fu_cked him off regarding going back on their word and if they only get a development fee for him he'd be happy. I'll see if I can find anything new out this week.

You clearly have no idea of the back story regarding Berihino and WBA. He's not a troublemaker at all and those that know him, and I include very good friends of mine in that, say he's an ordinary guy who is fuming with his employer for breaking an agreement that they had and is determined to ensure they get the very minimum for him when he leaves as an out of contract player. He's turned down contracts that would double his current wage such is his determination to leave. He's turned down Stoke twice as he considers it a club similar to WBA and wouldn't suit his style. That said, he wouldn't have to move house if he did go there and is happy and settled where he lives.

I don't agree at all. No club is going to sell their top CF in Jan' unless it's a Berihino/Austin type scenario and to believe that Saints can just whistle one up is living in lala land. Saints might well land a CF but it won't be a top CF and the usual spu_nktrumpets will be on his case as soon as he misses a sitter.

Morgan has already said he's going to Everton. Sakho, yes please and doable and Gabiandini isn't worth the money, doesn't score nearly enough goals and Wolfsburg is more likely anyway.

Any fan who wouldn't sell his left bol_lox to be at a cup semi final under the lights isn't a fan, they're a massive spu_nktrumpet.

You had better get used to the fact that they are not going to sack him.

All we need now is Bertrand to be linked to other teams in the press and I reckon we will then have a full house of the want aways.

Representatives from Saints have been in contact with Berihino's people regarding the possibilities of a transfer. Player non committal as he knows he holds all the aces, is waiting to see what his options are and doesn't want WBA getting a penny for him if possible. This is from an EFL coach who is mates with him and a long standing friend of mine (our lads play in the same football and cricket teams). I did text my mate at WBA to ask about what he knew and the reply was "fu_ck off Dave, I'm not saying anything about him". I'm meeting up with him next week so I'll ask again then.

Ahhh, the Cult of Cortese devotees are out in force ignoring the debt he ran up and the fact he flogged AoC and was going to flog SRL to West Ham. If he was such a fantastic CEO why isn't he involved in football now? Great at spunking other peoples money and getting brand specialists to give us a black and silver badge and mock up the developed ground but not that great that anyone else wants to employ him. I'm no lover of Les, he's spouted to much bull for that, but the idea that Cortese would have allowed us to win the league as LCFC did is utter pony but since quite a lot on here are only slightly brighter than a turd I shouldn't be surprised.

Bullsh_it. This is just about money. The last big payday of an ageing player, be him a club stalwart or not.

He's been brilliant for us up to this season when none can deny his attitude has sucked. I will have no ill feeling towards him, he's doing what's best for him and his family.

I've no idea of what's true and what's not, and we all know what Chinese whispers are like, but the worrying thing for me it seems plausible if overblown. The bit about Shane was just my own musing. I just want a bit of stability in the managers chair be it Claude or whoever.

The can take or leave what you're about to read as bull or not I'm just simply passing on what I've been told. I have no contacts at Saints, none, they all retired long ago, but I do have friends that work at PL clubs in the Midlands and NW, in non playing/coaching roles but involved with players to a lesser or greater extent. It's from them this comes. Their record is good as they told me, and I posted on here, weeks in advance, of the Shaw amd Morgan deals. I'm guessing gossip travels quickly around clubs as players tend to mix in tight circles. There was, apparently, a huge bust up after the WBA game, in which senior pros let rip at both Puel and Black, accusing them of being clueless and not up to the job. It almost came to punches being thrown. Some senior pros have told the club, either sort it out, which I assume means get rid of Puel, or the players will leave and some have already instructed agents to see what's available elsewhere. This is perhaps where the Long to WBA or Long to WHU stuff has come from that's been in the press, but I'm just guessing at that. As a result the Chairman had to speak to the players en-mass before the Everton game (I don't know if this means on the day of the game or before they travelled). During and after the Everton game players ignored the manager and Black was told, in no uncertain terms, where to get off by 2 internationals in the changing room. All this in the presence of the chairman. Now I cannot say for certain this is what has happened only that it's the gossip doing the rounds up here. I'm not one for changing managers mid-season but if even some of what has been said is true then Puel is in trouble. As I've said, take it or leave it, call it bull, but it's what I've been told today.

Schmitt from Mainz. Very good Swiss manager who has a small club punching well above it's weight and they play some really cracking football. Julian Nagelsmann from Hoffenhiem. He's only 29 but again has a small club up to 4th and playing outstanding football.

Schmitt from Mainz. Very good Swiss manager who has a small club punching well above it's weight and they play some really cracking football. Julian Nagelsmann from Hoffenhiem. He's only 29 but again has a small club up to 4th and playing outstanding football.

Thank f_uck you have no input.

He was 30/1 until my mate stuck £10 on and it went down to 16/1. Waiting for skybet to give me odds and I'll stick a tenner on.

Personally I think he has 3 games to save himself. If we're knocked out of the FAC by the yokels, lose heavily to the dippers in the semi 1st leg and lose away at Burnley then he'll be gone. There is a very good chance we will lose all three and I'm going to two of them so defeats there are nailed on.

You seriously don't believe that do you? He has the choice of City and Chelsea and he wants to go to Everton? Never, ever going to happen and Saints will not sell to Everton.