NickG

is that why we won, cos read on here that Lowe has done all the team talks for the rest of the season?

is this accurate? Remember earlier in season thread complaining about the same when it turned out they were there?

agree with all of that, for what its worth my opinion is that NP was just what we needed at that stage -a arse kicker - but the players had been playing well not that long before, whereas JP is using mainly players who have never performed at this level, or certainly not as well e.g. Lallana, Gillett, Scneiderlin, James etc

Southampton manager Jan Poortvliet's pledge to showcase 'total football' finally came to fruition at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. His young side displayed the merits of their 4-3-3 formation with verve, subjecting a flummoxed Reading team to their first home defeat of the season. Poortvliet's decision to take a chance on playing maligned forward Bradley Wright-Phillips from the start in an unfamiliar position proved worthwhile. The 23-year-old scored both Southampton's goals, firstly heading in Lloyd James' perfect cross at the far post early in the first half, and then fired in a low shot from the edge of the box early in the second. "I don't get many goals with my head," he admitted. "I don't know where that first goal has come from. It was a great cross. It's weird for me; I'm not usually at the back post. But I'm in a new position and I'm enjoying it." It has not been a great year for Wright-Phillips, who was caught up in accusations of theft after an incident at a nightclub in February, but he repaid Poortvliet's faith with an excellent performance. "They are my first goals since the beginning of the year," he said. "It's a weight off my shoulders. I have had a lot to deal with and I've been in and out [of the side] for bad reasons. I'm just happy to get them and I hope they carry on. It's nice that football is allowing me to make the headlines rather than the bad things. The season starts here for me." Reading pulled a goal back with just over half an hour left when Kelvin Davis parried Kevin Doyle's shot into the path of Jimmy Kebe, but overall the home side had their goalkeeper to thank that the winning margin was not greater. "We watched videos of Southampton before the game and they played really well in all of them," Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann admitted. "They played really well [against us], they kept the ball well and pressed us all over the park. "Maybe this result will give us the kick up the backside we need, and act as a reminder to us of what is at stake."

not saying he is wonderful, or sought after - when did we last have a manager arriving who had that status? Just thinking he is doing ok so far.

NP is only 8 years younger than JP and they have been in management about the same amount of time. Maybe in 8 years NP will be at higher level but think its just as likely that JP will be. Who knows, but currently after about a decade each in management JP is employed at a higher level!

agree, but even if board stays it may not always be that way and play offs are achievable, or good cup run -and my guess is that the likes of Chris Newman will decide that it is still good to support saints in good times.

some deny the bleedin obvious tho!

he is not the best coach in the world -or we wouldn't have been able to attract or afford him. I think he is good for us. Agree that to be sure the jury is still out. The obvious comparison is with NP who is now plying his trade in the 3rd tier.

agree totally

do you hope it does?

we have a much much weaker squad than last season, a lot of players still gaining experience, had a few injuries, are currently outside of the relegation positions, last season with the experienced names we scraped through, in relegation zone with 20 mins to go. Don't think he is out of his depth

we did!

which board members do you want to choose the chairman?

he obviously didn't convince Wilde that he was a competant custodian of his investment. I think JP will turn out to be better than NP, but who knows.

any reports from those at Eastleighs game?

it was a joke!

As many as the prolific BWP?

fully expect that you doubt we will get another 3 by May with your predictions!

Can I be first to say, only 9 points of Cardiff and 6th place? and 7 off bottom, so bottom and down by Christmas ain't happening IMHO!

and if we do lose on Tuesday, this won't count for nothing - it will still be a great performance and 3 points.

Enjoy the victory, this feeling is what supporting saints means! Two conseq away league victories -doesn't happen that often

http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82390 are we going to beat saints 5,6,7 or 8 nil ?

might stick my neck out and narrow it down to between 2 and 11.

unless it was completely made up, he can do what he likes and don't particularly care what club he supports now but the criticism of fans sticking with saints was unnecessary