malcolm waldron

Fascinating watching the match 24 hours later - safe in the knowledge that we'd made it. I've only watched the first half so far but re-watching it - with the benefit of multiple camera angles rather than live - we looked very comfortable, apart from that slow first 6-7 minutes. Our defensive screen around AM was fantastic, and is in complete contrast to Leeds for the goal. What were they thinking of giving Adam that much space?

For those that are driving and live north of Winchester etc - apparently the A34 is closed at Chieveley (M4 exit) all morning. Come on Saints!

I can back that up. I've got a source in the Ticket Office who's never been wrong before. He told me that Leeds fan hacked into the ticketing software and cloned all season ticket numbers and purchasing history immediately Armstrong got the 2nd on Friday night. As a result approximately 33,629 Saints tickets for Sunday have gone to Leeds fans. When I phoned the Ticket Office to ask where my tickets were (my mate said not to phone him as he'd 'get in trouble') I was told they'd been posted to my home address in Yorkshire yesterday morning. Really annoyed with the club's IT policy.

Anyone know if Brooksy is cup-tied for this one now we're in the actual final and lots of people on TV have described it as a like a cup final? Hope not......

I read that it was travel and accommodation cancelled for all of the office staff (stadium and training ground). It's traditionally been seen as a thank you for all of their hard work throughout the season. Seems unnecessary tightness to me. And how much is Anthony being paid a week ?? Anyway, who cares about Manchester United.

While I agree that there are a few (and sometimes too many) on here who seem to delight in taking a negative view on performances - and Sunday was a prime example, I'm unsure where the term toxic comes into it. You've used toxic to describe Saints fans in general on here a couple of times since the weekend - is this really how you view the support?

Thought they (WBA) did well to keep chasing the ball in that heat - although as someone said earlier, how much it's taken out of them physically we won't know until Friday. I thought they also stepped right on to us in the last 20 mins or so, and the passing around at the back became flatter and more frantic as we failed to adjust - and I don't just mean in our own area - there were a number of times on the half way line where the final pass would put THB under huge pressure to not lose possession. That will need looking at before the second leg. Reassuring to see balls pumped (or chucked) into the box and our keeper dealing with them (Millwall home game in comparison). Finally as has been said many times, Mara's lack of effort in a game of this importance was shocking.

Imagine a line up next season that includes Adam Armstrong, Larios, and Ryan Fraser. Set piece carnage alert.

That team (and certainly the defence) looks horribly mid-table to me - but good you're giving young players a go. I also like how you've countered the inexperience and lack of quality by sneaking in 12 players into the first XI. 💪

Anyone know if Broosky will be cup-tied for this one - or does that only apply in the 'regular season'.....?

A number of good points made here - especially on the size and physicality of the squad. All I will add is that you're very partial to the use of the old "inverted commas" aren't you.....!

Can I add Edozie and Larios on the bench please. And maybe Orsic too.....

Appreciate you taking the effort to write this. Good luck for the rest of the season (he says through gritted teeth foilowing Tuesday's game....)

Could not agree more with this. I watched most of their game against WBA at the weekend, and West Brom caused them all sorts of problems defensively and on another day would have scored 4 or 5 - away from home. So Leicester (I felt) were there for the taking last night as all the pre game pressure was on them, and yet we simply created absolutely nothing. Not one shot on target in 90 minutes.

Leicester's loan player played very well last night I thought when banging in 3 goals with an assist.

Think that only applies in the FA Cup - not league games, but not 100% sure. Someone will know. But his cup game was against Swansea though - and I think they're Welsh (as are Cardiff too if I'm correct - although who knows 'these days') and so I wouldn't be at all surprised if that counts him out for tomorrow. It's too much of a risk - the last thing we need is to bring him on for the last five mins of an away win, get promoted and then find out in mid August - after a long protracted legal case - that he was ineligible and we get docked the 3 points and are suddenly de-promoted.

Can anyone confirm whether Cardiff are putting a full strength side out tomorrow?

Is there a scenario where both Leeds and us only need a point each to guarantee automatic promotion? If so it would make last nights Preston team look like the hardest working side in European football....

I can't believe (after the Easter games) that we've managed to get back in with a chance of top 2, but I'm not so confident that goal difference is unlikely to be an issue. Ipswich are quite capable of - say - putting 5 past Huddersfield on the last day of the season as they seem to bounce back from adversity quite well. Where would that scenario leave us? Maybe still needing to win asll 4 and needing both Leicester and Leeds to stumble.

Huddersfield and Watford aways too.

I saw the back end of it, from down the other end of the pitch - only in as much as there appeared to be a coming together, followed by what I thought was Mara wrestling (throwing?) their player to the ground. He was a big lad who I suspect went down very easily and so it will be interesting to understand what footage is available that shows what really happened. I'm not sure what triggered the flare-up, but at the time I was thinking - wow, he's certainly fighting a lot more than in the Cov match....

Coupled with a really bizarre team selection that no one saw coming - or can work out the logic behind it......

Will that be only for the XXXXS and XXXXXXXXL sizes, with all other sizes due 'at some stage in October due to unprecedented supply chain problems. The club apologises for this inconvenience but would like to re-iterate that it is completely out of our control'.

Yes - he needed to move quickly to close down their fullback deep in our half and could barely muster a slow jog over to the left. We thought Smallbone looked equally gone at the hour mark. There was a couple of quick breaks down their left this time in the second half and, again, he was jogging back. Not that he'd be quick when at full pace in the first minute of a match. As someone said earlier, I thought we'd been told that chasing the ball all day leaves our opposition tired hence loads of late goals......??

I only thought we were just trying to beat Millwall....