SoccerMom

Nipper loves having a programme; we'd rather spend the money on that than the disgusting coffee. Sadly, the Ipswich one got rather twisted and chewed in the 5 minutes added time.

One of my friends wrote this to me last night. Got any recommendations for links to send back? Would be kind of cool for our Saints to feature in their press: "We just won the league championship Sunday for the 1st time against the Minnesota Vikings and will play in the Superbowl the first weekend in February! This strange Star Trek "Parallel development" thing with YOUR Saints MUST get into the newspapers here. They are running out of things to write about the upcoming game and it is all so similar it is freakish. May YOUR Saints in South Hampton kick the butts of their rivals and also prevail!!! Please send any links to your Saints so I can forward it to the newspapers here. The tale must be told! I love that they were as downtrodden as we were for just about as long. New Orleans is outta control over the Saints! After 43 years of failure what an appreciated blessing! We are all SO happy and grateful. Even those who have never followed football are totally immersed. Not just the major streets but in EVERY area of town, folks shot off saved fireworks from New Year's or just poured outside hollering and crying to honk the car horns. Truly a once in a lifetime event for us, at least so far... However, the folks here do know how to behave in large crowds from years of Carnival parades. There was NO crime of any kind before, during or after the game. Now that proves that EVERYONE, even the worst, were only watching the Saints. I don't know much about soccer, but may the Southampton Saints kick ass and get to their game as well!!!" ps Wiltshire, it's OK

Well, bless your heart.

The Atlanta Falcons, I'm told. And, yes, they beat them to secure a bye in the first round of the play-offs. To quote, "wooo heaux!" - but that could just be Carnival talking. Would love to be at Mardi Gras (16th Feb) this year if the Saints win on the 7th. I'm also told that stores are already selling out of black and gold (the Saints colours) glitter. Trashy, yes, but that's New Orleans for you.

No, you can't, because my emails and FB accounts are private. What kind of evidence could I provide that you would find convincing anyway? Why would I make it up? ?? Confused.

The New Orleans Saints have made it to the SuperBowl http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/american_football/8478073.stm which, if you have ever taken even a passing interest in American football or read the scores that flash up on SSN, you might realise is about as likely as your dog or cat taking an A level in maths.

I'm passing on good wishes from Saints fans in New Orleans, who have been messaging me since last night along the lines of "If we can do it, so can you!" The Who Dat Nation are ecstatic and thoroughly bemused at the thought of being at the SuperBowl. And yes, if they can do it, so can we...

Used to be Bradders that rose like a salmon.

It was actually, when you consider more people were singing that than OWTS, at least where I was (Itchen). It felt brilliant. Simple as that.

The man has no benevolence. Saw someone said that about Mr T, but I think it applies here.

Terrier-like as always, good at breaking up play.... and then tonking the ball to the opposition. Love his attitude, though.

Keano, what's the score? Keano, Keano, what's the score? Brilliant.

Fish was quality - and if anything improved in the second half. First half he was quick to get forward, but sometimes lost his positioning. Loved the one-two with Holmes' back heel. Shame it came to nothing, but just so great to see some imaginative football.

Look out for them on eBay....

Occurred to me, too - we'll know if he's dropped after the window closes (that is, if he's not sold in the meantime).

Got to be Forrest, surely.

Very obscure and puzzling to away fans who won't know what the **** it's all about. Johnny B Goode is an obvious alternative.

"Transfer announcement" - could be anything...

All four of these players are still very young, and their physiques may change dramatically in the next few years, which will strengthen them no end. Mills has plenty of skill but is still way too lightweight; ditto Paterson. Both still need plenty of experience around them to help them play well. Thomson, IMHO, may have the least to offer at the end of that time, but still worth loaning out regularly until he has stopped developing. McLaggon, again IMHO, has the most potential of the lot. I get the impression that filling out won't slow him down, as is always the risk with young, fast attacking players. From what I've seen he has a decent touch, reads the game well, and isn't afraid to take on defenders. Loan him until he's ready.

That would be a shame and a bad move for Saints.

Interesting to note how many of this year's scholars are local boys, as compared to last year - and also how it's the younger ones who are leading in the goalscoring.

Pardew didn't stop Charlton getting relegated in 2006-7.

Is it not realistic to assume that loans may be the least risky way of improving the squad for the time being? "Quality players" that have proven ability but are willing to play in L1 are most likely going to be fading in terms of fitness. We will get rising stars that aren't the finished articles, and setting stars that no longer burn so bright. And maybe what we don't want are mid-career trouble-makers, no matter how gifted, that can't get a starting place in a higher league because they have a poor attitude.

Won't mind if it's Trotman, so long as once he's signed he settles down back to the form we saw earlier in the season.

I wonder if not being in your regular seats makes a difference to the singing? Some people have to feel comfortable with the crowd around them in order to open their mouths. SoccerDad, who doesn't normally come to games, was surprised not to hear OWTS more often. However, we could hear the singing loud and clear from the Itchen, specially when they sang "what a load of f***ing c***." Nipper, the cheeky wotsit, asked what they were singing. When I refused to repeat it he said, "Well, then, if you won't say it, can you act it out?" Bloke in front nearly got my hot drink down his neck.