Badger

Yeovil have had some amazing and famous results in their time, and are known as great cup fighters. I bet todays point at home to the bestest south coastiest team in history is right up there. Especially as they faced an onslaught from 10 giants in the last few minutes against the backdrop of the 50,000 or so pompeyfaithfull who were backing them.

Tom (as in Tom-Tom)

Tim

View on the proposals : looking at making it a midweek competition - no 3round Saturday is one of the best days fixtures to look forward to, especially for smaller clubs (even allowing for that 'saturday' to be 3rd round weekend now) maybe seeding sides (dont like that one) - outrageous, might as well give up if they do that No replays - totally diasgree, its a great incentive to smaller clubs to get them back to our place, or a lucrative away tie (look at Exeter this season). No extra time in replays if they remain (never got why extra time was allowed in a replay) - don't see why not personally, extra time is part of Cup folklore Champions league spot to the FA cup winners at the expense of 4th place - indifferent to that to be honest, and what happens when we inevitably reduce to three places for automatic qualification ? Will the 'vested interests' at the heart of this accept only two guarenteed places for two of the big clubs ? Agree with lickierambert that the semi-finals should go back to neutral venues other than Wembley.

bud

tongues (Spitaltongues is a district of Newcastle).

Pleased to read that. I was getting worried that it was just me with an irrational hate of them

This was submittred before I was aware of the penalty today... So just to add another point : the c^nts seem to get a sucession of dubious penalties and decisions.It was a dodgy handball that kep the bastards in the cup.

Really ? I thought the boring Arsenal of the Don Howe era, the 1970's, and then under George Graham were amongst the most dislikeable sides of their eras,and althought its not a club I've ever particulary warmed to I always want them to beat Spurs. As for the Norf London Yobbo's theres too much history to dislike withg that lot, even in recent times, Divsion 2 title race, Hoddle, Richards, Ruddock, rooking us with the Bale deal (although Lowe certainly shares some of the credit for that debacle), 'arry being their manager, all before the current isssues with Pochetino, and Levy. They are above the skates for hatred in our house. Definitely.

Certainly missed out there though.

Hopefully Man City will beat the yids....

Good trip to Swansea and result. Saints seemed in control for most of the match but as so often it petered out as they got near to goal, especially in the first half. VVD looked a class above at the back. Oriel cetiainly has a presence in midfield, but again got a booking which was possibly the reasoning for him coming off. Despite the praise for Long on here I still find him a frustrating player to watch, yes, can't doubt his workrate but in front of goal he's distinctly average. His first half chance might as well have been a cushioned pass back than a serious attempt on goal, and his headed goal was less than emphatic. Couple of observations from yesterday: Swansea are a friendly club, hope they stay up. The Liberty Stadium - my first visit there, thought it was a bit bigger than it was. It reminded me a little of a plan I saw for our proposed move to Stoneham in the early 1990's, and thinking how things might have been had we gone there have to say pleased we didn't end up there and have St Mary's instead.

coal

Spot the deliberate error? Although Arthur Cox signed him it was of course Newcastle. I was living up there at the time and although disappointed he left us it was quite incredible seeing how Tyneside erupted and went into a frenzy on signing KK. Thinking about it again, perhaps Athur Cox was the 'Brendan Rogers' of his day with a Saints obsession, as he carried on signing Saints playeers, ****on & Wright a few years later at Derby.

Signing of KK definitely rates as one of the greatest days of being a Saints fan. I was in the sixth form at the time but decided to have a days 'study leave' at home. All going well until about 2pm when my mother shouted upstairs asking if I'd just heard the nes from the radio in the kitchen. When she told me what had been announced that was it, sod studying any further. Had to come down and listen to Ed Stewart on Radio 2 just to wait for a repeat of the sports news. But it wasn't 'sports news' , it was the main news all day.

It that later came out that KK wanted Lawrie to strngthen the team for the last push for the title. Bear in mind that the transfer deadline was mid/end March in those days before the 'Window'. Story was that LM was trying to seal another coup but all was kept under wraps so KK was not privy to Lawries plans. Saints were trying to put a deal in place to bring Trevor Francis to TheDell from Man City LM & John Bond were quite friendly at the time,and although they had thrashed out a deal in principle, the City chairman, Peter Swales vetoed it in fear of a fans backlash. I thought it was an easter defeat at home to Villa, losing 3-0. Shortly after LM accused KK of saving himself for the World Cup.

Well done RK. Thats tomorrow f^cked then.

Any guys can anyone help with with a West Ham Q&A for a West Ham website called westhamtillidie.com? Southampton sit in 7th position, one position and five points behind West ham. Where do you think you will realistically finish this season? 7th -11th Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season? Villa, Sunderland, and Bournemouth (although hope I'm wrong about them, but they have a pretty difficult run in). How do you rate Slaven Bilic first season as a manager in the Premier league? Has done well, quite impressed so far, and although he could be found out next season - second season syndrome etc - I expect the momentum of the new stadium should see him do okay for a season or so. West Ham sit in sixth place after 24 games having briefly occupied the third spot but what league position can West Ham realistically achieve this season under Bilic? Similar to us, somewhere 7 - 11th. If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose? Byram we were linked with a couple of seasons ago, and for potential I wish we'd signed him. Payet seems to be getting the attention and media reviews, but I've kept an eye on Kayoute as we were once linked with him, and he looks useful. A bit of a leaner and more athletic Wanyama, who pops up with a goal now and again. Do you understand what the 'West Ham way is' and what it means to Hammers fans? I'm old enough to remember it from the 1960's onwards, it was a decent legacy of playing it properly on the ground and I understand why you cling to that legacy.It also meant bringing players through the youth set up. I always liked West Ham in those days for the football you tried to play. Trouble is though for those just watching over the last ten years or so the 'West Ham way' is a bit of history really , rather like us crying out for the days of proper wingers (Paine & Sydenham) with a proper centre forward (Ron Davies). The reptile Sam didn't do you any favours in this regard though (rather like Branfoot did for us). Think you're playing it much better now though, although if Carroll plays then it tends to detract from a pass and move game. Which Saints player should we include in our Fantasy dream team? For goals, Charlie Austin. Which Saints player should West Ham players fear on Saturday 2nd Jan? If fit, Austin. If his heads screwed on properly, Mane. 14 Supporters' Trusts came together to petition the Government for a public inquiry about West Ham's occupancy of the Olympic Stadium. Does the fact that West Ham got a good deal bother you personally as a football fan? As a football fan - a little, in that you appear to have gained a financial advantage.As a taxpayer - yes, but lets face it Public Bodies always manage to make a clusterf^ck of events . But best bit of all is that at least West Ham taking the stadium deprived Levy and his spawny bunch of f^ckers the opportunity. How do you rate Ronald Koeman's season? Has turned it round well of late, especially with the difficulties of player strops and wanting out at some stage. How do you expect the Saints to set-up against West Ham on Saturday Team/formation prediction? 5-3-2 What is your score prediction for the Saturday? 2-1 Saints.

jackal

But every single one of them attends every home match at Fratton Park every week, and travels away as well. Cos' they are the bestest fans in the world.

Don't doubt this but similarly you have to wonder how playing the group stages would have stretched the squad. All hypothetical of course, it might have left us fairly fragile for league fixtures, but it could have been the making of say Reed or someone.

Agree with you on that, but if we were interested as suggested in signing this bloke as a prospect then I would have expected us to have gone back in for him and compete with Norwich. Or perhaps we're confident of JWP and Reed as being the future of our midfield.

Strange one isn't it ? The fact he didn't seem to settle at Porto would have made me cautious on signing him so soon, especially at an increased price. He seems to have some potential though and if he makes it at Stoke perhaps we'll regret missing out. Or based on last summer, a player for half the price who is a quarter as good. VVD aside that is.

What about forward planning ? Or do you think Wanyama will be here next season ?

But he's definitely NOT a "wheeler dealer ". Or at least don't call him one.