Badger

From my view, I thought he could have stayed on his feet but realised the angle was too tight to score.

Guly might not have been on the pitch today, he just ambled around to no effect. Guly seems a nice bloke, my sons have met him after games and he comes across well despite language etc. We did not need a nice bloke out there today.On the build up thread I suggested Puncheon should start on the right. I stand by that view, Puncheon has something to prove, we needed someone who wanted to make an impact today, and will do again on Monday, and Friday.Guly on current form is not that player.

I have resigned myself to third place after today. Too many players seemed not up for the fight to give me confidence. Of course it could all change around on Monday/Tuesday, but I am not holding my breath.

Never mind rumours of the 'skate invasion' , what about any 'reception committees' to meet them on arrival ? I heard that a group of Sholing Hell's Grannies Knitting Circle are going to ambush them and take them to a jam and jerusalem afternoon in a local church hall to stop them from getting too bored as they won't have tickets for the match.

Worth remembering that we only need a draw - at home - tomorrow to go back to the top.

Didn't kick in today though.

No problems with thieving little gypo's parking there then ?

If we concentrate on winning our own matches - "control the controlables" as Adkins says - we don't have to give a sh!t about Reading.

Reading are the 2012 Huddersfield, leaping in front of us on Good Friday. Normality will be restored tomorrow !

Can you easily park at Old Farmhouse ?

Railway (Easter holiday revival for the thread!)

I read this as only Chung and Connolly are unavailable for selection but of course we may decide nearer the time if we can risk RL or not.I would not read too much into this. Agree, especially if we win on Saturday, I suspect there will be several changes to rest players for the Reading fixture.

Isn't Maguire meant to be going back as well ?

Agree with you to a point but I don't think you can compare Southampton marking a single event with those from another seafaring city who never miss an opportunity to wallow in self pity at every tragedy and event.

Hope you are right. Have to admit I am anxiously hoping for the top spot, as Saints have still to win ther league in my lifetime.(apart from Football Combination).

Is he, or others from Reading, making a complaint ? If guilty, surely a 10 point deduction for the club is in order !

I think the general view on the previous thread, from memory and without re-reading it, was that yes, it would be fitting to do so, but no we probably will not be marking it. Personally I think it appropriate given the city's maritime history and the scale of loss we suffered, but realistically a minutes silenced is unlikely to be observed , and NA/NC may feel it is a distraction from the business in hand.

Its a fair point that you make, but it does not really need West Ham to go on a "wonder run" at all, merely for us to lose two,and them to win two. That is not a major swing on the "swingometer" is it ? If that happens in the next three/four matches it changes the matter considerably. Nerves and momentum will play a major part in the outcome.I hope we will be strong in this department from our experiences last year, and suspect NA will prove a better soother of nerves and motivator than Fat Sam, and hopefully the slaphead at Reading.

3 wins seem simple if you say it or read it fast enough, but after the performance yesterday (and possibly v Doncaster despite the reult),and the uncertainty over RL given his importance to us, it is by no means a foregone conclusion. Yes we should be capable,but it is not beyond us to balls it up either. Hopefully it will look cleare and better after easter, and positive after Reading.

This has crossed my mind too. Not just yesterday but watching interviews etc although we don't know the bloke and he may not be comfortable with a microphone in his face. As for the psychologist, I remember NA talking about the skills from his time as a physio where he often acted as a counsellor to players and trying to 'unlock' the mind in getting them back on the field raising their performance. This will bode well for Sharp rather than an 'arry, tea cup thrower. As for taking the penalty, you would hope that confidence might not be an issue for a player who scored two in the previous fixture. Its too soon to talk of 'getting rid' in my view, and certainly premature to talk of a squad for the premiership.Lets review it after the Coventry match. Having said all that, totally agree his contribution yesterday was poor although he had limited service for much of the match.

Gutless and inept performance. We even managed to throw away two gilt edged chances with the penalty and Hooiveld's miscued header. Onwards and upwards, hope RL is back.

I remember Alan Ball's battle analogy and comment when MLT was injured " when the flag bearer goes down, it is up to someone else to pick up the flag and carry it..."* *perhaps best not to mention we then lost heavily at White Hart Lane But similarly, we once thought we were doomed without MLT in a relegation scrap, only for Beattie & Pahars to take the stage and prove themselves.

Just to p!ss 'ollway off !

Be alright, providing Chaplow recovers his early season form , and if Guly bothers to turn up and put in some effort. Surprised Lee is not on the bench.

Are you suggesting that he is not injured but just found chained and padlocked in a kit bag ?