Badger

I wasn’t aware of the history and had forgotten some of those games. The match that sticks in my mind is 1983 League Cup tie at their place. Shilton was injured or ill so we started with Ally Sperring in goal. After about 5 minutes he came for a cross and clobbered our CB Mark Wright breaking his nose. Lost 2-1. Don’t think Sperring played for us again. So losing the match, and one of our best players the same match. I know that was their old ground but seems Rotherham is jinxed for us. Perhaps we should take the White Witch with the team on Saturday.

Hope the DEF will be out in force at Rotherham with that one

Just need some fucker in the middle to take advantage of it then,... but I agree with you.

Think this has already been raised... ... although not with complete approval or agreement

Agree. Great shame Dave Jones wasn’t able to play him and Lee Todd in the same back four.

Thought he was the ‘Worst CB Debut Award’ , until Bennett ( on loan from Reading). Marshall might shade it on OG’s if taken over three games though. Holgate at Sunderland worthy of honourable mention here ( although not sure if playing CB or RB, in truth he played as neither).

Absolutely. This is beginning to rival Gaston Ramirez for ‘ Never to be forgotten, but yet to be matched first game award’.

I have fond memories of going to the visitor centre seeing it under construction with my son who was about 5, and an elderly relative (sadly no longer with us) seeing the stadium under construction. Structural steels protruding skywards, and cranes loading pre-cast concrete sections into place. Lasting memory my son pointing out a dumper truck moving along one length of the ground. Couldn’t help but comment that it was a lot quicker than we were used to seeing Benali go down that side of the pitch.

£32m. Thats about 1.5x Sulemana. Or Carrillo cost us nearly two-thirds of the stadium. That’s some inflation rate.

Nah, too many fixtures mate. Must be the case because Jurgen and Arsene before him repeatedly tell us.

Pleased for Maidstone. The result is good not only for them but the competition as a whole. Reinforces the spirit of the FA Cup. People will remember this result long after the yawnfest of another Arsenal/Liverpool/Man City/Chelsea final. (Which I’d go out of my way to avoid watching).

Apart from the embarrassment of losing at home to a non-league opponent, I don’t suppose Ipswich really want the distraction of a cup run. Not sure we do either.

I’d rather see a loan with a bit more experience coming in providing they improve the team/squad now, rather than an untried youngster. Brooks could be ideal for us, although realistically I doubt Bournemouth will let him go.

Is that because he’s young, unproven, and currently injured/coming back from injury ? https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/hell-beat-that-palace-boss-roy-hodgson-provides-jesurun-rak-sakyi-injury-update/

Fucking ridiculous how it compromises the integrity of matches being played after the draw. You can only speculate on how it affects the approach both on and off the pitch. Easy tie at home/attractive home tie - go for it, worth making it to the next round. Imagine the thinking from squad and fans: Newcastle (too far)/City/Arsenal away (well, we’ve no chance there). Nah, bollocks why bother. Isn’t 5th round midweek?

I assumed that was filmed with the use of a stunt double.

It's a "no" from me.

Memorable for his goal and Reading though. And the ‘steeeeeeeve’ chant. Not sure Jooooooooe will live up to that.

This is perhaps overlooked when thinking about his contribution to the club. After relegation in 1974 we were expected to bounce back with Channon and Osgood leading the charge, but looked defensively frail in the early weeks at times. In September Lawrie signed Mel Blyth and the defence started to improve. In hindsight he was the first signing to transform us from a relegated team to Cup Winners. I’ve got a nagging recollection that he signed the day we played and beat Pompey 2-1 at The Dell ( recall picture of him signing that morning appearing in the Sports Echo). Perhaps Fitzhugh will confirm or correct me if not the case. If it was that day then timing couldn’t have been better as Jim Steele was sent off and suspended for a couple of games.

Sad news but a reminder that time moves on for us all. Mel is one of Lawrie’s immortals etched into Saints history from 1976. RIP

They’re coming from Bournemouth not Brazil, Ecuador or Latvia so won’t need to uproot or face a cultural change*. Hardly a move where a player will need a mate to settle. * less blue rinses in the population of Southampton though.

Noticed he was an unused sub in their cup game at QPR. Presume he’s not cup tied having not made it onto the pitch.

Okay, question for all you Kinks fans, who is the greatest legend, Ray Davies or Ron Davies ? Mods, can we have a poll ? (Although not sure we should be asking Mods on this occasion).

If we bring him here it will be for our short term benefit in getting us up, anything else is secondary. We won't be signing him (on loan) for AFCB's benefit, but we probably wouldn't walk away from it either if that's a possibility.

Although might not have done had they taken two fairly good early chances. We're far from infallible, despite the run we're on.