Dark Munster

Actually, as my granddad once told me, if a fire is down to its embers but won't go out, you should piss on it.

I've been away from Blighty for decades now, so I don't recognise half the names here, but unfortunately I still remember Bernard Manning. The only time he was funny was when he appeared on Spitting Image. Also, the lack of mention of Carrot Top means you lot over there probably are lucky enough to have been spared his "humor". One of the best American comedy shows were the early episodes of Married With Children. Ed O'Neill was a genius in those.

So if we win the FA Cup and finish 4th in the league, we could help Spurs or Liverpool qualify for Europe. That would be nice of us.

If all the top seeds win there would only be 3 non-PL teams left in the 5th round.

I hope he doesn't. Great player in his prime, too expensive now. We need an out and out centre forward.

Today emphasised again what we knew. We. Need. A. Striker. One who will hit the ground running and knows where the back of the net is. Easier said than done, of course.

You're beginning to sound like RK. Anyway, I don't think it's pointless wishing (in hindsight) the tie was settled today (giving it our best shot), if we end up losing the replay next week. I bet a lot of us would think that next Wednesday if the worst happens. I mean given the choice, would you prefer we lose today, or draw today and lose next week (playing our strongest team in each match)? All in hindsight of course.

He's not cup-tied so I assume so.

I'm in the camp that wants us to play the strongest team and go for the cups. Which is why I was pissed off with MP against Sunderland last year. It's all hypothetical since no-one has choice in the matter, but my order of preference is win at SMS, win the replay, lose at SMS, with losing the replay way down in 4th place.

If we win the replay, all's well that ends well. If we lose it, better we'd lost today.

I can never understand these risky goal celebrations. For example, sliding on both knees always makes me cringe (I'm looking at you Shane Long).

That's because Walcott and Ox left from a struggling lower division side to the PL. While I don't applaud their moves, I don't blame them. Even the much maligned Lallana gave us several good years in lower divisions. ^ This.

If FF gets injured, yes.

That's true of course, but we need our weekly dose of anti-Lawro venom.

Now, now, be fair. It's 34 extra shirts.

Corrected it for you.

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?52926-Koeman-potential-to-be-Saints-best-manager-in-generations

BTW, the Kane ship sailed away a long time ago.

Yes. Front line striker who can score, and a back-up GK.

Nightmare scenario: they pip us for 4th, and as a result Morgan, Big Vic, Toby and Clyne leave for CL football. It would take my dislike for MP to a whole new level.

Can they get knocked out that quickly? Don't they have to play 3 games or something first?

Agreed. This is a golden opportunity, so I hope Saints go for it and bring in a centre forward (who can finish). Also a backup GK in case Forster gets a serious injury.

Southampton v Arsenal This is another tough game for Southampton but I was impressed by them in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. It feels like Saints are back after their blip in results and they have got their swagger back a bit, along with some of their players back from injury. Arsenal were a bit fortunate to beat them at Emirates Stadium at the start of December with a late winner when Southampton were down to 10 men. I think this game will be just as close and this time Saints will have something to show for it.Alexis Sanchez scored Arsenal's winner against Southampton in the 89th minute when they met at Emirates Stadium The Gunners are level on points with Ronald Koeman's side, who are in fourth place. In the race for the Champions League places the most important thing for Arsenal is that they do not lose. The more I see of Southampton, the more I think that they are going to figure in that race right up until May. They are better than Tottenham and Liverpool at the moment and they have already proved they are extremely competitive when they play Arsenal, so they have an outside chance of making the top four. Lawro's prediction: 1-1 Bastard.