Dark Munster

Winning the league.

Here is the Echo article, BTW http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/11014639.COMMENT__Poch_needs_a_history_lesson_as_Saints_cannot_continue_to_treat_the_FA_Cup_with_so_little_respect/

And if my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle. In the league meetings our first 11 drew twice with their first 11 (dominating both matches, despite them desperate for points). It clearly follows that if we'd played our strongest 11 against their reserves on Saturday we almost certainly would've got a result. As simple and as frustrating as that.

Sunderland have PL survival to fight for, not to mention a cup final to play. We are safely entrenched in mid-table. HTH

I don't think he intended to lose the game. He intended to make the league his top priority. i.e. for him 7th vs. 8th or 8th vs 9th is more important than winning the cup.

Excellent article. The neutrals, and Gus himself, clearly agree with majority of us (who aren't MP sycophants).

Well the team wasn't good enough, was it? I keep hearing this excuse that the team sent out should have been good enough. Let's be generous and say they had a 70% chance of winning/drawing. Then the team sent out against Hull would have more, maybe an 80% or 90% chance of winning/drawing. Ergo, the chances of getting a result were diminished with MP's team selection.

Nice try, Mauricio, but we aren't buying those excuses. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?49079-Sunderland-1-Saints-0-Match-Reaction&p=1884801#post1884801

Not to mention MP would probably play 3 or 4 donkeys in the league cup final and FA cup quarter final.

For once I have to agree.

Thread closed. I wish.

Liverpool have CL qualification as a top priority (even an outside chance of winning the league). We have nothing important to play for in the league. HTH

No one said we would. But anyone with half a brain knows we would have had a much better chance of at least drawing, especially if we'd rested a few key players against Hull.

Defeat when you play your strongest team and try your best = disappointed but not angry Defeat when you don't play your strongest team (with no relegation etc. to worry about) = f**king pissed off HTH

We played with passion against Hull. To answer the OP's question, this ^. Plus a public apology from MP, and for him to pay out of his pocket the expenses for the 900 or so fans who made the long journey up north to watch that shite. His bonus for finishing 8th should cover it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/10640607/Sunderland-v-Southampton-FA-Cup-fifth-round-live.html "Everything that is wrong with the modern day FA Cup came together in one utterly dreadful encounter at the Stadium of Light. "Sunderland made nine changes to their team, and Southampton five. You could perhaps forgive the Mackems, with a League Cup final coming up and a hellish Premier League fixture list over the next few weeks as they attempt to avoid relegation. But what exactly are Southampton protecting? Safe from relegation, unlikely to compete for European places in the league, and with a quality starting 11 capable of having a really good go at winning this competition. You know, winning a cup, winning a medal? Remember that? "Weakened team, limp performance, Sunderland's keeper Ustari had one save to make in the first half, and Rickie Lambert missed from a yard with what will no doubt become a YouTube sensation, but that was it. Now, presumably, the Saints can fully focus on the really important business of finishing midtable in the Premier League. "

Shame, Jos (and the other donkeys) don't deserve that. The full fury should be directed at MP, and MP alone.

Respect, St Marco. All those defending MP and the team selection should read this.

We now have a better chance of finishing above Newcastle.

Yes. Against Hull.

Of course, but that's not the point. We would have had a much better chance of winning/drawing. The team that played against a none-too-shabby Hull first team on Tuesday put in a performance that was light years ahead of the weakened one playing against Sunderland's reserves.

Bollocks. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?48998-Our-match-of-the-season-is-next-Saturday

I can. He should've rested Fonte (and many others) against Hull. Agreed with the rest of your post.