spyinthesky

Best one for me was the FA Cup 6th Rd home game v Nottm Forest in 1963. We were a middling 2nd Division club versus upper position 1st Division Forest. We had drawn 1-1 at the City Ground in the first game In the replay at the Dell we had been outplayed and were 3-0 down with approx 12 mins left when we pulled back what I thought was a consolation goal only to use this as a springboard to batter (and I mean batter thanks to our very physical centre forward, George Kirby) and went on to equalise. The atmosphere at The Dell was probably one of the best I can remember No goals in extra time so over 30,000 of us travelled to White Hart Lane for the second replay to witness one of the best attacking displays I have seen from a Saints team. We won 5-1 and went on to play Man Utd in the semi final at Villa Park but lost 1-0 in a close fought game

Shirts were a bit baggy!!

Good enough for top 6 finish? 1. Gazzaninga ......(Boruc/Biakowski) 2. Clyne.................(Chambers) 3. Shaw.................(Fox) 4. Wanyama............(Schneiderlin) 5. Alderweireld........(Lovren) 6. Van Dyke 7. Oxlade- Camberlayne..(Walcott) 8. Mane 9. Rodrigues.............(McGoldrick/Sharp) 10. Tadic 11. Bale................(Lallana/Puncheon) Manager...Pochetinno

Congratulations (through gritted teeth!!) They must be 'worth' double on the transfer market now Wonder if there are any financial benefits to us if Liverpool win the Champions win

Its a shame to criticise a player who has come through the system but Jack Stephens is not Premiership standard in any position. Bear in mind that Jack was not even first choice when on loan at Middlesborough

Apparently there is a Facebook campaign to get him recognised in the honours list If Alan Knight can get a MBE for playing for one team then Frannie should at least replicate this for the same arrangement plus a little extra (ie raising some coinage for cancer research)

Went to the Guildhall last night to see him arrive, I think only Matt Le Tissier with an association with the club was there to welcome him home. Shame really. No Civic dignitaries either. Franny really shows the Spirit of Southampton to the best degree. I am not one to promote the distribution of honours but if anyone earns one it is definitely Franny!!

Anyone going?

Spot on my Canadian friend Results from top division since 1888. During this time Saints were running away with the Southern League most years which is hardly ever mentioned.

If I read this correctly the table makes no allowance for the League in which the games were played I must dig out a table I have somewhere where teams were given 92 points for winning the top division and one point for coming bottom of the 4th tier This was a bit bit representative in my view

Probably sat outside a pub on the outskirts of London this time 43 years ago, enjoying a couple of drinks in the sunshine prior to heading to Wembley fo the greatest day in my long Saints supporting life. Like many Saints fans I was just pleased to see my relatively small 2nd Division club take on the might of Manchester Utd who were odds on favourites to win. We did it though and throughout the rest of the fabulous 1976 summer, we all baked in the reflective glory. I hope one day the modern generation of Saints fans can enjoy something similar. Whilst the memories remain fresh, it make me realise quite how quickly the time has passed!!!

Indeed A major omission from my wish list!!!

If we get rid of our 'dead wood' these are the players I reckon we need to hold on to, along with the assumed contract terms. Gunn 2023 McCarthy 2022 Valery 2023 Bertrand 2021 Targett 2022 Bednerak 2022 Vestergard 2022 Yoshida 2020 Ward Prowse 2022 Hojberg 2021 Romeu 2021 Lemina 2022 Slattery 2020 Armstrong 2022 Sims 2020 Ings ??? Obefemi 2022 Redmond 2021 So 18 players plus need for another right back, left footed midfielder/striker and a big striker Interested in views

Anyone think that Danny Ings is really an old fashioned inside right who would fit in well with a big target man. Since Pelle left we have no real presence in the opponents box nor an outlet when the keeper has to kick from hand or goal kicks

I think I have said before but a colleague of mine who is an avid Blackburn fan reckons Harry Reed (and Gallagher when he was there) were decent Championship players but, in his opinion, neither of them are up to the Premiership class required if we want to be a top 10 side which is unfortunate as we all like to see out youngsters do well

Now that we are safe whats the general view on take up? I suspect numbers will be down but possibly perk up a bit IF we get some decent signings. Two of our group of 4 will definitely renew, one 60/40 and one wont due to job restrictions.

You may well be right. My estimates are based on contract length and wages but I am certainly no expert. I do hope I am wrong in my conservative projections and we can prise more out of any interested parties.

My view on squad for next season Consider moving on; Player.............Wage?........Contract Expires........Value(Top)......(Low) McQueen.......£30k pw.............2020....................£1m...............Free. Forster..........£70k..................2022....................£5m...............£2m. Cedric...........£50k..................2020....................£8m...............£5m. Stephens.......£50k..................2022....................£5m...............£2m. Hoedt............£60k..................2022....................£10m.............£6m. Claisie...........£50k..................2020.....................Free..............Free. Reed..............£30k.................2021.....................£2m...............£2m. Boufal............£60k..................2021....................£8m...............£5m. Elynounoussi...£60k..................2023....................£5m..............Free Long...............£60k.................2020.....................£3m..............£2m. Austin.............£70k.................2020......................£2m.............Free. Gallagher.........£40k.................2021......................£3m.............£2m. Carillo.............£60k..................2021.....................£8m..............£2m. Hesketh...........£20k..................2021....................Free..............Free. 14 players.......£34m.............................................£60m........... ..£28m Reckon we need: 1. Right Back 2. First Choice Central Defender 3. Left Footed Midfield/Attacker 4. Decent striker (either someone with height or robust with pace)

I was surprised that it is not a sold out game but £42 is too rich for many people

Fair play to those who went to the game Saints support came over really well on the feed. Loud & consistent. Shame we cant replicate the same on a regular basis at SMS

Whats the latest odds on relegation?

He does a wicked Donald Trump impression

Brilliant,as ever Laughed out loud about the John Moss 'Bunter' comment You are a treasure, dear boy!!

Which one? The son who tragically died in the road accident (a bit later than portrayed in the film I believe) or the son from 'another relationship'?

How much does it cost for a season ticket/match day ticket at Fratton nowadays? Presumably the cost will have to increase to help fund the upgrade and help pay increased wages as and when the team finally move out of Division 3