AussieDog

I think DeRidder has taken his place as an impact player with pace (although I was hoping DeRidder might have been good enough for a starting place, but the jury is still out for that, as far as I am concerned). I will be very surprised if Forte doesn't go out on loan shortly.

I'm sure the majority who went would have remembered from previous rounds that we would make multiple changes, and would have relished the opportunity to watch some of the up and coming youngsters make their mark. Of course, being Saints fans they would also have expected us to win 4-0 away against a rival promotion winning team too

Until Monday, West Ham hadn't won away since August, so based on alot of the comments on here, it seems as if the first and second teams in the championship are rubbish and if we're going to finish 17th, then West Ham are going to struggle to avoid relegation....lol I do think some of the "fringe" players let themselves down, by the sound of it, but I also think NA picked a strange team and it just goes to show that pace on it's own won't win games, otherwise Forte and DeRidder would have had a field day. Players like Harding and Butterfield can now see why they aren't in the first team. Taking an objective view, I do think we're struggling a little at CB for cover, and we need a "fox in the box" up front. I also happen to think we might be in for a disappointment on Saturday (this fantastic home run can't continue for ever....just ask ManUre....lol) - but even if we lost on Saturday I still think we're a top 6 team and with luck on our side, we could still get an automatic promotion place. Besides...being perfectly selfish, I don't want the league sewn up by the end of February - I want us to clinch it against Pompey in April so I can be there to see it!

I think this will be the game that at least a couple of unproven players get the nod. A bit worried about central defence. They won't risk Fonte if he was genuine feeling a hammy on Saturday, and I'd hate to run the risk of losing another centre back - so maybe a shock there? Can Butters play CB?? I think Morgan is a definite for midfield, but no idea on the rest, so maybe Ward-Prowse might come in. I will be very suprised if any of us manage to guess the correct 1st 11

If he gets a sticker can I have a gold star? I travelled more than 10,000 miles to go to JPT final and the home Orient game that season, and I'm doing it again to go to the Doncaster, Portsmouth and Reading home games this season Think that ****e5 in both your hats - now can we get back on topic please? lol

if they only had 5k for the previous cup game it really could be dellhurst park if we have a big walk-up following on the night. It's a tricky tie though...Palace seem to be doing pretty well this season

Had an even more stressful drive into Brisbane for work this morning. If coping with rush hour madness wasn't bad enough I had to listen to the commentary via my laptop perched precariously on the missus's lap with the wi-fi cutting in and out for the last 15 minutes of the game. I nearly crashed when I though DeRidder had scored our second, only to be denied by the ref's earlier whistle for the foul. Still...sat in my office now, cup of tea in my hand and a stupid grin on my face. COYR

Reading (cup game) Hamburg (friendly)

If it does change it had better not change by much as I have already booked and paid for my tickets and air flights back!

My memory isn't all it should be, but my abiding memories of Beatties was some great free kicks, and him being our first line of defense...ie him and Ormerod chasing every ball down and pressurising the defence into errors - and the fact that half the time he couldn't even trap a bag of cement! lol I loved his 100% approach and when I saw him on TV in later years, his pressuring of the defense was the element of the game that he had given up on. Can't see him going back to that sort of game for us at his age.

Of course I hope we will the league or gain a promotion place, and, living most of the time in Australia, I will get to see us play most weeks on TV, which is a massive bonus! Historically, as a Saints fan, I want us to win our home games and not lose by too many away, with the odd win away chucked in. I think the Premier League is at a turning point over the next couple of years. The new finance rules coming in are going to level the playing field a little - and there is always the possibility that the very top teams get lured into a european League (although that idea has been doing the rounds for many years now without coming to fruition). In the meantime though, I just want to bask in us being very un-saints like for as long as possible, by playing entertaining football AND winning, as I'm clinging to the possibility that when I come back for the games over Easter they may just be promotion deciders. COYR!!!

I was at work in Southampton, when I heard about the 1st plane on the radio and then managed to find a tv and was dumbstruck for the rest of the day. In 1988 I had been lucky enough to visit and to stand atop the WTC looking across the rest of New York. 3 months after 9/11, I arranged that our flight back from Australia went via New York so I could go pay my tribute. The queues were still several hundred metres long, and it was surreal to think there was just this massive hole in the ground where they had once stood..

My step daughter once said to me that she thought it was sad that I would be going overseas to work and that I would miss my birthday.

Try something different....rest the key players such as Davis, Fonte, Lallana and Lambert. No point risking injuries

After watching the youth team on saturday online, I would have thought they would be fast tracking Stephens into the first team squad this season. I don't know anything about Clyne, but based on the comments on here is sounds the business. Where would that leave Stephens? Would be good to see Stephens in the squad for the Swindon game.

Although we haven't seen any public revision of the 5 year plan, I would be surprised if they haven't updated it. I don't think any of the new signings or even the players who have extended their contracts would have done so if we Adkins or Cortese hadn't told them the aim is to get to the Premiership ASAP. I think the 5 year plan is a a way of managing public expectation. If we're mid table come January then I don't expect any major transfer activity coming in, but if we are in or close to a play-off place, then I fully expect us to strengthen and make a concerted push for the rest of the season. If at the end of the season we have failed, then expect some of the key players to move on (for huge fees I hope) and another rebuild to take place. If we push on and do get promoted...then I expect a similar amount of activity but aimed at getting rid of the players that haven't shown the necessary ability to help us adapt in the Premier League. Either way it's great to have our club back and be looking forward, not back

Watching it now....very entertaining it is too! some really good movement by both sides

Shilton without a doubt.....probably Flowers 2nd, but I'd put John Burridge and maybe even Grobelaar in the mix with the other 2

I remember watching that game and my standout memory of it was LaLing jumping for a header and seeming to be 2 feet above the crossbar when he headed the ball. Was really impressed and felt sure he would be signed. What's even more remarkable is that I can barely remember what I ate for dinner yesterday, so to have that memory from nearly 30 years ago is a little bit surreal! ....and yes, it probably wasn't really two feet above the crossbar, but it was it was way ahead of everyone else (and I think he was about 6 feet four too)

His scoring record is only about 1 in 4....but they look quality goals based on that video!

Can't we just enjoy the ride while it lasts? We clearly have a side that is entertaining to watch (even when winning 1-0) and is currently getting results at the moment. We could spend 10 million on 2 players and see them get injured a week later...or we could be lucky and not get a serious injury all season with the excellent players we currently have in place. We have strength in depth for a side at this level. At the moment we have a manager who is picking a winning team. ENJOY!!

Wasn't Mourinho just Bobby Robson's interpreter at Porto? This management lark must be really easy! lol

Our defence is shocking. We're average a goal a game. That's a massive 46 over the season!! hmmmm....mind you we will have scored over a hundred Out of curiosity.....how many times in the past 20 years have we only conceded 46 or less in a season (with last year being an obvious exception) ok...I've just answered my own question...5 times in the past SIXTY years....and twice in the last 28 lol)

I'd hope for 1 change, with Morgan in for Guly. If Connolly isn't up to 3 games in a week, then bring in De Ridder too

still an automatic promotion place!