Saint Fan CaM

Don't think this will be the push-over many seem to think. We seem to have a little habit going of allowing teams like this score first early doors thanks to switching off. If AP tells them to go out and boss the game from the first whistle then maybe we will over run them. I reckon 2-0 or possibly 2-1 to us. One thing is for sure - anything less than a win will put paid to the play-off dream.

Can't condone it. If he was still a Saints player I would have him thrown out the club. It's tough enough for kids to find good role models these days without a supposed professional acting like this.

The actual teams we need to by-pass does not matter in a way - it's the number of points needed to grab 6th place (because that's all we can possibly hope for). Put it this way, the teams currently below say Leeds might have a chance to catch them or to put it another way Leeds have yet to gain sufficient points to guarantee a play-off place, so if they lose every game for example to end of season then it could be them we're chasing. It's pretty simple actually - just one more slip up and we'll not be in the play-offs this season. If we win every game - we've got a reasonable chance given some of the results lately.

Only one place to be if you're a supporter of the Saints - SMS.

Why do I love going to footie? To watch MY team play football and win. We're currently winning more than we lose and we've just won some silverware at our National Stadium. Promotion will be great if we achieve it, however I will not be totally devastated if we don't. Matchdays at SMS is what it's all about for me. I pity all those who cannot (or will not) attend the games and can only comment about how the feel about the result. Bit like the song - it's not always about reaching the summit of the mountain - it's the climb that counts.

The problem is Colin IMO, that there are some Saints fans (I decline to call them supporters, unless they attend games) who judge the club, the team and the management only by the commentary on a single performance. This is their only perspective. Compare that to someone who attends SMS regularly who sees - even feels - the difference in the atmosphere around the stadium. A person who actually enjoys watching the football, primarily because there's some hope, but also because there's 1 or more heroes in the team. There's some interesting aspects to the make-up of the team - i.e. Papa Waigo. I could go on. You need to BE A PART of the whole experience to KNOW IN YOUR HEART that this season is SO different to the last 5-6 years - so much so that there is hope and enjoyment now. But none of that will stop us losing (or indeed drawing) games - it happens to the best of 'em. The one thing that will allow us to progress is stability and consistency - attributes that will not surface if we sack our manager after one season.

Look I am not for one minute suggesting that AP got it absolutely wrong tonight, but he certainly did not set out for one point. If that was the case then why bring on Barnard in the 80th minute?? Doesn't make sense. He wanted a win f'sure - trouble is the game plan was not entirely successful and we came away with a lucky draw. In the context of a whole season, this would be a 'so-what' moment - but right now to some peeps it seems like we've thrown away the chance to go top of the Prem and so the wrist slashers are out in force.

I understand certain gents in a certain corporate box at SMS (long gone now) were very fond of paying the waitress for 'extras' after dinner and while the match was getting underway.

I actually think that he would be a great target man and could do the business. It might be different in another area of the park, but for that role I think he could do it and be better (i.e. score more) than Heskey. However, to do this he would need to be in the thoughts of a Prem or CCC club and we don't want that just yet do we?

This. Didn't need to read the rest of the thread.

Here's the celebration bit after receiving the trophy. Apparently the video is still being processed and so the quality might get better?!? It looked good on the PC so this must be something to do with Utubes processing software.

I should also mention the free wi-fi without which I couldn't have started/written in this thread. Top stuff. The getaway at the end was a bit slow thanks to a couple or three stragglers getting back to the coach late - nearly all other coaches had gone. Always happens. Took far too long to get away from the stadium also - was gasping for a pint by the time we got to Sarisbury Green, but it was the best pint of Ringwood I think I've ever tasted!

That's what I thought it was about TBH.

I thought this was a very good write up...and from a Carlisle paper too... http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle-united/match-reports/collin-and-keogh-shine-but-carlisle-utd-fall-short-against-southampton-1.689479?referrerPath=/1.49997

The most important issue for AP is to keep his first pick 11 together for next season - up or down. This should include Jaidi. I am really not convinced that Seaborne is an adequate or equal replacement for Jaidi if we go up, so (assuming we're in the chase) come Christmas we will need a replacement lined up. Keep - Antonio, Semi, Papa (incidentally, I wonder if his badge tapping yesterday has any significance?). Fringe players that need to be moved on are... Murty - little chance of him getting back in the team with Harding and Mills on great form and Otsemebor back fit. Wotton - not good enough to replace Spiderman and Hammond. Gillet - despite a good JPT appearance, looks like he's not favoured. Pulis - nuff said. Holmes - with Puncheon, Antonio, Lallana and Papa in place, he's just not needed or indeed good enough to make a difference. Perry - End game or lower leagues, although he is a good pro. So that would leave room for a new central midfielder and a centre back. Let the nippers fill the reserves.

I was impressed with the stadium itself, although I do agree that at 8 times the per seat cost of SMS is extremely excessive. I was surprised not to be queuing to get through the turnstiles TBF. Took our own grub as I knew it would be rip-offsville in and around the stadium. When we went in our rucksack was 'searched' and we were told to empty a small bottle of Ribena into a cup - OK I thought, I could do some big damage with a small plastic Ribena bottle, but hey they're just doing their jobs. But then I was told to empty our flask of coffee into cups!!! I did as I was told, but then took the cups through the concourse and promptly re-filled the flask, so WTF was THAT all about?!?! Stupidity on a grand scale. The surrounding area is as others have mentioned a complete joke. It's a disgraceful advert for this countries infrastructure (you would never see that in Germany) and the road system approaching our biggest and most important sporting venue must have been designed by a complete f-ing numpty!

You were on our coach?! Where were you sitting? We were on left side 2nd seat from front. I should also add that we had a very comfortable ride with big Dave the driver. The coach had seen a bit of wear, but it was clean and comfy AND most importantly (for the Missus) it had a loo on board. Great job Greyhound.

Totally awesome day. Stadium so different when you're there rather watching TV. Thanks to Markus, NC and AP - I can imagine Markus telling Nicola that we're going to need a bigger stadium!!!

Yeah we just left car park. Got to feel a bit sorry for the handful of Carlisle fans who were left in the car park looking for their coach. Oh ok- stupid wallys.

What a great match that was. Back on the coach now aching to sink a pint but will have to wait for that. Saints support seemed to fill at least 2/3 of the stadium even with the missing 20k. The team played really well with Jaidi and Fonte impenatrable. Lambert was awesome once again. Can't think of much else to say at the moment - not all sunk in.

Just crawling past the iconic Hoover building. Amazingly it is now occupied by Tesco. Just 4 miles away now and the arch is in sight. 2 hours to kick-off and I am now getting pretty excited. The whole coach is buzzing. Just been past an electronic sign warning of a 'major event' at Wembley! Wonder what that is then?!

Well we've just made it onto the M25 after slow traffic through M3 road works. Sun is still shining on us as we are righteous Saints. Lol

Great moment on the coach. Song starts up... "we're the front side, we're the front side, we're the front side over here". To which the reply was "we're the backside, we're the...etc"!!!

Ok all, we're just past Winchester services and it's been great to see a whole load of cars with flags and scarfs flying going past the coach. Makes you realise just what fantastic support Saints have.