Saint Fan CaM

You know what, I thought that interview was a long diatribe of dribble frankly. He was outclassed and outgunned - simple. Take it on the chin like a man mate...you've just been hammered by the mighty Saints. We were the better team without doubt and made your players look stupid. Watch that DVD all you like because the scoreline will not change! As a reminder, we beat your supposedly in-form team 5-0.

Incredible performance by the entire team - you can just tell they are playing for each other and AP. Really difficult to name a MOTM, so I think it has to go the Captain Hammond for a colossal performance - he totally bossed the midfield with Spider, scored a goal and inspired his team. Lallana has found 50% more stamina and pace - just needs to clear his head a bit and finish better. Punch is awesome. Barnie worked his socks off all evening - ran himself into the ground for the team and scored a very good goal. Lambo was Lambo - dominated the full-backs. Fonte and Jaidi together are a level above in this league. Semi and Harding are the best wing-backs we have had here for years. The bench is stronger than its been for years. In short I've not been so happy about my team and club for years, regardless of the league we're in. I have hope and the football I saw tonight would not be out of place in the CCC. I would go as far to say that a lower placed Prem team would have struggled against us tonight. As for L1 teams - the playoff contenders must be hoping we don't make it and all those below us must be hoping we do, because if we're still in this league we will rip it apart next season.

Interviewer: "Well Alan, tonights shock 9-2 win certainly silenced the critics after Saturdays somewhat disappointing 5-1 win, right?" AP: "Are you f^cking serious?!" Interviewer: "Err, well...James was magnificent right?" AP: "Given that he was not in the squad, I would have to answer no". Interviewer: "Umm, OK...how's things at home?" AP: "Your Wife tells me things are fine when you're out of the house...is that all?". Interviewer: "Oh OK...thanks Alan".

Yeah, but who would want an old kit in XXL???!

Me & Missus CaM in blocks 140-144, £44 tickets. Better be good seats - i.e. hopefully not the corner flag end. On Greyhound coach 1. Woohoo!

Why would HRMC go back to court, spending a considerable amount of money to do so, just to "dot some i's and cross some t's"!!!! This man is an utter buffoon surely?!?! I was under the impression that as they were under a WUO they could not enter Administration - perhaps that's what HMRC are challenging? Just when Pimpley fans thought it was safe to ring their bell.....lol

Just heard on Solent. HMRC are challenging the decision to go into administration to attempt to get at the money they're owed. Seems they're trying to set a precedent and an example with Pimpley. Happy days indeed.

A very valid point and agree 100%.

Moi? I haven't unless you're talking about Murty. Unfortunately he will not achieve the fitness levels to compete with Semi IMHO and will almost certainly either be on a PAYP contract or will be released. As much as I like Murts and rated him highly before his injury, I believe we need to move on and find a capable back-up for Semi. I suppose this could be James or indeed Thomas - both good enough utility players for CCC.

That's a good resume LTC and I agree that there is still a chance albeit a slim one. Another thing to remember is that some teams above us may well draw many of their games against promotion rivals. A spread of remaining points will help us. The key as always is to concentrate on what we can influence - the next match. Get that right by getting some consistency to the team and we will have a chance.

My feeling is the TEAM could easily compete in the CCC. I am a firm believer that teams create success, not individuals. And that includes the Manager and possibly even the key coaching staff and Chairman too. Unity, consistency and of course the pre-requisite of skill will win out - but the Chairman HAS to show commitment and balls to create the environment to allow the team to mature. Our previous Chairman did not do this and it is a big contributory reason for our downfall. In terms of how well we could compete in the CCC is difficult to predict, because its another league where every team can beat every other team on its day. We can remember this only too well from our time in the CCC. The issue I have come to realise is largely about stamina and sheer physical capacity in players. There comes a point in a players career where he simply cannot give anymore - he just does not have the capacity to run faster, be more skilful, have more vision, etc etc. It is at this time that a replacement must be found and this is the most difficult time for a team manager, especially if more than one key player needs to be replaced. Team unity is increasingly at risk the more players you need to replace, but on the other hand if you get it right the team plays better as a whole and unity is restored or improved. Sounds obvious, but its the toughest part of being a Manager. AP has prepared us well for the CCC IMO. Look at his latest additions and you will see that he is planning not just for promotion but for a stable side in the CCC. The following players are definately good enough IMO... Lambert, Connolly, Barnard, Waigo. Lallana, Puncheon, Schneiderlin, Hammond (possibly Antonio) Harding, Fonte, Jaidi (if able), Semi - (possibly Seaborne but jury is out), Thomas Davis, Bart The rest of the 1st team squad is not good enough to make the step up and should be released in the summer or January at the latest. The key is to keep the above players together as long as possible and replace the leavers with fewer, but better players - particularly in defence and central midfield.

Key thing there is to ensure we make a big noise for the Gaffer on Tuesday then. The team will respond to that also.

I do think Morgan has come along quite a bit. I did not rate him too highly until recently and he still has much learning to do, but alongside Hammond he seems to be more assured and have more grit about his play now. I think sometimes the collective whole of a team seems to just click into place and I think Morgan has become an important part of that for Saints. Long may he continue to show his worth to Saints - I just wish he'd be a little more decisive with his shooting and score a goal...that would really help him even more.

You know what, one of the surprising things I've noticed this season when seeing some of the so called better sides (i.e. any of the top 10) is actually how poor they actually look. For example, I thought Brighton looked a far better side than MK Dons and yet they're not that good really. Apart from the goal, Walsall looked pretty poor too. Or is it that we have been making these teams look poor? Norwich did not look that special for a top of the table side. I reckon we might be shocked to see how poor Huddersfield actually are on Tuesday - whether Saints want to capitalise on that remains to be seen. We need to come out and give them no space to play their game - just like we did for Walsall and Norwich - and we will win comfortably again.

Utter tripe.

Nothing wrong atall in showing our support to AP. It's part and parcel of being a supporter of course and therefore should come naturally. Show us the way Northam.

Actually I thought it might be that the interviewer had dog's breath! He seemed to be closer to AP than usual (even got in the way of the camera a bit too much) and I got the slight impression that AP was trying to move away! Also wonder whether AP's black tie had something to do with the matter?

Punch is going to be a bit of a hero in time. He was superb yesterday, but then so were all the team...even the subs. Cannot think of one under-par performance TBH.

Massive game really - I think we'll win, but by how many? Mmm, could be 2-1. Same team I would think as there should be no knocks from Sats game - Walsall never got near us!!!

DEFINATELY not booing - it was "SHOOOT!". I really like Thomas - he takes absolutely no prisoners and if I was on the opposing team with him looking for blood it would put me off me game!

Agree with the OP - the old Marian tune would be a welcome return for the 17 shirt and it's easy to sing/remember etc. Make it so.

AP is undoubtably the best manager we've had since Strachan. He has forged not just a formidable CCC level side, he has repaired the coaching infrastructure also. He is producing exciting football where it counts primarily - at home games in front of the supporters that pay the money that keeps the club alive. He is bringing in players that our youngsters can identify with and hold as their heroes. The whole atmosphere at SMS has improved immensely and it is his work that is creating this. Part of this is his open and honest approach. He comes across very well indeed in interviews. I remember him mixing with supporters in the clubhouse at Salisbury in pre-season - very personable guy. (In terms of his interview yesterday, I wonder if his black tie might have some bearing on his mood?). Frankly, I don't even want to contemplate losing him at the end of 2010 - to even think this is accepting defeat and I would like to see him in place for many years aka Fergie. To be fair, we have no idea about NC's thoughts until the man himself tells us. All the rumour from so called ITK's about this just undermines the positivity we should ALL be feeling right now. All the stats have been stated already, so suffice to say AP is doing a great job and long may it continue.

I thought he was on-side and so did all the guys next to me.

Agreed with all that except MOTM - for me it was Barnie...not just for his goals but for his work rate defending from the front line - he put himself all over the park today and made a real difference. What was completely evident to me today was ... (a) we have some real quality coming off the bench in Waigo, Antonio and even Thomas, and (b) I think the team is starting to really find out about itself and crucially really starting to understand how to translate AP's tactics into game winning performances. If we don't make the play-offs this year we will storm next season. AP's interview? Could have been anything that got to him - a comment from an opposition staff member, a urgent phone call from his family...anything. Let's not speculate on something we've got no way of knowing anything about and spoiling what is a famous victory for the super Saints. COYR!

Don't agree - their free-kick to score was class. They could pass the ball when they could get hold of it. The difference was the class in a Saints side that hassled and harried all afternoon and didn't let them have any time on the ball. We were brilliant in all departments today.