Saint Fan CaM

Well if you can't find the heart to truly be proud that we've got a Chairman of NC's calibre then I honestly don't think you've got the best interests of Saints at heart either. That statement is a very well intentioned and detailed account of NC's position. Not only that, he has taken the trouble to make it clear that he is a football man himself - not just a money man (or penpusher!). I think a huge debt of gratitude is owed to NC by every Saints supporter, if not the entire population of Southampton - because he has saved the club and is slowly but surely putting Southampton back on the map. I am convinced that within 5-10 years we will see a remarkable transformation of the club - one that will see us back at the top table of English football.

Dealing in the facts, it will be a sad day when NC decides he's had enough - he has started a fine project to re-build SFC and I for one truly hope he sees it through to the end. I fail to see how the Echo can claim to 'support' the club, yet cannot even censor itself such that stories that do nothing other than stir up tittle-tattle do not see print. It shows a remarkable contradiction, a lack of self-restraint and serves only to alienate the readership it's supposedly trying to attract.

The reason for this problem lies simply with the midfield. They let the opposition rule the roost for long periods by sitting too deep and eventually the team cracks under the pressure. I have seen this happen time after time after time and its still not been addressed. Why? Because the central midfield pairing has never been addressed by appointing two top midfield generals - one a playmaker, the other a holding play-breaker. A pairing something along the lines of Safri and Quashie perhaps would dominate midfield AND put in a decent shift defensively. Our midfielders are currently too niave (Morgan), too unskilled in terms of holding and playing the ball to feet (Wotton) and too scarred to take responsibility (all) - so they sit back and allow the opposition to dictate the play. A decent midfield would be.... Antonio ?New Signing (Playmaker) Hammond Holmes with up front.... Lambo/Lallana/Connolly/Herbie

The trouble is it's not Morgan himself exactly, although he is quite inconsistent - it's the manner in which he operates alongside his central midfield partner. For example, if he is playing with Wotton who is your meat and potatoes play-breaker, he always seems to play in a similar style. Morgan is no play-maker - he just ain't good enough. And when the chips are down and we need someone to take the fight to them - to be a midfield general type, we see him back-pedalling too deep because he doesn't have the balls, the confidence and/or the skill. Just how many goals has he scored? For a supposed attacking midfielder he is a disaster and I actually rate James higher than him at the moment. He may be one for the future when in the CCC or Prem, but for this league he is not the right type of player IMO. He is costing us games and we need to find someone to replace him as a regular in the side PDQ to stand a chance in any of the competitions. Perhaps James is that player?

Why is it that as soon as Schneiderlin comes on we suddenly start playing very deep and inviting them on. It was the same last season with the dutch twerps and it's the same now. I am convinced now it's Morgan who's causing us problems in many games. We desperately need an a central midfielder who can push forward and attack more. This was most definately 2 points lost IMO. Shame.

Big big game that will not be a push-over - they are above us in the table remember. I think we'll nick it 1-0 or 2-1. If we're really lucky then 3-1. COYR!

Skate siblings caught in sordid sex romp on Southsea festival ground! The Pompey branch of Hampshire Police report the couple will not be charged as nothing "out of the ordinary" was discovered.

Thanks. One other point worth noting is that it might not mean buying a player or two....could be that AP can convince a good Prem player or two to come here until the end of the season on loan just to give the club the impetus it needs to achieve JPT and play-off final wins.

TBH I don't think they thought we would beat Ipswich and Otsemobor was possibly the best out there available at the time within budget. With Wembley just 90mins away, there is an excellent chance of sustaining more than just a play-off push this season which means more income. However we've put two tough games to bed since bringing in Otsemobor and you can bet that we'll get a maximum gate for the Poopey game - realistically that will be almost as good as an FA Cup final for a L1 team.

I think quite possibly the draw might have changed things. If Markus and Nicola have any inkling about what beating Pompey would do to the gates/morale of the club/city etc., then they would probably be telling AP to (within reason) make sure he had the depth of squad quality that would ensure the results potential. Based on the potential at the moment we could achieve the following realistically... a. Win the JPT. b. Get into the semi-finals of the FA Cup (beyond that will be too much for us IMO). c. Win the Play-Off final. To really give a great chance of doing this we ideally need... a. a really good RB and possibly a LB (cover for Harding). b. a really good CAM (Morgan to cover), a really good CDM (as cover to Hammond). c. a really good left winger (e.g. Puncheon). That would bolster the squad completely and the key would be to buy players that are above L1 standard ready for CCC life. Certain fringe players would then be moved on (Gillet, Ollie, Pulis, Forecast, Wotton etc). Based on Antonio's increasingly good performances, I am not sure Waigo will be kept on after the summer BTW.

Plastics back then I see.

This is a very, very tempting thought. However, I think I would take a bye due to their administration prior to the game. Then, 5th position play-off place would be top of the list.

I'm not sure my Wife realises it will be on Valentines day as she did say "can I go with you?" while I was busy bouncing around the living room with joy. "But of course you can" was my astounded reply. I think I fell in love again right there and then.

Point is, they need to go into administration to survive I would think. So it's gotta be the former. Sure seeing us beat them would be very sweet indeed, however you cannot deny that the pain they would feel at going into admin AND handing us a bye into the next round! It really is a win-win-win-win-win....well an all-round win situation for us...even if we f-ing lose!!!

NO!

It would be the ultimate humiliation for the skates if they went into admin, we got the bye and then went on to Wembley! Utter dream. However, as someone else said above, it does not matter if we lose in a way - they are Prem and we're L1 - so no disgrace. Their team will probably be decimated by then, players left will be peeved at not being paid on-time again...etc etc. We need to enter into this one just happy that we're on the up and they're on the down and enjoy what will be an immensely enjoyable days footie.

My Missus came running downstairs thinking I'd really hurt myself I was screaming so much! What an amazing draw!!!! And to come out at home right at the end of the draw - even that was exciting! Very winnable fixture.

We can do this. Their top goal scorer is on 6. Their defence is shaky. If James and Wotton can do an outstanding job today the result will be ours, but that will be the difference as their strength is in their midfield. It would not surprise me to see Barnie and Connolly start (to give Lambo a rest) with Antonio and Holmes on the wings. Hopefully we will see Harding back. So team could be.... Davis Thomas Jaidi Perry Harding Antonio James Wotton Holmes Barnie Connolly Bench: Lambo (or possibly Saga), Mills, Bart, Gobern, Lancs

Please, please nobody boo the guy - he's bound to score if that happens. Keep him sweet and he'll relax and get lazy. I will be ignoring him - he moved on and so have we. Abuse for Keane though is well-deserved.

From the sound of it, Barnie will be partnering Lambo up front which is a mouth-watering prospect to say the least. I think Rickie will be scoring a few more goals now too because defences will just not be able to handle the pair of them AND the likes of Lallana, Antonio and Waigo pitching in too. Overall excellent signing - shows the intent has not gone away (far from it!) and all we need now is as I've been saying for a couple of months is a strong attacking central midfielder. THANK YOU once again Markus and Nicola for supporting AP and giving us something to cheer about. COYR!

Is he good enough? In the right mould as it were for Saints? Not entirely convinced myself, but would not be disappointed if he came here. Clearly AP has not shown an interest yet.

Getting hot with your cousin is not good TBF.

Agreed with this. Wotton and James will never be good enough to compete in CM with many teams we'll face, let alone the top 8 teams. AP and NC - its time to act and get another CAM into the mix while Hammond mends and Morgan chills.

With Hammond and Morgan out AP and NC had better get signing PDQ or we'll be dropping games left right and centre. James and Wotton are not going to win us enough games...particularly Ipswich.

Antonio or Fonte would get my MOTM. Both superb tonight. Lallana did not impress me too much - he held the ball too long on more than one occasion. Wotton - dunno - not good enough, but we win with him in the side?! Ref a complete and utter noob-head. And why did the black lino give a free-kick when Antonio was shielding the ball at the end in the corner - he got pushed around by 3 players FFS!!! Overall a good result - just hope all those yellows and Morgans red don't mess up the next few games.