Saint Fan CaM

Exactly - if you're going to replace Lallana with someone then why Fish? Holmes would be a better choice IMO.

Fine performance as we won, however in reality that was a shocking 2nd display against 10 men....it looked like it was us with 10! Thought Trotts and Perry were good. Hammond and Scheiderlin both OK, but as I've said before, they're too similar and hang back together too much leaving a hole at CM. Antonio is not going to do the business for us unfortunately - didn't really achieve enough, although he did work quite hard in the 1st half. I can see why Lambert cannot get out of this division - he can't run.

Holmes is a better player than Mills.

If truth be known there's probably little to chose between Schneiderlin, Hammond and Quashie actually. Our problem is that Scheiderlin and Hammond are just too similar in style and play. They both sit back far too much when the opposition attack and allow them sweep across the field almost without being challenged. As a consequence they invite another attack which ends up usually in a sloppy goal being conceded. Morgan should be a back-up for Hammond and AP should buy a more attack-minded dominant strong CM able to distribute the ball well.

Saw that and was pretty amazed to be honest as I had no idea about this chap. Makes you realise even more what a rich history SFC has. Will be buying the programme for sure.

Thanks to the forum boys for keeping the whole ticking over. Would be nice to see a few more of the old posters come back without fear of being abused in 2010 now we're in a new era. And good if the 'usual click' could be a little more inclusive in their discussions so everyone gets noticed. Anyways, a great bid Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year wishes to all Saints fans everywhere in the World.

Put simply - no. Far better to play as many regulars in the first team as often as possible IMO. Each and every game is another learning exercise and a chance for the lads to bond on the pitch in front of a home crowd. Even at this level they're supposed to be pro's with some stamina - also Colchester may even be off due to weather. There is a much bigger threat IMO to the team from the crowd going silent if we go one down to a sloppy goal. All the stay-aways returning for the family Boxing day out will be thinking "ah, so nothing has changed then". The Northam crowd need to get behind the team the whole game and show the rest of the stadium how its done - conversely if the Northam is silent and biting their nails, the rest of the stadium follows suit.

Really strange I was thinking about this very subject last night. These guys were put in place for a cause that is no longer an issue. Nicola's Supporter Charter and the commitment to converse with ST holders is by far the most appropriate way forward now I would suggest.

Is that deal only for a specific section of the ground though - i.e. Chapel? If so, then it will perhaps not be so much of an issue. Having said that it would appear that (a) someone at the club made a gaff on pricing policy and (b) there could be some kids (future supporters) who will not be able to get a cheap seat if there's a "sell-out", which would be a shame. Actually, how do you know that this applies to "a lot of people"? It would be interesting to know factually how many have done this.

Good news on Lambo and Hammond. Stupid article on Lallana - he's worth more than £1.5m to Saints - price tag would be at least £3m I would think. Interestingly, what nobody has mentioned yet in relation to the OP is whether the FIFA ruling might actually affect potential targets for AP in January. It could cut down the number of signings on his wish-list somewhat?

Really looking forward to the day. Have moved my ticket further up the Kingsland towards the Northam so I can sit with my two sons and daughters fiance. We'll be having a few drinks on the way through and then some on the way home too that's for sure. If we win - not banking on it TBH - it will make it a sweet day indeed. Score will most likely be 2-1 Saints, BUT I feel we are due to hand out a complete drubbing to some poor unsuspecting team - it might be Exeter.

What a fantastic contrast Nicola and Markus are able to bring to the club and City - poles apart from the aggravated, confrontational, idiocy Lowe and his regime foisted upon us. Thank you Nicola for an uplifting and positive message at this special time of year, whether you have religion or faith or something else. And the very best wishes to you and yours for a splendid festive season and a successful 2010.

Don't think Beckford is the right type of signing for us. If Connolly keeps fit then we have more than enough in the strikers. What we really need is a tough attacking central midfielder with excellent distribution skills. Someone to compliment Hammond - I am still not fully convinced we have a man to do that, even in Spiderman. We also need a new RB to cover for Murty. AP also needs to decide who will partner Jaidi regularly - another man-mountain but with a bit of pace needed there.

This Saturdays game is massive and AP is doing the right thing by turning up the pressure on Leeds in his article. When he talks about "losing SOME of the best players" I am sure he means out of the ones in the squad THEN...not from the ones he has now as generally the squad is better. FWIW I am not sure we will win this weekend - it will be part of the learning curve for the team and one more short hiccup before a renewed surge starting with Exeter on the 26th. We might be lucky and steal a draw, but there's a reason Leeds are top of the league, so don't be surprised if they win.

Great shout - hcdajfu...

Mmm, my initial thoughts entirely. But I guess unless you're the person able to watch him in detail, then perhaps we do not know enough to make a reasoned judgement. He might well shine significantly here. Trouble is, if he was anywhere near as good as some are making out, why is he not playing in a higher league??? :confused:

Perfectly good move by the club. And it reflects many other business models in the sense that if you want something 'out of the ordinary' that disrupts the normal business, then that's OK but you pay a little extra for the privelage. In this case, the club are just saying, look you want to leave the decision until the last minute fine, but we need to adjust accordingly and ask for a little more money to assist with this. Can't see the problem myself.

Muppets. True story.

Big Christmas wishes to Big Ron and a prosperous / healthy New Year too.

OK. I agree.

Fantastic entertainment for a start - worth every penny of the £9. Bart is a hero for some great saves. Shame about James and Antonio missing their pens - the latter one was shockingly poor and I am starting to worry that Antonio is not as good as I had thought he was. Special mention to both Hammond and Papa - both those guys worked their nuts off all evening and Papa deserved his goals. Tonight was another fine example of what a winning mentality has set into the length and breadth of this club of ours. Onwards and upwards - Leeds who? PS: I video'd all of the pens (except Adams - cam locked up!) - will try to get 'em up on U-tube for all to see (if they're any good).

No. While there is a slim chance of injury, the team are clearing playing out of their skins and will want the silverware as much as promotion. There's a great chance to win the trophy and only an outside chance of promotion still at this stage. AP has to go with a strong team IMO. If we win at SMS 5-0 then he might play a weakened team in the 2nd leg perhaps?!

Look at it another way - we will never know what magic Rickie would have conjured up to score a great goal IF he had not been robbed of the goal scoring OPPORTUNITY by Broom. Broom even took the ball with BOTH hands - it was so obviously a deliberate attempt to manipulate the ball away from Lambert IMO and the ref had a clear view of the offence too. It was a nailed on red card - AP thought so too - the ref was hopeless most of the game and he either bottled it or just decided to ignore the obvious. Shocking decision!

Hang on - am I dreaming I'm reading this nonsense??!?! I mean, just six months ago we were worried sick there would be no club to support atall...we then get to see that all turned around - get to see our team battle their way out of relegation in L1 with -10 points AND we get to see TWO world-class goals in ONE match on Saturday. And you're underwhelmed?!?! I simply fail to understand how you have the audacity to complain! Un-f-ing-believable! You really need to go and have a word with yourself FF - your posts used to make some sense, but you've surpassed even the most illiterate of posters by writing that drivel. Seriously.

First instinct would be to play Thomas at RB and James in front of him, however I think AP will prefer for us to play our own game. Also, if James is not up to the job against decent opposition, then it puts AP in a good place when asking for the money to replace him in January (although I actually think AP will be sticking with most of the current team as the spirit in the camp is clearly spot on right now and he will not want to disrupt that too much).