Saint Fan CaM

Could not have been anyone else IMO.

Completely agree with the OP. However, I think that even if Connolly is replaced by say Wotton, Antonio will still get the nod over Papa.

We lost because they switched off thinking they were better than Brighton and the defence started to panic when they were exposed by Antonio and Lallana (causing Hammond and Schneiderlin to be pulled around too much). Nothing to do with whether we were playing 4-4-2... it was all down to the mentality starting the game. The wingers needed to be less cavalier basically in the 1st half.

Poor game - after 8 good games, it was to be expected against a team out to impress the new manager. Trottman, Schneiderlin, Hammond and Lambert had terrible games and essentially that's why we lost...the backbone of the team was nothing like they have been. Both James and Harding were getting seriously outstripped by BHA's wingers which pulled our CB's out of position. Good performances came from Lallana, Connolly and Antonio - others were poor or mediocre. BHA were first to most balls. The ref was poor - the player that fouled Lallana for the penalty didn't even get booked! Anyway, today hurt not so much because we lost, but because some of the players looked quite disinterested at times. That was not good enough. We've a way to go yet before that team is capable of promotion.

Mmm, I am not yet confident enough to predict an easy win. Everything tells us a win should be a formality, however a couple of injuries hanging over the squad might mess the party up. Also, their squad is better than the previous manager realised IMO. I reckon a 1-1 draw rather than a storming thrashing this weekend thanks to their new manager turning up on the scene.

What's the grub like there?

May I say Sir, that is one of the most intelligent posts I've read on here in what must be many moons. I completely agree with your points. I would also like to suggest that perhaps there was also an agreement that AO stay on to oversee transition and then left amicably after a defined period of time (with a decent contribution to his pension).

You beat me to it!

The rule should not be removed - it is there for a good reason in tersm of making the game a better spectacle. However, the technology is now available to ensure mistakes are not made, so this should be introduced as soon as possible. Fact is most of the time, linos are just not going to be able to keep up with modern athletic footballers and will miss out or mess up on essential decisions.

Fantastic performance - Lallana my MOTM as he ran his socks off all evening. Too many positives to list them all - but special mention to Antonio...he really is something special and we need to keep him at the club. Thought Charlton were pretty poor really. If we play like that against Brighton, we will hammer them.

I think we will beat Brighton, however I do not think we will be out of the relegation zone this week. Norwich will be a massive game for us.

Bit shocking that a name like Ashtons should have to retire at his age, especially with all the physio resource at most pro clubs.

Very difficult call regarding Murty - I like him at RB, but we've been winning while James has been in place and it might take Murty some time to get back to match fitness again given his age. I think on balance its a case of don't change a winning team until its absolutely necessary. Also, its good that there is a little competition for places.

Sounds stupid and you would think they would have the simple hardware or software to mix in the crowd noise easily. Blimey even I have software to do that.

Having seen the penalty decision against Gobern I have to say that was very, very soft. The guy literally collapsed like a sack of spuds when Gobern was really only doing what many other defenders do - i.e. containing the player between his arms, but not actually holding him. Mind you, pretty silly thing to do when there is no real reason to do it and the ref was probably waiting for a chance to 'liven things up'.

32,003

Mmm, not particularly exciting draw really - pity we haven't got a 'simulate' button like on FIFA to skip on. The team need to go into it with a winning mentality clearly, but hey if we crash out I'm not going to be appalled. Bigger fish to fry this season IMO.

Cherries at home.

Thanks Baj. Gotta say the 2nd and 3rd goals were absolute quality. Connolly and Antonio are the real deal. We HAVE to sign Antonio in January - he is going to be a total menace in this league and the CCC.

Mmm, my thoughts are that AP needed to change BACK to 4-5-1 later in the game to protect the 3-1 lead and also not tinker with the defence. To be fair though we held out (as we should have expected to do) and perhaps there is something to be said for trying new ideas out.

My thoughts entirely. He's finding it hard to get himself into the first team and when he does, when does he contribute to the point where we all think "blimey, AP has a selection headache next match"??? Fact is the lad is pretty mediocre IMO and will be found out when we go up to the CCC.

Great vid that...well worth the watch (and wait for Silverlight!)

Looks to me that it is shown 2.25 hours later, which means it will be on 10.00pm UK time?

Well he must have something about him for AP / Cortese to agree to hire him I guess. Results will be interesting and who knows he may be the next Prost (for all we know perhaps he studied Prost when he was around)?

Dont' worry GordonM, as the winky thing indicated my post was somewhat tongue in cheek. I have read all your posts on this thread and have to say I completely agree with you. In terms of music, I play live in bands and the venue choices are poor to say the least. Having said that, it all comes down to the punters who cross the threshold and the price of drinks... i.e. prices are daft and punters put off and would rather sit in their comfy sofas in front of their 42" plasmas sipping beer or wine from Tesco that costs 1/3 of the price in a pub etc. Sometimes you can count the audience on one hand! In terms of general City amenities, I completely agree that there is massive potential for Southampton to raise its game. You would have thought that the development of West Quay would have seen further exciting attractions. There was talk of a large Spitfire tower - seems to be just talk. Years ago there was talk of a monorail system (I thought this was a fantastic idea that ticked lots of boxes), but nothing happened. The list goes on and on. Whoever is in charge of City development needs a rocket up their @rse.