david in sweden

well -it is worth a point ..or 99 points ..as many as you like. Two teams on the same points are decided on GD and the team with the greatest GD will qualify. I assume what you're alluding to is that if Saints plus A.N. OTHER finish on the same points in 2nd /3rd place, then we'd go up. Such was the case in 1965/66 when Saints 2nd and Coventry 3rd were both on the same points.. and we had to go to our last game (away at Man.City - then already Div.2 champions). We would go up .. as long as we didn't LOSE by more than 6 goals. After a breathless evening and a 0-0 draw that gave us an extra point that..in the end, we didn't need.The better GD was enough.

but a nice surprise nevertheless. Now with two games in hand on the two teams around us ..we really do have our fate in our own hands.

with Puncheon on the road to no return, and Holmes, Schneiderlin, ..and now Lallana and AOC injured we have to sign AT LEAST one ..why not two ? Ten games to go, we'll never be better placed and have to secure the stregth of the squad.

MAYBE ..he's a Saints fan...?....or ?

Careful Alpine ! ..if Nigel reads you saying that he'll ban you for life. He's absoluitely set on getting an automatic place ..and why not? If our squad is ..as good as everyone has been trying to tell us - since we didn't buy in January - then we'll do it - despite injuries. If people start to use Lallana / AOC injuries as an excuse ..then we don't have such a good squad - do we ? Remember our record of promotions has nearly always been ..in 2nd place.

Hi Chris, I think part of the issue is that Cortese doesn't really know English football yet ..at least at this level, but it's also true to say that to try and play football against some of the teams, on some of the pitches in L1 is a pot luck exercise every week, even for a consistant side. In CCC, teams at least do try to play football, and as you say it is hard to get out (or in this case )....UP. Premiership managers don't come in a box, and I think that Adkins has paid his dues in the lower leagues and certainly deserves a shot at the Prem...if he gets us up in say ..two seasons.

Those (few) comments I've read before suggested that the Liebherrs were standing firm behind the club (and Cortese). It only appears that a few dirt-raking journos and some suspicious types are this site and questioning that statement !

Crab Lungs..? I read you often. I even find myself agreeing with you on some occasions...but why do you need to start a thread bringing into question the ..sanity, competence or dedication... of one of the most successful managers we've had in the sorry bunch since the start of this millenium?. I'm old enough to recall the rhetoric of that upstart ..Lawrie Mc Menemy... who came down to the south coast with his Geordie " attitude" in the early 1970's and woke everyone up and raised a lot of eyebrows. Now I know that Nigel Adkins is not the same type of person but his direct style of interview technique does put journos in their place and disarm them from "stupid questions ". NA is smart enough to know that you are only as good as your last game, and will get roasted if that winning run does not continue. In truth until we get automatic promotion at the end of this season ...he won't be able to relax and he knows that. I really don't think it's good to create doubts about his ability... until / if ..he eventually fails, which I hope he does not.

So might you if you run around as much as he does. He has been subbed in many games ..at least 16 times this season but he has scored 12 goals along the way.

I think I could find a lot more than only 10, but I'd go along with all pf those Aussie Dog ..good choice. I'd have to add: Ron Davies and Ivan Golac, too.

Historically it seems that the Easter fixtures are the make or break period. We shall see.

Very good description. Braveheart !

.......AND NA is sensible enough NOT to play him for 95 minutes every game. He's often the striker who is subbed first (15 times in all competitions,) and that maybe helps to contain his niggling injuries and keeps him a bit fresher.

with Puncheon away, and Guly, Holmes and Schneiderlin all injured... it must be a case of AS WELL, as Chaplow.

right . Thats my impression. too.

well of course, they do TDD. Brian Howard got great reviews in our youth set-up as I recall..and wasn't he captain in his E U20 appearance?. seem to recall there were " circumstances" surrounding his departure ..but can't recall them ...? However, it must be nice for him to get the chance to play for Saints ..albeit after SO many years .

Have to say that I feel the same . Orient's form is awesome at present and if they continue to pick up points, then they could be in contention ...at the expense of Bournemouth ot MK Dons.?

but of course !...it's almost a done deal ... where have you been ..? Haven't you been listening to Nigel Adkins' press conferences ?

I'd be inclined to go along with your assumptions Jack. Admittedly, Jaidi is getting near the end of his career but --if he has a year left on his contract ?..he'd be worth keeping IMO. The goalie situation seems uncertain: KD is ok for the most, but Bart is still inexperienced, and Forecast..cannot be assessed). We ought to have another central defender (just in case) but I'm most concerned about the stability of the midfield. Will Alex stay?, what will happen to Puncheon?. Holmes may still be a find if he stays fit because he's still quite young. We need a couple of dependable strikers. Connolly may not recover fitness, Barnards "legal" standing is still uncertain and no-one's certain if Ricky can cut it a third season ..and, in the CCC. If nothing else we need at least 4 good strikers if we are to continue pressing onto a return to the Prem. Thats where NC's new investment is needed.

Looking at the top six, the following facts are: Peterboro have 3 more away fixtures than home (to play). Bournemouth 2 more away fixtures than home. The following have "6 pointers " to play against other top six clubs. Brighton : So'ton (H) and Hudd'f'd (H) Huddf'd : Peterboro (H) MK Dons (A) Brighton (A) Peterbor : Bournemoth (H) Huddf'd (A) MK Dons (A) SAINTS : MK Dons (H) Brighton (A) Bor'm'th : Peterboro (A) MK Dons: Peterboro (H) Huddf'd (H) SAINTS (A) it goes without saying that some of the "right results" could help us enormously.

Mmm...tough one that ..after all Steve Gerrard is out injured ..so it won't be him...I wonder who ..it might be ????

Good luck, thogh think you might try prayer first ! Sounds like we could send 4-5000 fans ourselves (if they could get tickets) and their ground is one of the smaller ones in L1. sure to be capacity gate.

Forget the sarcastic comments ...anyone who has taken a serious look at the table will see that a win for us on Saturday (even 1-0) will put us above B-mouth. Anything less than a win by peterboro would leave us above them and we'd stay ahead of MK Dons (even if they win) and only a good win by Huddersfield would keep us out of 2nd place.

I agree lady saint, good selection by NA in playing Martin on Tuesday. Low profile game that we should have / did win , and a good chance for him to get a full 90 mins. on the pitch Jaidi is still turning in good performances - and the odd goal - but we need to use him in selected games (as with Chris Perry a while back) and help Martin and Seabourne find their feet for the future alongside Fonte (who is still a class act).

well whatever you want to call it, there are dozens of league clubs who've never been to Wembley, let alone won something in front of 50,000 fans..not SO bad --was it ?