rallyboy

sorry Benjii but their season is just about still alive - and they do have seven to play. They should win the next two, meaning they would be about five points behind with five to play. Unless they can blitz everyone I reckon they will finish within one or two points of the playoffs because there are just too many teams ahead - but it will be close. On a different note, had the joy of listening to W******d doing his bell and drums thang at Petersfield this afternoon for the Chelsea legends game. My favourite bit was when he stopped.

best thing I saw yesterday (apart from three goals!) was the determination we showed when up against it in injury time. Struggling against a team in top form, 2 down, turn it round - then they threw everything at us and some of the Saints teams of old would have conceded. Did we crack? No we f-cking didn't! Lallana ran himself into the ground to defend, Kelvin punched a dangerous cross into Millbrook, then Barnard ran the ball and three defenders half the length of the pitch to make the game safe. We are a good side, but even when we're struggling we are now showing real fight and that's what will drag us into second place.

'whinge, whinge, whinge, whinge, whinge' The tiresome sound of Steve Cotterill. Wasn't a penalty, not sure about the sending off, blah, blah, blah, fantastic support, blah, blah, some other old boring cliched rubbish aimed at cheering up dim people. Their season isn't fecked completely yet as they have two cushy home games to come next - but a wheel fell off today. I see them finishing painfully close to the playoffs and reflecting on what cost them - a missed point here, a dodgy decision there, in a vital season when Cotterill and Lampitt deliberately gambled the whole club's future on them getting back up it could be one result that costs them. The future is red and white.

I think this is the new biggest day but not just for us - a win would do massive damage to Peterborough, ditto Huddersfield if they slip. It would give us momentum and we could steamroller Charlton. What we need to do in April is grind out some 1-0/2-0 wins, we could do without too many 5-4 last minute games that are great to win, but leave the squad knackered for the next one. Our number one enemy is the number of games. We will know a lot more about our season at 5pm tonight. (well one gamesworth anyway!)

they paid it all within 30 days of the reminder and apologised for any confusion.

before anyone starts launching practical jokes on here remember that we didn't get fooled by these comic gems - 'there will be no firesale' 'we are addressing debt' 'Al Fahim is a billionaire' 'we have the bestest fans in the world' 'we don't owe that much tax' 'it was a banking mistake' 'there was this dock strike....' 'The charities have been paid' 'Al Mirage is a billionaire' 'they are just image rights' 'all clubs have debt, we are no different, look at Man Utd' 'here's a picture of our new stadium' 'We are going to be the richest club in the world' 'we haven't been evading tax' 'this is a great deal for season ticket holders' 'Some kid whose father is bankrupt is a billionaire' 'you can't take our spirit' 'I don't have enough players' 'the charities have nearly been paid' 'the Premier League have got it in for us' 'we haven't been money laundering' 'the debt has rocketed to a state where we can create 75% of votes' 'there is no dispute with the former owner' 'Maradona will be bringing the best players in the world' 'it was another banking mistake' 'Storrie is a hero' 'Grant's a great manager' 'we welcome the forensic examination of the accounts' 'the Russians will complete this week' 'the majority of creditors fully support the cva' 'we owe Spurs money for a player they have never owned' 'he was just having a massage' 'the charities will be paid within the next few weeks' 'we are down to the barebones' 'Cotterill's a great manager' 'I'm slowly falling in love with the club' 'we are operating within our means' 'the future looks bright'

why should pompey even bother to start the CVA? No one is pushing them for payment, they had a big thumbs up from most creditors to do whatever they want and royally shaft them. HMRC messed up in court so they look pretty toothless - I can't see any reason why Chanrai will bother to address the debts. There has been no attempt thus far to pay off anything significant, what's going to change? Even tax evasion convictions won't pay off debt, the creditors are incredibly thick or are being advised by village idiots. The simpleton creditors voted for nothing (less expenses), and that's what they are getting - for at least another year. Meanwhile AA is living it up, and the failed business is splashing out like Avram behind an industrial estate skip. As it stands they look more likely to start work on the 80,000 seater Harbourdome than start the CVA.

Skate myth no.183 - we relegated the scummers - no, you relegated Palace. I would imagine most Palace fans would be more interested in the demise of the team that failed to perform at West Brom back in 2005 and sent them on their merry way to administration than to worry about us releasing one academy player.

He's an idiot, his big mistake is thinking that everyone else is gullible as well. They really have been blessed with some clowns in key roles, whether it be making insane financial decisions or expecting people to believe their appalling PR. Tis the comedy show that never stops. I don't see the Russians rushing much - wasn't this the deal that was all but done and would complete a few weeks back just in time to pay the next wages and prevent any season ticket policy debacles?......

he has taken the highest paid XI in the division to the fringes of the playoffs, the equivalent of Man City finishing 7th. Even allowing for some settling in over their self-organised chaotic start (a US holiday paid for by the taxpayer), they should be higher with that team. I see their position is similar to ours - high spenders in the division, and with that investment comes a level of expectancy. Our season has been marred by the death of the owner and early-season managerial problems, yet we have turned it round and look competitive. People won't call Nige a tactical genius if we finish 8th - the same should go for Cotterill. He follows in the footsteps of the flawed Avram who spent an entire calendar year in the relegation zone yet is hailed as a managerial giant to the east, they seem to accept less over there. With the money spent, both clubs have the minimum target this season of going up, not staying up.

that's the first time I've seen the Heath goal since sitting in the main stand at Highbury and watching it go in on the day. That was a missed opportunity, I can still see Shilts, hands on hips, hundreds of scousers running past him - the sort of goal that's so late you know your season has just gone off the rails - gutting, that was our cup to win. And while I enjoyed us finishing 2nd in the league, I recall that Liverpool ran away with it and then lost a couple of games after clinching it and we looked like we pushed them harder than we actually had....harsh or fair? Either way it was 2nd in the top flight! As for LM mistakes - alcohol-free lager?

just claim 2nd asap! I don't care if we are 18 pts adrift of Brighton, I just want to go up. Fair play to them, they haven't cracked and will be worthy champions. As for Bournemouth, I have to agree with their thick manager and offensive chairman, yes they are where they are on merit - in terminal decline and desperately hoping that at least one of the wheels stays on as long as the playoffs. I think perhaps they will look back on us executing their season the other week and think twice about being so annoying in future - all talk, no walk.

Christian read out my email on Fighting Talk a few years back. The question was, have you seen any celebrities this week? As we had just seen our failing manager return to the few I said - I saw Harry Redknapp out buying a dress and asking for it to be printed with the slogan 'Milan's *****', and at the counter he paid for it with his own soul.... He read out the whole thing with no censoring, fair play to him!

taking his grandson was a great way to hand on the passion of supporting our team whether they be highs or lows. Always a Saint.

I assumed the dripfeed of season ticket money was a league-imposed condition from exiting admin to prevent them from overspending again, they didn't trust them with a wad of cash. Presumably they only want this money advanced so they can settle debt and to save creditors having to wait for the cva to be further delayed? They can't be so skint that they need next season's income now - that would be mental. At this rate they could see off all the four years of parachute payments by the start of season two.

they have put aside five weeks for Mr Redknapp's case starting in July, meaning a significant amount of evidence is being presented and leaving it running dangerously close to the new season should he end up managing Pele, random Ipswich players and Sylvester Stallone. Meanwhile back in the nut house - Steve Cotterill has jetted to Thailand to give Pompey’s pre-season plans the seal of approval. The Blues boss is using part of the international break to check out the facilities on offer in Asia, after receiving an offer to gear up for the new campaign there. Yeah and Avram went to Horton Heath to buy a van. Another holiday financed by taxpayers, they'd better get some season ticket cash in or he'll have nothing for duty free.

Buckeroo? Alpine you cheeky scamp, rattling cages with your 'interesting' ideas! I'd just adjusted to accepting we are fighting for 2nd, not really ready to downgrade that to settling for 6th. I understand the policy of resting a key player and taking a risk with an odd game, but not to gamble the whole season. And on the Saints always mess it up idea - don't know about the rest of you but for me that feeling is history. Many feared Everton would score in 2005, and we were all certain that Villa would come back to win, but that mentality is long gone. I was quite happy Sheff Wed would never score on Sat, in fact for all I know they could still be there trying now. This Saints team has mental strength and doesn't fold at the first sign of pressure - the only one who showed signs of that was chucked off the bus and is playing a starring role in Blackpool's horrific descent. But he scored goals - yeah and I caught a glimpse of him in a deckchair reading a paper when Blackburn scored, trust in the man who has tried to manage him, unless his attitude does a U-turn leave him there where he can't do us any damage. So I see no reason for thinking we are going to implode - we didn't freeze at Wembley, teams are dreading us in the play offs, there was no sign of fear at Bournemouth, I'm happy this squad can finish the job. I just wish they'd get on with it!

haven't looked at the post-match thread as I can imagine the content. It was dropped points and a missed opportunity BUT let's not forget Walsall and Tranmere, they were woeful in the build up and decided to raise their game for us. We suffered major injury blows last night and still came through in control of our own destiny. Not happy, but not suicidal. Bottom line for me is Nige knows this league better than us, he wasn't in a panic when he saw Huddersfield, Bmouth and PBoro on amazing runs, he knew they had to blow up, and concentrated on keeping us on track. He now needs to make sure we get the bus of diamonds rowing back in the correct direction, and as a bonus that multi-talented Plymouth squad have kindly arranged us a much-needed rest period before the final assault. The current run ending with an away draw is a major disappointment? We must be making progress.

I don't know why the few are moaning about season ticket terms for next season, why don't they just take out what is described as the club's finance agreement. Surely the club's understanding of a financial agreement is for fans to order the season ticket and promise them £22 a year less expenses, over five seasons, maybe starting sometime in 2012/13.... Or does the club suddenly have a different view of debt when it's owed to them? Cheap shot, but when the barrel is full of fish you just have to let off a few rounds!

I agree with Dune, we should drive more economically.

all those extra fingers, but still incapable of basic maths. Could do with Reading turning them over as the few have two very cushy home games coming up and the form being shown by some in the playoff places is poor. Wouldn't want them to miss out on local derbies next season - unless of course they get dumped down two divisions by a court ruling.

6.69 miles Portsmouth Football Club 9.55 miles Southampton Football Club 669 - one of the neighbours of the beast?

well personally I'm glad we treated them to a few minutes of Markus songs, I'm sure they appreciate that it's done out of genuine respect and gratitude. Their attendance would suggest they still share his dream and have an interest in seeing how his project is progressing, I hope they are there when we clinch 2nd place. And if we do, anyone can sing any song they want about anyone, they can even do it in the wrong key if they like, I won't care.

a poor ref, inconsistent, some very odd decisions. Lambert was constantly fouled. Thankfully it doesn't sound like moaning as we won the game but anyone who thinks he was okay was at a different match. Or perhaps the ref took the lead of a few fans and spent the extra two hours twenty minutes throwing money over a bar meaning that they couldn't stand up, let alone enjoy the game. We have had good refs and given them credit, we have had some woeful ones - defending them whatever mistakes they make is an odd stance. Look at the Peterborough penalty debacle - 3 out of 4 dodgy decisions? Hopefully things like that don't cost us, but players deserve a better quality of official - other than their lanky centre back who couldn't trap a bag of cement and made more mistakes than the ref.

time hasn't been kind to Charlie! Saw Hugh Fisher in Bishops Waltham yesterday - not interesting, just a fact.