Born In The 80s

This was always an inevitable step for me. Anyone who genuinely believed Chamberlain wanted to stay and play for us next season is barking mad. As soon as there was interest from some of the big boys, his head was always going to have been turned - and who can blame him? Let's face it, the choice is either getting kicked up and down the park most weeks away on some ****e pitches, or training day in day out, learning from world class players, as well as (probably) quadrupling his income. Ask anyone in football and they would tell you Chamberlain would be an idiot to STAY. For himself and his career, the sooner he is at a big time club the better for him. But as far as we are concerned, if he has given interviews saying he wants out, without handing in a transfer request, then without doubt he has acted like a tosser. Although, how refreshing is it to see a club/chairman stand up to 'player power'. To fine Chamberlain is an extremely ballsy move. You don't see Arsenal fining Cesc, or Man Utd fining Ronaldo when he was there. I've often been critical of Cortese, but he has truly won me over with yet another example of his 'i won't take any **** from anyone' attitude. We've had far too many soft people involved in the upper branches of our club over the past 20 odd years, and to finally have a strong, confident leadership will only benefit the club in the long run. Sure, we might lose Chamberlain, but with Cortese, i am confident that if he does leave, it will be for the right place and will not hinder our prospects this season.

Griff's injured mate. Hasn't played in a couple of weeks now. Think that was a pretty good summary from Weston Saint. It really hasn't been Hampshire's year. Simply too many players out of nick. However, now we are virtually relegated from division 1 of the championship, i think it's about time we started playing some of the younger lads in the 4-day stuff. I thought it was disgraceful that Benny Howell was dropped after a very good performance in his only championship game to date. Guys like Benny, Woody and Danny Briggs should all be given the chance to play 4-day cricket for the rest of the season. If they don't start playing soon, then we will really run the risk of losing some highly talented young cricketers.

Totally agree with Alpine. The last sentence is also true. Arsenal have been buttering up Chamberlain and his family since Christmas and it makes me sick. He was given a box for their home champions league game with Barcelona for himself, family and friends.

Well if they don't mind you posting all that stuff, then there's no way they're employed by Southampton Football Club. There is absolutely no way an employee of the club would give you private information and be happy for you to write about i all on a popular fans forum (that, as everyone knows, is being monitored daily by the club). And if they're not employed by the club, the chances are the information you have given is bull****.

Does your 'source' know that you've just publically written about all the information he/she gave you in confidence? Have they given their permission? If the person who told you all this stuff is employed by the club in some capacity, then i'm pretty damn sure they wouldn't appreciate you making all this information public and claiming it all comes from a source at SFC. It's not difficult to trace back to who your source may have been from the club's perspective and you may well have landed your mate in trouble, when i'm guessing you were told in confidence.

Sorry mate, but i have to disagree with you there. After having them 140/6 and then 200/7 it is psychologically damaging to the whole side to then allow them to get up to nearly 350. We've seen it before with Hampshire, and i'm sure we'll see it again. Our bowling attack really lacks a genuine out and out wicket taker that can come on and clean up these frustrating tails. Until Imran Tahir comes back, i strongly doubt we will win a game as i just can't see us taking 20 wickets. As far as this game goes, i'm not confident of avoiding defeat. Headingley always does a bit, especially with the new ball and in overcast conditions (i believe it's overcast today) and they have two of the best seamers in the country in Bresnan and Shahzad. I'd love to be proved wrong, but i can't see us getting past their total after chasing leather for the last 50 odd overs.

Personally, i think it underlines more how idiotic it was of Capello to persist with the 4-4-2 formation for the past year. This 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation suits the players we have so much better. Fans have been crying out for it for months and finally Capello has listened. Gotta say, i'm suddenly quite positive about our chances at the next major tournament again. For me, i'd definitely have Rooney, but i'd play him on the left, like he was against Wales. There's no doubt that the guy has unbelievable ability, and with Carroll playing up top and another quick, tricky winger the other side (one of Young, Walcott, Johnson), you've got yourself a front 3 that offer pace, power and trickery. I think Gerrard is a real problem. When he is fit, Capello will desperately try and fit him in somewhere which will totally **** up the balance of the side. I wish that scouse **** would just copy his loser mate Jamie and retire.

Sounds more like Didier Drogba to me...

Don't be a div! When have we walked anything?! We're Southampton. If we were in the Zamaretto South-West Division we'd still do our best to **** it up. That will never change, and the arrogance of some fans never failed to amaze me. Play offs this season will be more of a lottery than anyother season as EVERYONE seems to be playing so well. MK Dons and Leyton Orient are 2 teams who are making worryingly good runs late in the day...

If you think players aren't affected by what they hear from the crowd then you are very wrong indeed. About a year or so after he left, i bumped into Ricardo Fuller at a function i was working at. I got the chance to have a chat with him about his saints career and in his own words, the fans were the main reason he left as if felt whatever he did, he couldn't please them. People underestimate the important role the northam stand plays in shaping a players confidence. As the rest of the ground are relatively quiet, players either feel absolutely loved or absolutely hated as that is the attitude of the northam (and this is generally the only feedback from fans they get) - there is **** all middle ground. It's a massive shame because it's cost us a couple of very good players over the years. Especially 'flair' players where confidence is so important. Puncheon definitely falls into that category. When he was at saints i saw nothing but 100% effort from him, despite the booing (perhaps one of the reasons he got booed so much was because he kept putting himself in the firing line during games rather than shying away and 'hiding' as some players do when their low on confidence).

I always found it infuriating listening to moans and groans, mainly from the Northam, when Punch ever tried something that didn't quite come off. It actually got embarrassing during one game this season and i think he was ironically cheered off when he was substituted. It's that kind of barracking that unsettles players and make them what to play elsewhere. Confidence players like Jason Puncheon need to be loved and appreciated, especially by the fans. He's obviously got a lot of ability with the ball - as he's shown for Blackpool, Millwall and us on plenty of occasions. But it's his movement and ability to find space that i was most impressed with when i watched him live when he was with us. Think that is something that was horribly underappreciated by our fans. He's very hard to mark and defend, and i think his awkward style has been missed since he went out on loan. I don't know the ins and outs as to why he left, but it's difficult to accuse Adkins of not trying his hardest to keep him. The fans are responsible for Puncheon's departure, and i don't blame Punch one bit for wanting to play somewhere where he was wanted (baring in mind he had a few offers). Although, what a side we'd have had if we had a fit and firing Punch available. Could have had Chambo and Punch hugging each touchline, creating ample round for Adam to run riot down the middle just behind Lambert. Now that is something i would have liked to see! -------------------Davis------------------- Butters-------Fonte-----Jaidi--------Harding -------------Morgan----Chaplow------------ AOC---------------------------------Punch -----------------Lallana------------------- ------------------Lambo------------------- Cheers Northam!!

Hypochondriac - What would you do if you were banned from this forum? You clearly have no life, as you spend all of your time talking to complete strangers on an internet messageboard. Even when you do something vaguely interesting (taking a fatty out a few weeks ago), I notice you feel the need to brag about it on here. I genuinely feel sorry for you. You say you use this forum as a distraction. A distraction from what exactly?! You are constantly on here! You’re an embarrassment to yourself. I bet I’d laugh if I saw what you looked like as well. If I ran this forum, I’d have banned you for your own good. Your obsession with this place is unhealthy.

Why have people resorted to playground namecalling on this thread when most of you don't even know me? I find it odd that some can think someone is a muppet or tool just because they have a different opinion to you. Especially when it's done over the internet. Some people need to get a life. If you wanna insult me, please don't hide behind the computer screen, come and do it to my face. This is a football forum and the beauty of football is everyone has their own view on pretty much everything in the game. Ironically, on this occasion, i didn't even state an opinion. Not once have i ever said i want Adkins sacked. The point of the opening most was more about the attitude of Cortese. Clearly, he is not scared of making a big call and i get the impression he is a cut-throat kinda guy. In today's footballing world, the financial pressure is so great (even at our level), that chairman generally want to see new managers make their mark early in their reign, especially in situations like ours where Adkins was coming to a club with arguably the best squad in the league. For me, although results haven't been disasterous, i've been very underwhelmed with the appointment so far, and recent form since Oldham (probably entering the most critical part of the season) has been awful. With Cortese the way he is, i wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go after someone like Di Matteo in a last ditch attempt to save the season, if this bad patch continues for a few games more (which IMO is entirely possible the way we're playing).

Possibly a wee bit premature, but judging by how Pardew was sacked by Cortese, maybe the knives are sharpening for Nige already? Now i have no inside knowledge whatsoever, nor am i basing this on anything other than guess work, but Roberto Di Matteo has just been sacked by West Brom. He worked with a playing squad there who i believe a very similar to ours, with plenty of skill and abilty in most areas. With Cortese's Italian connections, i wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised if he is tempted by an approach for Di Matteo. Perhaps in the same way West Brom couldn't help themselves when Hodgson became available, Cortese looks at Di Matteo as a guy who could really be the one to take us up the football league. For me, i think it's a perfect fit.

Did i just hear that correctly in the Adkins interview (if you can call it that)? They were advised last night after a scan on the lad's hamstring that he should not be playing any part, but they stuck him on the bench anyway?! And then they ****ing bring him on risking the guys season on a ****ty pitch at Walsall?! I utterly dispair when i hear things like this and it absolutely smacks of desperation from the manager.

I'm amazed at how many people find this result surprising. I didn't go today as, quite frankly, i've wasted enough money already this season on aways that have flattered to decieve. We've been awful for a while now and to win on the road at Walsall, although you don't need to be particularly good, you need bottle and desire which are two qualities that we haven't got. We'll make the play offs, but i feel sorry for anyone who was/is expecting automatic promotion. You're setting yourself up for one hell of a fall...

Well said my man. I actually feel embarrassed that i put in as much effort/money into being there last night as i did. The game we were treated to was pathetic. First half was the worst half of football i have ever seen. As for the people who think a draw against Hartlepool is a good result, well, they can't have ever seen Hartlepool play. Awful side, and we can count our lucky stars that the ref gave us the benefit of the doubt with the penalty. Also agree with the opening post from ladysaint. As for the 7 shots on target thing - well, i laughed when i read that. Utter ********. Now this is in no way meant as an "i'm a better fan than you" post, but i think those fans who have witnessed recent performances (especially away) feel much less confident of promotion than the fans who haven't seen the side play recently and perhaps just look at results and stats. You can make up a stat to suit any argument. Last season we were not only winning most of our matches at this stage in the season, but we were hammering teams both home and away. Those of you who still think of us as automatic promotion favourites are setting yourselves up for a big fall IMO. Our only saving grace is this is probably the worst league 1 they've had in years.

Just in from the game - staying up here a night and have got tomorrow off work - i really really don't know why i bother. I've read a few of the comments on this thread and i'm staggered that some people think this is a good result. I've seen comments like "everyone else drew so it's ok" and "can't win 'em all". Come on guys FFS! This is the third tier of english football!! We are playing in front of crowds of 3,000, not 30,000! Most of the teams we are competing against struggle to fill their bench, let alone their stands and have to rely on free transfers and loans in the windows. We are a GIANT to the likes of Hartlepool and yet some are happy with Hartlepool getting the better of us in a drab goalless draw? Jesus Christ! The game on Saturday was cancelled, meaning we had extra rest time and preparation time for this one. Absolutely NO excuses to play so badly, especially in the first half. We knew exactly what the weather and pitch were going to be like - both ****. So why the hell didn't we prepare for it?! I'm sick to death of hearing that ****ing excuse from our lot after every poor performance on the road. If it's that much of a problem, i suggest Mr Cortese saves the money that is going towards a further revamp of the training facilities, and instead gets Adkins to get them training for free down at the sporty in the build up to away trips on **** pitches. But the pitch wasn't the issue today. We just weren't up for it from the first whistle and in such an important game, that is criminal. Far too many players aren't doing enough to justify their continued selection in the team. Adkins hasn't really convinced me from day 1, and i have no idea what he has been doing with his substitutions over the past few weeks. Take Alex Chamberlain for example. The guy clearly looks drained and his performances are suffering after a gruelling first season in professional football. He really needs to be taken out of the firing line for a week or two, or else Adkins is going to completely burn him out. He'll benefit from this mentally just as much as physically. I just can't put into words how hugely frustrating it is to watch them right now. The cherries don't even have half the talent that we have, they have sold their best players, have no money to go on wages/transfers, lost their young inspiring manager half way through the year, but they are STILL ahead of us! Absolutely embarrassing, and if that is the case come May, no one should get paid. We're closer to Rochdale (5 points) than we are to Brighton. Boy am i not looking forward to that drive home tomorrow. Think that's me done with all these ridiculous midweek away trips for a while. So disappointing....

Hajto Hajto it's off to work he goes, With him at the back and Theo in attack, Hajto Hajto Hajto Hajto!

Those of you who say that March and April will be just as big as February are completely right. The point I was making was this month will certainly go a long way in answering a couple of questions regarding the bottle and fight of the current squad (something that has been questioned by some fans, myself included, over the past couple of months). Slugging it out on crap pitches at Exeter, Hartlepool and Rochdale have always been a problem for Saints, and I was hugely encouraged to see us come through the game on Tuesday night with 3 points after playing poorly. We’ve also got a couple of tests at home. Swindon and Carlisle will come and park the bus. I’m still not totally convinced we have the patience levels and temperament to break these sides down. We simply MUST win these types of games if we are to finish top 2. No excuses. With the kind of firepower we have, it should be very doable, but as we all know, it’s never as simple as that with saints. A fantastic start at Exeter, but now we need to carry that on and continue to grind out results. It’s absolutely no good having a great win at Exeter and following it up with a draw and a loss in the next two. At this stage of the season we need wins. They really are the difference.

Now we're out the JPT, Carling Cup and FA Cup it truly is time to focus 100% of our attentions towards the vital league fixtures we have coming up. Just been having a look at the fixtures ahead (i'd lost track with all the games being cancelled) and this next month will answer a lot of the questions some of us fans have about the team. Some fans (myself included) have concerns regarding our lack of steel on the road. Brighton have set the benchmark this season. They have managed to find those crucial late winning goals that really do give you a huge boost when you haven't deserved it or played especially well. When we don't play well, we don't normally score let alone nick a winner. But of course with all the rescheduled games, there is still plenty of time to change the form book and this month is where it really has to start if we're serious about automatic promotion. Four away games, all at places that Saints would traditionally struggle at. Here is the schedule... Feb 1 19:45 GMT Exeter City v Southampton Feb 5 17:20 GMT Peterborough United v Southampton Feb 12 15:00 GMT Southampton v Carlisle United Feb 19 15:00 GMT Rochdale v Southampton Feb 22 19:45 GMT Hartlepool United v Southampton Feb 26 15:00 GMT Southampton v Swindon Town First thing is first, have to win your home games and i expect nothing less than 6 points from those fixtures. But it's the away games that will be decide if we'll still be in contention by the end of the month. I think right now i'd take 12 points (2 per game) from those 6 games, but i'm really not confident of 3 points in any of those four away games. A telling month ahead methinks...

I liked the way he signed off with 'hope this helps'. What an absolute pleb!

Just another case in english football that makes me roll my eyes really. The FA and other footballing governing bodies really are ruining the sport for us 'real' fans. Think everyone is in total agreement that the fines handed out to Wolves and Blackpool are nothing short of scandelous. But it's the double standard that is the true crime. Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool constantly make multiple changes each week, so why don't they get fined? I remember 2 examples that ****ed saints over in our relegation season. Liverpool played their reserves away at Palace and lost, and then a few weeks later Man United played their reserves and drew at home to WBA. One of those results was actually the difference between £60 million and yet, the big club gets no fine. But i'm not surprised. One only has to watch MOTD each weekend to see crucial game-changing decisions constantly going the way of a big club. Why do Blackpool never get a controversial penalty given to them against Man Utd or Liverpool? The Premiership is corrupt to the core and the FA will continue to ruin it.

I'm hopeful that the main first team players will be rested for the crucial game at Exeter. GK - Bart LB - Harding CB - Martin CB - Seabourne RB - Butterfield LM - Dickson CM - Gobern CM - Schneiderlin RM - Puncheon (put him in the shop window to try and get some cash now - don't care if that gives him what he wants) ST - Lambert ST - Barnard That's what i'd go with anyway.

One final thing, can we have Butterfield in for Richardson next week please. That is all.