M271

Very biased, result fitted with them bigging up the improvement under McInnis. Only showed Bristol good moments, no Saints play moments.

Pity Cardiff didn't draw, a part than that not a bad set of results for us from the chasing teams. Now need Derby to do us a favour. Couldn't get to the match today but it sounded like one of those days when we created very little and couldn't pass the ball to each other or get it to our forwards in threatening positions, a bit like the Reading game but without the last 15 minute push, if De Ridder had got the predicted goal on 73 minutes rather than skying it it could have been so different.

Is buying on the day up there an option ?

From an economics view point the decision to expand the stadium is fraught with risk. If as previous poster stated that it would cost at least £3000 (old figures) per additional seat even if the seat was 100% used by a £500 season ticket, or equivalent pay per game, it would take take 6 years just to cover the cost of the additional seat, this is without even considering the extra other overheads such as stewarding. Would my beloved Saints sell out games for at least 6 years I'd like to think so but it's a hell of an investment for an uncertain payback.

I see this as a big dilema in the January window, as it currently stands we are 5 points ahead of second so our squad can't be too bad, so would additions to the squad increase our ability to get better results or disrupt our togetherness and team ethic coupled with new players needing time to settle in. Any good player we sign (better than we have at the moment) should be good enough for the Premier League and would expect to play from the start of matches in the Championship, so who would we drop ?. On balance the only signings that I would make would be to sign Hooiveld permanently, and a striker to partner Lambert (although the way the Gully has played recently I would also hesitate to change that).

I thought that he looked very useful today (for the amount of chances that we gave him), that coupled with his connections with Southampton may make him a useful addition to the Squad. But that is the problem he would be an addition to the squad ahead of who ? I see this as a big dilema in the January window, as it currently stands we are 5 points ahead of second so our squad can't be too bad, so would additions to the squad increase our ability to get better results or disrupt our togetherness and team ethic coupled with new players needing time to settle in. Any good player we sign (better than we have at the moment) should be good enough for the Premier League and would expect to play from the start of matches in the Championship, so who would we drop ?. On balance the only signings that I would make would be to sign Hooiveld permanently, and a striker to partner Lambert (although the way the Gully has played recently I would hesitate to change that).

Barnsley finished in 17th on 56 points so only 23 points from 31 games needed !!!!!!

I agree that the lack of a proper Reserve League is ONE of the reasons why Managers use the Carling Cup to try out fringe players. If these players were regularly playing competitive football their performance would be already known and give the players (fringe, injury returns and youngsters) more chance to get more fully match fit. However other reasons include: 1) Only 5 on the subs bench restricting Managers options and experience for players during games, for example with a 7 man subs bench youngsters could be brought on if a game has been won i.e. 4 - 0 Watford and more players coming back from injury could be on the bench and brought if required. 2) Cramming so many matches in a short space of time and then having an International break which means that clubs don't play for 2 weeks, maybe International breaks should only be for the Premier League where they play less League matches anyway. Although I may not think this if we lose 3 or 4 first teamers to U18, U21 or other Internationals i.e. Lallana, Schneiderlin, Guly (Brasil !!), Fonte (Portugal !!)

According to NA in his post match interview some fringe players didn't seize their chance (Butterfield, Forte ?) but the youngsters stepped up to the task. He talked about the January transfer window more then before, if we can stay near the top of the league I can see us attracting good players and NC releasing sufficient funds to make the push for the Premier League.

Its never nice to lose even if it means we 'can concentrate on the league' Starting line up made sense because of injuries, suspension and resting players who had played 3 games in a week. The mistake was not bringing on Lambert, Barny and Guly after 60 to 65 minutes while it was still 0-0, waiting until after 70 minutes is just a waste of talent.

I would have thought that he will start in the cup at Palace.

Match up there in Aug 2008 had attendance of 27,032 with only 1,098 saints fans, 2,700 Saints Fans this time is a great improvement.

Managed to buy tickets today online.

Tried to buy tickets for the Derby match online tonight but it says it's sold out. Website says initial allocation of 2700 and further tickets will become available if required. So I'll just have to wait and see.

or blackburn !!

True, and we're in the Top 10 so we can't play ourselves !!

Brilliant set of results, still top without playing. Interestingly we haven't played any of the Top 10 sides yet. More severe tests to come, play Cardiff 8th tonight and Middlesboro, West Ham and Derby in October should give us better idea of the level we are actually at.

Ronnie Rosenthal

At the beginning of the run in.

Adkins said in an interview that after the open training session yesterday that the players had the weekend off and that they would be back in training on Monday for the build up to the Nottm Forest.

Ordered 2 online last Thursday evening and arrived in the post Saturday morning.

I see on the Saints FC website that the Barnsley tickets are available from Monday but will only be sent out by Recorded Delivery that have to be signed when delivered, I've never had that before. Apparently it's because Barnsley don't accept responsibility for lost or stolen tickets. It would also be good if on the website they stated whether tickets or admission were available at the away ground on the day of the match.

I think that the shirt is OK, however going back to the traditional stripes makes it a bit indistinctive (could be Sunderland, Stoke etc..). I personnally liked the Sash design (had many favourable comments from fans from other teams last season) but it was appropriate to have it as a 'special design' for a 'special year'. I also like the 80's red and white stripe variations that stand us apart from other teams. At St Marys on Saturday it was good to see the in the 'the flesh' on the team, 2 comments that I'd make is 1) that if the white shoulder section was bigger the players name could be on it and be easier to see (although of course we know the players names anyway), and 2) the red socks seem a lot brighter red than the strips on the shirt and looked a bit odd.

I hope that you are right, however if there is the slightest doubt I would rather rest him for one match and let him fully recover than play him and if injury gets worse out for 2 weeks or more, at this busy time of the season means missing 4 or 5 matches minimum. But I guess that's always the dilema when playing players not fully fit.

I hope that this doesn't come back to haunt in the Play Off Final at Old Trafford in May ?