rshephard3

Yes. Cork has been magnificent since returning from injury but equally important has been how Morgan has stepped up this season. They form a partnership worthy of building a prem side around, especially given their ages. Mature beyond their years, both of them.

Journalists in 'young footballers changing clubs' shocker.

And Morgan Schneiderlin being good enough to dominate some of the best central midfielders in the world.

Hodgson is a yes man moron who has continued the trend of making England so dull that everyone celebrated a containing drab losing on penalties draw against a classy footballing Italian side in the last major tournament.

I'm can be a grumpy sod just as well as the next man but I'd love us to play a few European games next season. Why the hell not? Watching Saints is an enjoyable hobby and I don't take it as seriously as my job! A little jaunt to the continent with the lads to watch Saints would be great and I wouldn't get all high and mighty about how we got there. And by the way, if we played like we have recently we'll give it a lot better go than Allardyces ugly Bolton side from a few years back. Bring it on. We're all going on a European Tour.

Sensible post. This is why Everton are so impressive under Moyes. Consistently improving their players and cashing in on them at the right time whilst each season (pretty much) breaking their transfer record to get guaranteed quality in to help maintain a top 6/7 finish. Excellent blue print for what I'd like to think Saints are working towards.

My dislike most spectrum: 1) Skates (no matter how far they fall they're just dirty) 2) ManUre (hate their fans arrogance and the implication that all anyone cares about in football is trophys) 3) Spurs (general dislike of huge ignorant fanbase and Redknapp connection made their excellent recent prem form painful) No true Saints fan can hate anyone more than the skates surely. Hatred doesn't die out just because they've finally got what was coming. I actually think their dwindling attendances this season makes me hate them more as it serves to show how many toss pots turned up in the good times though the same could be said of us I guess. Anyway, still f**king hate the fish fiddlers.

Exactly. I'll be interested in how far we can go when we show resolve and keep young players interested in staying at SFC. We aren't the only club to have changed with the times but if we are to compete higher we MUST keep Clyne, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork and plan the future around these excellent youngsters. If we flog them for £10million a piece we're back in the same cycle that wound us up in administration last time. Once a mistake, twice a fool. Before someone says it, I do appreciate keeping young lads interested when Utd, Chelsea et al are sniffing around is one hell of an ask but we have no choice IMO.

Exactly this. On a personal note, I think if we did sell either Shaw, Clyne or Schneiderlin this summer it would make a bit of a mockery of the competing for Europe, challenging the big boys talk. It would serve only to highlight that, despite our new found wealth since our last spell in the top flight, there are still a hugely powerful big 5 or 6 clubs who will always be able to pick off players from plucky little Southampton.

'Some 87% of public sector employees are currently paying into a salary-linked pension scheme, compared with 12% of private sector employees. Many of the salary-linked pension schemes in the private sector have been shut by employers.' The above is taken from a BBC article less than a year old. When the private sector found it necessary to alter pension schemes so my generation (I'm 26) would never receive anywhere near the terms we would have done even 10 years ago, the state still hasn't got with the times and adjusted accordingly. Along with this, I have no union to join at my workplace. If my colleagues and I decide not to come to work to stick 2 fingers up to anyone who's listening we won't have a job to go back to. Just a few observations from my relatively short time in work.

Yes. The shafting began when rational people realised how great public sector pensions and retirement ages were compared to most working in the private sector in the 21st century.

Totally agree with this. I'm struggling to see the logic behind sticking with McDermott until the end of the season, having players really low on confidence etc. It's been obvious for a fair while they're going to finish bottom and why not give a new manager a few prem games to get to know his new squad before getting going with a holiday then a pre season? I'd imagine they'll be in a good place to go up next season.

Wigan 1-1

Brendan Rodgers will say anything that keeps the Liverpool fans onside because he knows he's done a sh*t job at Anfield. If tossing off Gerrard is what it takes then he'll do it. I wouldn't write someone off it they were showing any sign whatsoever of adapting their game to reflect their fitness levels over 90 minutes. To be fair, I'd probably be a bit kinder if I didn't think he was a bit of a plank. The only way he managed to assert himself on Spurs at Anfield last week was by committing two yellow card offences in about 5 minutes including smashing into Bale from behind, somehow managing to go unpunished.

Gerrard has hardly been in Pirlo's class ever. Even at his best he's not close to a Pirlo. Some of his hollywood balls yesterday were embarrassing and his team mates were annoyed with him for constantly giving away possession. Not sure he has the footballing brain to adapt in terms of discipline positionally. Without any disrespect to Corky, when players like him make Gerrard look a mug for 90 minutes he should hardly be a guaranteed pick for a team with aspirations of the top 4. Some midfielders come good between 32 and 35 but I'm not sure it's going that way for Gerrard.

His legs have gone. Spent the final half hour not leaving the centre circle. Try telling Liverpool fans he's had his day though. They'd still have f**king Dalglish and Rush playing. Sentimental choppers.

TBF if I was a Liverpool fan I'd ask the same question. So glad we won today, couldn't stand Gerrard and Suarez coming down here and enjoying themselves.

Agree. It's about time to play our best performers, not our flair names that other clubs fans know of but who flatter to deceive. ---------Morgan---Cork----------- -----------------Davis--------------- -----Punch---------------JRod---- ----------------Lambert------------- Our flair players have hardly been setting the world alight and if we play like we have the past few weeks we will lose to Pool and Chelsea which we can't really afford to do. Still can't wait for the game, COYR

Simple case of goals though. Even a mediocre striker (which Lambert isn't) would get more recognition than a ball winning central midfielder from someone who only watches the odd game of any club. Morgan is the best performer for Saints in pretty much every game and has found a new gear this season. Lambert has been superb too. There is no question for me as to whether we play Lambert every week as he's the goal man. I don't trust any other forward at the club to score more than 7 or 8 prem goals all season even if starting every game up top.

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/02/11/updated-premier-league-net-spend-table-201213/ Not sure if the above has been previously posted elsewhere but it is an updated net spending list for this season. It makes pretty woeful reading for QPR, unsurprisingly, but also for us and Villa. If any of those 3 go down after a top 6 net spend that's a pretty horrid performance. Swansea, Everton and Spurs can be pretty chuffed, especially Swansea, the lowest net spend in the league this season after selling Graham, and in the process of having a hugely successful season including a cup. They are really turning into a bit of a blueprint for how to smash it in the top division IMO. Apologies if posted before, just found it interesting.

Whether UEFA or the FA it will always be one rule for Manchester United size clubs and one rule for the rest. Sad but true.

Much better to have a guy who can't speak English and has won just 1 in 7 games leading into the game.

I hated it because it makes us look like a bunch of Ferguson moulded prima donna c**nts who are entitled to every ref decision. Personally think it's pretty ugly. Loved NA's approach. He cared deeply but wouldn't stand for an utter lack of respect however bad the decision. Game of opinions though.

This but with Punch for Lallana for me. Get the feeling Tino isn't a huge fan of Davis though. He can feel hard done by at the moment. Time to drop Ramirez.

Saint Lard, Wonder how Manchester United would have fared if they'd taken your view with Ferguson all those years ago. Adkins was learning. It is unfair not to make a distinction between a manager learning and one who is out of his depth. I reckon Nigel well and truly fell into the first category.