sfc4prem

What a finish. Russo excellent there, but Hemp made that. Superb play.

What, not in any way being able to detect the presence of opposing attackers? Yeah, sounds about right

Would make sense for the family section to be in the Itchen closer to the team benches and the tunnel, too.

That's great to hear. It's people with like you that back up words with actions that make these improvements, so well done!

James' direct email is actually worded much better than the message on the official site/twitter... To everyone associated with this incredible football club… I’ve been trying to think of the best way to write this message, but finding the words to express exactly what you all mean to me isn’t easy. Nevertheless, I’m going to try my best. Whether it’s been your amazing support as a fan, your work with me at the training ground, playing alongside me on the pitch, or guiding me off it, each and every one of you has made the last 20 years better than I could have ever had any right to expect. It has given me such pride to represent this club, and it was one of the greatest honours of my life to be made its captain. I have fulfilled so many of my dreams in both football and life while I’ve been here, so it is by no means easy for me to leave. But, at this point in my career and with the desire I have to play European football and also to hopefully still represent my country, I feel it is the right decision for me. I appreciate some of you will understand and that others might not, but I hope you will all know that I have poured my heart and soul into everything over these past two decades. While I may be leaving the club, I can assure you it will not be leaving me and that I will always consider myself a member of the Southampton family. This truly is a special place and I will miss it ever so much. Thank you for everything, James

Maybe the 32/39 stat was goal involvements (goals and assists)?

It seems a pretty appropriate, rational and natural response for many of our fans to be calling for some height and dominance in central defence, in light of our piss-poor defending of set pieces and crosses. Is the set piece issue to do with players, or tactics and coaching? Our zonal marking seems particularly suicidal.

Wasn't there a poster on here that was recruiting people to buy STs at the back in the Itchen/Chapel corner? The two favourite chants of the yoof around me on Saturday were 1. Fuck em up, get into them and 2. E I EI E I O. Also, can't people ever keep OWTS going in slow no clapping mode for more than one verse? They love to shift it into the fast clapping version ASAP, don't they?

If we're sensible we can use the funds to recover some semblance of financial security after relegation whilst also recruiting effectively to ensure we have an improved quality of first team and therefore playing squad.

Fair enough.

Looks like he's used Chat GPT there. Shoddy.

How much would Man City get from the sale of Lavia? We've sold both of our starting CMs. If Charles is to be a starting CM, we still need another, even if Smallbone has come in as a starting CM.

Thanks for your service, James. A professional. Can't agree with him being called a 'legend', but not sure whether that's just the emotion of him leaving making me irrational. Good luck to him.

Not sure that would be a great move from a man that is part of a Portsmouth supporting family?

Where has he said this? Have only seen him say he's excited to play a part in our Championship campaign.

Leicester still have a few quality players and have got two good results so far. I'd pop them as favourites for the title.

Like others have said, when you see him at a live match you really realise his lack of presence. Both in terms of physical stature and his lack of verbal command. He inspires no confidence and in no way commands his area or his defence. The goal seems to dwarf him.

Piss poor at times today. Didn't marshall the defence at all.

Enjoyed that at times. Good to be back at St Mary's. I feel we essentially gifted those goals to Norwich, particularly the free header for the third. Norwich's fourth was a clusterfuck. Cross came in too easy, Manning gently slotting it into the path of the striker rather than lacing it out of the box first time. Head in hands moment. Our defending needs sorting out. I'm at a loss as to whether it was individually poor performances and defending, or whether it was a wider issue with shape and defensive tactics from our central midfield and entire defence. It was, at times, embarrassing how easy Norwich found it to carve us open and ultimately to score four goals away from home. On the positive side of things, A-A looked spritely, Che was great, AA showed some good moments, especially one of his defensive sliding tackles (or was that Alcaraz?) Stu was dangerous and showed real heart. Still work to be done. Need to replace those we have sold and get some grit and a proper spine, because at the moment we are spineless. Was the atmosphere good? I felt it was from the Northam but always hard to tell.

Completely agree with the bit in bold. Norwich cut through the middle of us with absolute ease. We need a solid presence in there to disrup, to intercept, to block runs and stop the opposition basically strolling through the centre of us.

We need to invest in the playing squad. If we don't, promotion is a no-go. Up to SR. It was their fuck ups in appointment making that sent us down to this level, it's up to them to sort it out.

I'm hopeful. Would like to see a response from some players after the Gillingham gore of Tuesday. Are Norwich any good?

Remember at Bristol Rovers away early in Pardew's spell in charge, some absolute psycho threw an aubergine onto the pitch. Some impromptu chanting in relation to said vegetable thus commenced. Banter.

Sounds like a fucking disgrace of a wrap. Hth.

Shame to see him go after such a long time. I really thought he would be one that would stay until he retires. Did he really achieve anything with us, though? A few 'nearly' moments in finals, a half-hearted European tour... what else? Getting in to the England team? Not much of a feat considering some of the dross that have amassed caps in international friendlies for England. For me it will be the highlight reels of his free kicks that will be my lasting memory of the chap. The Wolves free kick, blimey. Having said that, many of those free kicks were all but meaningless. His leadership during a season which saw us relegated embarrassingly is the final line in his Southampton career epitaph. What a way to bow out, James.