Lighthouse

Yes, we came back to win against Coventry, but they were dreadful and we did throw away a 2-0 lead. This is our form since we lost our first game away to Leicester. Yes we won our first 2 away games of the season, but that scarecely seems relevant after 1 win in our last 7.

How can we be so bad away from home? Bristol - Lost, terrible Coventry - Threw it away at 2-0 up Reading - Drew, completely out played Palace - Only our reserves, but still awful Derby - Drew Cardiff - Lost. Didn't turn up for 70 mins Burnley - Drew. Didn't turn up for 70 mins. Swindon - Won. Leicester - Lost. Didn't turn up until half time.

Ah bummer.

Jutck... Jutkevi.... That Saints lad scores at Fratton. Burnley at it too!! :D:D

We are Southampton, we're top of the league... on goal difference.

Just been for a sh*t. Not sure if it will prove lucky or not, but it was certainly nescessary.

Leicester equalise. Would probably prefer a Hull win there.

Booooo Skates winning. I swear they have a sh*t team at home EVERY week.

Away wins all round would be nice, except for Boro and Leicester.

Glad I didn't go today, would have been the third minutes applause for Speed. I'd have no arms left. Is that link working for anyone yet?

Holland, Denmark, Portugal, Germany; Group of death there. Even more fun for the Police. Shouldn't have too much trouble with Ukraine, Sweden and France. Shouldn't.

Group A going to be by far the easiest.

Poles vs Czechs Danes vs Dutch At least the Police wont get bored.

It's a cruel business really. Most of the top players have been obsessed with playing for as long as they've been able to walk. After 35 years of nothing but training and playing matches, suddenly everything stops. I guess to some life must seem empty and pointless.

Having Cork, Hammond and Morgan all in the team didn't really do it for me. I'd like to go with De Ridder, but I suspect Adkins wont. He could well start Barnard with Guly on the right, although I wouldn't, especially away from home.

*you're

Same as a few people, the ticket is in my online history (dated about 9pm on 29th November if anyone's interested) but I haven't had any other contact. Can't decide whether to wear a Saints shirt or my replica Latvia shirt...

Good luck Pompey. They're like my second team. Their fans are so loud and passionate.

I'd have said we have cover in Martin and if someone else gets injured we can get an emergency loan. Having 6 on the books with 2 not playing is just wasteful IMO.

You think we need SIX centre halves?

As long as Nigel doesn't leave him on the bench until the 80th minute, I'm sure that wont be a problem.

Didn't we get promoted in '78 after finishing 2nd? I don't remember too many people at the cup final in '03 saying, "yeah, but we finished 2nd to Bolton". Come Autumn the difference between 1st and 2nd really is immaterial. There aren't many people raving about Brighton these days and they beat us last year. To me winning the league is the icing on a promotion cake, but it's still a nice cake without the icing and way better than a mouldy prawn sandwich.

I thought the difference was £20-25m of Saints debt was the mortgage secured against the stadium. It was only the other £6m or so from opperating debts which got us in trouble. Pretty sure the Skates owe a lot more than we did, or do I need to to my homework.

That's just a statistic really. Generally the team that wins the league is better and has a better chance of staying up, but that's often not the case. Just look at Saints and Brighton's form this season.

At the start of the season the Hammers were always my favourites to win the league. They forked out big wages for players like Nolan and Bentley, not to mention keeping players like Cole, Carew, Green, Diop, Faye and Taylor. They've got Big Sam in, who is a very good appointment for this level, regardless of how ugly he plays. Personally I dont' really care if they win the league. It's the gap to 3rd I'll be looking at and if the Hammers beat teams like Boro, Leeds and Cardiff then great IMO. I'd like to win the league and I will be happy when bottom half teams beat them, but other than that I'm not too bothered.