Saint86

I am wrestling with the knowledge that we're a superb team for the level (and we are bang in form), with the scarring of a lifetime of being a saints fan and knowing that we very rarely get nice things. I want to say we'll get promoted via the playoffs. I even want to say we'll get past man city... But I just feel like those kind of dreams / fairytales are forbidden and so incredibly fragile that to even whisper them will end in tears. I also know that regardless of any romanticism, if we fail to get promoted we will basically be saying bye bye to eckert, Peretz, scienza, thb, and likely Charles... So I think the description of a knife edge is very valid... We have to have a near perfect ending to the season (which would be one of the best ever seasons in modern history) or we will be staring a bleak come down straight in the face this summer. We're like a high stakes gambler betteting it all on the perfect roll, but with no choice but to gamble. Having said all that, I chose to dream - get ready for 3 wins at wembley saints fans, this shit is happening 😆

Yes. Unlike arsenal, these are actually the best side in the country and they have little else to play for (long shot prem chase which may be all over by then, and out of europe) with a massive squad that has come back from the international break on fire. If they can dismantle Liverpool 4-0... I dread to think what they'll do to put playoff run in mentality. It's the nightmare draw.

Thankfully Coventry seem to have pulled their shit together...

I don' think we are beating Wrexham away Ralph, so lets focus on getting 6th first 😅. This week could be anything from amazing to appalling.

But the centenary kit would need to have been a sash 😅

I can't see any way he gets 67% of the senate to back leaving Nato. That just isn't happening. The midterms are also coming up in November, at which point he looks set to lose control of the house and will be a lame duck president.

Yeah, he's just chatting shit and trying to appeal to his MAGA base - in reality its just more hot air that can be safely ignored. Much like Putin with his constant threats to nuke europe during the earlier stages of the ukraine conflict.

This Iran conflict will essentially end his influence on the world stage imo. His bullying rhetoric isn't enough to pressure European leaders into getting involved in a middle east war, and so they've all just stopped listening to him and are now quietly waiting for him to shuffle off to the side. Whoever the next president is, they will have an awful lot of making up to do.

One of them was a gift from Southgate, so no need to feel too sorry for them.

What they're saying, is that if you bet £100 you'll lose a £100 🙃. Unfortunatley, they've withdrawn and rested most of their key players for their run in, and they've therefore got nearly a full squad with which to prepare for the opening matches. They've played the game very cynically (as Arteta does) - but it sadly means they'll be ready and well prepared for saints, whilst we're missing key players (scienza, Downes, and stephens) and others are still away on international duty (manning, azaz, Charles, Larin etc). The kind of cup magic we need doesn't happen when the big clubs don't play by the same rules as the rest of us - sorry to be glum/pessimistic.

And yet they stuck with Eckert when the vast majority of the fanbase wanted him out, his substitutions were getting booed, and there were chants of "you don't know what you're doing" 🧐🤷

The, "they can't be worse" outlook is what have us this labour government.

When my boy was around that age i used to park around Grosvenor square / Bedford place area. Price isn't bad and its a good distance for walking to and then getting out easily via the station / hill lane / shirley etc.

With the exception of fernandes, our current side is better, and certainly more confident.

Seems topical 🙃

The two men who were arrested have now been released on bail. Assumption being that there wasn't enough evidence to charge them at this time, and therefore probably for the best that their identities were not relseased.

#1 Basque (and other baked) cheesecakes. #2 Meringues - Eton Mess / Pavlova / Lemon #3 Crepe Suzette flambé Honorary mentions to Lemon Drizzle, treacle tart, crumbles, and all non baked cheesecakes...

Presumably because they haven't been charged as yet, and the police/government don't want to create further tension in the community 🤷‍♂️. Its going to come out eventually...

Similar. I criticised him early on for the team looking extremely disjointed and poorly coached - but clearly that doesn't apply anymore and fair play to him. I am genuinely impressed by how quickly he has learnt and adapted to the squad and the league. Player rotation has been good and fitness and game time has been well managed (including reintroducing Archer and Edozie so they were fresh when needed). He has also given game time to some of the academy players throughout the recent run. We do have a strong squad, this is true, but i equally do not think it would be realistic to expect any manager to have achieved a greater points return than he has managed recently. When you considered we went to Coventry away and were good value for the win, and similar to Fulham and arguably deserved that win - i struggle to think many people can be unhappy with him any longer. He's earned his stripes at this point. I just hope even the dreaded "vote of confidence" from the fans all getting on board with him isn't the kiss of death...

Nutshell #2

No need, Basque cheesecake is the only true winner there. Victoria Sponge would get an honourable mention though.

It is what it is. But sadly we cannot "play the fringe"... if we send a side out to get battered it will damage momentum and dressing room morale. IMO, we need to go for it and give a good account of ourselves against the best side in the country - and hope we avoid extra time or injuries.

i think we all know why 🤷‍♂️ Hopefully this anti semitic attack has the opposite effect to what was planned, an actually shines a light on what is going on and brings people together.

No. I don't care how many players they skive off of international duty, they can't afford to go full strength vs us - they have: 07/04 - Sporting away 3 days later, 11/04 - Bompey home (lunchtime kick off) (that's a lot of travel). 15/04 - Sporting home 19/04 - Man City away. We're the easiest game right at the start of a tough run for them, and a lot of their players will be away on international duty and getting back late. They'll try to rotate vs us (like they did against Mansfield) and if we go for it (big if) they'll be there for the taking. We'll need to start strong and take our chances before the likes of Eze etc come on. Been having day dreams of them trying to load the box for corners - Trying to put 5 players around Peretz and hoof it in like Stoke or Wimbledon, but with Larin casually standing tall to boss them all whilst we leave all the speedy small players up field (like we did vs Coventry), and then just destroying them on the counter. Teach that Lego headed billion pound Pulis wannabe a few things. I know its a gamble that could backfire, but i want us to absolutely go for this one and to humble them. Could be a pivotal nail in the quad bottle coffin.

He should have been kept at the club. I am really pleased its working out for him, but its a pretty big bollock drop - how many goals have Archer, Stewart, Larin, and Downs got between them this year to make getting rid of such a promising kid worthwhile.... Not enough thats for sure. I hope we get him back at the club frankly.