Tony F

Reckon he'll start him with Hammond and invite Chappers to be the IMPACT PLAYER coming off the bench (for right or wrong)

Sergei, I think the key question to ask yourself is if your daughter understands football (you know, the basic stuff) and WANTS to go - or if you want to take her because you're an enthusiastic Dad. If its the first option, then definitely try it but be prepared for her to ask to go to the loo at least once in each half (kids do that when they think they're having an adventure - being able to wind you around their finger seems to heighten the experience!!), you'll probably miss lots of the action looking for things she's dropped or opening new packets of sweets etc. If it goes well you might, just might, have a great day out together.....but no guarantees. If it is option 2 (ie your idea, rather then hers). then just don't do it. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble and have no regrets. Try again after you've got her interest and it IS her idea....

If anyone on this thread has not been to the Withdean, then they cannot be expected to understand how truly awful it is. It is almost all temporary stands, all of which much further form the pitch than "normal" football grounds because of the running track - the home stand behind the goal is way back from the pitch but at least you can choose to sit high up, the away stand is ditto for distance, but very low and you seriously DO NEED BINOCULARS!!! Only one stand has any cover at all, so if you were thinking of buying a season ticket you're gonna be soaked to the skin at least half-a-dozen times in a season,which is no fun at all if you're over 40. Even the teams have to change in the sports centre about 100 yards away from the ground and then walk across just before the match. Did I mention the atmosphere...? No? Well, that would be because there isn't one - virtually no organised crowd participation (to speak of) - certainly if you compare to how an enclosed stadium like St Mary's get's rockin some days. It is seriously, seriously bad. I think that the Seagulls have done bloody well to maintain any nucleus of supporters at all, over the last 7 years. I know people who actually paid more money to sit (under cover, at least) at Nottarf Krap and watch Premiership football, even though they were Seagull supporters at heart. They were waiting until they could watch their preferred team in a proper stadium. As a South coast football fan I am genuinely pleased for the Seagulls - not only that they have a fine stadium for next season, and that it looks like they're going to fill it, but that they can celebrate by playing in the next league up. All we have to do, to give the story a happy ending, is ensure that we go up with 'em.

How has Peterbo "surprisingly" dropping 2 points at Brizzel Rovers changed the outlook?

Good example was "Latics Fan" who posted today about our new signing from Oldham. His viewpoint was worth reading and pretty much all the subsequent Saints contributors thanked him for bothering. I don't think anyone was rude to him....but then again he contributed positively to the debate, so I would hope not either.

This is indeed a wholly reasonable question...... how can we accept that "Mr Treatment Room"'s problems are purely age-related? He really must be one of these "vulnerable" souls; lets face it, we picked him up on a free cos he'd been out of action, injured, so long that no-one else held his registration.....

I agree that yesterday he had a "below par" game. But in the first half he was being asked to play a new system by NA, as the tip of a Saints midfield diamond. You'll probably think again when you see him on a better day.

The financial arguement is one thing (ie ££ per match if you go to ALL home matches or how many matches you can afford to miss vs paying the standard price). However surely the real benefit of a ST is convenience. You don't have to buy a ticket each game (+£3 ticket tax of course - grrrr), wonder where you'll be sitting if you leave it too late, whether you'll have "the right sort of person" around you etc etc. (Some are fussier than others!!) As a ST holder you sit in the same seat with the same view (normally a good view, as the best seats are ST seats) and get to know the people around you. It turns into more of a day out, cos you can continue your daily banter from one home match to another. Plus if you miss a match your mates will text you how we're doing..... That's the real benefit of digging deep at the start of the season..... oh - almost forgot - when we draw Poopey or Man U in the cup, or get to a final at Wembley (like we did), you get first option of a decent seat with no need to take part in an unseemly scrumage or hours spent queueing up.

Agree Nick, I did not want us to score from 2-1 down. A replay would have served little purpose and it we'd have been trashed I fear it would have affected the team's belief. As it is, we have nothing to be ashamed of and need to concentrate playing like we did in the first half, in the rest of the League 1 games (ideally repeat our Oldham performance).

Theer were several possible outcomes today: 1. Beat the "great unbeaten giants" of English football.......well, we came surprisingly close. 2. Draw and relay at OT - probably get trashed. 3. Lose but with heads held high 4. Lose badly Clearly as a saints fan, option 1 would have been fantastic. However it didn't happen and option 3 was clear and away the best "second choice" outcome . Onwards and upwards (literally) - it will be interesting to see if Brighton's cup run affects their league performance.

Wiltshire Radio commentators gave a list of visiting managers and scouts attending the match (honestly! It was during half time waffle). And they specifically mentioned Nigel Adkins as being there. No wind up; no lies - just reporting what was on the radio this evening. p.s. Austin missed a penalty

Wonder what he thinks of our new look-alike, Chappers?

I think our single loss in 6 (Brentford?) will fall off the table when we play Tranmere.....so if we avoid defeat our form stats are going to improve

This comment hits the nail on the head for me; If we are to be without Adam for a while, can Punch fill those shoes? .....err....don't think he can, sadly.

No sir, Wolves was definitely 6 - nil

Likewise Dicky

wedding

Looking for a share? Check yr PMs Dicky

We can do a Leeds (last season)...... YES!

Scary story coming up. Was born near Brighton and a Seagull fan as a lad, during Div 3 days - in times of Peter Ward, Mark Lawrenson, Brian Clough (nearly) and all that!. The last game I saw them play was at Wembley (1984?) 2-2 against Man U (got slaughtered in the replay!). Joined the Army for 20 years. Mostly overseas (OK - Germany!) gave up watching footie. Left the Army and settled in Wiltshire - adopted the Saints about two seasons before our Cardiff FA Cup Final (first St Mary's season) - no real reason why Saints, except they were the nearest team where I could see decent footie. Now season ticket holder but never lived nearer the great city than where I am now. I'll get my coat and hide my face in shame...!!

I believe that the present squad is Championship quality already - awaiting a couple of final "squad player" pieces in the jigsaw. If we go up next season I suggest you should expect to see essentially the same faces for our first Championship game of 2011-12.

Good spot. However, it's just a shame that "everyone is for sale"...doesn't bode too well for them (or, by your definition) for us.

I think Dickson has more to offer as an Impact Player (ie Nigel substitution) than Dan - so from an overall team perspective, I suggest it is a better game plan to start with Dan on the pitch and RD waiting for his moment to torment a tiring opposition.

David, I am guessing you have never been to the Withdean. It is truly, truly awful. The main stand opposite the clubhouse (yes, I do mean clubhouse - though its a pub actually) is completely open. Sitting there in the rain in any month from October to March would be thoroughly miserable...... the away fans' stand is worse cos it's so far from the pitch you can only really see the action at the nearest goal. There are a few covered seats in front of the clubhouse but not many at all. the players change in the sports centre about 100 yds away, then walk to the ground.

Everyone gets 25 at my place