Green

Cooper didn’t manage to exploit our weaknesses quite as ruthlessly as Maresca did in both games last season but he obviously noted that we don’t bother to defend the edge of our box from corners in the 97th minute. I like Martin and think he deserves credit for what he has achieved but unfortunately I think that this should be the end of the road for him. We’ve wasted what should be, on paper at least, the two easiest games of the season at home to newly promoted clubs and I just can’t see us improving under Martin, so sadly I think it’s time for him to go and hope that we can appoint someone better at this level.

They destroyed us in both games last season but we beat them twice in our PL relegation season (hoping for some more of that luck and a return to winning ways as that was, as we are constantly reminded, the last PL game we won).

Given his post match comments about going back to the previous players (having said they’d had a chance and not taken it), presumably that means a Smallbone recall (if fit), Aribo (thought he did okay in the second half and has some physicality), Armstrong (?), Stephens (suspended but would have been recalled), and who else will he bring in? Positive past encounters away at Arsenal: a draw in the last league meeting (albeit from 2 goals ahead twice), beating them in the cup including a Clyne wonder strike, a battling draw (Forster masterclass), in our other PL relegation season we drew (again after being two up), any other positive past visits?

I think Bournemouth are one of the more aggressive pressing teams in the league so this could mean big trouble for us playing it out from the back. We’ve had some good wins down there over the years though so would be nice to replicate one of those. My personal favourite was the 3-1 in the League One promotion season. I’ll go with the optimistic 3-1 win and BBD to get sent off for an Oscar Gobern style challenge near the end.

Based on four PL games for Downes, who still thinks Downes is better than JWP?

A number of people seem to think that the person to save our season is the same person who allegedly faked a dislocated shoulder because he didn't fancy a midweek game against Nottingham Forest and then got subbed off because he didn't fancy the away game as well.

Be careful what you wish for. People wanted Ralph out and we got Nathan Jones. Potter is a very good manager but can't see what's in it for him, he's turned down better offers already. I think they'll give him a longer run and then if they do decide it will be another Championship manager or left field European appointment that we've never heard of but they would have to fit this style of play so rules out Moyes and his type.

Yes, I think it’s Man Utd, Wigan, Cardiff and Nottingham Forest since we were promoted in 2012 that we haven’t beaten at SMS in the PL.

He also headed it (softly) straight at the keeper from the Edozie cross right at the end as well.

Exceeded my expectations then, however, I hadn’t appreciated how much dross there was in this league.

T. Small scores the equaliser for Charlton.

Harsh decision, would have him at Saints.

This game was one of them: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25115885 we lost 2-3 against Aston Villa, 3 shots on target, 3 goals conceded.

I always think that I have a good recollection of the games in our Championship promotion season but can't recall anything about this one: https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-bristol-city-30-december-2011-296325/ Lee Holmes was on the bench for us that day and Aaron Martin started according to the link above .

Wouldn't watch anything on a Goodmans television.

Do they still play this in the Kingsland Tavern on matchdays?

It was the league game in our first season in L1.

We had a player called Gareth Bale in the first leg but he got kicked off the park and couldn’t make the second leg.

I loved those players and those years but as a club I wish we had something better to celebrate (winning a major trophy in my lifetime).

Wonder how many more losses Howe has to get before he gets the sack?

Think it’s corporate seats not sold as well.

I fear a similar scenario to our first season back in the Championship after relegation last time in that we are overconfident initially, draw too many games, any star youths get sold before the transfer deadline or in January so I'm going with 10th - 12th. Despite what I have just said I am looking forward to getting back and being optimistic about winning going into games - how long before we top last season's points tally at home?

What a night that was. My first south coast derby was the FA Cup game in '96, it never lived up to my expectations, the portsmyth support with my own ears and then the stroll in the park that followed. The night game really did have an edge - it might have been that I was just too young to have noticed it in 1996 but it felt very different in 2003. We beat them in the league again that season and I think that was the high point before it started unravelling, Sturrock took over a bit later and we lost the return league game 1-0. I remember thinking that was a pathetic showing from us at their place but nothing compared to the next season under Redknapp. I don't think I'll ever have it in myself to forgive the players for that game.

I think Perraud will be decent in the Championship.

You certainly didn't need binoculars to see it coming this time.