Hamwic

Went to the bar above the Alisan Chinese restaurant just opposite the north entrance of the ground. Hardly anyone there at first (around 11:30) but filled up a bit later. Bottled beer only but a good place to go. Heard a few moans about the Silver Spoon from thiose who paid their tenners and got fed up. On a similar note, the lack of places to drink/eat etc. close to the stadium shows a monumental lack of planning on the part of the local authority. Basically it is stuck in the middle of a run-down industrial estate. It will be interesting to see if it loses business after the Olympics.

Cringe-worthy, tacky, unpleasant, pointless...Take your pick. If anything it detracts from any atmosphere and seems to be purely for the benefit of the profoundly deaf. (Yes, I know they should be considered along with everyone else). While getting rid of that, perhaps get rid of the hysterical announcers around the country. It reminds me of the adage that, 'it is sometimes better to let people assume you are an idiot rather than open your mouth and confirm the fact'.

Coming from just the other side of Milton Keynes but by no means the furthest. It's just gratifying to see so many travelling great distances for this. COYR

People obviously feel strongly about this and rightly so. My guess is that there are others in the system who are similarly, (and possibly wrongly), treated. I suggest you all make your feelings known to the FA.

There is a pub called The Beacon not far from the ground. Details at http://www.fanzone.co.uk/Team/MK-Dons-Football-Club.aspx It's a real estate pub with fizzy beer and plastic glasses but usually ok with home and away fans sharing the place. Only a few minutes walk from the ground.

Just to add my voice; my gripe was also about not being able to select specific seats. With a bit of luck this common denominator will get through to the club.

To build sauna's what?

Sorry for the finger trouble. The correct link is below. Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but the match report in today's Observer is worth a read especially this from the second paragraph. "... above all, could serve as a parable for their neighbours a short skate along the south coast..." The article can be found here. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/02/fa-cup-southampton-luton

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but the match report in today's Observer is worth a read especially this from the second paragraph. "... above all, could serve as a parable for their neighbours a short skate along the south coast..." The article can be found here. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=550514

Not a chance. He's not that good.

I did not see the match but I do wonder whether some of this malaise has to do with the quality of captaincy. Over many years of watching Saints I have been amazed at how quiet the players are throughout the game. It sometimes needs someone on the pitch to rouse those around him to up their performance either to prevent a defeat or, better still, to extend the lead and kill the game off.

Be careful what you wish for. I first took my son when he was the same age. I had to get him to the Dell very early so he could get to the front. By kick-off he was bored witless and wanted to go home. Now, some 34 years later, he is Saints through and through and it has probably cost him a fortune in season tickets, beer, travel, more beer etc. Similar happened to me when my father took me to my first match. By half-time I wanted to go home; by the final whistle I was Saints until I die. The best of it is that I still attend occassionally and meet up with him and his mates before the game and we still 'enjoy' our shared passion - supporting Saints.

Apparently, he also wants to introduce Mexican food to the concourses to improve our catering. According to Rupert Lowe we already had world-class catering. Perhaps, and one can only hope, he's taken it with him?

Undoubtedly he will. For years he has talked about "taking the club to the next level" and he seems to be succeeding. Once in League 1 no doubt the next level will be League 2 and so on. As for why, I can't imagine. Perhaps it's a case of I've started so I'll finish".

"...because we had a lot of possession but never really looked dangerous", according to Jan Poortvliet. Did he really say that? The match stats gave possession 60/40 in Swansea's favour. Either he was watching something else or this was the output of Saints' PR machine. The league table shows the problem very clearly; can't score goals, can't stop conceding them. I said at the start of the season that after a few defeats and being muscled out of games, a lot of these kids would lose their confidence very quickly. I have watched Saints for over 40 years and it saddens me to witness the club being demolished by those entrusted (rightly or wrongly) with its stewardship.