eelpie

They know we want him so we will have to pay more for him. We would do the same. Pretty obvious.

I know we shouldn't mention the L word and keep on moaning about his legacy, the minus 10 points, but he truly did for us with his refusal to take us into administration before that deadline. Without Pards at the helm we might even have been relegated too, with the dire (a few notable exceptions) team we began the season with. The game plan was survival this season and promotion next. We did better. So far. Thank you Marcs, Nicola and Pards.

Agree

Other oldies (and others) - who sit impassively throughout matches. The vile beer and the long queues for it Ciggie smoke in the loos Parking 25 mins from the stadium Good to see kids with parents (but I hate short-sited people complaining about them on this site)

For all those who say the season is over: It is not. We still have to avoid relegation. Serious. We need a few more points to be mathematically certain. A slump from now on would be a disaster. We have a Cup to win. And it's essential we end the season on a good run and a high. The pressure to reach the play-offs is off now. And we must prepare for next season.

Imo we should develop St Mary's to 40,000 or 45,000 capacity which will make Southampton a major stadium for international fixtures and music events. The new top tier need only be used when attendances peak 30,000 so the ground would retain it's atmosphere. The cement works site should be purchased for a luxury riverside hotel and water sports and sailing centre alongside the ski slope and bowling etc, all which would help finance the stadium running costs. But with major changes to the Stadium: Build above the Kingsland pedestrian area (leaving the pedestrian concourse beneath open for fans going to stands) and turn the centre of Kingsland into luxury corporate area, restaurant and boxes, moved from Itchen. Then Nicola and Co will be as far away from the Away fans as could be, who then could be allocated to Itchen North, leaving Northam for us. Marcus could even develop the railway siding for a private train to bring him directly here from the airport. (Not even Abramovitch has that, lol). And corporates would have easy access to the new Kingsland boxes from the Chapel car park. Expensive, but still much cheaper than spending £200 mill on another site. Fanciful? No. because Nicola and Marcus are clearly thinking big. And SMS would retain its character and winning atmosphere (which has taken so long to achieve) (For a small % commission I'll even supply the architect.) Everyone a winner

So, we have to feel some comfort that the ref's inept performance hasn't resulted in Hammond being banned for for three games. I am getting a little concerned about the number of yellow cards that key players are accumulating - some from dubious refereeing decisions - which may mean some having to sit out games for crucial matches.

Fonte's mistake was instinctively gripping the offender's hand when he was manhandled down. he should have let go before he hit the deck. Easy to say, not so easy to do in the heat of action. A biased ref doesn't need reasons. As for the Itchen linesman, if he wasn't blindly inept he was in with the ref's bung.

Saints played some sublime football at times for a lower league team in the first half, but you wouldn't know what that means.

Herzog and de Meuron's stadium: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3116073

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4879975.Developers_queue_up_to_build_snow_dome/ Thinking big, a development along the river front that links the proposed Snow Dome with a sports complex, a waterfront hotel and a complete stadium rebuild for 45,000 would be brilliant. There are already five developers bidding and it makes sense for Cortese to be more than interested. I bet Marcus is one of the five bidders. Compulsory purchase orders apparently will be issued to current businesses occupying the site. So momentum is building up already. And isn't there already an unwanted ready-made waterfont stadium plan searching for a different home? http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3116130 A tasty design (and it wouldn't half upset the skates!) Another coincidence, Herzog and Meuron (who designed Tate Modern) are a Swiss firm.

Why is that SO important to you? Why has Illingsworth alerting the media to the Wembley ticketing fiasco upset you so much? He is attempting to do something about it. You are not. Your posts are so negative at times.

Phew! Got what was probably the last three tickets!! Ok, so it's sitting on the moving roof, but well worth the ride!

Top post!!

I wish it were possible to do that with ST matches that I have not been able to get to for the same reason, ie swap games that I haven't been able to attend, like evening re-arranged fixtures, for cup or friendly matches. (I did email Dave Luker with this suggestion but never received a reply)

So we should all let NC (and The Echo) know what the fans think. We don't want to experience another round of manager-merry-go rounds. "We've got Alan Pardew We've got Allen Pardew" etc

Surely this thread has exhausted itself. Please close it mods. Let's move on ffs and show our support for Pards tonight COYR

You do realise this can result in marked cognitive and personality changes... Once a Saint, always a Saint ....

And forgot to say, keep up the good work, Alan! You ARE appreciated! Without you we would be floundering in the relegation zone, because you inherited a squad that wouldn't even survive in league 2. You are turning Saints into a Championship team that will go onwards and upwards!

Rome wasn't built in a day and some of the moaners on this forum would have been thrown to the lions long ago, lol. (Isn't Cortese Roman?) I back AP to well survive. It is of course a drama about little.

At the end of the match whilst Marcus was beaming and applauding, Nicola was looking tense and suspiciously serious. I hope there is nothing wrong, just when things are going right on the pitch! It was a tremendous performance by the whole team, but Richards's free kick on three minutes into the top corner of the net was a corker; probably did us a favour because our players' response was mercilous. Davis 6 Confident but fumbled a couple of times. Some crucial saves. Otsemobor 7 Great runs into the box and delivery, was allowed freedom to enjoy himself in Walsall's half, and was quick to get back to defence when needed. Jaidi 8 Imperious and won his headers as usual. Fonte 8 With Jaidi controlled the back which Harding and Otsemobor to plunder the wings. Harding 7 Like Otse, dangerous going forward. Puncheon 9 Man of the match. His early goal was crucial and he caused havoc wherever he went, which was everywhere. Lovely skillful touches and powerful play. A real asset Hammond 8 Getting back to his best! Thoughtful distribution and crucial tackles. Lallana 8 Everywhere and hungry. His goal was so well deserved after several near misses. Let's hope its the beginning of another scoring run. Schneiderlin 8 How we missed him at Walsall! Never doubt his importance to this team! Lambert 8 His usual towering self, working his socks off, but I'm glad he was subbed, because he deserves a few minutes rest. and we need him fresh for Huddersfield. Barnard 9 So unlucky to be subbed when on a hat-trick (and he had a disallowed goal too). Like Rickie, I guess the gaffer was saving him for Tuesday Thomas 7 Shooooooooooot!!! (lol) Subbed for Jaidi competently and confidently. Did not let Walsall get back into the game, and they did try. Waigo and Antonio. 6 each. Played their part well, and kept Walsall chasing shadows. And the whole team gets a deserved 9 for a proper team performance. At last we are seeing play spread around the whole width of the pitch, lots of variety from defence through midfield, width and attack. And man for man winning tackles. We could have scored eight, but for some desperate defending by Walsal so I'll settle for 5 (this time)! True, there were misplaced passes and they lost the ball at times, but credit due, they usually won the ball back. Tenacity will get us far! Well done fellers, and Nicola - Pards IS delivering!

You are SO boring...

Yep - just like everyone's posts. We are all (except ...) telling everyone what to think, and do, and when, and where, and who to.... I love your irony, alps lol

lol Not to mention the cost of erasing W*******'s tatoos

I suspect the same people who want to change a manager every 18 months or so if we are not in sight of the Premiership/Chamionship are the same who expect the manager to live locally. (Remember the chorus of disapproval because GB didn't live near Southampton when he first came here?)