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Aguero is technically and clinically superb, and Chelsea are the only team that can penetrate Saints defence imo. We did nearly concede a goal against Leicester don't forget. Mind, we have contained Aguero in the past, so it is possible that we could get a draw against Chelski.

Tadic

That's good

Especially as he would unlikely to be selected for our current first team. That would be too sad.

Don't under-estimate Leicester. They are determined to stay in the Prem (and deserve to) .

... except when even the run of the mill teams found us out

I agree with you. I am also very much looking forward to the next couple of months and seeing how our defence and midfield compares to last years when under stress. Last year we lost Boruc which was very difficult, but this year we seem to have a tougher run against ManC, Arsenal, Manure and Chelski. If we come through this in a higher position in January than we were at the same time last year then even the media will have to admit we really have a top team.

My one aim at the moment is to beat Manky, Manure, Arse, Chelski and Spurs at home. Nothing else matters.

It wasn't anything to do with Pearson that we were subsequently relegated, went into administration and were docked 10 points for our first year in League 1 (without which Pardew would have got into the play-offs). So sacking him - a good manager (and a genius compared to his immediate predecessors and successors) - after he had saved us from relegation was bad business.

I hope Nigel Pearson gets a good reception from Saints fans. He did well to keep us in the Championship before a certain duckshooter sacked and replaced him. We should win if we re are not tired and complacent.

So against Stoke we field a solid but versatile back four and defend from a versatile front and solid midfield

Lawrenson has categorically stated that no way will we end the season in top 4. So that's that then.

Pretty good. I liked the bit about managers sharing a glass of whine.

Possibly, but Victor and Gardos came on late and did their bit in keeping Stoke at bay - and they were tense moments at the end. I didn't vote for them but they were necessary substitutions against a tough physical side at a time when we were beginning to tire and make mistakes. Ok, so late subs can't ever be motm?

It's interesting that on our motm poll very player has been selected (if only by one person.) Reflects good teamwork to some extent- everyone playing his part in the victory.

I'm particularly looking forward to the first fifteen or twenty minutes of the match to seee how both Saints and Stoke begin. For the last two games Tootenham and Sunkland both threw everything at a strangely subdued Saints. Spurs overcame Saints. Will Saints be more galvanised at the start than we were last week? We can't rely on own goals to kick start us every week.

very good

Oh dear, Ronald will lose his hero status with their fans if he hijacks their bid for Kuyt.

I'm not panicking

Amazing. The club should invite him, expenses paid, to our Prem League champions presentation in May

I'd buy Chambers back at half the fee Arse paid for him because he hasn't finished his footballing education.

4 points

Their unimaginative writing has to leave something for next week - if we beat Stoke - and if not Fail will conclude we all ain't so good after all.

Last season. we didn't always beat the weaker sides when we should have (as we are now).. This season we still have to beat the big teams.

The pundits are already lining up our current squad's next exodus to Man C/U/Chelski/Arse/Pool. So who should we bring Ings in to replace (at a nice fat profit of course)?