eelpie

He always was a giant of a man but I didn't realise he was this huge.

Exactly which was the first season when 3 points were awarded for a win?

Very interesting. I see that we are still 15th equal in the table.

And if the match date/ time is changed (depending on Manure's fixtures) after you've bought a ticket and you can't make the rearranged time, you've lost yer money!

... and a European Footballer of The Year

I am not as confident in our survival prospects now that Adkins has gone. Nigel had resolved disfunctional defensive problems that we began the season with by reorganising tactics, which may have been less spectacular but steadily picked up draws and occasional victories (importantly against clubs around us). I fear that MP's exciting upfront style leaves us too weak at the back again. On the plus side of course is Boruc's improved keeping which will save us points, although Jos is likely to be needed for a few games yet. This is a dangerous time. If we win at Wigan I will feel more reassured.

...or challenging for promotion?

Brilliant second half and we should hammer Wigan if we can keep up this pressure. Just this lingering doubt I have that I hope our upfront energetic style is not replicating the first ten days of the season when Nigel's (admittedly less experienced team) attacked strongly but left themselves open at the back. Thank goodness Boruc is back to his international form. That gives me most hope. So long as the players can maintain stamina for the very exhaustive few months ahead.. Meanwhile, terrific show lads. On to Wigan!

I'm sorry GS, no matter how hard you plug your nickname for MP you won't succeed because it is naff.

According to the BBC this morning (and apologies if already posted) Milanese sportswriter Ramazotti has reservations on Coutinho. Perhaps we've been spared a disappointing signing: 0910: TRANSFER LATEST Liverpool have agreed an £8.5m deal for Inter Milan's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, but the 20-year-old remains a player for the future rather than a star of the present. Andrea Ramazzotti, who covers Inter for Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport and has watched all Coutinho's 28 games for the club, told BBC Sport: "He just didn't show his potential in Milan. Coutinho played very well when he was on loan at Espanyol last season, and started well for Inter this season, but they were only brief spells really. "For the rest of the time he just showed flashes of his potential and I fear the way of playing in England, which can be very physical, will not suit him, because he has a slight frame." (I would much rather that we went for Ince since Reading are after him now.)

I hope it's a loan because we have invested in his talent. Through serious injury he has not had the time to fulfil his promise and has consequently lost confidence. With regular games he could develop into a fast, skilful winger and goalscorer for us in the future.

If fit, that is the role he impressed in when he first arrived.

Also, they are now out of the Cup, but I wish they were still in it. So that the Villa players became even more distracted from the main task of premiership survival.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/newcastle-striker-nile-ranger-arrested-on-suspicion-of-rape-8467036.html However did he manage to stay with Saints for as long as he did? I'm all for giving troubled lads a second chance, but thank goodness he went to Newcastle when he did.

Great! Everton will be glad of all the distraction you can give.. Expect Everton to be one nil up in seconds. Better BEFORE kick off. Then cheer our team from the whistle.

Show our appreciation of Nigel Adkins BEFORE and AFTER the match. It has to be done. But NOT at any time during the match. It would be stupid to distract our players. Everton will be quick to punish us for any lack of concentration. This will be the best form of protest. This is a match we have to be with the team all the way for the win we want - and dedicate the win to Nigel.

This

The shock of Nigel's sacking is for me more than the abrupt sacking of the most successful Saints manager since the 19th century. It is the shattering of a dream. It is like the permanent departure of a loved friend (that distant man on the touchline). It is the premature end of the Nigel Adkins/Southampton story. But events have moved on. Adkins has left as he had arrived, in controversial circumstances. After Pardew's shock dismissal, Adkins himself hadn't been easily accepted by many of us. Adkins who? I only slowly began to recognise his managerial skills - and his unique positive personality as results improved and we pulled away from the League 1 relegation area; we were witnessing what seemed a miracle. We began to enjoy his brand of fast flowing football (that had been partially restored, then stuttered under Pardew that season). Rickie found his goal scoring touch again, and confidence and hope was being restored. Nigel built on the strengths of Pardew's squad; better consistency came into our play, the Southampton Style was reborn, and the rest is history. We loved the eccentric Nigelisms, and his unflagging optimism in adversity when most of us wilted and panicked! To fans (especially us long time supporters from Ted Bates era) Nigel had himself become the new Mr Southampton. Well for me he had. Being on Nigel's bus had been a three year adventure, unfinished. I may still be singing 'there is only one Nigel Adkins' next time at St Mary's because I have to get it out of my system. But events have moved fast. The team, and all of us, are shell-shocked and angry, however the very instant that the whistle blows on Monday against Everton we all, players and supporters, have to be as one. Because Southampton FC is bigger than anyone. I will give it all for the team; because we must raise their spirits. Do it for Nigel, because we have to have that win! (I would rather that the waving of white flags be before the whistle so as not to distract our players at the beginning of the match). I guarantee that Saints Legend Nigel Adkins will be rooting for us. He would never be defeatist. So it must be Long Live The new King. We do not yet know that much about Mauricio Pochettino, but all our destinies are now linked. Don't let St Mary's become the place the new manager, like Benitez at Chelsea, hates playing in, with disastrous results. We gave it for Nigel, now give it for Pochettino. We need his first win for Saints. Nothing else matters, right now. COYR!

So wrong of NC and that you are going, Nigel. We fans believe in you, and always will. You will always be one of the top Saints Legends. There will always be one Nigel Adkins!

Correction: Chelsea of course After the second half against Chelsea I had been confidently expecting a result against Everton. What happens on Monday will be crucial.

This. But it is going to be very difficult for players and supporters to suddenly accept a new manager who cannot be arriving with the communication skills and support that NA has had with both team and supporters. NA has lifted Championship footballers with hardly any previous Premiership experience to performing at top standards that they had not previously attained. And the track record over the last twelve games has crucially been better than the teams around us. Will the new man be able to do the same if morale and continuity are knocked? Witness Chelsea. NA's great plus has been his ever-positive approach at all times. How will the new man react to the challenge of the Premiership with a team that is still adjusting to playing against teams stuffed with world class international footballers. Pochettino has to have everyone's support. But it will be difficult. After the second half against Everton I had been confidently expecting a result against Everton. What happens on Monday will be crucial.

Shocking. And not only that. The paper towels keep running out. Cortese out.

Norwich City are eyeing a move for Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 24, after boss Chris Hughton admitted that he needs more fire-power. (the Guardian) Are we not interested in him any more?

How about 10 players in the goalmouth and JayRod upfront?

DeMatteo did well at Chelski, reviving jaded super-quality superstars. He wasn't so successful at West Brom managing a promoted Championship side. Nigel is managing a side that is half a promoted league 1 team. Nigel's 'achievements in 'value added' terms is surely better. So what could Adkins achieve if he had players of the calibre that Chelski have? Imho Matteo would be more of a risk arriving here mid-season. Better to spend the money adding a quality keeper and defenders than wasting on manager severence fees. I hope it doesn't happen but a change of manger should be early summer, not now. I am a firm believer of not changing horses mid-stream. But to answer the question, of course De Matteo should be welcomed if he were to arrive here.