SaintDonkey

Good spot! I shall accordingly withheld my concern about Saga being pushed out until 7:45 when it's confirmed he's not in the squad

I'm going if I can get off work in time - but since 'in time' means 'an hour early' that might not be possible. Any know if they'll be commentery avaiable online anywhere?

Looking at the Stoke preview on the OS there's McGoldrick, John, BWP and Rasiak but no Saga. I thought he looked one of the better options in the little play he's had in pre-season, it seems odd that he's not even in the squad now.

least we forget this chap was our "poster boy" for a while

Lowe is an arrogant **** - but that doesn't mean that he's not good at his job. yes we were relegated during his watch - but it's not like we weren't flirting with relegation for years before he had ever heard of Southampton FC and relegation for a club of our size was something of an inevitability. Also under his watch we got a stadium that allows us to compete at this level, an academy that gives a chance to compete and a day out in Cardiff. Some people hate him and will interpret everything he says in a negative light. It's a view point I can appreciate, after all hatred is an emotional rather than a logical response, but as such it's not worth arguing against. Can we finally put the Lowe bashing behind us and jsut get on with supporting the team through a season that will be difficult enough without any more infighting.

I will be happy if we play attractive football and avoid relegation. Tailing off to a lower/mid table finish as teams get wise and start just kicking chunks out of the kids.

It's the friendly I'm most worried about as it will be the truest test of the off season. Whether it should be played with fringe players or the supposed first team I'm not sure - a test for the first team would be the most valuable but I share the concerns about injuries and just plain playing too many games just before the start of the season. If we play the 'fringe' players then it's a wasted opportunity to gauge ourselves against the right level of opposition, but as a test it's surely too late since there's no time to change anything? Oh I don't know I'm just confused.

Or two pints over the course of a year. Bargain.