Village Saint

Rudi has always been a left-back and it doesn't take a genius to see it is easily his best position. The ill-fated experiment of playing him in midfield came about because of his relative success in midfield in the League One/Two (depending on the opposition) standard Scottish League. Restored to his proper position he will almost certainly prosper. He was excellent on Tuesday- although tired badly towards the end. It also had a very postive impact on Mills who had been put under pressure by a few of our less intelligent fans and yet had a fine game in midfield. It was like gaining two new players!

Um. Shame you couldn't be there. It was a brilliant experience as it often is away. Dire it most certainly was not. Very few moaners; totally committed team; moments of fantastic skill from what are a very promising group of lads who have a lot to learn; a few nerves at the end - great value for money.

You wouldn't because with your big names and LOWER prices we would be out of business. I also dont think the gates would go up. If people aren't prepared to pay current unexceptional prices to see a committed team of talented, though certainly inexperienced, youngsters playing at times some of the best football at St Mary's for some time why would they turn up to watch the journeyman pros like Delap; Ewell that constitute 'names' in the Championship? But at least we would have put that Rupert Lowe in his place.

I would largely agree but to be fair I am not sure that there were ever that many who didn't rate Kelvin. It was only a few vocal idiots with an unrealistic perception of what you can get for a million. From the moment he signed it was clear he was one of the better keepers in the Championship - probably always in the top 4. This year he has stepped it up a bit further perhaps because he is getting a bit older (keepers do mature very late) and I would say he is probably currently the best in the Championship. But even Shilton msade howlers so dont get back at me if he has a stinker Saturday.

At last something to cheer us up. If he ever plays for us again I simply wont go. His performance as a sub on Tuesday - who you would think was trying to impress - was the worst case of not trying ever seen in a Saints shirt. He is a total disgrace.

I imagine that you were amongst the brave 400 last night and yes we were truly truly sh$£e. However, having been to Notts County, Mansfield and Peterborough I can honestly say that no this was most emphatically not the worst performance of the 4. That was the Mansfield performance. And at least Rotherham are by a mile the best side in League 2. Small consolation I know. Again I would also agree that it is only one game but I would like to put on record that if the spineless and inept BWP or ND ever play for Saints again I will think seriously about not going. Maybe everyone will feel better after our inevitable win at Donny.

Indeed. The equation is simple. Dex and Best will only ever be at best Champioship players because of their obvious limitations (and good luck to Dexter in that - he is an honest tryer). However, McGoldrick has the potential to be much better than that. So far it is only potential but in two years time when he has reached teh stage the other two have reached in their development we will be able to make a judgement.

I know this is only a message board but most people on it have some understanding of football. That post is not even funny.

First of all I would not announce to all and sundry that we are desparate for money quickly so they come in and take our best players for next to nothing. I accept that we might have had to sell Davies but not for a pittance. On today's prices he is worth twice what we got and probably 3 million. Also I would not lie to fans. The stuff on the OS and in the press release that was trotted out in today's Guardian about how because Svensson was back we could afford to let Davies go is an insult to fans' intelligence. Even we can work out that two centre backs is not enough for 46 games in the Championship. If proof was needed it shows Lowe will never never change.

If this is really the fee, very very bad business indeed. On today's market he was worth at least twice as much. What on earth possessed Lowe to make so very public that we needed the money in such short order? Had he not done so Stoke, who are desparate to get people in, would surely have paid much more.

Absolutely fair on all counts, through perhpas a little lenient on Strachan - who also did nothing to arrest the decline that was all too visible in the first half of the season he left - and Lowe for his current incompetence. Announcing our plight so publicly that even minnows like Stoke and Reading are able to pick up our best players for next to nothing - because he has made it so clear to the football world that we are desparate - is hardly a financial masterstroke.