Fitzhugh Fella

Just back Bit disappointing really as although the win was comfortable enough there was little to get excited about. We played the ball around nicely but lacked that final incisive ball. What did I learn and what were the pluses and minuses. Rodriguez scored a nice opening goal a little similar to Lambert’s goal v Villa. He had already had a one on one but his shot was well saved and it was good to see him get his first competitive goal. He worked hard, led the line intelligently and scored the second, a pen which their keeper nearly saved but the ball trickled over the line much to Rodriguez’s relief. De Ridder – perfect cameo tonight from him. Bags of pace, lots of skill but absolutely no end product (apart from winning the pen which was a little fortunate). Someone shouted behind me “why don’t you look where you are running”? and that summed his play up. He promises so much but plays with his head down, he hits crosses hopefully and really does not seem to know where he or the ball is going to end up. At the very most an impact player from the bench. Gazza – worryingly dropped two crosses but apart from that made one or two good saves, one with the very last shot of the game. Pretty sure Davis would have made the saves too but importantly there were one or two Gazza held while I am tempted to think Kelvin may have parried. His distribution was also good. Richardson is a better footballer than Fox but his crossing was shocking as usual. Within the first half hour he overhit no fewer than four crosses and each time he had time to deliver. Seaborne played left back and did ok even showing some skill once or twice with some deft touches but I full-back is not his position and distribution was average. Hooiveld and Yoshida did well , the Japanese has bags of confidence and mobility – like the look of him. Cork was very busy but worryingly went down with 10 mins to go after a heavy tackle and did not move. It looked like a reoccurrence of his old injury but after a couple of mins he walked off without too much discomfort (to be replaced by someone I have not heard of, a big midfielder called Andy Robinson – anyone know anything?). Chaplow was Chaplow, good at times but gave the ball away and once very well-placed had a shot which went over by 20 yards – a poor effort. Do Prado – good and bad. Worked hard, ran around, hit the post with a header but then gives the ball away in a slack fashion. Ward-Prowse as busy as ever but somehow did not catch the eye as much as he does when surrounded by better players. That’s about it – job well done, not sure how many of Wednesday’s team are considered first teamers but we beat them fairly easily and got no bookings. Cork’s injury aside NA will be fairly pleased I imagine.

Surman missing one at the Keepmoat helped me pocket £1250

How would you like us to do that? The days when the club kept fans updated re injuries has gone.

You are welcome thanks for the feedback

Never seen a Saints player so comfortable on the ball. He oozes class

Yep the Avenue in Padwell Rd

Anyone who lived in or near So'ton would have been aware that GB was not too circumspect in hiding his alcohol intake but I well remember being castigated by those on here who thought any criticism of a Saints manager is verboten.

Pretty good summary I would say

Yeah when Leon went to the toilet I told him - his mouth fell open! It was a priceless moment as Fos1 will verify!

It was indeed - especially when the first goal was an og and we initially thought the bet was invalid. Never seen 5 Saints fans praying that we would miss a pen before.

That made me larf!!

Never heard of him unless it was Fulthorpe's mate

Oh dear - George Burley has parted company with Apollon FC of Cyprus after just two games because - according to Sky - the Scot had "lost the dressing room". I remember going to Doncaster away a few seasons ago and being treated to corporate hospitality by Leon Crouch. This was the season after Leon as our then chairman had persuaded the Scottish FA that George was the right man to be their national manager by a bit of reverse psychology in insisting we were desperate to hold on to him. Anyway sharing our table were four or five Scots and they were unaware who Leon was. One of them went into a long rant about how the Saints chairman had stitched them up by foisting Burley on to them. This guy ranted on and on still oblivious to the fact the man he was slagging was sat next to him while meanwhile Leon said nothing, keeping a poker face. The day got even more interesting when we were joined by Johnathan Fulthorpe (remember him?) - who persuaded us to join him in a 125 to 1 bet that Saints would win 2-0 and Surman would score first. We all had a tenner on it and each of us went home £1250 the richer but only after Saints missed a pen towards the end. Away days don't get much better than that. Burley was a busted flush by the time Lowe got him and his arrival was the beginning of our final leap into oblivion.

Maybe not but AV are hardly unlikely to change their game plan. I am a little surprised because although I think KD needs replacing not sure a 19-year-old inexperienced gk is the answer.

With so many dodgy potential investors coming out of the woodwork I really am struggling to come up with the one that would give us all the most enjoyment and keep this thread going the longest? What is the consensus on here?

Care to enlighten us you old drunk?

We need some news or even another dodgy Arab riding into town

Sorry this thread has been active so long can anyone remember that far back -

I was sitting next to my Arsenal mate but when they got their 6th I just stood up and marched out I couldn't bear it any more. No long goodbyes or even a hand shake! Had to text him afterwards to say thanks for the tickets.

tbh is wasn't really worth celebrating although thinking about it, wtf was Fox foing on the edge of the 6-yard box?

Thanks I knew I could rely on you

Allen really has chosen what side he is on and I can see why but the Trust's initiave is like sticking a plaster onto a gaping wound that needs 50 stitches. Birch must really be panicking - whatever he does, whoever he chooses it is going to end in tears. Far too many obstacles. I have a grudging respect for the Trust - for they are only doing what any fan who cared would do, but the sooner they get real the sooner the Phoenix club can be born.

To be fair thats not a bad article from a bloke - delusional as he may be - who is doing his utmost

I have just had a skate associate sneer at me on Facebook re yesterday's result - I found it incredibly ironic but you gotta let them still think they are in the real world. As you say "homeless man and conservatories" but it reminded me of that scene in the Life of Brian when the bloke had all his arms and legs chopped off but was still "offering out" his opponent. Can't be arsed to dig it out on uTube but the ridiculousness of it all provokes a wry smile. This thread should be re-titled "the gift that keeps giving".

Very astute Steve and I concur with 100% of what you say. I was delighted to get Ramirez but can't help think the lack of players with premiership experience in our signings will come back to haunt us - esp in the gk dept. Good post.