Fitzhugh Fella

Yes no point whatsoever in being critical until we have seen him play half a season, but just as many eulogise about a signing having never seen the person play. The fan's reaction from the departing club is always a good yardstick for me and the reviews from Bristol do seem a bit mixed. Richardson was the last player who got a mixed send off and I am no fan of his. Still think our pressing need is another burly forward.

I thought we had a policy of signing players that improve what we already have?

this is a bit of a worry

What worries me is Fontaine had an ankle operation in March and in this season's first game was subsituted after problems with the same ankle. Personally speaking I feel the Latvian to have a better pedigree having played for a promotion winning side in QPR.

Hmmm, I got a lot of stick for being critical of the SCW set-up at the time but this sort of bears me out. No wonder Harry got hacked off.

Come again? Do you know something I don't? Don't get me wrong S Clarke, v happy with the win but alarmed slightly that we looked "leggy" by the end. Adkins noticed it too and blamed the heat but it was the same for both sides.

But surely your argument of 2 games a week means nothing as Millwall have had the same? Millwall looked the fitter side to me.

I have a close mate who is Clarets mad and he says Fox is great going forward but not so good defensively. Rodriguez is very much a local lad who wants to say. His father was a bit of a local hard nut apparently who used to terroise away fans on the Longside.

Three thoughts on hearing this news. Puts the £12m ML paid for SFC into perspective! Good Luck to him, he was one helluva prospect and I feel Arsenal will not regret shelling out 15m in the long run. I think our promotion chances have lengthened with his departure.

This has become a distraction I agree but the shame is had he stayed then I am sure he would have played a massive part in us achieving NC's 5-year plan. He is going to be some player you wait and see.

Busy little player and took his goal well

He might get the odd "wonder" goal but trust me he is not a narural footballer

My apologies - the guy I was referring to came on for Stephens at Totton and I have got them mixed up. In a way I am relieved it wasn't Jack Stephens.

Thought Eastleigh were really up for it and we looked disorganised. Forte is not a footballer and was dire, awful miss, Holmes worked hard, one or two good crosses but did not really stand out. Mills was quiet and Dickson did not show much either. All in all a hard fought match with plenty of spirit but not much for Saints fans to get excited about. Even Jack Stephens had a poor game - gave the ball away too often.

Yes some nice praise there which I enjoyed reading. You might want to respell At(h)letic in your blog title and also rethink your views on Mrs Thatcher though.

Maybe that's our problem - too much experimenting in pre-season. He needs to give his best 11 players a proper game playing together.

didn't look that great v Totton midweek, missed a good chance and failed to ruffle a non-League defence - jury is definitely out on him and certainly not likely to set the Championship alight.

You base that opinion on seeing him play?

For once I agree with you - I am off to a dark room to lie down.

Harlee Dean looked solid, Stephens looked classy and we had two young blond haired wingers one who was called Ben (the other was Hoskins) who looked bright but like Doble couldn't finish.

Well I got to say, although the opposition was only Totton tonight he looked a class act, was unselfish, worked hard and gave full support to his young colleagues. All our dangerous moves originating through him.

That was an enjoyable evening. Lovely little stadium that puts Eastleigh's in the shade. Proper terracing and a good looking pitch. Reasonable game of football until the many subs ruined the flow. I think I prefer Jack Stephens already to Frazer Richardson. He certainly distributed the ball with much more thought. I thought Saints the better side but Totton were only prevented an equaliser (assuming 1-0 was the final score) by the bravery of the Saints goalkeeper who had just came on. Thought Harlee Dean looked pretty solid too.

Yep noticed Puncheon was giving it 100% and encouraging the rest, I wonder if there were any scouts there tonight.

Our best player by far first half

Never met the man but my wife carried him on board an a/c once when he was with the FA and said he was extremely pleasant, friendly and charming.