Fitzhugh Fella

Nice one1

I wonder how plans for tonight's demo are going?

Just got back from getting mine - and they were doing steady business with 3 windows open and a continuous queue of about 20 people.

I am disappointed - around now I come on here for, my daily fix, a link to inform me of more Pompey gloom. And there isn't one.

If it wasn't for Pinnacle he could still be with us. Rather have him than Hammond.

For every good cross there is a bad one. He needs to up his consistency levels. I regard him to be a good bench player as he can fill in most positions. He is also slow.

Interesting to hear the view of the opposition - thanks!

He's a bit of a closet Saints fan I reckon, certainly one of his sons is.

Agree Mike, can't put my finger on it but I think our problem stems from midfield.

Ap has a reputation as being a bit of a "tinkerer" - mind you he has to rest some players because of their age. A settled side usually gives you better results.

No John, I realise realism and the Saints web forum do not neccesarily go hand in hand. Still perhaps we can concentrate on the JPT or even the Cup. I did not expect to be 13th going into the New Year after our awful start so we are heading in the right direction, and I think Mr Liebherr is now well and truly "hooked" to the cause.

As ever the sensible voice of reality. However I am encouraged that Pardew is publicly saying "we are not a play-off side". It shows he has his feet firmly on the ground. This next month will be a true test for him both on and off the pitch.

Antonio's contrat runs out in July so Reading are resigned to losing him I think

Indeed recent results have been better than our recent form. Have been saying this for a while and got a lot of stick for saying so. Still as Trousers has said the timing of these defeat might be a bonus. Trouble is are the good or better players out there and can we attract them? Got some tough matches coming up - - I think by January's end we will know just how serious we are as play-off contenders. With 3 good signings it is very possible but it does depend on the signings.

He wasn't all bad!

Tim, read the title it says weekend. We beat Hull's 24 thou yesterday but lost out to Arsenal at the Emirates.

I haven't seen much mention of yesterday's superb attendance yet (apologies if I have missed it.) It is worth highlighting that Saints v Exeter was the biggest crowd outside the Prem, it was also bigger than 5 Prem games - Hull, Birmingham, Burnley, Fulham and Wigan. And I think it was probably the biggest League crowd Exeter have ever played in front of. If our average this season is bigger than Pompey's biggest gate - that should settle all arguments as to who really is the biggest club on the south coast. Although yesterday's game was not pretty, I hope some of the missing thousands come back another day.

Thanks for replying without throwing in an insult. I will continue to look positively at him. After all so many like him there must be something he is doing right. I want him to do well because elegant players are so far and few between. I am in the Northam these days perhaps that is not the best vantage point to appreciate his talents. Maybe for the Cup game I will get a better view.

In the pub the other day we did a quick poll. Are you happy to see Pompey below us in status, league position etc or would you rather they ceased to exist. Out of about 20 fans asked it was around 50/50. Me - I went for the latter as did my closest friends. I remember the bitter battles (lierally) in the 70s. I remember sitting in the Fitzhugh when all the windows came in and boots were coming through the door. I remember - with some puzzlement - the real hatred Portsmouth people had for Southampton in those days and, in the end I had no choice but to reciprocate that hatred. Childish, irrational? Yes probably but we are all kids and unbalanced when it comes to football rivalry. I accept there are decent fans down Fratton way and PES seems to be one of the better ones. Nothing personal - but I just want Pompey to disappear for ever. There is too much evilness down there to grant them a pardon. They would never be grateful anyway.

Roger - sorry I can only call it as I see it. I want to like the fella, I really do because he looks as if he has class and style but I genuinely don't see what he contributes in terms of making a big difference. You say his passing was excellent and yet he made one of the worst passes all afternoon across his own penalty area straight to an opponent. OK that was a one off and credit should be given when an awkward pass attempted but he has to learn there are some areas not to be over ambitious. I sometimes follow him, rather than the game, just to appreciate his off ball activities (David Armstrong type of player maybe?) but I still see nothing exceptional. I accept at 20 he has time on his side, and he maybe the sort of player that produces more, higher up the Leagues in which case his day with us might yet come. (As for Oakley I was never a fan, actually and I recall he sort of polarised opinions amongst the fanbase when he was here - I think you misread that part of my post - I was just pointing out the difference in the manager's opinion and that of the fans in his case). As for Waigo, yes I had "a pop" at his fondness to get offside which is/was frustrating. I am still not convinced he is a long term proposition but I think he is improving his all round game which is encouraging. Plus at this level his unpredicability certainly adds a dimension to our game which opposition sides are fearful of. Not sure who I prefer between him and Antonio and Pardew seems to fluctuate in his preference too. I think on balance I would go with Waigo because Antonio seems to have been "found out" in recent weeks and defensively Waigo is better. Sorry if you think I must be "on something" because my opinions differ from yours. Perhaps we should just accept football is a game of contrary opinions without resorting to suggesting anyone who differs from your view be on hallucinatory substances. I do think there are a lot of people on this forum who do not post their minority views because all they get instead of reasoned argument is hurled insults. It's a shame because if we all agreed this forum would be like an advert for the Moonies.

There is nothing better for the soul on a Sunday morning after a Saints win than to come on here and read an article like that! Thanks for starting my day so well.

I think this somewhat explains the enigma. Our midfield is not functioning properly as a unit. Hammond and Schneiderlein, I think are a problem together as you say. I have really tried to "appreciate" Schneiderlein but I just can't. He is elegant, and looks comfortable on the ball but I just can't see what the fuss is about. I remember hearing David Jones say that Oakley was the first name he put on the team sheet and being a bit bemused and I am bemused to see how so many on here rate MS. I thought his performance to be poor yesterday and yet he is mom. Bizarre!

A veritable master class in 21st century poetry!

is worth getting if you are into the history of Brazillian football and the part ex Saints player Charlie Miller (see mural on the railway bridge near SMS) played in introducing the beautiful game to S America. There is also in a special 10 page feature, the story of Saints tour to Brazil in 1948 and a profile of George Reader ex-Saints chairman who reffed the 1950 World Cup Final. The reason for this special insert is that Exeter have some Brazillian connections themselves, having provided the first opposition for the international team in 1914. Some interesting reading, although I say so myself!!

Enjoyed the interview Tim, liked the bit about his first day at Chester and the sandwiches that went missing. It was also interesting that his heading ability only came to the fore after arriving at The Dell, he suggests that without Paine and Sydenham he may never have become the player he did.