Ewell

I think it is a very balanced article and one of the better researched articles about Saints I have read in a long time. I also think the journalists conclusions are spot on, basically saying you can you have your cake and eat it. What amazes me though is how the folk of this forum dismiss it out of hand due to lack of evidence and accuse the journalists of misreporting. Do you really think a Daily Mail journalist is that bothered about Southampton Football Club that he will make up a load of lies and unsubstantiated rumours and then put them in the paper with little research or evidence put before him. Too many people still have their heads buried in the sand.

Surely we have now reached the stage where Adkins and his coaching staff have moved from the thread title to 5 negatives and 1 positive. In fact I am struggling to come up with even 1 positive from the majority of the players who wore the shirt tonight. I am fully behind Adkins but I am really struggling to defend him now. 1) Does he know his best team? 2) Does he know his best formation? 3) Is he picking the right captain? We looked awful tonight and for the first time this season the players actually looked like they didn't care and didn't believe in what they were being told to do. I can see this going only one way which is very sad.

I am moving house so clearing out a lot of stuff from the loft. I am sure some on here will get some enjoyment from this collection of video cassettes so now here is your opportunity to own them. If you have any questions then please message me on eBay as I do not have access to private messages on this forum. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110973195761?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

I am moving house so clearing out a lot of stuff from the loft. I am sure some on here still play Subbuteo who may not own this classic team but now here is your opportunity. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110973169057

He should be in the team as he is the best central midfield player we have.

The Daily Echo poll would suggest you are wrong. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/10002607.Saints_fans_back_Adkins_to_carry_on/ The problem is the Adkins out brigade are the ones who shout loudest on this forum.

John Burridge.

So nobody bothered listening to NA last week with his statement that we play 4-3-3 and will continue to do so.

I am struggling to understand why this lad has been dropped from the starting XI. I do not believe he has done anything wrong and I think we look a better side with him in it. His work rate, commitment, simple passing and ability to keep possession make us look a far better team. The only reason I can possibly see for his omission is Adkins is protecting him whilst we go through this sticky spell. I would definitely start him against Spurs this weekend.

10 million, best player since MLT. Keep them coming I have not laughed so much for a long time. Decent player worth between 3-5 million at most.

I believe Adkins hands are tied. No one will do a better job than Adkins under the current constraints he is under. There are strong rumours that Adkins is being told what formation to play, more rumours he is being told what players to pick. The last transfer window also just does not add up when he clearly wanted a new keeper (Butland) and new left back (Buttner) yet we strengthened the attack where we had most strength. Adkins is the fall guy for the current regime and Saints fans need to ask themselves what manager would do a better job under these conditions?

I would have taken a point before the game as Fulham have been playing well but without two of there better players this year they were there for the taking today. Poor decision to take Lambert off so early again, despite not having one of his better games he was still miles more of a threat than Rodriguez. Nice to see Gully come on and play well. I am usually Fox's biggest critic but he had a good game as did Davis and Morgan in midfield, but man of the match Jose Fonte and that has bugger all to do with the 2 goals he was immense at the back.

It is exactly that a simple bruise.

Only a **** would post a picture of that ****.

It looks like it has not been moved which is good news for those who booked there trains already. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?40458-SKY-ESPN-December-and-early-January-Fixtures-released

Summed up perfectly.

Sometimes there is never any sense to the games SKY\ESPN pick so I think I will wait to book my train once these have been announced. There are usually 4 fixtures out of 10 moved per weekend so even though train prices will be more expensive personally I do not think it is worth the risk.

Isn't there still a chance of this match being moved as there are currently no live SKY fixtures listed for December. I also have no idea on Liverpool's potential UEFA cup schedule, could that lead to a move also?

Really insightful and I am so glad I clicked on this thread.

Very well said they are a very helpful organisation who have all football fans best interests at heart. It is easy to knock them sitting at your keyboard yet I bet the majority who have are doing so despite knowing diddly squat about them.

I saw this on the BBC the other day and it seems West Midlands Police have adopted a different approach to policing football and it seems to be working. As you say some of the time you feel the Police are almost willing it to kick off to justify them being there. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19673995 It will be interesting to see if Hampshire Police adopt a similar approach although this approach would kill a lot of their guaranteed overtime so who knows. I am sure the club would want lower police bills.

It all looks rushed, little care in the passing, poor final balls we seem quite nervous. Danny Fox massively at fault for the goal yet again.

Good post and one I completely agree with. We are in a Brendan Rogers and Liverpool situation in that we are where we are and we just have to get on with it with the players we have got. I am hoping that one or two of the kids rise up to the plate but the pressure for them to succeed could see their development compromised which would be a great shame. I believe that confidence is everything in football and a couple more poor performances with minimal points and I honestly think the fan base will start to turn on the players backs.

No I have not either but I have definitely heard the phrase 'all the best teams are built from the back'. We had scored 2 goals against both City and United without our new expensive signings. Whilst these signings are very welcome and the two who played yesterday both show promise there can be no doubt that we have failed to recruit a decent left back, goalkeeper and a commanding centre back which most people think are essential. It appears Nigel, Les and Nicola have neglected our biggest weakness from last season and strengthened the area of the team where we actually looked like we were coping with the Premier league. It appears someone has ****ed up big time and I have to wonder who is to blame.

Witnessing that yesterday was truly awful and now I have to go into work on Monday and take a load of stick from the copious amount of Arsenal plastics in the office. Oh well I have broad shoulders and every dog has his day. The worst part of the day though was seeing Theo and The Ox approach and applaud the Saints fans and fair play to them for doing that but the complete adulation they were shown with chants of 'Theo, Theo' going on was totally pathetic.