Mowgli

Hahahahahaha..... FFS

You're wrong. They had a one match unbeaten run against Barnsley - the worst team in the championship. I think the same starting 11 would work well against Peterborough but would change the bench for more impact - Martin, SDR, Barnard, Puncheon and Guly

Can't really believe the criticism of individual players and I'm guessing its simply more frustrastion that we did not take our chances. We have a team that actually does what they are told now. Chappers played OK but was clearly told to give it to Butters to get deep crosses in. SDR came and added to that by crossing from the bye line. Guly was told to play to deep for my liking but in fairness never put a foot wrong. Fans may not like this slow build up from the back which usually involves Kelvin rolling out from the back and defenders square passing whilst we find a way forward - but it works. We have not been out of the top two all season. Sometimes you just have to acknowledge the better team won because they took the three chances offered to them. Credit to the Saints for limiting them to 3 shots on goal!

Given that the Championship has only been in existence since 2004 it was not a difficult question. No - no one has ever done it before. Norwich were the only team to get back to back promotions. But Oxford were promoted as Champions from Div 2 in 83/4 and then went up to the old 1st division as Champions in 84/5. Boro went up from Div 2 as runners up in 86/7 and then to the top flight through the playoffs the following year Watford got promotion from the old 2nd division as Champions in 1997/8 and then went up to the Premier League the following year as play off winners. Man City were promoted to Lge 1 as play off winners in 98/99 and then to the Premier League the following season as runners up (lasting only a season before bouncing back as Div 1 Champions in 2001/2). QPR won the old 3rd division in 1966/7 and then were promoted as runners up to the top division the following year.

Was not too optimistic on this one but starting to feel quite good about Friday. Yes Reading are on a run but that has to stutter some time - more likely than not against the team on the second best run. They were all over us at Reading but that was without Lallana and (for the second half) Fonte. They struggled against Brighton and that will mean they are not so cocky. I think they fancy a draw will be enough for them to go on and finish the season in first place so I expect to see a lot of timewasting which Saits need to counter and not get frustrated by. Quick passing will be essential and lots of possession from us as there is nothnig more demorolising thatn chasing the ball all over the pitch without actually being able to touch it. Despite the reservations expressed about the Lambo / Sharp partnership, I think the scorer / poacher role will start to blend well very soon - possibly Friday. Yes, we will miss Morgan but the midfield was red hot on Monday and that was the best right side pairing we have seen for many months. The chemistry between them was excellent. So 2-0 to Saints. quite confident now.

Only lost 2 of 8 televised games. Would not say that is too bad.

Good call but I think it is more about the pairing. We have played some good players on that side - Guly, SCR, Chaplow, Cork, Puncheon, Butterfield and Richardson but its finding the chemistry where they click together in the same way that Bridge and Marsden used to do on the left. Butterfield and Chaplow have been the best combo for quite a while.

This is exactly the reason why a 5 point gap was something to smile about. A couple of dropped points means you are still top

Don't worry about Guly. Good players are unaffected by fans opinions as they only listen to their team mates and coaches who rate him highly. He can look after himself and has plenty of fans on here. For those who believe he has a 'play if fit' clause - grow up. It's not David Beckham we're talking about. Besides, cortese was not that enthused by the signing and did not think he would survive beyond division one. Neither did I if I'm honest. Glad he (and Hammond) proved me wrong. There are some players who you simply cannot afford to leave out of the team if fit. Davis, Lallana, lambert are three that spring to mind

Having reflected on it overnight I don't think it made a difference to the result and it's difficult to stop people celebrating sometimes. The stewards are actually employed to stop them going on the pitch. I did have an issue with the muppet who threw the corner flag back into our own supporters which could have caused a nasty injury so that's where the police follow up efforts should focus if anywhere. No problem really with others idiots.

That seems to be a theory gaining some credibility so will look forward to watching it tonight. Ref was totally out of his depth but Lino on kingsland side was ok.

Great game. Shame about the result but probably fair on balance. Skates we dirty cheating bastards and ended up bringing us down to their level. Credit to their fans though- better behaved than some of ours in the chapel itched corner.

If you are willing to go a bit over the odds I 'd try hospitality. Still some place left.

Lambert. Worth more than £35m then..... Lambert plays for the shirt. He enjoys himself and contributes as a team player. Works hard. Tracks back. Question. Why did the Carroll Cross the Road? ('cos he's more use to the other side....) Question. Why does Kenny refer to Carrol as his wonderkid ('Cos he wonders why he paid £35m for him)

I think we have more than emough firepower to handle portsmuff without risking SRL. Play Barnard and Sharp up front and put Guly on the right with freedom to wander. With Lallana on the other wing and both full backs pushing up we will rip them a new one. De Ridder and Puncheon on the bench to replace the wingers as they tire. Is Richardson fit for Saturday do we think?

NA has said himself that we water the pitch to get a bit of zip on the ball just before kick off. he has also commented on other clubs doing it which 'suits our style of play'. Champions can play on all sorts of pitches though. Not that we were ever Champions but Saints of the 60's and early 70's always seemed to have the advantage when the pitches got really heavy during the winter months. The classier sides like Liverpool seemed to struggle more. Of course Derby County rarely played on grass.....

Ok. Who had 16 minutes?

Please. Not again. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?35063-Titanic-Sinking-100th-Anniversary-at-SMS&highlight=Titanic We need to get behind the team. Together as one. Stop trying to raise debate where people have perfectly legitimate opposing views. Can we just focus on the football?

I love the way people challenge official statements. If they expect no return on their investment then they HAVE written it iff. If you think they have not - show me where in the Leibher accounts it is shown as an asset or debtor.

And so ends today's lesson on why there is no place for a fan on the board

....or Saints. Time to adopt a different mentality

I just can't get rid of this image of an obese saints fan slamming down his carling and whilst spraying balti pie all over the place saying" ....'ere Nic, I've got a few ideas on 'ow you should run this 'ere club...". Nic adjusts his silk tie and thinks "...hmmmm, could be just the advice I'm looking for...." Sorry - not having a go at you. Just amused me. (I'm easily amused...)

lol. I suspect there is a good chance that he will have factored this in to the deal from day 1. If he hasn't how the hell did he ever succeed in business :~/

Agree. It was one of those 'where we're you when....' moments though. Akin to signing Beckham in the close season. Now there's a thought......

Yes great idea but would need to go through saints foundation who organise the collections at every home game (I think). Count me in if you need any help.