Mowgli

Zaha and Nathanial Clyne are both on Man Utd's shopping list. Much as I like the new dawn at SMS I don't think we can compete with them just yet.

Cue debate Monday - why did we play an unfit KD. Even Bart would have been better. Bart will be fine if called upon. Of that I have no doubt. Having said that, it's starting to look like KD will be fit to make his delayed 25th appearance for the club.

Fair point and I would be amazed if they did not similarly water the training pitch. Don't they occassionally train on the SMS pitch as well to get as close to match day conditions as they can? - where presumably they would have to use two keepers

lol. Have you not noticed how much more we water the pitch before matches these last two seasons? That will result in a softer pitch and as it is laid primarily on sand, the risk of divots is the price we pay but it does mean the balls zips about more and probably less risk of injury as the surface does give way a bit more. You may also have noticed our home record has improved!

After last nights youth cup game you haver to wonder whether those players are alreay here...

This time last year we were 9th. 8 points behind the leaders Brighton. We had all been a bit underwhelmed by the summer signings and although we all had a few ambitious targets for the january transfer window, activity was a bit limited. It worked well though and we pushed on after Christmas to get better and better with basically the same squad. Ringing any bells? This year We were all a bit underwhelmed by the summer signings and although we all have a few ambitious targets for the january transfer window, I suspect activity will be a bit limited. It's worked well so far and actually we've played in a way that has got us to the top without going all out. NA targetted 10th place or higher with a view to pressing on after Christmas. It's all working pretty well so far with Chaplow Hammond, and Guly especially exceeding all expectations of competing at this level. So all in all, I'd have to be very pessimistic or a complete miserable bastard not to suggest we have a golden chance of automatic promotion this season. COYR. Lets go up as Champions!!

I don't think many are disputing it was an embarrassing performance (although there are women footballers all over the country no doubt offended by your suggestion that womens football is in any way inferior). The point is that we all know he is capable of better so we need to pick him up and lift him so he gets another chance. I think he will get enough stick at Fratton if he plays without Saints fans getting on his back. We should give him a rousing cheer to counter the blue few

Oh, you're basing your view on the whole game and not just one mistake... Well that makes all the difference then lol. Embarrasing performance - end of. Let's look forward to next week.

I think in the cold light of day this thread is a pretty good read with lots of quite extreme views based on a single game. Everyone's entitled to an opinion but thank God we have a professional coach to look at the bigger picture. I could well see the same team being named against Pompey with SDR and Bart vying for MOTM. Such are the joys (and frustrations) of supporting Saints. For the record, I thought a draw was a fair result from two teams who played decent football. Bart's mistake was balanced by the deflection for our first goal. Maybe we did enough to win and perhaps would have done with a different referee but these things balance out over the season.The real low points for me was the second goal (which I can still see in slow motion whilst I'm typing) and the songs aimed at Phillips. Those songs made me ashamed to be a Saints fan for a few brief moments

You watch Bart in training every day do you? Cos if you don't you have no idea what you are talking about. Bart was poor today but will come good again as Kelvin did from similar performance. Adkins has stressed how good Bart looks in training. Having said that I always preferred KD and realise he is getting on now so we need to be clear about TWO successors - especially if we do get promoted. Bart may be one and (other than today) has shown to be an adequate stand in but who else?

What might have misled you (and definately me) was that he got that horrendous injury against Newcastle United. But hat was a cup tie. Still - he was having a cracking spell around that time and against Newcastle showed that he is more than capable of delivering in the Premiership

I think that incident said a lot more about the fans than it did about KD

Yes we did but they were static and effectively amounted to half a dozen bulbs on a tripod. It got over the problem with the roof at that end but this seems to be taking the technology on to a whole new level.

Gape was in for Ward Prowse that day, otherwise a pretty strong line up.

You answered your own question... ...its Dave!! (Another) bad day at the office. Some work needed on the training ground to make the most of the next 4 games. How lucky are we though. We hit a bad patch (everyone knew it would come) and we are still top of the league. Bad patch behind us now. Blue line.

It' Jozy not Josi. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jozy_Altidore. NA is hoping he can knock them in for us as he did for Bursaspor (just joking btw...)

I would put money on the theory that Guly was carrying a strain last night which would explain why he was not putting himself out. He did fall akwardly near the centre circle and looked to have pulled a groin muscle. he was looking to be subbed I think - starting running to the touchline before he reliased that it was Lamert that De Ridder was replacing. When he was subbed for Barnard later he got a thumping on the back from both Adkins and Cole suggesting he done exactly what they wanted. Maybe his role last night was just to keep a couple of defenders busy and create room for others.

Agreed. Nice attempt to wriggle out of it though (not many convinced I suspect....)

So let me understand this correctly. The bookies lengthen the odds on Saints winning the title which means we will get more money back on the fiver bet we place. And you're not happy with that????????

Of the strikers we have been linked with he does stand out as the best to me. But Adoma looks a better prospect (assuming we could not go for both). Wasn't Fontaine linked with us as well? Those three plus Kilkenny and James, its no surprise to me they are on a run. One of the understated sides in this league.

The really good news is that this means Nigel cannot now win the November manager of the month award ) I so hope we sign Maynard in January

Bit unfair to call him kamikaze Kelv in his best season. It's hardly his decision on team tactics. He is doing exactly what he is told to do. Rarely does he pass it to a midfielder. Nearly alsway one of the back four. Apart from keeping possession you will also notice how the opposition get impatient and start to come forward as a group creating more of an opportunity for a long ball break.

He phoned the club twice. No response. He refused to phone a third time. He snubbed us....

There's no 'I' in team. If you look closely there is a 'me'.....

Great player but I would not put him in the legend category. I think 170 games is pretty modest really. Best centre half? Perobably behind McGrath, Claus, Killer and Monkou (prob in that order). Great character though - one of the better ones to put on a red n white shirt for sure