Ken Tone

Well yes anything would have better than *liquidation*. That is far worse than administration. If the club had actually been liquidated, St Mary's would have been sold, we'd have no football league membership because Southampton FC wouldn't exist as such, and the best we could have hoped for was a re-formed AFC Southampton 2009 plc, playing in the Southern Premier, ground-sharing with Havant or somewhere similar. We weren't all that far from that scenario. We were very very lucky to come out of things as we did. For me personally at least, that was really what Wembley was really about .. a celebration of our continued existence. This year has SO far exceeded expectations. K.

Surely most goalies are over 6' 2" anyway? ;-) k.

Exactly, we were so LUCKY, and it was luck. Cortese saw us as an opportunity, which was lucky in itself, but also we only *just* avoided Pinnacle and others like them. Remember, Cortese and Liebherr hung back because of MLT's involvement. We came so close to that Walter Mitty lot taking us into years more financial chaos. Imagine if we were now close to the bottom of L1 with just the remnants of last year's youth team and no funds. That could so easily have happened. K.

No. As far as I can tell, the lyrics always are "the saints are coming " about 4 times , followed by ".....something ,something, something else," far too quick to hear with the human ear. But it's a good song for us to adopt whatever the lyrics. ;-) K.

Nothing like as good as the atmosphere at Cardiff in my view. As to transport, the signs at waterloo saying the jubilee line was shut from west hampstead were simply wrong. Apparently they'd been left on from the day before. We travelled in from clapham south via northern line and jubilee line in some comfort ..half empty carriage because of the people who got off because of the signs. Bit different on the way home! By eck it got warm in that carriage. k.

Sorry mate but that isn't the case. Yes there were the clear and loud boos over the mexican wave, but completely separate to that, when Markus face appeared on screen there was a loud cheer. His face was followed by Nicola's and then I, in block 125, could clearly hear some of then cheers turn to boos coming from somewhere to my left, ie from the saints end somewhere. This happened at least twice and was *not* at the same time as the Mexican waves, nor in any way connected to Mawhinney for that matter as some others have suggested. K.

It appears the aritcle was written following NC's interview with Solent... second hand journalism again. I presume we've all heard that in full? Is the article a fair reflection of the interview ? No IMO Do care I what the Mail says anyway? No. K.

That's really unfair on Surman. As far as I 'm aware he never wanted to go. He was sold to make ends meet whilst we were broke. If he'd refused to go we might have gone bust completely before Liebherr could get past those Pinnacle time-wasters and save us. K.

That's reassuring. Thanks k.

That is what is so annoying. You're told still sending out today. I was told last ones went Thursday morning and Solent said they'd been told on Saturday that last ones went Friday, so all should have by Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. This is a simple matter of fact. Surely the ticket office staff can agree on when they sent the last tickets?! Some posters have been told they were sent out in alphabetical order, others in reverse ticket price order. The reality seems to be that there was no logical order! It feels like they're just saying the first thing that comes into their heads to get people off the line. Now that might have been understandable in the early part of last week when they were snowed under trying to get on with the posting, but I think people ringing now have very good reason to ring, if they've seen the post come today still with no tickets. In my case tickets ordered on first morning of ST-only first phase. I can't even remember how long ago that was. If they are not waiting for me on doormat this evening I'm not going to be happy. K.

Just goes to show what a difficult job refs have. I saw the highlights on i-player this morning and thought their defender clearly caught Fonte's ankles from behind. Clumsy rather than vicious, but nonethless an obvious penalty to me. Btw how good is it to have a centre back who can run and attack like that in the opposition penalty area. K.

Whereas on saturday they said to me that they 'd all been posted by first post thursday! Won't know if mine have turned up today until I get home from work. K.

Wasn't at the game, just listened to solent so can't reall comment on how we played. But according to Ince they were al over us, apart from 2 mistakes ! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8560619.stm What a prat that man is. I am SO pleased he isn't our manager. We beat them 4 times in one season and stil he won't admit we might be the better team. K.

And then what happens if someone - perhaps someone who works for a carrier firm or the PO for example - happens to be sitting in the seats, with the original tickets?! K.

Exactly. Finally gave in to nerves when still no tickets this morning even though ordered on first morning of ST-only sales. Was told definitely by woman on line that thelast tickets were sent out on thursday morning But what was I worrying about? Ring back on wednesday. Meanwhile ticket office quoted on solent as saying had just about sent them all out ring if not got by monday or tuesday at latest. It would help if they'd agree on what they are saying. K.

The point is though, that even those that we'd quite like to see here because they are good enough, are on ridiculously high wages. They mostly only went to portsmouth in the first place because they were paid over the odds, (and maybe had the pill sweetened in the mythical 'brown envelope' too allegedly.) One of portsmouth's ongoing problems even if they come out of administration ok, is that they won't be able to easily offload their high wage earners after they're relegated. cf Marek Saganowski et al. Why would Utaka for example go anywhere else whilst he is in contract? K.

Our £44 tickets have not arrived yet. ST holders --ordered by phone on day 1. Am also nervous and will be until they come, but logic says not to worry because we do have a reference number, and the money has gone out from our account. K.

It was Fonte. Poor clearance, effectively passed to a swindon player near the middle of the pitch, which then led to their attack. Even a good player like him can make mistakes. Still a top centre back IMO and Harding is still a top LB. K.

At the risk of starting all the painful after game posts all over again, we weren't crap. We were well on top in first half and might have scored 2 or 3 with a bit more luck. Second half they scored with virtually their only shot and then broke our play up well, and we got more and more panicky and looked less and less convincing as the game went on. Hit woodwork 3 or 4 times. 1 shot cleared off line and 2 or 3 others well -saved by their keeper. K.

Their scorer was damn close to offside when the ball was put through to him ...more than I'd realised on the night. Looking at the highlights again I'm even more puzzled as to why their number 3 wasn't also at least booked for pushing James when he was on the ground injured by the bloke who was sent off. k.

Am doing deep-breathing exercises, keeping calm, visualising the tickets on the envelope, chanting 'ommmmm'... etc, even as I write. Logically I know you are absolutely right and will not pester ticket office till next week, because the more people ring now, the less time they'll have to post the tickets. Emotionally, however ... AAAARRRRGGGHHH ! K.

We couldn't hear Herbie because the pillock with the mike had the volume adjusted for how he held it for himself , ie right up to his mouth, and then held the mike for Herbie about 6 inches further away .. result could hear pillock - couldn't hear Herbie. Really agree about team selection announcements. Why have they stopped telling us who is on the bench? K.

The concept of Saints having an infinite number of Pulises is not one I wish to pursue. K.

Not received ours yet either. Phoned on first day of ST sales, and earlier in alphabet than you. Checked bank statement last night as beginning to get nervous, and money has gone out. K.

Is Pullis related to Pulis? No, must be a different player since he scored .. or even played come to think of it ;-) Good to see McLaggon playing 'with plenty of energy'. Thought he looked so promising last season before his injury. Maybe he'll make it yet? K.