obelisk

Shattered by the tension. Elated by the relief.

Redmond has looked a bit lightweight. We need him at his best. Not sure I can bear the tension.

Saints have dealt with the hoofball from Swansea fairly well but we all know there's a mistake in that back three some time. Really needed one of those Austin strikes to find the net. Can only hope Swansea will run out of puff. Dreadfully tense.

A comfortable 2-0 away win would be just the ticket.

I hope for a win tomorrow night that would make Sunday much more relaxing. However, I suspect we'll draw yet again and then it'll be on to Sunday with all to play for. Saints will take an early lead against City while Stoke also take a 1-0 lead into half time. Hope rises at St Mary's. Stoke score a second while Saints are camped in their own half as City pass it around. McCarthy rescues another back three mistake. 20 minutes to go and the ref awards City a free kick on the edge of our area after Hoedt dives in needlessly. The free kick takes a deflection and the ball nestles in the back of the net. 1-1. Soon afterwards word comes in that Swansea have a goal back.1-2. Saints are defending manfully but Long breaks away with just the City 'keeper to beat. His shot hits the post and bounces to safety. As it stands Saints are still up and Sky Sports show the table as it stands while going into a frenzy of hyperbole. We move into the 90th minute and the City players are starting to think about the World Cup. Stephens passes across the Saints defence to Hoedt who slips on the over-watered pitch. Sane nicks the ball and slips it to Sterling who is a yard offside. The assistant keeps his flag down as Sterling rounds McCarthy and slides the ball into the empty net. 1-2 and Saints still up on goal difference.` Saints are on the attack and the ref blows for full time after not enough extra time has been played. The focus switches to Swansea where there are 8 minutes added time. Dyer falls over in the box and the referee awards a penalty even though the ex-Saints forward tripped over his own feet. It's the last kick of the game. The penalty hits the post, comes back and hits the 'keeper on the back of the head before trickling over the line. 2-2. At St Mary's the players fall to the floor in despair. Sky Sports are ecstatic. Probably best to get that win tomorrow night.

Nothing much has changed. Win on Tuesday and we'll all be happy.

The away fans are in the wrong place. If need be then add another tier on the gasworks end and chuck them in there.

Did Cedric really require all that treatment?

Well at least it's pretty simple now. Win on Tuesday and we're safe.

Even Graham Poll criticising Moss. Saints have been on the end of some poor referring decisions that have led to late equalisers.

It's never easy is it? Bertrand should have planted that ball out of the park for a throw in.

I don't but I could make the point that I was a long time season ticket holder at the Dell & SMS before many on here were born. The main reason that I'm a more of a "couch fan" these days is that, in the words of JR Hartley, I am rather old now. I still aim to do my bit though.

Have to admit that I've not been a regular attendee at St Mary's over the last couple of seasons. Maybe it's been a mix of unadventurous football, my advancing years, a 100 mile round trip to games and any number of other excuses but a fortnight ago I determined that shouting at the internet stream wasn't enough so got myself a ticket for today. Must say I was surprised at the all round fairly positive attitude but still wasn't expecting much during the game. Call it realism or pessimism, either will do. Come the game. Well to be honest I was surprised just how poor some players were. Hoedt, what on earth? No problem. We all have off days but what really got me was the positive attitude from the stands. Yes we sighed when there was a poor touch or a blind pass but there was support because it seemed obvious that the players cared. The tension towards the end was almost unbearable but I have to say that the atmosphere was better than I've witnessed for quite some time. It helps the players and I witnessed excellent performances from Lemina, Tadic & McCarthy but everyone in that team today deserves to be applauded for their effort. On to the next must win game then. Maybe all too late but there's still hope.

4-3 I reckon.

To be fair Lemina more than matches Hojbjerg in that respect. They're not the only culprits either. I'm sure someone has the stats to show just how many important goals Saints have conceded after giving the ball away cheaply.

Is that right then? According to Graham Poll all a 'keeper has to do is jump on top of an opponent and it's a foul against the attacker? That can't be right can it? It might have been interesting if Long had any sort of killer instinct when through on goal but Saints were 2nd best for much of the game. Should have made Giroud a Saint. Let's see how we shape up against Bournemouth - much more important.

I've long given up watching the so-called "Champions League" because it really isn't, is it? I couldn't give a damn about the self-important competition of also-rans. If only the self-important "big clubs" could sod off into their uninteresting league of tyre adverts then we could settle down to the prospect of competitive and cheaper football.

Klopp's a right old misery guts. No class at all.

Looks like I had a better time in the pub avoiding the game then. Trawling through the threads it looks like we're not even trying to save ourselves. And there was me thinking 2005 was a one off. I'll be at St Mary's for the Boscombe game. I guess that'll be the end of it.

5 Live : "Southampton are getting into key areas and choosing the wrong options.". Tell us about it.

I suppose half time at 0-0 will be ok.

Last two games Saints have started moderately well and lost. Maybe the plan is reverse those stats.

Saving him for a fresh start in the Championship next season? That might be his level. Saints were mugged.

Well at least a chucked a few quid on Saints at 5-1 a few weeks back so there'll be the compensation of a decent beer fund to help drown the sorrows. If the bookies couldn't see the writing on the wall they were mugs. I see the word is that even Saints players think they need 12 more points for survival so really it's all over. Maybe the only hope is that the team loosen up a bit, play with some freedom and even surprise themselves.

Could get overtaken by WBA yet.