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Such a slow build up and even then the ball is just given away.

A free header from 8 yards out .... and Bertrand misses easily.

Pathetic.

Just got in. This sounds worse than ever. I said that the team don't have the stomach for a relegation fight. Hate to be proved right.

Here we are then. Another afternoon of frustration ultimately culminating in disappointment lies ahead.

Has anyone wondered whether the stadium itself might have something to do with the poor home form? It is a pretty soulless and uninspiring place without the intimidating atmosphere that would often unsettle opponents at The Dell. Visiting supporters get a prime position from which to get behind their team and the pitch is normally excellent. There's also the fact that Saints players rarely even visit the place. Just a thought to throw into the mix.

I wonder whether Pellegrino has been on the brink of being sacked a number of times but on each occasion manages to go and grab an unexpected point that leads to cowardly indecision from Reed. If we'd been mid table recent results and the cup run would probably be almost acceptable but the trouble is we screwed up the "easy" start to the season, which is when the Pellegrino mistake should have been acted upon.

Presumably the Beeb had Saints down for 3 points yesterday. New total is 37 - 2nd bottom and relegated.

Might get a draw if we're lucky. That'll be the manager's plan as usual.

You think? I reckon it'll be all but over by the middle of April. Although we might just beat Wigan.

The main problem has been with us for well over a year. Slowness with a lack of composure and few ideas in the attacking third. How many of all those corners today were met by a Saints player in front of goal? That's not to say there aren't other problems. That first half in a game where Saints really needed the 3 points was unforgivable. It'll almost be a welcome relief when relegation is confirmed. Just hope we don't go into the last game needing to get something.

The manager set out not to lose so will no doubt will see it as a positive result.

Have any of our corners been met by a Saints player?

This is set up nicely for Crouch.

Predictable wasn't it? We'll likely be meeting Stoke again next season. Two pretty awful teams.

Nope. Just resigned to the fact that we'll struggle. Have spent too many years worrying about relegation but now I realise it's just a game.

He'll set us up not to lose rather than try to get the 3 points. Some huffing and puffing for the first 15 minutes with maybe a couple of timid efforts at goal with Stoke sitting back. Second half will be worse and the frustration will go as Saints defence starts to get peppered with long balls into the box. Then a Stoke player gets left unmarked and manages to tuck away a late winner. There'll be late head-scratching substitutions to no avail and then we'll look forward to the next must-win game. Goes without saying really.

About time.

Big game next weekend. Three points in that will be useful. Defeat unthinkable really.

Well at least Sims isn't afraid to have a shot. That'll be coached out of him by the manager.

We're an absolute shambles now.

Unforced errors galore from Saints.

Let's see if a nice hot mug of half time Marmite will help.

Tadic pretty awful today. Mind you, who's doing anything worthwhile?

Given that we're normally worse in the 2nd half I don't holdout much hope for even a point this afternoon. Lifeless and it makes me wonder whether there's the stomach for a relegation fight.