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About time! Now then, can we keep a clean sheet?

I have a theory. When our opponents start well Saints gradually get in to the game and then go on to win. I see things are going to plan at the moment.

That's funny 'cos the Reading fans around me were saying that about Saints just a couple of weeks ago. Reading ain't Barcelona y'know.

So who's going in goal when Davis gets sent off?

Not sure why some of our fans think it worthwhile to get on a player's back. Guly seems to be the scapegoat du jour for some reason. Yeah, it can sometimes be frustrating when someone's having a bit of a 'mare but maybe a bit of encouragement might work better than constant abuse. Anyway, he's on the bench today so the haters get their wish. Let's hope Chappers can find some of that early form today before he gets it in the neck.

You're probably right and maybe I marked them down a bit because I'm surrounded by smug Reading fans up here in Berkshire. However I don't go along with this Reading are world beaters stuff. Sure they've had a great run but plenty of luck has followed them along the way and maybe they're due a "blip". They struggled against a 10 man Leeds side that were looking for a punch up and could have easily found themselves behind in that game. This just might be a good week to play them and take on the role of underdog.

Both Palace and Saints played Saturday so I'm not sure that would be much of an advantage. If there's one thing about Saints this season that has impressed me it's the improved fitness levels. It's the lack of pace that can do for us though.

Ok then. Let me have a go at some realistic predictions. SOUTHAMPTON : Crystal Palace (A) - 3 points ; Reading (H) - 1 point ; Peterborough (A) - 3 points; Middlesboro (A) - 0 points ; Coventry (H) - 1 point. [79 + 8] = 87. READING : Brighton (A) - 0 points; Southampton (A) - 1 point ; Nottm Forest (H) - 1 point ; Crystal Palace (H) - 3 points ; Birmingham (A) - 0 points. [79 + 5] = 84. WEST HAM UNITED : Birmingham (H) - 1 point; Brighton (H) - 3 points ; Bristol City (A) - 1 point ; Leicester (A) - 0 points; Hull City (H) - 3 points. [75 + 8] = 83. And I'm a pessimist as well!

That news doesn't exactly fill me with optimism. Let's hope they get bogged down in the wet pitch.

I'd rather concentrate on the unresolved matter of this season for the moment. There'll be plenty of time for speculation on players in/out but since we don't even currently know what league we'll be playing in next season perhaps it's just a tad early.

Good idea!

When we moved 9 points clear of third I was still sure that Saints would manage to grab 3rd place. Wish I could tell myself not to be nervous 'cos it would make for a more restful night. By 3pm I'm likely to be right on edge even though there's nothing I can do to alter events at Selhurst Park. I shall try to take my mind off things by painting my new Titanic model. Mind you, there's another thing that managed to screw up on an away trip from Southampton.

That would be good news if true. Although it doesn't stop me fearing the worst for this game despite that. Don't mind me though. I have an inbuilt pessimism when it comes to things Saints, especially when I have to follow events from afar.

Oh dear! If even the rose-tinted brigade are now starting to think the worst just imagine how those of us that are naturally pessimistic feel inside.

This pretty much sums up the way that I'm feeling. It doesn't help that I'm surrounded by Reading supporters up here in Tilehurst.

Sure. When the players are out there on the pitch they get 100% support from me. However, I'm rather trusting that Adkins hasn't come over all happy clappy, top of the league, look at me. I'd want him to be mentioning to Guly that it's not ok to be ambling back while Maguire has the time and space to pick his spot from the edge of the area. I'd also hope that Harding is reminded that an extra defender should not be marking 20 square yards of emptiness in the last minutes of injury time but should be in the face of Norris while waiting for the ball to drop out of the clouds. It might also be worth mentioning to Adam that the ball doesn't need to be walked into the net when 1 on 1 with the keeper. You see, it's perfectly possible to give every ounce of backing while simultaneously pointing out where things are going wrong. Personally, I'm of the opinion that Saints are on the verge of screwing things up. That's always been my attitude over some 50 years and it's served me well, especially when things have turned out ok in the end.

Surprised nobody else has mentioned this. Have seen players get red for similar challenges.

Wouldn't we be likely to lose some from the squad though? That would be my worry if promotion is missed this season.

Two good strikes by them from the edge of the area with no Saints player challenging at all. Saints have started to concede goals and possession too easily. I predict squeaky bums during April with Saints outside the top 2 at the end of only one day this season. Of course I might change my opinion with 3 points on Monday but I fear Reading will be enjoying the prospect of St Mary's on Friday more than us.

At this rate a lot of Reading players could be sporting some nasty injuries that might make them doubtful for the week ahead.

A bit of calm calculation like that makes me feel better. Having supported Saints for near on 50 years I have an in built pessimism that has served me well during that time. If those 6 points could come in the next two games then I'd be most grateful.

Some gripes. 1. If their's was a pen then my mum is the Queen. Still, poor defending to let him into the box for a dive. 2. Was Taylor-Fletcher offside when their keeper hoofed it up the pitch before heading it on? Even so, to let the ball transfer from their keeper to the back of our net in just a couple of touches without a Saints defender managing a tickle is woeful. 3. Never a corner for their 3rd. Should have been a goal kick. Nevertheless, Jos must have been marking the invisible man. Either that or he fancied a stroll on his own. All that said though. Had Guly not missed an open goal early on. Had someone confident been on hand to take the penalty. Things could have turned out differently. Blackpool weren't that great really. Long balls into the channels for their pace to use was all they had. Let's just hope that reminds Saints of what would be waiting in the play-offs should they screw this up. Time to draw a line under that result, learn the lessons and give our neighbours a spanking next weekend. I really don't fancy the idea of a squeaky bum for the coming month.

This is going to be a bad day methinks. Their pace will kill us tonight.

Oooh! Let me have a go too. Don't post much these days but .... 58. Born in Southampton and brought up in Woolston. Have lived up and down the country since I left Southampton in the summer of 1976 (a very good year) but am now in the Tilehurst area of Reading. First home game was a 3-1 win over Leicester City in 1963 (I think). First away was at White Hart Lane in 1967 (I think) - a 6-1 defeat. Travelled up in a Coliseum coach from their office by the floating bridge. Now no longer a season ticket holder because I really can't abide the thought of all those journeys up and down the A34 but I get down there as often as possible.

The "poor" adjective seems to have been used correctly in this case though.