Charlie Wayman

This was fun to watch, riddled with errors but momnets of sheer brilliance from both sides as well. What an advert for football. Many players getting their first serious outing this season so rustiness was to be expected but on the whole Saints did well. Obviously these players were determined to show their best sides to RM in the hope of breaking through to the first team, some really caught the eye and some first team regulars will not be sitting comfortably this morning. Healthy competition at last all over the pitch. If we can hold on this season without relegation then our future is beginning to look much brighter.

Martin could find a reason not to pick Erlin Haaland

Absolutely it is the obvious thing to do which guarantees that Martin will ignore all our good advice and waste a valuable opportunity. Nothing at all to be gained from our youngsters and journeymen being humiliated 3 or 4 - Nil by Cardiff's second string. Only in Russland is that an important learning step. They will of course have been brave and have had 96% possesion and Russ will be very proud of his palyers and really. really love every one of them, what else matters?

i remember stuffing the ball up my jersey to keep possession, have they tried that yet? 100% success.

Surely its a bit mad to suggest resting players when the season has just started. Can't imagine any of them are up to speed and match fit yet so they all need minutes in their legs. Let's play our strongest team and use the match as practice to up the pace and accuracy of our passing game. The result is irrelevant.

That's his quota sorted for the season then.

To be fair, Manning has already been sidelined by RM. His fixation on Stephens is the most worrying and most baffling but it can't last much longer.

Not really. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Sooner or later our Phoenix will rise again from the ashes so why not now when we have the element of surprise with our ultra-dynamic Russball.

Um? They are not comparable as they played in very different positions.

That's his job.

Well, certainly I don't agree with that but doubt we'll see him back here in a Saints shirt again. This is called being 'eased out of the door'.

If Saints keep going like this in the transfer market none of us will recognise the team that takes the field at our second home game. It will be Saints alright but not as we know them!

He's twice the player he was then, you don't need to worry. The coaches have got the very best out of him during the past 15 months. I reckon he'll surprise a lot of fans.

Bit uncharitable. He didn't fit but that's not a reason to take the piss.

By foot With the introduction of a new away end, now located in the Chapel / Kingsland corner, you might notice that your usual route getting into the stadium and on to our footprint has now changed. Access into the stadium is best reached via Marine Parade, Britannia Road or via the Railway Footbridge off Northam Road. If fans are sitting in the Chapel Stand, we would advise entering the stadium via Marine Parade. Away fan coaches will now be parked on Melbourne Street, so access for home fans on a matchday will be limited via Melbourne Street.

Natural selection will help RM in his choices. We are in a higher division now and not all from last season will make the grade. Players will step up a gear to keep their places but in the end talent will succeed over energy and effort. It's hard to predict who will reach a higher level and who will fall by the wayside but enthusiasm and development potential should aid the younger players. Absolutely we must up our drive and pace to stay competitive in this league.

Which Baz is very good at but what do we do in the meantime?

YOU CANNOT DEFEND THE INDEFENDIBLE

F me! 85% possesion and all effing Shearer can talk about is an effing Toon midfielder. He needs effing sacking immediately. Well done Russ and the boys. Wonderful performance except for McCostly. Keepthis going and we're safe. Big shout out for Smallbone who oozed class.

Bloody McCathy cost us the bloody match, he should never be seen in a Saints shirt again. If this is the best we can do for a goalkeeper then somebody up top needs effing sacking.

We're on the same page my friend COYR.

If we play RM's system well we could surprise them. I fancy us to get off to a flying start with a sensible 2-1 victory. Howe will be gone by Christmas, the rot having started here.

RM will get the best from him and he will be in our squad as an impact sub, on at 60 mins. Could even challenge seriously for Smallbone's position.

You are aware it's a two day drive with in overnight stop?

KWP …in the modern era