Charlie Wayman

Short memories seem to afflict soccer supporters in South Hampshire. Is this the same Rupert Lowe who once declared to fans that our opinions were of not the slightest interest to him? Or was that a different Rupert Lowe? Is this the same Rupert Lowe who declared that Saints didn't need fans like Richard Chorley, who - hate him or love him - surely would die for the cause of Saints before most of us and long before Rupert Lowe would even dare put his head above the parapet? It's not a question of hate. Of course one cannot hate a person you have not met. It's a question of despair, I despair of Rupert Lowe and his maniacal quest for control of Saints, and his policies that exclude any of the values that this club and we fans once held dear.

Looks like we found it hard going even against Exeter and but for that penalty we might have been embarrassed once again. Surely we should be able to shut out teams of that low calibre and not allow them anywhere near our goal? Still, taking the positives, more matches under their belts and no serious injuries so hopefully our lads are quick enough learners to be using this experience to hone their system. They'll need all the guile they can muster to do any serious damage to Birmingham at the weekend.

The problem will be that every time he takes a knock and starts hobbling around we fans will have a massive collective cardiac arrest. I think prayer mats might well be in order for Saturday. If we have to hold our breath at every game for every tackle he makes then surely the question will arise "is it worth it?"

You have to worry that he may be too good a footballer for what we can offer this year or next. He looked different class against West Ham, friendly or no friendly, better than most of the Hammers as well as us.

A break from the past was certainly long overdue and may have been the only option going forward if we are ever to become a serious force in football again. My one over-riding concern is not about the quality of our young ex-Academy players - some will make it, some will not - but whether those that do will really have a different attitude to the lure of the premiership and it's elusive riches, to the likes of Bridge, Bale and Walcott who badgered off at the first sniff of a pony! This is where Poortvliet will face his biggest test as a manager. Somehow, he must make himself more important to these kids than their agents, which means establishing a bond of trust and loyalty with them individually that will enable them to thrive in a successful team. Unfortunately for Jan this will require success within 2/3 years because if it doesn't come then the lads, who will then be a bit older and a bit wiser, will lose trust and respect for him and his system and begin to think their only route to riches will be up the M3 or A34

The pity is that we couldn't have started at home, so that our kids would have had a near packed and friendly house cheering them on. Kids need encouragement especially when their tails go down for a while.. FULL STOP. We all did better as kids when we knew our family and friends were there for us come hell or high water. Good on the 2/3 thousand lads/ lassies that made it to Ninian Park but it could never have been the same as at home. So, let's get behind them next Saturday and make these home games count in every way.

It will take time for this side to gel and gain confidence in the CCC. I am a bit disappointed after the promise of the pre-season stuff against premiership teams but on the other hand, Cardiff may also be a very good team this year.. They certainly started well last season and looked dead certs for promotion until they faltered at Christmas. So, no hasty judgements. If we get beaten by a range of teams of indifferent quality then clearly we'll need a Plan B but at the moment let's stick with Plan A and accept that even Paula Radcliffe couldn't run as a toddler.

If fans have genuine complaints about the new shirt then it will translate into trouble for the Club as many just will not buy it. So, somebody has got the design seriously wrong. It's all right for those unthinking, uncaring types who scream "you didn't have to buy it.. " I would say just take a moment out to think about it. Saints need shirt sales as a revenue stream as much as they need fans through the gate. I can't imagine such a design fault occurring with the ManU or Chelsea shirts so why do we not have the gumption to anticipate what the problems might be before they occur.

Hope Kelvin Davies is not sold too soon, we should hold onto him until the end of theyear at least. Bart is not really quite there yet through lack of experience as much as anything else. The kids will need a wise older head or two at the back to steady the ship when the team come under siege as inevitably they will from time to time. With Perry and Thomas most definitely suspect under pressure, we have in reality only Michael Svennson to rely on apart from Kelvin; he cannot do the whole thing on his own.

This has got to be a present from heaven.

I can't vote but we will win it easily in the style of Sunderland a few years ago and Pompey more recently. Saints will be champions, no doubt about it. Come on you Portfleets Babes

The second half team was a joke. Just running around like headless chickens most of the time. Dyer and BWP would be better employed at Wimbledon as chase-hares for the doggies. As for Rasiak, will anybody ever make an offer for him.. please? Thomas and Perry were disastrous. Apart from mistiming every jump he made Thomas insisted on playing old style "hoofball" football in the new slick-style Saints and looked a complete Rrse in doing so. Please, oh please get Andrew Davies back out there soon and please, pretty please Michael Svennson, please stay fit!

The word ***** comes to mind as in ***** that bubble

2007-08 and it turned out to be a disaster.

Only the Kingsland stand will be open according to the Ticket Office and seating is free, i.e. you can sit where you like. Worth watching Stoke get stoked for a fiver if you watched Hammers get hammered (almost).