Nick65

This is just a couple of miles on the E8 for the nipper and me, so was hoping to get tickets in the home section. But Brentford will only sell to their ST holders, members etc - and no sales at all on the day. They've also refused to increase Saints' allocation, as it's last home game of the season for them. Up to them I guess, but frustrating all the same - can't imagine they'll fill the ground.

Based on the fact it's impossible to predict what's going to happen afterwards, I'd definitely go for a draw - it means our rivals get just 2 points instead of 3. I notice Brighton have got 3 games before they play us - if they win them all, it means they're mathematically certain of promotion. But, if we can get at least 2 wins and a draw from our next 3 games, they're not mathematically certain of being champions going into the game with us - but a point against us would do it for them. Maybe they'd be happy to play for a draw? - would certainly be OK with me.

Just my opinion, based on these 3 games being fairly representative of the 10 we have left. I agree with what Rut said a few posts above - 5 points is better than 3 games in hand if you're fighting relegation; the other way round fighting for promotion.

Think we need more than 5 points from these 3 games. If that was the average return for the rest of the season, we'd get another 17 points = 82 in total. Probably not quite enough. So I'd rather have the games in hand.

Well exactly - it's obvious isn't it? The inference to be drawn from the original post is that we haven't got much chance of getting 2nd place without AL and OXO playing most, if not all, of the next ten games. Even IF Adkins thinks this, he'd be nuts to convey this to the rest of the team - how de-motivational would that be?

The table for 2008 was skewed a bit by Leeds getting a 15 point deduction. So you could argue their 76 points that season was really 91. Taking that into account, the average 2nd place total is about 85.6 and the average 3rd place about 82.1. You'd think 87 points should be enough to get second, so only another 22 to go ...

I guess a draw won't be the end of the world - BUT how good would a win be?? A real 'statement of intent', cliche or not. We've got a great chance now, let's do our bit, get behind the team and help them grab that chance with both hands. COYS!

Getting train from Cannon St about 5. See all you fellow Saints in the Antideluvian or whatever the hell it's called. COYS!

That was a great season to be a Saints fan. Went to most of the games already mentioned and the highlight for me was winning at Luton with a dodgy last minute penalty that put us top with 2 games to go. Some bloke ran on the pitch and kissed the penalty spot at the final whistle and I think we all knew then it was going to be our season. Also really enjoyed the Charlton game where we won 3-1; sweet revenge for the tonkings they'd given us the two previous seasons. Another 3-1 for us tonight would be perfect ...

According to the OS, Hammond's on 6 yellows, not 8. Anyone know which is right? Agree we need some midfield cover as still six games to go (maybe five depending on when the Plymouth date is) before the amnesty comes in (April 10th), plus another injury would leave us stretched in midfield and I'm assuming Morgan won't be back in a hurry. But wouldn't be surprised if we end up with one of Guly/Butterfield/Dickson and hopefully they'll step up and surprise us. Matty Oakley on loan would be good except he's still starting for Leicester.

Talking to a fellow Saints fan this lunchtime about how important AL was to us this season. He did a bit of digging and apparently this is our record this season with and without him (a bit unnerving...) :- P W D L F A With 24 17 3 4 53 14 Without 6 0 2 4 0 8

Saw Man Utd against us a few times in the late 60s; Best & Charlton were good, but Denis Law was awesome. That was also Rodney Marsh's golden period - complete tw*t but a great player. But the best(non-Saints) player I've ever seen in the flesh has to be Stan Bowles- just a genius.

That goal against Charlton is one of my all-time favourite Saints goals; Martin Chivers running what seemed the length of the pitch, then playing in TP for vital last minute winner. We'd never have got promoted that season without Terry - or stayed up the season after either IMO. My nomination for greatest Saints player ever - even beats MLT.

Can he do that? - I thought that was up to the administrator. I've just noticed that the CVA offer is rumoured to be 20%-25% over 3 to 5 years - what an insult. That could amount to an offer of 4% per annum for 5 years (assuming they last that long without going into admin again). At best that would be (taking the florist owed £995 as an example), £85 this year, £85 next year, £85 the year after and that's your lot. If I was a creditor, I'd be tempted to say "screw that, I'll vote 'no' and take my chances".

Does anyone know how long a club is allowed to be in administration without incurring further penalties? Would the FL let Portsmouth in if they're still in admin? The 'footballing debt' (including agents fees) is about £32 million. As this is unsecured, I assume a prospective owner wouldn't be obliged to pay all of it. If the CVA offer is 25%, that means paying 8 instead of 32 million, but with the inevitable points deduction. I can't see anyone paying an extra £24 million just to avoid losing a few points. Seems like, even if they get bought (a big if ...), the best they can hope for is a -15 start and no money. Shame .....

The only 'proper' hotel I can think of in Ealing is the Ramada on Ealing Common (about 1/2 mile from Ealing Broadway) - not sure how expensive it is. West Ealing itself doesn't really do hotels.

Wycombe are a very limited side, but looked pretty compact, work hard and close down fast. If it hadn't been for a couple of decent saves from Kelvin and solid performances from Jaidi and Fonte, that would have been enough to beat us last night and deservedly so, because most of the time we played like a pub team. I lost count of the number of aimless hoofs upfield or into touch - even basic control skills were lacking some of the time. No corners says it all really, although on a pedantic note think we should have had one in the second half that ended up as a goal kick. Quite impressed with Wycombe as a club, hardly any fans but a decent stadium and friendly atmosphere. They didn't seem to like Harding much though - what is it about him that winds up opposition supporters?

Have to say that was one of the worst games I've ever seen Saints involved in. Basically you've got to get down and really scrap against the likes of Millwall, which we did, but at the expense of playing decent football. Maybe that's the way it has to be done sometimes. Thought the defence did well - as others have said, Fonte looks a class act and reminiscent of Claus. Seaborne did OK too, not convinced by Otsemabor yet, but he did at least get to the byline once in the second half - don't remember anyone else doing that except Holmes right at the death. Have to agree with others who say midfield seems to be a problem. A number of times we had the ball on halfway and no-one seemed to want to drive forward with it. Whether that's down to personnel or tactics, I don't know. Our only options seeemed to be lump it up to RL, or give it to Holmes, who has a lot of skill and can hit a good cross, but doesn't beat his man much. As a result, momentum is lost and the opposition regroup. Antonio was great when he came on - totally changed the feel of the game and his pace and directness really troubled the Millwall defenders. Almost scored too. Not sure about him starting, but as an impact sub he's really useful. Great strike from Lambert for our goal, must have been 30 yards and I reckon the goalkeeper would have struggled even without the deflection. Equaliser made it feel like a defeat - we can't afford to lose 2 points like that if the play-offs are the target. Finally - what a cheerless matchday experience away fans get at Millwall - herded about by shedloads of police from London Bridge to the ground and back again. Must cost the club a fortune.

According to Wiki, they were appointed at Leeds in October 2006. I'm quite prepared to believe it was mainly Wise's fault they got relegated though.

What's all this about him doing well with Leeds? I thought Wise and him were in charge when they got relegated in 2007.

Just seen this - apologies if someone else has posted it ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/default.stm

Quite. It's interesting that the decision to allow the existence of 'Milton Keynes Dons' was announced on the day before the start of the 2002 World Cup, when no-one was taking any notice. Also that Wimbledon had no right of appeal and that it wouldn't be allowed to happen again, because the FL didn't want to create a precedent. In my book that adds up to Wimbledon being shafted. Nothing against Milton Keynes, but how come it suddenly gained a Championship football team from when everyone else has to start from scratch? Wimbleon didn't get a lot of fans, but neither do the likes of Leyton Orient or Oldham (to mention 2 teams we're playing or have played this month) and I hope no-one thinks they don't 'deserve' a team. Anyway, average gates of under 10,000 with a population of 185,000 isn't exactly brilliant.

Yes - orange squash and a doughnut, but always hankered after a (too expensive apparently) knickerbocker-glory. Brought up near Lymington, so visiting Southampton by train was a big day out. Remember going past Millbrook, the Canberra always seemed to be in dock and opposite it was a big warehouse with 'Toogoods Farm And Garden Seeds For All Soils And Climates' on the front, which has always stuck in my mind for some reason. Went to buy a Subbuteo Saints team from Toomers sports shop (I think) and they'd sold out so I got Man City instead - a decision I immediately regretted (what was I thinking of). Strawberry milk out of the machine on Central station. Later on - the legendary Henry's record shop (was number 117 St Marys St) , gigs at the Guildhall, my first Chinese meal at some place in Above Bar (no idea what it was called, but seemed well exotic at the time).

http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/ReservesReport/0,,10364~1825327,00.html

Oldham seem to be better than Southend, but not by much, so a win has to be a realistic prospect doesn't it? I'd be less optimistic if they hadn't won their last home league game, which was their first win at home since February. I'm saying that based on Saints ability to end other teams losing streaks and other team's players goal droughts ...., but maybe we're not like that anymore.