angelman

I admire Wigan for what they are and what they achieve. They have a small catchment, recognise that and definitely work with a sensible budget, at least in recent years, turning in profits for the last couple of years. http://www.cockneylatic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1280:wigan-athletic-reveals-net-profit-and-who-controls-the-dw-stadium&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50. Granted their debts a few years ago were getting out of hand, but Dave W has put a stop to that. Personally I would like all clubs run along similar lines (including us). I first went to football in the mid 1970s when players were earning hundreds of pounds a week (rather than hundreds of thousands a week). I can't recall finding it any less exciting, so I don't buy into the PL having to have all these over paid foreigners (and English) in order for it to be the "best" league in the world. I think it quite clearly isn't the best at the moment, and what do these commentators who say it is the best actually mean? That there are 3 or 4 clubs that can flex so much financial muscle that no one else in the domestic league can compete, but that these clubs can clear up in the Champ League. Great! For excitement, I still think that the Championship beats the PL, as we all know that any team can and does beat any other, but of course one wants to be in the PL.

If Arsenal beat Wigan at Emirates, then we don't need another point. At this stage of things, I don't care about where we finish as long as it's 17th or above.

I'm not a great fan of all these multicoloured boots.

Wigan's last home games of the season..... 2011/12 vs Wolves 2010/11 vs West Ham 2009/10 vs Hull All those 3 were relegated. This season's last home game is vs Villa.

If in doubt, why not go with the ref?

away at Leeds

Brilliant..................http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2310368/Roy-Hodgson-bemoans-lack-English-players-Premier-League.html

I think that we all know that SMS, and other stadium such as Leicester's, fit a certain model that isn't the best in the world. At least the view is unobstructed from anywhere in the ground. But to me, I don't really care. I look more towards how much our new stadium cost, compared to others. SMS cost a total of £32m (or £1k per seat). Ethiad cost £112m (£2.3k per seat not that ManC paid for it), Emirates £390m, although I have heard figures of up to £600m (£6.5k per seat), DW £30m (£1200 per seat) etc etc. So I have no complaints. A brand new stadium, which might be lacking a certain je ne sais quoi, but one that was affordable-ish.

Net-debt is the most interesting figure to me

The England side really isn't very interesting to watch, and TBH, I don't bother most of the time. If I have nothing else to do, then I'll turn the TV on, but I certainly don't anticipate their games, at least not at the qualifying stage. To me the problem comes down to passion. The players picked certainly have the skill (or most of them do) but it always seems that club (who pay the wages) comes before country. Thinking that every Saints player could and should be there is a little too partisan, and looking at things trough rose tinted glasses. Looking at the team for the last game 01 Hart 02 Johnson 03 Cole 05 Lescott 06 Smalling 04 Gerrard 07 Milner 08 Carrick 11 Cleverley (Young - 78' ) 09 Welbeck 10 Rooney Look at that make up - 3 from ManC, 2 from Liverpool, 1 from Chelsea and 5 + 1 sub from ManU. While 3 of those teams are at the top of the league, it does rather send out the message that unless you play for them, then you aren't going to be picked. I sometimes get the feeling that the England manager, and Roy is not unique in this, is scared of being criticised by the press should something not work out. The defence being, that they all play for the big teams and are therefore they have to be good players. Hart - no probs there. Smalling has only started 10 PL games, a few subs, a couple of appearances in UCL and FAC - really, is that the best we can find? Cleverley is a bit better having started 16 games, but he hasn't finished many (5 to be exact). WEllbeck has started 12 times in the PL this season (being subed 7 times, albeit coming on as sub 9 more times, often in the last 5-15 minutes). Milner is a bit better and has started 14 times in the PL this season etc etc etc. This is the failing of the PL and foreign players are first choice, but those 4 have started only 52 games this season between them - Lambert has started 29 times. I think Johnson has started 30, but given his performance at SMS, it isn't hugely reassuring! I know that that is not a sign of how good a player is, as I am sure that some of those players would have had a lot more games if they were playing for other teams, such as us, but there is still something very wrong picking players who start so few games. Carrick - I think people are being unfair here, as he is the dynamo for Utd and somewhat an unsung hero and a regular starter. I sometimes wish that the England manager would pick players who would sell their mother to play for the national side, even if they were potentially not the best player in that position. Surely someone who isn't quite as good but gives his all is preferable. Certainly as a spectacle it would be better. I look back at England's showing in South Africa as the final nail in the coffin - a more disinterested national side would be hard to find. Things were a little better in Euro 2012, but not hugely so, and we seem to have regressed back again. Pundits seemed to be dismayed that England have fallen 3 places in the FIFA rankings (and use Brazil's 19th place to try and justify that the standings are all wrong), but really, look at the recent results (disregarding friendlies). A draw against Montengro, Poland and Ukraine. A couple of meaningless wins against San Marino, and another win against the power house that is Moldova (ranked 138 out of 207 - San Marino are bottom, Poland 63rd, Ukraine 37th and Montenegro a dizzying 27th)

If it isn't broken, which it certainly isn't, don't change it. As it is, the crest is far less important (or rather, noticeable) than the shirt. I hate this season's one and wish we could go back to something with proper stripes (and as others have said, black shorts). But as long as we don't do a Cardiff, ultimately it is what happens on the pitch that matters.

Of course time and day is set in stone. Last round of games of the season always are and will not change.

Sorry, but I have no idea what Twitter really does. Is this a reply or what? I clicked on this and that and all I can see is that he went to Nando's and they ran out of some chicken stuff (which I must say is most fascinating!).

http://www.kumb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=147115&st=0&sk=t&sd=a Some of you seem to have upset the Hammers.

1-1 Perfect for me

Fair dos. That was a stunning goal.

So was I, but I didn't need the BBC to tell me.

The Channon goal in the OP, is one that I watch from time to time to cheer myself up. It is one of the best goals ever scored let alone for Saints (IMO obviously, as it is all subjective). If that was Liverpool, ManU, Barcelona, Brazil, etc then it would be played all the time.

Using this site: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/southampton-fc/startseite/verein_180.html it is interesting to see the cost of the two squads. The papers go on about Benitez making 7 changes but given the value, and by that supposedly, quality (hmmm - Torres!!) then really, should it really make a difference? The transfer fees paid (which I know is not a real indicator of things)...... Chelsea - starting line up = £161.36m, subs used = £54.56m, total = £215.92m Saints - starting line up = £17.64m, subs used = £2.75m, total = £20.39m

"The Saints"

Your best of the season Saints player? Luke Shaw, although was so lloking forward to see how RL did in the PL what with everyone saying he wouldn't cut it. Also think some of his hold up play has been brilliant. Then there is Morgan as well! Best individual performance from any player Saints/Opposition? hmmm, thought Clyne on Saturday was superb Best match performance from Saints? Newcastle (h) - has to be a game with a clean sheet. Highest point of excitement? Man City (3rd goal) Best Saints goal scored? Punch at Stamford Bridge Lowest point that you thought it was all doom and gloom? Sacking NA, and gladly I think I was being wrong. QPR (h) was pretty bad but a wek later all is different. Best goal conceded? Can't answer this as I hate all goals conceded! Cisse's strike was pretty good though. Best Song/comment heard on the terraces? Punch ****ing, and Grant Holt being a **** RL (as it seemed to have gotten to him) Worse pundit you have come across since our arrival back in the big time? any who never give Saints credit for playing well, but only say the other team played badly.

Maybe he should go for the Blackburn job then. Kean Berg Appleton Think that is what the Venky's problem has been. Hair, or the lack of.

Too hard to say - rather depends which team turns up. If we play like we did vs L'pool it will be different to vs QPR. Presuming the former, a draw against Chelsea and 3 home wins giving and probably safety (can't do the maths but http://www.sportsclubstats.com/England/Southampton.html says 41 = 0% chance of relegation), so away fixtures won't matter. Lose against Spurs, maybe a draw against Swansea and hopefully 4 points from Reading/Sunderland.

I like this thread on another forum: http://forums.liverpoolfc.com/threads/334213-Do-you-rate-Morgan-Schneiderlin The bit that makes me smile most is the way that these big clubs think that they can buy who they want, when they want.

Unless you know him or have dealt with him, which I haven't, I am not sure that you can reach any conclusion. Maybe you are basing this on the Benali/MLT saga. Maybe it is the sacking of NA and AP. Maybe it is the way that he deals with the press. Or maybe something else. People might like him of loathe him, but AFAIK he has only ever done things that he sees are best for the club. Until anything comes out to suggest that that has changesd, and even though I was sad about the sacking of NA, I am going to reserve judgement.