Gis

Agree with above comment. I've been really impressed with the players that have ended up in the same situation as Dean. Billy Sharpe, Fraser Richardson, and Richard Chaplow come immediately to mind who have been good servants to the Club but have simply been 'outgrown' by success. No major moaning or friction has been apparent which is credit to them all. It couldn't have been that nice to do the job in the Championship and then just be effectively dumped. I guess the same goes for Nigel Adkins as well...........an angle I never quite understood was the press stirring over this issue, if we had signed a better Centre Half no-one would have given it any further thought. Can't see the difference between an upgrade in a player or manager myself, even if it is all pretty cut throat.

So sad. Very easy to forget that players, are not so very different to the rest of us most of the time. Mayuka's loss now this. Best wishes to all.

and to think that there was talk of Pullis coming in as Saints manager a few years ago. I reckon Stoke fans may celebrate relegation as a chance to get back to some football.

If we want to reach top third in the Premiership we will need players like him. He's 22, at a new club, and in a new country with a new language. Make a judgement at the end of next season, I reckon there is loads to come. Personally I think he can be the type of talisman that Lambert is now, or like Cantona was at Manure. The fitness issue is interesting, but he's a lump of a player for a relative youngster and may take a bit longer to mature than most because of it.

I would imagine Manure may be up for the match on Saturday as they probably still smart a little from the p take they received from the locals after the last game of last season.

Nice that the music being played in the background has reverted to the Benny Hill tune - truly a reflection of the deep history, heritage, and culture of Eastleigh. Genuinely, this is good half time entertainment though. Long may it continue.

Now that was a brilliant read Page 18 and onwards really struck a chord "Southampton just dont give a f*9). They have just conceded but they're still attacking in numbers. A lot more entertaining than watching 11 men behind the ball. " "Madness. Are we watching Southampton or Real Madrid? " "This is quality from Southampton. They've completely worn City down and are playing pretty bloody brilliant today. " "Hearing the fans sing warms my heart. Satchmo himself would be in tears.(ref OWTS)" "Southhampton have been absolutely fantastic" "Jos Hooiveld. Magnificent today, Dzeko couldn't get his head on anything thanks to him" " Originally Posted by Man-United View Post Southampton, game raising ****s. Get in. They've been playing well all season, as soon as they tightened up their defence they did fine. They almost beat us and City in their first two games remember. Hope they stay up " "Southampton are playing the beautiful game. Fully deserving WINNERS! today." "i thought Southampton were going to get robbed by the ref today when they were denied TWO stone wall penalties by Silva and Toure, glad it wasn't the case at the end." "I've just checked. Satchmo is in tears. (ref. OWTS)" "Typical Pochettino football tonight"

The first half was disappointing, but the second half was great to watch yesterday. Saints just had wave after wave of attack and even when the ball was lost or went out of play Wigan were not given a moment to settle. To those that didn't make the trip the second half was as good as I have seen Saints play this season. Standouts for me were Boruc - not much to do, but the save in the first half was actually so much better than it looked on TV. From behind the goal he not only did very well to get to the ball at all, but then knew exactly where he was parrying it down to Shaw - some brilliant runs, sensibly made when there is little risk of exposing our defense if it all went wrong. For a youngster he is built like a 24/25 year old, strong in the air and very assured when Wigan started to try and frighten him out off the game in the second half Schneiderlin and Cork - Best midfield pair we have had for years. And what a run Morgan for his goal, I didn't notice this at the match as all I was watching was JRod running down the line, but thought it was really highlighted well on TV. Schneiderlin needs be signed up long term and made team captain Lallana - Great to have him available again especially as the the Clyne/Puncheon has gone off the boil Lambert - Brave goal, always a threat. Personally I like it when he drifts out to the wing at times during the games. Seems to thrive in these pressure matches JRod - Think he has started believing in himself again. Great runs, very fast with the ball and more skilful than I had realized before. Jay really impressed me yesterday!

Pace is fine, but one thing that seems to unsettle most defenses is a player that has the confidence to slow everything down once they are in the 18 yard box. SRL is great at this, big, strong enough to out muscle defenders, and clever enough to find the right pass. He might not be a regular for many more years but such a great option for something different from the bench for years to come, and a real presence in the dressing room.

Have some really hard games now, but a decent run in at the end of the season. A lot depends on tomorrow as I still think QPR will escape

Have some really hard games now, but a decent in in at the end of the season. A lot depends on tomorrow as I still think QPR will escape

What's Dynamo doing with the squad ?

NCs ambition has astonished me, I thought we were ripe for sell on by the Liebherr legacy at the end of last season. Or if not, at the end of this season (after Adkins had kept us up, which I'm sure he would have)........but it looks as though the journey is far from over. Buying Forren who was being seriously looked at by clubs of the stature of Liverpool and Everton adds a bit more evidence. Much of what went on last week makes sense if with MP in charge we can attract these 'killer signings'. It will all be much clearer if Saints sign one or two big names before the end of the month, or during the summer break.

A really interesting piece. A complete contrast to the majority, and in my opinion naive viewpoints, as portrayed on the Sunday Supplement, many of the papers, and experts (Le Tis, Merson, Benali, etc.).

Well I'm expecting two more big signings before the end of the month to make sense of what is going on. NC is ruthless but no fool, and I can only surmise that he reckons the team is just about good enough to stay up already, and that given a few quality signings Saints can overcome the immediate loss of Adkins, and survive this season. Longer term if we stay up this season I'm now beginning to believe the European ambitions are much more than idle claims.

Thought the first 15 minutes looked very dodgy, although I was in the Itchen North and couldn't gauge what was going on too well. After that I thought he just got better and better and really dominated the penalty area in the second half, albeit against what must rank the least physical attack we have seen at St. Marys this year. (.....this season, I meant) If Artur can boss things against Chelsea I reckon we have found the goalkeeper to keep us up this year.

C'mon Cortese. Block 42 demands nothing less

Not so certain about Block 3 nowadays. I've moved back there after two years exile in Block 5 and we are surrounded by 'day trippers' now, and considering a move to somewhere with a better atmosphere. Is there anywhere in St. Mary's for a bit of middle-aged chaos now? That's why the Itchen used to be so great. Somewhere where you could shout and sing for most of the match, but take your wife, and daughters along with you for a great day out without feeling threatened.

....followed by total silence from minute 67 to 90 to represent what he has done since

Well it looked like his Achilles was playing up to me, which may explain why he didn't run through and score when he looked to be odds on to outpace the last man in the second half.

Thoroughly agree with everything being said about music that destroys any real atmosphere. Also would like a total ban on drums and trumpets (although bells at Pimpey are fine as it must drive everyone insane, and they deserve all they get). Can I add to the list Corporate Seats on the halfway line, particularly at Wembley - best seats in the house and they are still 3/4 empty 10 minutes after the start, and ten minutes before the end of each half. AAAAAAghhhhhh

After Millwall I just sat there pondering 'how the >!,. we had just won' - it seemed like another MK Dons moment when the prospects for the season just seemed to turn around. But Peterborough away was my favourite. Weather was awful but everything else was great; from Guly in the warm up taking pot shots at the crowd (presumably for making him play football in a hail storm), to an old-style packed STANDING stand, to a great atmosphere, to a devastating start from Saints when the game was won in the first ten minutes.

He has been top class for us again this season. One of a few in the current bunch that I honestly believe could go all the way with us towards the top of the Premier League if our dreams become reality. I really think he could turn into a great player.

Surprised there seems acceptance that Lallana dived. It looked a penalty from where we were just behind the goal. And even if the defender had got the ball first he still seemed to follow through and clip his heel. So definitely no booking. Also what a great save from Maynard near the end. Saints were dominant but wham had a couple of great chances when it could have been a night to regret.

They have lights like these at the Emirates. A weird effect in the winter as you can hear the birds sing throughout the night (probably more singing at midnight at Arsenal on a cold Tuesday evening, than on a normal matchday).