Graffito

I think it's difficult to identify one thing (singular) that's not right which if rectified would make everything right. More likely a range of factors affecting results. The only thing that's not right at the moment is that we are not in one of the promotion places. For instance, if some of the marginal results had gone for rather than against and we were where we expect to be, I think we wouldn't be discussing leadership on the field.

Piffle! How can a team deserve to finish in second place on the basis of results part way through a season.

Anybody know any Skate jokes?

I'd rather sign Ted.

"It's All Southampton", as the song goes. Or the second line "All Southampton FC".

Don't be in a tizzy. Follow a moral imperative...winning isn't everything.

I expect you're right about that game, I wasn't there. I was referring to a pre-season friendly at the Dell against Real Sociedad.

I don't think he was an enigma, he was quite clearly an excellent midfield player. I think this comment in the OP is pertinent (Oakley)"...was one of those players who was never noticed until he wasn’t there". I remember a pre season friendly at the Dell against a Spanish side, could have been Real Sociedad. Disjointed performance by Saints until Oakley came off the bench and everything knit together. He's the kind of continuity player all sides benefit from but who possibly was never fully appreciated.

Reasonable set of results again. I just hope Saints' flaky performance away to Peterborough doesn't come back to haunt us.

He could have said cappuccino.

"It is a stand-off that will sadden most Southampton supporters who, after so much division over the past decade, would simply like to see the past, present and future of their club functioning harmoniously." Wasn't there talk of being custodians of the club when ML came in? I believe the club's in safe hands but I'd prefer to see a more inclusive approach.

Correct but equally if we'd scored two of our six attempts on target we'd have got a point. And I can't comment on KD's performance because I didn't see it.

We didn't score so the goalkeeper is not "the problem".

Worth repeating for the Chicken Licken's on here.

I guess it must be traditional in Spain to sink a few sweets before the match, what with all those sweet stalls around the stadium. If he hadn't stopped to buy a bag of sweets for him and Kevin it might never have happened.

That's a good read and interesting to hear this from his dad: “He’s a clever boy. I’m just glad he’s at a nice club with a great infrastructure and good support.”

Adkins has made it clear to the Puncheon. It's not enough to be in the house. He also has to be on the bus. If he's not on the bus, he can get on his bike. It's as simple as that.

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/468363216?-11205 It seems we should be honoured to be playing them. Too often they reinforce the stereotype of most arrogant fans in England.

Stuart Pearce was playing non league for Wealdstone into his twenties before he got a move to a FL club.

Agreed. The paper version in yesterday's Observer did have a sub headline saying Saints deserved the victory and the report had none of the Liverpool rubbish in it but it still had the barest mention of Guly's goal which was arguably the goal of the round.

Maybe I missed an announcement on the OS but good news, this seems to confirm that he is, or soon will be, permanent. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6647318,00.html?

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'll be disappointed if we put out a significantly weakened side. I love the FA Cup, especially the 3rd Round. I expect us to win. Stuff the negativity. I trust you'll all be at SMS tomorrow. Thank you and good night.

There was a similar thread on this a while back. I had a look at the time at various academic reports and the like available on the internet. The general view seemed to be that crowd support was not a significant factor in performance, which still seems counter intuitive. An away team having to play in unfamiliar surroundings was a negative factor affecting it's performance. And where home crowds really have influence is on referees.

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/467603002?-11205 Worth over £1m?

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/467446719?-11205