NI76

Wayne Thomas and Paul Wotton were there watching and I spoke with Thomas who has been told along with several players they are surplus to requirements. I fully understand the position we are in but if we get any injuries we are truly buggered. I think Thomas is absolute garbage as a footballer (although not his fault we paid over £1m for him) but for a bloke who has not been in the squad for the last couple of games and has been told he can leave to turn up on a crappy evening to watch the reserves I can only say fair play that man.

Well it certainly didn't help the atmosphere on Sat which was rubbish. The atmosphere in the Itchen corner last year was excellent whereas Sat it was almost non-existant.

No, absolutely agree that the first half was better football wise than the last couple of seasons and as myself and the two mates I was with agreed, it's nice to see the youngsters clearly giving their all as opposed to some of the older players we've had to endure in recent seasons. My big concern remains how we will cope (or not) when the inevitable injuries and suspensions occur. At times in recent seasons we have had 8 or 9 players injured or suspended at the same time. If that happens this season, I dread to think what the team will look like. Probably a bit like the bench yesterday, completely uninspiring. I still think 4th from bottom this season will be an achievment and if offered that now I would take it.

Do you not think you are being a tad OTT? We played some decent stuff at times in the first half I agree but totally ran out of steam in the second. If the football was as good as you are making out we'd have 6 points by now not 0. I'm guessing you weren't around in the days of Lawrie and even Chris Nicholl as the footy that those teams played was infinitely better than anything on show yesterday.

Crowd was as I thought, 18k, despite all the we've sold over 21k a week before the game nonsense. One thing is for sure, the lowest ever league gate at St Mary's will be smashed for the next game. Probably the least attractive opposition in the league who will have a very small following with a ko the least attractive time and live on sky and with us possibly being bottom of the table and pointless = 14-15K I reckon.

Can't see it being anywhere near that many but hope I'm wrong. With only 9,500 ST holders and guessing at aroung 1,500 Brum fans I reckon about 16-18k.

And according to the Echo, Chris Adams in the frame to replace him! That would certainly be interesting! I can't stand the bloke but he is a winner and I'm sure he's one of those characters that you hate as an opponent but love when he's on your side. They also mention Fletcher - has he not agreed to go back to Glamorgan?