Saint Fen

I'm not sure a new striker will make a difference. The fact is we don't get people forward to score enough goals. Yes a goalscorer would be a massive help but I don't think it is the answer to our problems.

Sorry I don't agree with this. I'll new way would have meant we finished our highest position in the premiership a point you may have missed however I like everyone else knows we won't finish as high as we did last season this year. Would you keep Wayama and Pelle for them to leave on a free next year and Mane's value would have decreased massively as he would be on the last year in his contract, it's obvious he didn't want to be here. I'm not sure what the club is meant to do or what people expect. Ask yourself a question if you were playing for Stoke and Man Utd or Man City come in would you be happy at Stoke on a lower wage and a club that is less likely for success? The players don't have the same affinity that we as fans have.

Great post, totally agree with what you said. Really interesting article.

Statistics are misleading. We have had more procession in the 3 games but we have been slow to move the ball forwards, mainly moving it sideways. Shots on goal have mainly been long range and we have rarely created a clear cut chance. The main statistic is we have 2 points from a total of 9. Is that good enough? Especially when you consider we have played Watford and Sunderland at home. The bottom line is if we don't beat teams like Watford and Sunderland at home we will struggle. I believe we have a decent squad and one capable of finishing in the top 10 however there is no doubt we have dropped back this summer, with the Manager (ok, hard to judge after 3 games) and the players (losing Mane, Pelle and Big Vic) plus other teams have strengthened.

Your right I shouldn't put Crouch in the same bracket as the other two, but he did make mistakes. However on the flip side he did help us prior to administration and I believe (no other basis from the things I read or heard) his heart was always in the right way place.

Unfortunately I am too young for the Lawrie era however heard things through my dad and his mates and the things I read. I'll definitely read the book because he is one of the key people in the history of our club along with (in no particular order) Ted Bates, Terry Paine, Mick Channon and Matt Le Tissier. My understanding from things I've heard is Terry Paine thought he had Ted's job in the bag, to the extent that there were rumours he advised Ted on picking the team when Ted was in charge however Ted choose Lawrie to take over which divided the team. I could imagine how hard it was for Lawrie. I went to the agm which Lawrie, Crouch etc had a go at Lowe and I truly believe Lowe, Wilde and Crouch all made huge mistakes leading us to going into administration. I'd argue Wilde played as bigger part as Lowe as spending money we didn't have, Lowe was to blame in not spending while we were doing okay in the premier league being too interested in making a profit (however it was a PLC due to him which lead to the lack of reinvestment) and appointing duff managers such as Wiggley, Redknapp and Sturrock. I've gone slightly away from the Lawrie book subject but I can't wait to read it. A true legend of the club without his contribution (amongst others) we would not be the club we are today.

Shocked that he has signed for Liverpool and Klopp. Caulker has been really poor when he has come in and worst of all which nobody has yet mentioned, is he just hits the ball long all the time which is very frustrating. He won't play much for Liverpool but will continually be one of these things players that signs for stuggling premiership sides in the future because he had a half decent season at Cardiff once and got capped by England.

3 at the back just isn't working. God this is depressing!

Such a poor first half, no width and long ball but no support for Pelle or Jrod. JWP and Target are not good enough.

Hi, the guy in question was my Dad. A Saints fan and season ticket holder for many years. He seems okay at the moment, currently in hospital. Everybody who helped were fantastic and can't thank them enough, stewarts, paramedics and fans.

A good servant, played his part in our rise to the Premiership. Good luck at Forest, deserves first team football somewhere as he was only going to be a bit part player here at best next season.

Quality player, played a very important part in the past 3 years. The goal against Oldham on his debut stands out. Would have loved to seen him play in his prime.

First half wasn't the best. Thought Barnsley looked good and kept the ball fairly well. Didn't deserve to be one up. Second half thought we were oustanding, some of the footy was really good constantly moving the ball. Morgan was superb through out the game and needs to play with Cork not Hammond, as Morgan and Hammond both tend to sit deep. Guly was really good second half and rarely gave the ball away. We seemed to go to a diamond which worked better in the second half. Lee's ball for Lallana's goal was superb, great run and never panicked when he had so much time to cut it back. Connolly was good when he came on. Fox is so much better than Harding, especially his distributiom.

Probably agree most if not all of this. Rhodes I think will be a hell of a signing for someone.

Got to agree with this comment on Chaplow, he isn't good enough central midfield due to his passing and control, however when on the right he is excellent because of his workrate. Missed him when he was injured in Dec / Jan. Morgan has been brilliant lately but I feel he needs to play with Cork as Cork is a box to box player, Hammond sits to deep and with him and Morgan in the side we tend to loose something going forward.

Thought we played well and some good stuff but created very little, very tricky conditions. Didn't Fox should have been sent off, the first was never a free kick let alone a booking and although the second was a foul, its never a yellow card. Can't believe someone mentioned Fox's tackle was a penalty, he clearly won the ball and was fouled after. Disappointed to see Lambert chip the ball to the far post from the free kick in the last minute, he should be shooting from there.

Bit harsh on Connolly, service was really bad. He should have done better with the chance he had but even that was from their mistake rather then us creating anything. We need an option when Lambert is missing to win the ball in the air, Guly and Connolly were never to going to win anything and our midfield or the full backs didn't really supply too much too feet. The only decent balls were the inswinging crosses from Fox on long distance free kicks creating the only other chances.

Atkins has done a fantastic job. We were poor tonight and need cover for Lambert and another Centre Half. We have had a great season so far and the expectation level has been raised because of our start. Hopefully we can have a good a second half of the season as our first.

Very Lucky to get a point, however point closer to promotion! We were very poor, they closed us down very well. Great goal from De Ridder after great flick from Guly. Never mind we all have off days, let hope we pick up next Saturday.

This rule will ruin football league clubs even more, the premier league "bullying" Football league clubs to accepting. Football is being ruined by money and this is another poor example. We will probably be ok but how are smaller clubs going to survive in the future?

No I thought we were the better team creating decent chances but defending poorly on a couple of occassions. I wasn't being too damning on Fox just stating his passing was poor and there was plenty of space for him too get forward which he didn't. As I say early days for Fox, he will get better just needs time to settle in and judge them him in a couple of months

Harding for me, not his greatest fan but haven't been too impressed with Fox. Fox was shocking on Wednesday night and struggled to find a red and white shirt with his passing. Also failed to get forward despite their being lots of room as Lallana cuts inside. Harding gets stuck in and is a decent option going forward. Early days for Fox though so maybe judging them in 2 or 3 months time. Also don't think Dickson is too bad, we have decent options at left back.

Great interview, really smart bloke and always very positive. Great manager.........really don't think I would like anyone else. Hope he stays here for a long long time and if he does we will be very very fortunate. Keep up the good work Nigel.

Connolly is quality but so is Phillips, its a tough one. Not sure who I'd have but I think Connolly is perfect for our team. Connolly for me has been fantastic since he joined, his goal on his debut at Oldham was Brilliant. His link up play is superb. Just a shame he has suffered with injuries. Phillips has consistently been a goal threat and is still a class act, I can see both having a good couple of more seasons if they remain fit.

Lallana or Connolly, both were superb and some great touches