Englesaint

Just back as well. We really did play well and, for once, there was a bit of strength in there when we needed it. See Baird of the Land's post above - I agree with his summary and pretty much all his ratings. Certainly centre of defence was all the better for Perry being there . . .and Lancashire not being there !! Drew S was excellent.

Sums things up very well UP. Sad to believe some are still peddling nonsense which blames the fans rather than those with managerial and financial responsibility. Perhaps those in place (past & present) are/were simply not up to the job? Still, far better to sit on some rather sad pedestal and blame the "flat caps, sad ignorant individuals and vacous cretins" of recent posts than consider a seemingly unpalettable alternative. With these sort of attitudes and fans having been used to being treated as customers . . . . perhaps it's no surprise that some stay away? Isn't that a customer's perogative?

Just back but worth staying up to say well done to the boys. The posts above have the detail but special thanks to - Lallana : class act throughout - Perry & Lancashire who held the back together well - Robertson : a goal long remembered by those who saw it - Kelvin : my MOTM (stunning saves when they really counted) Still some work to do to keep the opposition at bay (Norwich certainly had their fair share of early position and some great opportunities) but a step forward in many respects and hopefully a great confidence booster.

RIP Bob. Best wishes to your family at this sad time.

5 + hour round trip for Norwich at home? Amazingly . . . yes !

Prof. Why can't a player take two penalties? There's often little similarity between the way a player takes them. If Le Tiss had scored one in a game, would you honestly suggest he didn't take the second? I'd be rushing to give him (or those of his ilk) the ball to be honest. Assume Drew's wrestling was for the second one?

Spot on. (sorry !) The pen is there to give back the chance. A good goalkeeper may well save any number of pens, in the same way as he may well save any number of the original chances.

As much as I like Jan (and I do !) , I think we were a bit out-thought. They went long and counter attack to negate our midfield. They slowed the game up whenever possible once ahead. They pushed on to our frail central defence and we made no change. They got behind our full backs (who are not fullbacks . . .yet) In what way did they not deserve the penalty? Watch the footage - horrible -easy decision to give.

Still pretty much with you on this one, although I honestly Blackpool were very ordinary in many respects. We were just poor all across the team today. As to QPR? . . . . . who knows? Suspect they'll give us more room to play?

Not what I meant. Whether you go short or long, you have to be able to pass the ball - and today, after half time, we did not (total football ethos or otherwise). For what it's worth, I suspect we agree on long ball football - it has its place for some teams now and again?

I'm with NOMW. There's a really good player (DMcG) in there somewhere but it might not be as sole striker. As others have said, too unwilling to release the ball quickly and still looks a bit like he's playing for himself. Playing sole striker is a very demanding role (unless you're Drogba and the like) and its not the same as "playing on my own" which is how young David (at least to me) appears to be doing it.

Absolutely agree LeGod. Alternative to a passing game? There is none. You simply have to do it well enough . . . and today, all round the pitch, we didn't ! But with a team this young/inexperienced, it's simply going to happen every so often.

Agree again. Gut feel says this is a step too far for White at the moment, although the experence will do him good. McG needs to learn that being the lone striker is not the same thing as playing on your own - he has a great foil/support in Lallana but is reluctant to use him. Spiderman looks a really good player so presumably just a bad day at the office for him?

Thanks for putting me in my place - I stand corrected, but it's late and been a long week. Point remains . . the twice European Footballer of the Year had his most prolific season (goals wise) whilst at the Dell.

ITR. Couldn't agree more. On the old forum a number of us posted about playing with and against Steve Moran before he signed for Saints. Great player.

For reasons I posted elsewhere, my heart drifts towards Mick Channon. However, is it not true that the answer to the question "With whom did Kevin Keegan score the most goals in a season" . . . is not Liverpool, Newcastle or Bayern Munich . . . but actually the Saints? Worth considering ?

Horrible news. My thoughts are with the Corby family right now but great to hear that Mick and son are going to be ok. Mick Channon - my favourite player from when I started going to football - will never forget receiving Tyro medals from Mick & Lawrie Mac at the Guildhall in May '76 - Get well !!

Noooooo!!! Please no more. I've a really nice curry in the oven that's now in serious danger of going to waste. No wonder the Derby results aren't coming. Suspect the players are having one or two problems with a lardy scouse porn star laying it on the line for for them.

Hate? No, of course not. Never a healthy thing, hate. But in Derby's case, absolutely nothing to love either. They bullied their way to some sort of success in our league and the inevitable happened . . which they, Bily Davies & Paul Jewell thoroughly deserved. Long may their poor start continue.

Enough, enough . . no more please. . . . fair putting me off my food that is ! Paul Jewell as sex video star . . beggers belief . . . although perhaps not as much as Paul Jewell, still currently employed as Championship Manager?

Oh well . . . . Rams 0 Softies 1 it is then. Suspect Paul Jewell got exactly what he deserved this afternoon . . . hope he enjoyed chasing some shadows.

Indeed there was. Lawrie Mac had two totally different sides here. Once the cup was won, some of the older out of contract lads moved on. The attention and kudos from winning in '76 helped bring in Alan Ball which in turn helped Steve Williams out of the youth team and the rest is history. Happy days !

and I'm still expecting all my lottery numbers to come up ! However . . . . Mid table in year 1 would do very nicely indeed.