Miltonroadboy

His transfer to Liverpool appears to be done and dusted but before he goes there, I hope he is aware that they already have a young up and coming full back in Jon Flanagan,who is back to fitness after a lengthy injury. He is a local lad, a scouser through and through and loved by the fans. Before Rodgers manages to destroy yet another ex Saints player's career NC needs to be aware! I've always liked him but to go somewhere that does not offer Champions League and to find he has strong competition........ must be just the money I suppose?! Good business for us though, so I can live with it - just hope it's not another futile wasted career move?! And obviously Hodgson is not convinced yet!

Chelsea now looking for a left back! He couldn't wait to desert the club that made him what he is and now finds himself admittedly at a big club but one that has no Champions League next year and not the one he always wanted - I'm so glad that he might be thinking s**t, why didn't I wait! Sorry, no sympathy - made your bed etc!! Bitter.... Me?!!

I used to watch him play as a kid and recently have had the chance to chat with him about those days at our golf club. A lovely bloke, full of stories to tell and he remained a keen fan to the end. Rip John

What does impress me about Le Fondre is that he shoots hard for goal on sight and does not waste time trying to tee it up or dribble round every player in front of him ( Ramires!!)

Some fabulous memories here folks and thanks Fitzhugh for starting it off! My earliest recollection though cost absolutely nothing! I was at Springhill School when midweek league games were played in the afternoon -we are talking mid fifties here!, We would come out of school at 4 and the Dell gates would open just after - quarter way through the second half! Did fans actually leave games that early?!, Saw some great goals in those final moments of these games - scored by Reeves, Livesey, Paine and O'brien among others. All for free - great times!

Duncan -also don't forget John Christie, still playing golf at Royal Winchester. Watched him and Eric Day play.... just a few years ago!! Eric Day was the original Terry Paine for us! If I see John I will pass on this sad news in case he hasn't heard.

Thought he had a good game on his return but did anyone else notice how knackered he was halfway through the second half, which was not surprising considering? But it was his tired pass back from an attacking position which led to the Yoshida pass back which Gazza then messed up. Surely NA should have recognised there was a problem and made a substitution? Sorry if this is mentioned elsewhere but I feel another example of a poor - or in this case lack of - substitution.

Funnily enough i was chatting with a mate pre Palace game in The Clifton who knows Jimmy Case very well. JC admitted to him that if he played these days there would be a lot of the season he would have to miss!! Still one of our all time great players though.

Just as when we played them down here,Palace gave us so much more room on the ball -unlike Pompey on Sat - and when that happens our passing game becomes so strong that few teams can live with us. But they did miss two golden chances - thankfully! Definitely the best game I have seen Cork play and as mentioned Hammond equally good , keeping it simple throughout. Defence played well also. Is it me or does Sharpe continues to look off the pace? He has no speed and ball control/link up play not good at the moment -he would struggle in the premiership on this form but it is stll early days. Rickie...... just superb!!

Think what has been letting Guly down recently is his first time touch - not controlling the ball,pushing it too far forward etc. Glad to see yesterday that it didn't happen and consequently looked a far better player than he has been for a few games now. I liked him upfront but perhaps playing wide is better for him as he has more time/ choices in passes and think that we will see him in that position now, with Puncheon being the obvious choice to bring on if he is not performing.

Couldn't agree more Gemmel - someone WILL get a bargain with Holmes and that will reflect badly on NA in my opinion. If the guy is injury free then he has got to be worth a run out, ahead of those youngsters who played today and even ahead of SDR as far as I am concerned. Is this another personality clash between NA and a squad member? Beginning to have my doubts if so.

Fitzhugh Fella makes an interesting statement about using Puncheon now he is back and resting AL. My feelings are that if AL is given a break, and to be honest he has not been on top of his game for a few weeks now, then Holmes should be given a chance. He is an ideal replacement on the left side of midfield, crosses well and can score. I know he has been an injury waiting to happen in the past but appears to be fit and has looked good in the 5 minutes he has been given as sub recently!! Is there another NA personality clash here? If so this is beginning to worry me.

I know he has always been an injury waiting to happen, but he impressed me in a previous Carling cup game against admittedly inferior opposition, and a couple of recent appearances as sub showed he has skill and ability, and scored a good goal. A former england u21, he has pedigree and surely worth a run out on the right. Imo he has more to offer than SDR.

' Fuming that De Ridder ****ed that chance up at the end. That is why he doesn't start. ' Couldn't agree more Saints foreva - shocking piece of play which showed how average SDR really is. Please Mr Adkins, Holmes is so much better - give him a chance!!

Please NA, this is no criticsm of you but without Adam L the team cries out for width,either de Ridder or Holmes. The full backs are asked to push forward too much in order to fill in but it leaves us so exposed.Chaplow was excellent at covering back but neither Hammond or Cork can do it so well.Great to get a point when we played so badly though!!

Glad to say that John Christie is still playing golf at Royal Winchester as well as being a regular at St. Marys. He told me he wishes that there had been a few more signings than just Cork and de Ridder. He is a big Saints supporter.

No one has mentioned Holmes yet - surely not another injury waiting to happen before writing off another season? Or has he moved on - if so missed that. Have got to say though when he did play those couple of games last year he did look as if he has something to offer - can cross well and good going forward.

Do feel that the thread about NA not being able to attract bigger names has validity. The fact that Gobern - not a big name I know but has been touted by NA as one for the future - has opted to stay in League 1 says a lot to me. Do not think that any player would turn down the chance of playing in the Championship and thus putting themselves in the shop window if all was well in house? Forte, N'Guessen.... not a promising track record here I'm afraid!! Hopefully I will be proven totally wrong and made to eat my words!