Kingsland Codger

The dismal season the Saints have so far suffered has caused me to lose a bit of interest. Yesterday afternoon saw Scotland play Italy in the Six Nations followed by Ireland v England. I settled down in front of the TV and saw a thoroughly entertaining game which the Scots won 31-19. The match in Dublin followed but a few minutes in, I remembered Saints were away at Ipswich. Hastily, I opened the SofaScore app and much to my amazement I saw Saints had just scored, were now ahead and were a couple of minutes into 8 minutes of stoppage time. Being a realist, I prepared myself for inevitable disappointment - after all, alongside “death” and “taxes”, Saints-conceding-a-last-minute-of-stoppage-time-goal-against-Ipswich is one of life’s fundamental guarantees. Imagine my bewilderment when I glanced at the final score and saw we had hung on and had all three points.

For those who want to buy a ticket ... I had difficulties accessing the correct page on the southamptonfc website and also with the ticketing app. Whichever link I clicked on a page appeared saying "Error page. Unfortunately, you are not authorised to browse this url". I was about to give up when the correct page suddenly appeared.

I agree - but then again, as a (not so) wise man once said “if it ain’t broke, consider breaking it”

Let me help you … the MEPs voted for UvdL. The same sort of way the leaders of our own political parties are chosen. How the President of the European Commission is elected.

I know he’s a loanee but should Maxwell Cornet be added to that sorry list?

I was unable to follow the match - could someone who was there tell me how the last 10 minutes or so went, please? Were we all hands to the pump, forcing City back and making them endure The Alamo as we have to when trying to close out a winning game? Did Ramsdale come up for a last minute corner? - Did we have any last minute corner? - Were we ever close to snatching a point at the death? … And if not, why not?

Pawel Gil - he was the referee for our home game against Inter Milan. True, he was neither anti-Saints nor anti-Inter but Gil’s decisions were so outrageously inconsistent it must have been a nightmare for both teams. Sometimes he awarded a free kick for the slightest of touches and then let a full-bloodied assault go unpunished. A short while later he would do the opposite - no pattern at all to his whistle-blowing.

What a wise substitution

When you put it like that it’s hard to say anything except … “you have a very fair point”

Back home after a highly enjoyable trip. Whilst the purist would (rightly) think this was a poor game with far too many mistakes, for sheer entertainment it was an absolute bargain. Great goals and a good opportunity to see some of our new additions and lesser-spotted squad members. There is little I can add to all the comments already posted but I shall tell you of a conversation I had with the hotel receptionist. It helps if you say his words with a Welsh accent. "I see you have booked in for just the one person. Is that correct?" "Oh yes" "Pity. Tell you what, I'll put you in a double in case you pull." "Thank you but that is unlikely at my age" "Well, you never know ... after all, this is Cardiff"

I shall certainly be sitting - although whether I can manage the climb up the stairs to the seat (Block 123 Row L Seat 135) is another matter.

It has been years since I went to an away match (Wembley trips notwithstanding). I have been umming-and-ahhing as to whether I should go to this match - like the nervous first-time bungee-jumper I was a bit reluctant to take the plunge (distance, match on TV ... Wales). Your message has given me the shove in the back I needed. Train ticket, match ticket and hotel all organised. Throat lozenges packed.

The events will certainly Test the security services

Duncan Ferguson?

Apart from him, the only one I could think of was Kenny Dalglish - but he was before the PL era