spyinthesky

I was stood on the lower Chocolate Box at the time and thought the ball was out for a throw in against us before Big Chiv crossed the ball for TP to score. I wonder how our history would have changed if the lino had given a throw in against us??

I played for Southampton Schoolboys a year or so behind Martin Chivers. As I recollect he played as outside right and Malcolm Renyard was preferred as the main striker. Whilst Malcolm (and his son in later life) went on to have decent careers in local football, Big Chiv hit the big time. Shame he didnt stay longer at Saints but a really decent player whilst he was here. This on the day when news comes through re Kevin Keegan's cancer diagnosis.

And probably one of the top three playing budgets in the Championship If you look at the cost of our current squad, it probably stands at around £160+m plus another £40m outlay on players who are out on loan. So, say, around £200m of player transfer costs on the books against a current 'value' of £50m (??) most of that wrapped up in the selling price of Ramsdale, Charles (if and when fit) and Scienza. Worrying times both on and off the field.

Notice that Calum Slattery was in the Motherwell midfield that beat Celtic recently. Apparently he is on approx £2,500 per week, probably less than some of our U21's

My thoughts, for what they are worth from todays game: 1. Bazunu 8 Faultless and his save in the second half probably saved us from defeat. 2. Jelert 7 Thought he did well, Short in stature but used the ball well. Better option than Roerslev (when he is fit) 3. Manning 5 Not the greatest defender and his main action on the ball is to pass it backwards. Give Welligton another go? 4. Stephens 6 Average. No more no less. 5. Harwood Bellis 6.5 Best of the three central defenders and could have been a last minute hero. 6. Wood 5.5 Defended reasonably well but not much good with the ball. 7. Masuki 5.5 Did reasonably well in his first start of the season He is a tryer. 8. Bragg 6.5 A composed performance from the lad. Dont think he played a bad pass. Hopefully one for the future. 9. Archer 5 I hate to say this but, as far as I am concerned, he has contributed the square root of F**k all since the club spent £15m (??) on him (apart from the goal at St Andrews!!) 10. Downes 6 A reasonable performance but expect more from an expensive signing. 11. Sceinza 6.5 Not sure why he was subbed but he seems to contribute less when asked to play in the middle of the park. Overall defensively we were generally OK but if it wasnt for Baz's brilliant save then we could we easily have lost and that was from a Millwall move that started from our own throw in!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Once again, we have struggled to despatch opponents that have spent far, far less on transfers and salaries than us and overall a draw was a fair result. We desperately need a decent target man. With such a signing I am sure our form would significantly improve.

I have played between the sticks at a decent level in my youth and have been a (very) long term Saints fan. In my humble opinion, Bazunu and Macarthy are unfairly maligned and I have seen far worse (and of course better 'keepers eg Shilton, Niemi, Flowers etc) in my time. One example was Dave Maclaren, who let in nine goals against us whilst playing for Wolves and then dear old Ted Bates signed him on. I could add quite a few other names in the worst 'keepers categories but it does annoy me a little that our current keepers are vilified unfairly. Just my opinion, of course.

Its the way of the world. We could have kept Dibling and not have the money to spend on Scienza who has contributed much more than Tyler would have done this year. It would be interesting to learn what the 'experts' on here think Leo is worth in the transfer market? Wouldnt it be great to find a proper centre forward type centre forward for a similar fee as our Brazilian hero (a Pelle type clone), with the same impact.

Overtly critical

Donnie has also said that he has reduces the cost of medical products in the USA by up to 600%. I question the ability of maths teachers at the Whartons Business School where, apparently, he was an outstanding student!!

I dont think there is a poster on here, or a Saints fan in general, that doesnt believe we need a big centre forward who can cause problems in the air in and around the penalty area> Ross Stewart could have done that, if fit, but he will be gone at the end of the season with just the Sheff Utd 3 points to show. No idea why the club spent a load of money on Archer who is basically a low rent Arma. I guess they thought Downs might fill the bill but he has proved to be yet another crap striker signing.

Baz did well today. Two outstanding saves and another when he was quick off his line and brave.

My view on todays game: Playing Wellington at Right Back didnt help us but perhaps the Manager had no choice with two 'proper' right backs injured. Baz made three outstanding saves, albeit one one not have counted for offside. He was also very quick off his line and brave too in the first half. Quite what he was doing in the Coventry box in extra time is beyond me. OK if the team is losing but not when we have a point. Aziz had one of those games the 'Boro' fans mentioned. Thought he was poor today. We seem to be Ok when able to use speed of Armstrong, Leo and Fellows to break forward. Trying to overcome a massed defence is certainly not our strong point. Plenty of crosses into the box but no one with any strength of heading ability to take advantage. Archer + Downes + Stewart = £30m+ outlay with absolutely no benefit at the moment. Two games against 10 men and 1 point to show for it. I wouldnt fancy our chanced against any team if we were down to 10 men!!

Do we ever?

Got to feel sad for the aircrew and their families but their deaths are down to Putin and his cronies.

Bad weekend for Saints. Down to 10 men, last night, after a sending off and lost in the dying moments when one of our defenders mistimed a header in the box which fell invitingly at the feet of one of the Blackburn forwards. Harry Gathercole (another Dom Ballard in the making?) scored a decent equaliser for Saints but as has been the case for as long as I can remember, Saints youngsters seem to be small compared to their opponents.