SamKimish

I'd go for ... Davis Murty - Trotman - Thomas/Perry - Harding Thomson - Spiderman - Hammond © - Fish/Holmes Pato - Lambert Bench:Bialkowski - James - Thomas/Perry - Melis - Gobern - Rasiak - Saga Yes I know it's controversial giving the wristband to Hammond instantly but we have been lacking a midfield leader for a long time and he is proven in the role. 2-1 win I'm hoping for

Like the yeti? Next thing we know, there will be an "I saw Pulis today and I have the blurry photos to prove he exists" thread

I'm not impressed with AP's team selection tbh but I guess I can't blame him too much tbh as he hasn't exactly got a world class squad to work with. Would have preferred to start with Perry as I still get a nasty feeling in my stomach when an opposing player attacks Lancash!te. Would also have preferred to see a 4-3-1-2 formation with Lallana behind the two strikers and Schneiderlin, Thomson and Holmes in the midfield. Oh well, I have faith in Pards, I'm sure he will give the hair dryer treatment at half time and we will come out and win 17-1

Again, assuming Murty isn't fully fit, I'd go for ... Davis James - Perry - Thomas - Harding Thomson - Spiderman - Gillet - Holmes Lallana Lambert Then in the second half, bring on Melis for whoever is performing the worst in the midfield and Thomson off for Paterson (putting Pato up front with Lambert and Lallana on the right) That leaves the two poles spare and Lancastrated on the bench should one of the oldies get too knackered.

Don't ManUre sing a version of the tune for John O'Shea?

Would rather see Joseph Mills at Left Mid if fit, Thomson Right Mid, Melis Centre Mid and Lallana playing just behind the two forwards.

Completely agree with this much. (Although Lambert is not lazy, just a bit slow...) I want Pato up front with Lambert until we can buy a pacy striker to compliment him better. A new centre back, but to be fair to AP he knows we need one and is on the case so all will be good shortly. and a right-sided wide player to get some good service in for Lambert, also freeing up James for centre midfield (his natural position btw) and Lallana to play off the two strikers (also his natural position) I honestly think Joseph Mills can definately do a job for us on the left. Anyone that watched him play in pre-season will agree that not only did he look great going forward, delivering some brilliant crosses, but also got back well to defend. I don't think there is any need to worry though, Alan Pardew has everything under control. For the first time in ages, we have a right back playing right back and a left back playing left back. That at least is progress

Promotion for Southampton, is it to be or not to be? That is the question ...

Not happy with Spiderman coming off, best player so far this season IMHO and the argument about experience is pointless, look at our defence FFS! Would like to see Pato on for Rasiak soon please.

Get your coat ...

Guys, this would be the same as a Champsionship side supporting fan coming on our forum asking who they might be signing and everyone on here responding with "Noo, not Pulis. I will cry if he goes for any less than 5mil" "I'd rather they took Davis, Lambert & Lallana than Pulis" etc.

"Being a Saints fan, I'd better not say too much or I might get into trouble. Suffice to say, I don't think they'll do too well." She didn't actually wear the P*mpey shirt though, and refused to show her face in the picture with it

I think we need to bring in Ditmar Van Nostroolboy before the next cup game IMHO.

Just bought 4 tickets, I got a phone call about Lambert while queueing and spread the news to the rest of the queue. Great to see grown men act like kids on Christmas Day Apparently only about 4,500 tickets sold so far. Hopefully we will get a big walk up on the day.

Also interesting to see that The Sun has named Chris Perry as our MOTM and even named him in the League One team of the week!

I would say it was between either Murty or Spiderman. Morgan looked a changed man compared to his "lazy" performances last season, every attacking move that we had seemed to go through him and his effort level was fantastic. Murty was just as good as Harding when defending but managed to play passes to feet, allowing us to build attacking moves from the back. I was dissapointed with Gillet when he came on, last season he was brilliant until he got injured. A real bulldog in the midfield, chasing absolutely everything. He looked a bit clumsy however on Saturday and had quite a few misplaced passes with the ball getting trapped under his feet. I'm sure that was just down to a lack of match practice though and hopefully we will see the Gillet we came to love towards the end of last season.

Shocked that Harding is leading the votes at the moment. Found he had a good game and looked brilliant when defending but seemed to just "hoof" the ball forward when in possession, not once did he play a pass to feet. I know the long ball game is definitely one to use in this division but a lot of his balls were overhit or to no one. I'm not saying he didn't have a great game, just not a M.O.T.M performance IMHO.

Anyone else remember any players to be denied moves to Saints that have turned out to be quality players? We've missed out on Adeabayor - http://archive.dailyecho.co.uk/2003/8/5/45809.html Any others?

This is easily not the worst case of refused work permits in the history of Southampton FC. http://archive.dailyecho.co.uk/2003/8/5/45809.html Also mentions a bit about Pahars, we had to go through THREE work permit appeals to get him!!

Just joined, my team's Oakwood Rangers

I'd gues at 19,724

Wasn't he drunk at the time?

Not sure if anyone has mentioned already but I'm persoanlly gutted to see Christian Dailly sign for Charlton

BBC are showing League 1 highlights from this season onwards in their new Match of the Day style programme "The Football League Show" It's on after MOTD, usually at 11:45 if you are willing to stay up that late. It's about an hour long so I reckon Saints will usually be shown about half way through? It's available for 7 days on iplayer anyway though so I won't be paying for the Saints Player ...

Didn't Bolton end up having to name an un-full subs bench at one point last season? Against Arsenal I think? :confused: Personally, I still think we could do with some more signings, but only 3 or 4 ... not the 10 that some people are suggesting.