LuckyNumber7

If McCarthy is our No.1 next season that would be some shocking mismanagement by the club.

For those interested, the Echo has live updates... https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/20081908.live-updates-southampton-vs-portsmouth-national-league-title/

I agree as a whole this season is very similar, think I heard we're on the same points tally as at this stage last season. Quite clearly last season we over achieved in the first half and under achieved in the second half of the season, in large part due to the injuries. This season it's been a bit more evenly spread although still streaky. Of course I'd love us to be challenging for europe but I just don't think it's realistic to expect that given our financial constraints. We do have some good players but we also have an awful lot of crud still. No I'm not happy about losing 0-6 but it can happen even to the top teams in this division, whilst it's a concern I prefer to judge Ralph on his whole tenure rather than a few games in isolation. Tbh I think we should wait and see where we are come the end of the season. If we finish 17th I will most likely be wanting a change as well. But we have just as much chance of finishing in the top 10 which would be a good season surely. Our form will return at some point, let's see how it pans out.

And what did you expect this year? We are miles clear of relegation (again), only a point off the top half and got to the FA Cup QF (again). All after once again having one of the lowest net spends in the league. True under Ralph we are very streaky, have good runs and bad runs and a handful of truly awful games, but the bigger picture is we are performing at least to par if not above, whilst also trying to play attractive attacking football.. Not saying Ralph is perfect by any means but I think he's a good fit for us, and until we start showing more ambition in the transfer market this is our level. To all those who want Ralph out I'd say be careful what you wish for, because it absolutely can get a lot worse than this.

Hilarious watching a bunch of internet warriors frothing at the mouth because an ex footballer questioned the truthfulness of the media. MLT is and always will be a legend, and having met him a couple of times he's a lovely bloke too. I'm horrified by what we've seen from Ukraine but I couldn't care less what his opinions on covid/Russia are, they're not important.

I was at that game as a youngster in with the home fans with my mum and Leeds supporting stepdad. My only real memory of the match is the Leeds fans around us singing to Palmer that he had red piss on his back. Due to the family ties I went to Saints games there quite often around the late 90's but haven't been there for a long time now. It's definitely one of the more atmospheric grounds.

Because the ones on the receiving end don't have the nuclear deterrant...

I think you just answered your own question there. Russia's nuclear deterrant seems to be working pretty well right now as it is the very reason we (NATO) are refusing to get directly involved in Ukraine. Likewise I doubt even Vlad is mad enough to attack Nato territory. Both sides know the potential consequences.

Who says no-one is going to use them? Nukes are a deterrant, hopefully never to be used but there as an absolute last resort. Putin knows that if he sends nukes our way he will get the same back. If Russia was the only nuclear power I think we'd all be feeling pretty vulnerable right now. Do you think he would have invaded Ukraine if they still had nukes?

Delighted for him, richly deserved! The way he's playing it's inevitable that bigger clubs will be sniffing round him sooner rather than later. Hope he's here for a long time to come but at worst we should get a nice big fee for him if and when he goes.

I am fine with Jack or Bednarek as 4th choice as you have to be realistic about the quality you can get that will be willing to sit on the bench for most of the season, but we certainly need to upgrade our starting partner for Salisu. Ideally sell Jan and invest in a starting CB to play with Sali. Lyanco has done fine despite what Twar says so him as third choice and Jack as fourth choice with Valery providing further squad depth if he stays.

I want to see Armstrong given another go but he would have been useless today. His main asset is pace but Watford packed their defence and sat deep for large parts which wouldn't have suited Armstrong at all. What we needed most was more guile, we just had no idea how to break Watford down.

Get Broja on for Smallbone, we look far too lightweight in attack. Getting vibes of the Burnley home game last season though, 0-2 to 3-2...

Fulham's support as always been a bit crap. The numbers they usually bring to SMS are pretty pathetic.

Christ, he's a 20 year old striker playing his first season in arguably the toughest league in the world, he's not gonna be brilliant every game and will have dips in form as he's still learning and developing, that's perfectly normal! Before we signed him I'd never heard of him but it was obvious from the moment he stepped on the pitch that he had that star quality, that little something extra just like Tino. It's obvious to anyone with half a football brain that he is very talented and has a big future, just enjoy him while he's here as he will soon be moving on to bigger things while we are left with Adam Armstrong leading our attack.

Bednarek and Stephens getting slaughtered at the back. Bednarek is just not good enough, far too weak and timid for a CB. Really need to upgrade on him in the summer. Oh well, we were due a poor performance.

I'm not a huge cricket fan but Warne seemed like a real character and great bloke, added to the fact he played for Hampshire that is shocking news.

Just shows you stats can only tell you so much. I guess Perraud took a bit of time to settle but he has been excellent since the turn of the year. I do rate Cash and Digne as very good players but right now I'd rather have any of our three full backs over almost any in the league. Tough game to call, we are a very good side atm and although Villa have been stuttering they do have some quality players that can hurt us. We are due a defeat and it wouldn't surprise me if we lost here.

If you want to win it you have to beat the top sides at some point, main thing is we're at home. Confident, on form and hopefully with SMS rocking let's give it a go, nothing to lose!

I was as well. Regardless, his goal and assist to turn the game around at Swansea will be remembered forever after we win the FA Cup...

Amazing result considering the relative strength of both teams put out, Ralph is a genius! Good performances all round but it's about time Valery started getting the respect he deserves from the fanbase, he's proving to be a very competent CB option. Tonight has shown the big difference from last season, we don't just have a team we have a squad. And the way we're playing we might just have a crack at doing something special in the cup? We're not hanging onto Broja are we...

Whilst what's happening is very sad, where are you going to house these hundreds of thousands of people? We don't have unlimited space.

Yes for some reason that game has always stuck with me as well as being one of the best games atmosphere wise at SMS, glad someone else remembers it. Others that spring to mind are the FA Cup QF against Wolves on our run to the final and the Norwich game in our relegation season, what a rollercoaster that was! Sadly SMS seems a lot more sedate these days.

If Burnley go down I'd like to see us go after Dwight McNeil.

I agree, but we are never likely to have anywhere close to Man City's success, plus the Greater Manchester area has a population of nearly 3 million. As for Leicester, again they have had a few years of success which will have boosted their fanbase, but I noticed quite a few empty seats at their game the other night. It will be interesting to see if they can fill 40000 on a regular basis.