yorkie

Just back too - can endorse almost everything said but we were cruising at times and letting them play. We are head and shoulders above the sides in thios League and if we don't make the play-offs nd get promoted even with the -10 start the other clubs have - we only hve ourselves to blame. At times we are so composed and solid it reminds me of teams of yesteryear. We create so much space for our own players it's frightening - and why we create so many chances. Hard to pick the best player - James was very composed today and I thought is forming a great partnership with Murty on the right - they seem to have clicked. On a final note the officials are sh*te in this league - do they have badges? Totally chickened out for the penalty in the first 10-mins...it was blatant! Still another good day at the office - forget talking the lads up for fear they will blow it, this lot mean business, and that should mean playoffs and promotion. After the performances in the last 11-days we rightly expect to go all the way. The only thing to stop us will be injuries or new players in January upsetting the team spirit.

He has a quandary - if the team is playing well and winning why change? Adding new players to the squad - means competition for places, but can disrupt the team spirit and ethic. By the end of January we will know whether we have a real chance of pushing for promotion via the play-offs. We should fear no one - we are clearly head and shoulders above many of the teams in this league. However we are currently not showing the swagger and arrogance of a side believeing it is too good for this league. New players with a better pedigree may create that feeling amongst the squad - it is a very difficult balancing act to work to. Yes we could do with some more "good" players - but ex-Championship has beens - no thanks! There must be quite a few decent hungry young Premiership players aching to play and would take a cut in salary? Dream on...has beens or half decent players at our rivals is the best we can hope for...is Beckham free? PS I did hear Guttusso was looking for a move to England...Nicola is he a mate of yours?

It is strange to have a go at a striker who scores! Mind you he is more prolific than Rasiak and he slated on here week after week. Ricky Lambert adds another dimension to our team - he is a bit talismatic. The next thing you know is he will be out injured (I hope not!) and everyone will be moaning about how short we are up front. Everyone moaned about Beattie too - but under the circumstances I'd play RL every week, if not be the first name on the team sheet. No one moans about him but Hammond is a close second, with Murty at the back. These guys are worth playing week in and week out. Pardew for all his so called short fallings seems to be able to get the best from players at this level...I wonder if the players respect him rather than go on tittle tattle from the papers at previous clubs? We are very lucky - we have no prima donnas at SFC at the moment - although Antonio has a Fabrice moment the other night. I get the feeling he is "Billy Big Boots" from Reading. I don't see any of our lot rolling around after being tripped - and the other thing I really like is the fact they all stick up for each other. Some people on here should get a reality check. We do not have a devine right to expect Premiership footballer quality in this league We are now in League 1 - the old Third Division We are not the biggest club in Hampshire We are the best supported club in Hampshire We have ambition, money and desire at all levels The play-offs are not out of the question providing we win consistently We (the squad & facilities) are the envy of every club in this league bar Leeds We are too big for this League - but have to denmonstrate we are good enough to get out. I have one real problem - IF we get promoted we will need some additional players as some will not be good enough or young enough. A promoted team has a dilemna - the team that got me up should be given a chance to step up to the next level. I firmly believe the building blocks are being put in place...the likes of Lambert, Hammond & Lallanna must have some sort of "promise" to be part of the bigger picture. We need to spend wisely in January. The likes of Murty, Harding & Jaidi I think would struggle with the pace of the game in The Championship - so we need some investment in the defence. I'm just glad I pay and watch and don't have to make the decisions...all I know is I want a team of triers who care - and it's what we have this year. Every kick, every tackle, every goal & every save means so much to everyone from the owner to the ball boy. Hpw long have we been asking for that? Which reminds me of a chant at Hartlepool - what with the wind a few balls were lost and time wasted to get a new one on. Some clever fan started up - "We've got more balls than you" followed by "Multi-ball". We really don't know how lucky we are...I'm still pinching myself! It may be League 1...but it is at least honest football being enjoyed by honest fans! See you at Wallsall?

Back from the game - stopped over last night for a change. It was cold and wet - but the manner which we won warmed the ****les of my heart. Bart had very little to do except for the one long range shot in the second half, and for all their possession Wycombe found us difficult to breakdown. Excellent to finish with a clean sheet - is it me or does Bart really command his area and gets the ball out to players in space quicker? He comes for crosses - and looks much more in charge! I thought Schneiderlin had an excellent game - was he Hammond in disguise. He really did break up a lot of plays. Finally to all the Waigo knockers leave him alone. Antonio needs more composure and an extra pass to teammates wouldn't go amiss. They both have pace and are exciting players to watch. Antonio's throw is better than a corner! Off to Wallsall on Saturday - full of hope. They will be a bit of a test for us they have more in their arsenal than Wycombe. As for the crowd - it wasn't a good night hence many would have stayed away...pricing for such a game will put people off just before Christmas. I bet they will have about the same for the Norwich JPT game too - unless it is an early kick off with reduced prices for kids.

Any lower league club at SMS to guarantee 4th round tie. Then another home drew agaiunst a League 1 side at SMS. Then a home tie against a Championship side A 6th round tie against a minnow at theirs A semi final against a Championship side Wembley against Man U - for another upset... The only problem is I can't see enough lower league sides complying with my wishes!

I can't break a confidence but let's just say it wasn't the Old Codger!

Heard a rumour last night that Surman is coming back in January...any thoughts?

It was a top day out. For me it was only 73 miles tonight - unlike the drive home after the Charlton JPT game arriving home at 2.45am. The day was made even better by spending time at Sedgefield races with bungle, stockportsaint, andynorthernsaint, S & Michelle. HAd some luck on the gee-gees (well not me I could back a winner in a one horse race!). Got to Hartlepool just as it got dark. Ended up at Johnson's Quay for some half decent pub grub in a 2 for 1 bonanza! Strange to see Rigwood Best on tap so far north! Then went across to The Causeway picking up Granty from the station on the way. The Strongarm in their looked more like a Mr Whippy than beer - they do like their heads up north but this was rediculous - it looked like a hairstyle out of X-factor! Then to the match itself - someone has already commemnted the chips on sale looked top notch! Not much of the "we're the left side" etc but plenty of the old favourites... "I've got a shed" "Woolston Ferry Song" "No.1 is Perry Groves" "Goal machine" as it should be sung "Paul Wotton football genius" "Super Kelv" after that save from the corner - breath taking. The header was so clean I could only see it bursting the net! "1-0 and you still don't sing" "Shall we sing a song for you?" shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! "OWTSGMI" Lots of good humour and banter with the stewards - and not told once to sit down! Got it was windy though...it's not many times you see a keeper kick the ball up over the half way line - only to see it run out of puff and start coming back to him! We played a lot better in the second half into the wind - I think even Hartlepool struggled with the wind in the second half. Bit annoyed with the "Disco" when only 2-1 up...but it all added to the party atmosphere. People of Hartlepool were friendly enough. I think they were truly taken aback by our turnout and noise. Not sure if anyone heard us at the other end - the wind would have taken all our noise to Seaton Carew before they could hear it! I look back fondly on clubs in the Premier League who ridiculed our away following - the Uniteds of this world who have plastics from all over. We met Saints fans from all over last night - a gent from Carlisle for example in one of the many MacDonalds in the vacinity after the game. We may only take a few hundred - possibly a couple of thousand tops - but while we fall short in number we make up for with heart. A truly good evening with a lot of good support. The Rickie Lambert song sung at a sensible speed sounds terrific when it is done properly. It seems a shame to pick one player out like that - but he is the catalyst. It would be nice to have something original for Hammond - a truly unsung hero last night. He got stuck in and they didn't like it. He is an inspiration to our midfield and defence. Dean Hammond Dean Hammond Who needs Gutusso We've got Hammond! The next episode on Saints on Tour - The Awaydays 2009 - Wallsall. Let's just get out of the relegation zone before we start talking about the play-offs - but the really big test will be at Leeds. I hope they don't ruin my Christmas with another last minute goal...perhaps we'll break their hearts with one of our own! Being a Saints fan is something to savour at the moment...I am no longer the laughing stock up here!

Off to York soon to collect Michelle & S - and then off to Sedgefield for the racing. For those driving - just as you come off the A19 to head into Hartlepool - there is a services area with a MacDonlads & KFC - just in case you need a drink and a quick bite! Really fancy a win tonight - be prepared it is going to be a bit blustery - and could be wet. It's coming in from the west - but it may have cleared by kick off. At least it's not coming from the east off the north sea...bbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

No - is it a hoax? Doesn't the Old Codger really exist?

That Old Codger is quite a bloke - I've met him a few times over the years. He never got the tribalism of the game that almost ruined it in the 70's & 80's. I haven't seen him for a while at an away game - perhaps he only makes it to The Kingsland these days under his tartan blanket with thermos flask for his HT cup of tea (with a nip of the hard stuff). The last time I saw him he was bemoaning the cost of a season ticket. He couldn't understand why our great club cared more about the quality of the catering than the quality of the football on the pitch! I doubt if he'll make it all the way to Hartlepool on a Tuesday night these days - as his dad can't drive him to away games any more!

Mid 70's Oxford United away on Boxig Day. We took their end!

The problem for AP has been Connolly wanting to play - and with his scoring record it was worth a try. However I'm a firm believer that with 2-up front we panic and hoof the long ball. I noticed at the games I attended playing 4-5-1 makes us pass and play. The extra man in the middle seems to give everyone more time on the ball and our passing is much better. The problem I see it is we need the Connolly's of this world to "poach" - but with only 4 in the middle we struggle to pass to him in the box! He's not a target man - but a valuable member of the squad. He can come on with fresh legs when defenders are tired - however the defenders never seem to tire when only outjumping a shorty from the hoof! I think we play much better as a unit - and clearly the team seems more settled in that formation!

Blimey talks of Wembley 76! Went up by car and parked somewhere in North London - walking towards Wembley looking for a pub - and found The Green Man. It was full of Mancs inside so we stayed in the garden. No sign of trouble quite a mix - unusual for those times - but some drunken Manc starting singing and waving his ticket around uin the air - and someone ran straight past him, grabbed it and he was never seen again! My old man drove us up with the old dolly in tow - stopped at Fleet services and bought himself a scarf for the day. Didn't have it when we got back to the car - apparently some Mancs snatched it off him and offered him it back. How brave they were to take on a 60 something and his wife! He didn't care though he'd put a tenner on when they were 10-1 - so he was £90 up on the day...it was a lot of money in 1976! What great memories...getting lost after the game and walking to Wembley tube station and all the Mancs crying into their scarves - and looking for trouble. Eventually got home - and on Sunday chased the bus down threee times before ending up in the Rosde Gardens outside the Civic Centre! Possibly the happiest days for the people of Southampton - it really united the City! It was a fantastic occassion - I doubt if it will ever be matched. There was menace as well as the excitement - something todays game doesn't seem to have. However if (IF) we get Leeds in the JPT Final it could be back - they still have that element!

Pretty sure there will be some in there geting ready for the game - I wonder if Mick Channon has any entered in races that day? My wife thinks I'm having a mid life crisis - first the sport car (MX-5) and then the "being one of the lads" syndrome at footie again!

Would you be the Mike Hatch who's dad was the care taker at Shirley Juniors? If it is you - remember the heady days of Covenanters with old man Wallingford! Blimey we are going back a few years now!

Blimey ESB - are you a Bellemoor Boy? I seem to remember an Ian Mead that went there in the 1970's - pretty sure he had a brother called Colin. I think Ian was a half decent footballer in those days too! This site never ceases to amaze me with the names that crop up on here! I remember mentioning Alan Rafferty (RIP) a few years back and that got some reaction. Football - it' gets in your blood and you just can't let go after all these years! Mind you Jimbo (fos) is slacking...got a business to run...it wouldn't have happened 30-years ago! I don't recall a Saints fan getting stabbed at Bradford - I remember the Party7 being launched and one hell of a scrap though. Leeds fans out for the day I think - it was cold that day mind you! West Brom away has to be one of my favourite memories of that glorious Cup run. Hats off to all those die hards who believed we could win at Villa and went...I wasn't so convinced & and probably without funds so I stayed at home. Is this going to turn into another Soul Cellar type thread?

Yes - but will you make the game? I believe you'll be wanting a lift to the game - beware no dirty shoes allowed in my car, or people who don't belt up. There should be room on the boot rack of the MX-5 if you behave! Hartlepool really won't know what to expect when we hit town with the roof down and you on the boot - I hope it's freezing, then I'll have my heated seat on! Fellow Saints fans be in good voice - I bet now half of the Durham Constabulary will be looking for us at Sedgefield...I hope the football intelligence unit does some research as I don't want the unemployed youth from Newcastle, Sunderland & Middlesboro spoiling my day out looking for a ruck! If they do beware I'll set bungle & michelle on ya!

Some of us are going to the races at Sedgefield before the game. Not sure on parking around Hartlepool - on the streets again? Please bring any memorabelia relating to monkey hanging - you will get a very warm welcome. So touchy these northern folk!

Got back to Pocklington about 3am - at work now thinking about a bacon sandwich! I don't think it is any surprise we are doing what we are doing - but the truth will be out once injuries to key players and suspensions start to kick in. However thios is the same for everyone. After last night I feel a bit more confident about Bartman - amazing what a decent central defence partnership made to his confidence. He actually claimed crosses - no more Cinderella or Dracula! We need Trotman to sign in January - he is going to be one first class defender, not htat he isn't approaching that now. Team spirit & fans enthusiasm is very infectious - the atmosphere was almost carnival last night. Still think Norwich are the team to beat - so Hereford at home next round and hope MK Dons dump Norwich out in the Southern sector! As for the final - I'd take on Leeds...it's what the competition deserves - two well supported sides at Wembley! Final thought to all those still not going...you are really missing out! Bring on Brighton - get a plum 3rd round draw in the FA Cup - and then on to Hartlerpool (at least I'll be home a bit earlier that night!) Marcus Liebherr you will never know how much you have given the City of Southampton - a decent honest side that plays together and has won back most of the people. It's only League 1 - but not for long. We still look dodgy at set pieces, and when people run at us - but any ariel bombardment is easily dealt with by Jaidi & Trotters (and Thomas!). It's nice to be a FAN in fantastic!

I only missed Villa replay - many happy stories from that season! West Brom at The Hawthorns was a fun day - but I think it was well covered in the "Soul Cellar" thread! Seems strange but I get the impression people may be saying the same about a run to Wembley this season! So it's the JPT...so what?

Very underwhelmed - but as for the Charlton game this afternoon - they were like us last season at Bristol Rovers! There was only ever going to be one outcome...the underdog winning. I don't think it will make any difference whatsoever as they will come to SMS looking for a draw, and hope to sneak a win. An early goal for us is very important - I'd stick with 4-5-1- and switch to 4-4-2 in the second half - it sems to do us OK. We don't get overrun in midfield and concede early goals - and then step up a gear when they have run out of puff! I honestly do not think we have anything to worry about on Wednesday night! Did you see that elbow by McLeod? he should have been red carded for that! I'd love to see him try that type of approach on Jaidi!!! Off to Bristol tomorrow - I hope to bump into some Rovers fans as I'm heading for the infamous Southmead district. This area was made notorious for their welcome to our Asian friends the other night on Panorama.

Thank F for that!

It all seems to have come round very quickly - and with our recent good form we should get a good turn out. Wrap up warm we have just had our first air frost in York...Sedgefield before the game? I wonder if any of Channon's gee gees are running? Anyone looking to the Leeds trip weekend before Xmas? Reckon there may be more at Hartlepool! Anyone got an eye for a tune and lyrics around Monkey Hangers then?

I am all for giving someone a second chance, but I think history proves this guy is a bit of a repeat offender. How would the women of Southampton feel if he started going out clubbing here? This man is a professional footballer with all the trappings that entails - he obviously is unable to handle the money and the attention. Seriously though what type of man raises his hand to a women? There is something wrong if anyone finds this type of behaviour tolerable - society gone to ruin! I wouldn't want anyone at my club with a proven conviction/criminal record including drink drivers, drug abusers & people who have a record of beating people senseless. Although for similar reasons I would not want the likes Joey Barton or Lee Bowyer at my club either. To be honest I'm glad we no longer have the likes of Dyer or Bradley Wright Philips at our club...