yorkie

Suggested something similar yesterday - we started to wlak down Britannia Road after games because it was quicker than the bridge - and boy trouble was just around the corner if you wanted it! What is it with away fans? I see it with our own loyal band...not everyone but just a few! Going to away games on one's own is at best fun, but if someone has got "done" by this minority - it can be a little nervous walking around waiting for their gang to find you! I agre with the majority on here - why not just have a beer and a bit of banter without resorting to the 1980's? I've heard all the excuses before - they were on our manor taking the p*ss, so we did 'em!!! GROW UP!

This is all absolute ******! When did it kick off in The Itchen North? Apart from the numpties in an exec box from Pompey giving it large, and a few desperate Cardiff fans wanting a swing a couple of seasons ago it never has! All this jesticulating and offensive/abusive behaviour is usually all forgotten at the end of the game anyway. I can't recall a mass exodus from the Itchen North to have a go at the away fans in the car park - it's usually all the chav youff from The Notham goading them! The sole of the stadium was lost when they closed the Itchen North corner - I still beleive it was nothing to do with cost just Rupert having his revenge on the "lunatic fringe".

Here's something radical - close The Northam to home fans and relocate them all to The Chapel. Keep the away fans in The Northam and re-open the Itchen North. The Itchen North is a sun trap - it keeps me warm when things are cold on the pitch! Then at least in the 2nd half when we go for the kill the players will be kicking towards the home fans! I keep hearing people say why don't we kick toards The Northam in the 2nd half - perhaps they like kicking towards The Chapel and they are suggesting the "hard-core" relocate to The Chapel! So the logisitics of having the away fans in The Northam will never change. The police can control the evacuation of SMS and get away fans off on coaches will minimal fans crossing and avoiding potential flash points. The atmosphere will never be the same again at SMS until the away fans are cornered (literally) between The Northam & Itchen North ardent fans base. I personally think it is a conspiracy to make SMS a more homely place. The Itchen North was not for the faint hearted and there was/is always that menace factor to deal with. I'm not suggesting it would all kick off - but you just knew if any away fans fancied trying their arm, they would get more than a bargained for! Believe me there were faces that populated this stand who were on the pitch at Highbury in 1984, and many other friendly disputes about the result all over the country - never mind Hill Lane. So fortress SMS needs the Itchen North back and quickly - why don't they put the away fans up in The Chapel and have all the coaches parked in the car park? Surely that would be the easiest and quickest solution...hang on a minute the Itchen North would then become The Itchen or The Kingsland South!

I think it strange to see both clubs in their current position. For the first time in 50 odd years the blue few are in the top flight whilst we linger at the foot of the 3rd tier. As for plight - everything comes to those who wait. We have a decent stadium, a fan base, and a financially secure future. I know which one I would chose! Why is everyone so obsessed with them down the road? We won't be playing them again for years - and knowing both clubs fortunes we will pass each other and not have a league clash for many seasons. Let's just concentrate on getting our club up and let the slide in Southsea remain at the fun fair!

It is a reflection on the good will being felt at SFC this season. It is also a refelction on what RL cost the club last year with him coming back replacing Leon. Just goes to show the dark lord did cost the club about 4,000 per game...why didn't he fall on his sword sooner?

Just pleased with the win. Boy we needed that...even if it as a couple of penalties - they all count! Let's just hope +1 next week after a convincing win at Carlisle. Can't go next week, but be there in spirit.

That famous "Soul Cellar" thread identified that it was not just about "lads being lads" it was more of a way of life. Life was so much simpler in those days. No internet No mobile phones No Playstations It was "gangs" made up from "pubs", "areas" or "works". Saturday was the day to let it all go after a week of working - a day to vent your splein! So why "do it" with someone you might have to work with from the other side of town - when there were visitors form outside the City on your manor? I can remember going down Hill Lane to the station to see how many away fans came by train. I can remember going into town and seeing who was about to ransack Woolies. It's no different today - but I suppose the only thing is the increase that you might come away with more than a black eye and hurt pride. People still carried knives - but not to the extent people have us believe is done today by the cowardly youff. There is nothing new in this tribal dance - the only difference are the clothes and haircuts. It all get's very tribal - our club is better than your club transforms to my gang is harder than your gang. How do you settle that? Not by kicking a bag of wind around with rules...but urban warfare a la playstation makes much more sense! So whether a mod or a rocker, a skinhead, a casual, a punk - boy, teenager, youth or man there is something about the rawness of combat/fighting that attracts certain individuals. If it wasn't football it would be something else...but where else can you guarantee to find a "rival" gang looking for it every Saturday?

I think we should have a very large flag for the Itchen Corner... LOWE FREE ZONE Just as a reminder!

Last post of the day... Come on you reds... Pardew breaks his duck at SMS...

Not convinced but 3-1 to Saints would be a great result...and ease our worries. -4 tonight and counting! It's all about winning lads - get in the habit!

For what it's worth here's my thoughts... Once upon a time we were hated by teams, they didn't like coming to The Dell. The facilities were ****e and the team were christened as the "Ale house brawlers". Teams knew they were in for a hard time when they played The Saints. On top of that we had an ardent fan base - not a noisy fan base...but they knew when to get behind a team. Sure there was always The Milton, Under the West Stand, Under the East Stand, even The Archers...but when it was needed the whole ground responded. It was intimidating... Now let's consider the last 6/7-years. We've had rule changes meaning "hard tackles" are not allowed. We haven't had a " hard" hard team and teams were cosseted when they visited SMS. The crowd are disjointed - there's too much open space to generate the intimidating atmosphere! To cap it all we've had "kids" out there who can't seem to fight the fight. They get bullied - from every part of the field. No one looks out for the team - it's all about me! The team is not a team - look at the defence when we concede - they don't turn around and get on with it - they all look at each other and point the finger of blame. That's not a team ethic! Talking of the losing mentality...we bought players that knew that sinking feeling. Quashie, Philips...it rubs off - that Jonah feeling. Poor old Davies went down with Sunderland - didn't he? I think things will soon turn around. We've got some hungry players, some big lads who will bully the bullies. We've got players who will put a foot in again - and leave it in. You watch the younger ones start enjoying getting stuck in and dishing it out. Football went "soft" and we fell into the trap of believing people liked "nice" football & nice football clubs...like Southampton. It went soft and corporate and we all know it's about making more money and not producing the results...he who must not be mentioned had a lot to do with that! I'd take a couple of seasons of winning ugly and teams not like playing us again. To some extent the failure at Southampton FC is the fault of the success of football. Little old clubs like ours tried to compete, and failed miserably. Bring on the winners in 2009/2010 - I wanna be in that Number!

For those who do not know Bungle - he's a jolly fellow especially after a couple of pints. As for the "chubby face" & "tight curly hair" - hardly. Bungle is best observed at away games stood at the back bellowing out the Woolston Ferry Song or OWTSGMI. He particularly likes the "Barmy Army" chant along with "Red Army". He loved our ex-Chairman sooooooooo much I thought he was a love-child! All I can say is you wouldn't want to have to pick him up if he fell over - if you get my drift...but then again I fall into that category too! So TDD he is a wealth of knowledge about everything - well most things except football!

Duncan I just like to say I enjoy reading most of the threads in which you contribute, and like many believe I can sort through the wheat from the chaff. Don't take it so personally...these plebs are not worthy of your ire and frustration. What a waste of time "pm'ing" someone on here to offer proof. Life is too short, and i's hard enough being a Saints fan at the moment, without all the other stress of pleasing everyone!

Oh do bee hive.... I thought Delap was coming back as he has one hell of afro.... Then again I thought that Ryan Sidebotham was joining us as he has a receding 'air line... As for the highlights of tonights game...it will be the tail of two partings...Mrs Philips Brazilian & Rasiak offski to Aire United!

Blimey - the only thing associated with hiding relating to Saints is our midfield! As for giving anyone a good hiding - I think the word you are looking for is verbal bashing. We talk a very good game - just can't seem to words into actions! AP talks the talk - but he can't get the players walkin the walk! Dream on Andy D - it's going to be long time before we take anyone to the cleaners, unless it's to collect that designer suit!!

If you have that losing mentality - and you know Kelvin will stop almost everything - a draw is the best you can hope for 0-0. However we aren't even good enough for that - we must look to score. Two things...where is the midfield? Following Millwall game - reports stated we had a defence, what's gone wrong? Another sloppy set piece goal conceded. I didn't go or listen - but watched the BBC commentary during the game, and it sounded dire. I believe Mr. Pardew is making a point to his superiors. They may all be "Championship" players on decent money - but none of them are worth diddly squat without heart. Nothing new really - we need a midfield general (is this going to be Hammond?) and a decent centre back. We need to add some pace and width and pass the ball to players in red & white striped shirts. I feel sorry for RL (no not the dark lord) - he comes to a big club and all he gets is a ball hoofed up to him with no support. He can't score from headers unless he gets crosses - so when is he going to score again? He alos can't score by shooting unless someone brings the ball from midfield and creates some space - and passes to him! I keep telling myself it's only 3-games in and the transfer window closes in a couple of weeks (12-days and counting), and Pardew has little or no preparation time with the squad. But honestly I think the Titanic stayed up longer than us on it's travels from Southampton...and just like the Titanic there are only going to be a few survivors. The fans have turned out in force (again) after pleading form the new owners, but it's about time those being paid to perform - start performing. How do I feel? I've got a Leeds ST work mate sitting on 9-points. I visit Colchester on Saturday - sitting pretty at the top of the Division. It's not a good day to be a Saints fan!

Used to be my local - I lived about 100yrds away up Worsley Road...oh happy days! Look out for Swindon Matt he lives just up the road in Wooton Bassett - There used to be a pub on the way to there called Sally Pusseys...make of that what you will but the food and drink were excellent!

I think one of the big problems is we have no width. We don't pass it to each other enough - or fast enough. Everything looks laboured, and telegraphed. Perhaps looking down from on high - everyone seems to want the ball - but they never have enough space or time on the ball. It could be that Huddersfields work rate was better than most - but no one seems capable of finding space. We looked a bit better when Thompson came on - but he strguggled against 2-players almost everytime he got the ball. I thought Melis looked more than a substitute and I won't be surprised to see him start on Tuesday. So in summary... we lack width we lack pace we lack vision we lack any steel/metal Not much to put right - and on top of that we are definitely lacking confidence I thought the fans were good humoured on Saturday and the officials were a little biased on 50/50 decisions...most going the way of the home team. Huddersfield fans wwere good - all three stands making noise independently.

Well back to the pc after a weekend away. The game was quite dire if you were a Saints fan. We were over run in every area. I thought Huddersfield played really well and how it remained 0-0 at half time only Kelvin knows. There were gaping holes in the centre of defence at times...and midfield looked non existent. Watched the goals again...the penalty was down to some poor defending and we still nearly got away with it...our goal was a bolt out of the blue...the other two goals were just poor defending. Don't get me wrong Huddersfield are a good side going forward - but I think we made their job easier. We didn't pass to each other (one of the basics) and kept hoofing it up to Rasiak and Lambert. Rasiak was not at the races. We have a lot of work to do before we are going to reduce the -9 points! Hudderfield seemed a friendly enough place. Some of the old members of TSF met in The Grove and sampled some real ale. The highlight of the walk to the ground was a rendition of OWTSGMI in a subway with a busker. The funny thing was the look on an old couples face when only 10 of us came out the subway with a couple of girls in tow...from the look on their faces it was a gang of nutters of around 200! Then someone started "Huddersfield...get Lallana" - don't ask! Oh and I got soaked walking to the pub! Not a good day and looking back we are almost as bad as last season on some away games. TBH Huddersfield should have won by a bigger margin - but thankfully Kelvin was there to save the day. It's going to be a long hard season - forget play offs at this stage, let's just concentrate on staying in this league!

Where are the youth drinking tomorrow...so I can avoid them?

The whole atmosphere around SMS and the fan base was down to the "He who must not be mentioned on this site any more" factor. Although the effort and team ethic had something to do with it too. The fact is we have had bad teams in the past and they all gave 100%. We had players turning up and not giving 50% - and to cap it all a madcap scheme involving an untried experiment combining kids and total football in a big boys league. The feel good factor is slowly coming back. Season ticket sales are up, we have a Manager who understands the English way, and a defence with experience. We are going to be a very difficult team to beat with a couple more players. It also has a lot to do with people listening to the fans and taking note of what they think. It's not always correct, but usually fairly close to the truth. Football will always be a game of opinions - 30,000 people can all watch agame and go home with 30,000 different matches to replay. In the last regime there was only one opinion - and no one else was allowed to say anything...if they did challenge they were out. I get the impression everything down at SMS is a little rosier and people actually like going to work again. The official site seems to be more informative, The Echo seem to be supportive of the local team, and even though relegated last year the fans have not been put off. The reason for our demise is a ghost of the past. His brown shirted bully boys are gone. The lunatic fringe saved our club. Now all I want is to see The Itchen of "We're The Itchen" fame return to the fold in blocks 1,2 & 3 and make fortress SMS the intimidating place it once was. I never felt so comfortable at a game as when in that spot with the sun on my face, brothers in arms alongside me, and the away fans (bless them)! One song, we've only got one song...but who cares? Life goes on with hope thanks to Markus Liebherr and his investment...can we ever thank him enough?

Pleased with result. Two positives - SKY curse lifted & Paterson scoring. From reports received from friends the whole experience was 100% better than anything in recent years. Not difficult some of you might say. Other things to note for all you luvvies out there... 20,000+ fans with it being on SKY and no reduced ticket prices - last season we would have been lucky to scrape 15,000. 11,000 season tickets sold to date...so Lowe had no affect on season ticket sales last season? It's fantastic getting our club back...but one downer is the Itchen Corner still being closed. Having followed Saints for many years you find a spiritual home in a stadium. At The Dell it moved around until a few of us settled under the East Stand. I've sat in all parts of SMS - The Chapel, Kingsland and Northam - but Blocks 1/2&3 were the place I felt most at home. I can't put my finger on it...but it had an edge. No it wasn't the police presence or the extra stewards...but there seemed to be a group of like minded persons of a certain age. Old enough to know better, but what the heck! Sure banter with the away fans was part of the day out...but that losing feeling tends to get some peoples backs up! If we start winning...surely the tensions of the fans crossing in the car park will be eliviated. Most of the "blokes" that sat in these blocks didn't go out of SMS spoiling for a fight - so why close it? How much extra does the policing cost in real terms? I bet there were just as many police there for Saturdays game with no corner open - so why? The team need the fans like a 12th man - The Itchen Corner encouraged a more vocal backing...along with some more original songs!

Who was the first to go? Blimey a fly on the wall documentary if ever I saw one! When did Rupert grow a moustache, and develop the penchant for being surrounded by brown shirts...but some strange similarities. I would say "too much time on your hands" but what a great effort...it has lightened my day no end. Comic genius? Hardly...but worthy of merit!

I had a weird dream on Friday night - we beat Millwall 5-0. Two things that were really strange: 1. I was under the East Stand at The Dell? 2. I didn't recognise any of the team! The 3rd goal was surreal - Millwall couldn't clear their lines and a young centre forward hassled and robbed the defender - and stuck it in the back of the net. I say surreal because that's the sort of thing that catches us out! If anyone can analyse this dream I would be very interested! By the way I think 5-0 is a little optimistic...still might be worth a fiver!

To be honest when the poll was done we had no recognised full backs and one fit central defender! So to start in defence by building fromthe back was inevitable. We have always needed a goalscorer - that's been our problem for 2/3 seasons!