Wilf

I remember seeing him play for the youth team against Norwich one rainy day years ago in Norwich, I though he was one of the players most likely to make it through to the first team (along with midfielder Anderson (?)). Good to see that he's positive about his time with us.

How about some combination of... * Canny and flexible tactics * Motivation * Team work / team spirit * Getting new players to quickly gel with team mates * Guts, keeping heads up when we go behind * Excellent coaching * Having great leaders on the pitch * Bravery * Ability to spot and exploit weaknesses in opposition teams / players / tactics * Great supportive atmosphere at St Marys * Vocal away support * Superb player development bringing young players through * Getting the right squad rotation * Good psychology * Good sports science * Luck at key points in key games * Failings in any of the above by our key competitors

I'm with you on this!

Thanks, that's a great read!

I vote Ken Monkou at Norwich. Going into injury time losing 3:4 and all but relegated, then Ken caps the come-back with a header and we win 5:4 Incredible!!!

Many thanks

Anyone know if we'll play in yellow or blue tomorrow?

Local connection with the Leibherr family! http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/liebherr-sunderland-works-marks-milestone-7409736

"Who on earth is on the is Panel, because stone me they are Dubious to say the least!" I have it on reasonably good authority that Ian Branfoot is on the dubious goals panel (seriously!)

I live in Norwich and I'm a Saints fan. I'm not very plastic. Behave Bernie!

And of course Lee Todd (Toddler) who came with him. Worst of all was the constant moaning at the Dell that followed anything less than perfect from club legend Terry Paine in the late 1960s

Scoring against us was the only impressive thing I saw Redmond do last season, otherwise very disappointing and with no end product for all his pace.

Any veterans at West Ham when Tom Jenkins scored that goal and by all accounts got applause from all corners of the ground?

BBC report on Lambert's goal: "That might be Norwich dead and buried. Ryan Bennett inadvertently flicks the ball into the path of Rickie Lambert, who swerves inside Jos Hooiveld and coolly finishes to double the lead. Lambert has only been on for 64 seconds. In front of Roy Hodgson as well. Nice work." So what the hell was Jos doing nearly getting in the way, was he in his track suit warming up and wandered onto the pitch?

What the f*ck was Boruc doing though?????? BBC report: "What a goal! Goodness me this is how to counter attack! Rickie Lambert is midway in his own half when he looks up and sends Jay Rodriguez away down the left, he's the only man in Fulham's half. It's a lost cause, but the England man cuts inside before clipping a delicious finish over the head of Artur Boruc and into the top corner. Brilliant, brilliant goal".

Absolutely right. He always gave 110% and to his credit he tried hard not to let the negativity from sections of the crowd get him down. It's stuff like that moaning and picking on players that I enjoy least about being a Saints fan. However Dan's in good company, the great Terry Paine got piles of abuse in his later years at the Dell. Hope he does well at Forest.

"Jay Rodriguez is hoping to be clearer on his future next week once talks have taken place over the 24-year-old’s contract. He has a renegotiation clause in his deal that is meant to kick in after 45 starts for the Saints and he is on 43. Cortese had held talks with Rodriguez and his representatives, but that process will have to start again after Southampton’s home game against Arsenal." Let's at least get this striker feeling settled and focused! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/southampton/10593485/Southampton-ready-to-sell-Dani-Osvaldo-after-striker-butted-team-mate-Jose-Fonte-during-training-session.html

The voice of reason strikes again !!!!

I know from my work that many companies want to be "farmers" not "hunters" when it comes to customers; but here are some examples for me as a consumer: Virgin Media have gone to great lengths to retain me as a customer and have proactively contacted me offering reductions in tariff and extra services. Virgin Mobile give me incentives to get family members on contracts thereby achieving a good lock in of me as a customer. O2 have given me a great deals in the past to retain me when I asked about leaving. Virgin Money provide me free access to a lounge in the city centre as long as I remain a customer. Aviva have a customer programme offering me discounts across products and free competitions etc Chubb phoned me up last week asking if I was happy with service and offered to reduce my bill by 15% This morning I cancelled an Amazon Audible subscription and to do so I had to turn down some good incentives to reconsider. My contracts with British Gas are up for renewal so I'll let you know how that goes :-)

You're right that you do not "need to". But since the 1980s businesses have realised that it's far more cost effective to retain existing customers, and grow the relationship with them, than it is to win new customers. Building on a loyal customer base is also far more prudent for the future than attracting Customers who may disappear quickly again when things aren't going quite so well. This is apart from the fact that football clubs are more than just businesses, but that's another argument....

Agree with every word of this (including dismay at the personal insults). Thanks, you've saved me a lot of typing there!

It's good that we have a 7 point lead (+ goal difference) on the teams below us, gives us some breathing space while the dust settles.

My worst Saints game ever, I even got to see myself on TV highlights at one point looking miserable and soaked in the crowd.

...and I'd include the signing of Ron Davies from Norwich as a master stroke from Ted Bates.