Minty

Bugger. 1-1.

Brum are gonna come at us this half I fear... gotta be braced to withstand some early pressure.

Yes indeed, and played well and created chances. Brum have had their openings too, could've been about 3-2, but our lads are giving it everything it seems which is all we can ask.

Jerome is already on TDD... he replaced an injured Nafti after about 30 mins

Well i'm only going by Radio Solent, and Dave Merrington can be hard to please, but he's very complimentary. 2 mins of stoppage time.

Another good chance... Lallana effort saved, corner to Saints... CHRIS PERRY!!!! 1-0!!!! Get in!

Let off there... Brum goal disallowed for offside... apparently the offside player didn't need to touch it as it was going in already. Holmes just screwed an effort wide after good work from McGoldrick.

Put aside all the talk of transfers and finances etc, etc... at least those who are out there, on the pitch, are giving it 100% and it sounds like we're competing well with a side that is expected to be up there at the end of the season. If that isn't encouraging, considering the changes and player sales, then I don't know what is.

Taylor good save from Gillett chance, after McGoldrick break down the right! So close!

We started well and dominated with some good play for the first 20 mins, but Brum come back into it with a couple of breaks since... one let off, but Saints just back up the other end, but overhit cross from James.

That's the spirit.

Certainly does, Merrington saying it's all good so far.

From todays report on the OS: "There was a change in the press box too. After 20 years and 945 games covering Saints, website editor Graham Hiley handed over to James Morley before taking over as editor at www.premierleague.com" I for one would like to wish Graham all the best... he's taken a lot of flack over the years but has always done a good job overall IMO, not to mention being very friendly and helpful to me when I worked with him taking photos for the club. Onwards and upwards by the looks of things. Good luck Graham.

More good approach play, low cross from Lloyd James, nearly picks out Lee Holmes, cleared for a corner.

Another good cross, just over John's head. Good passing and movement so far it seems, and closing down the opposition well according to Solent. Sorry, no links... i'm listening to it on the radio.

Bright start... John goal disallowed for offside from a good cross from Schneiderlin.

It is indeed, and not devoid of skill either... on paper, a very balanced and capable side that I would expect to be at or near the top, if they can gel (sorry, shouldn't use that word after last season!) Frankly, I'll be happy with a point today.

Brum side for those interested, Phillips on the bench... expect him to come on and score later then... Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Murphy, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Larsson, O'Connor, Nafti, McFadden, Owusu-Abeyie, Parnaby, Carsley. Subs: Kelly, Phillips, Bent, Jerome, Doyle.

Saints line-up: Davis, James, Svensson, Perry, Surman, Schneiderlin, Gillett, McGoldrick, Lallana, Holmes, John. Subs: Lancashire, Thomson, Mills, Wotton, Bialkowski.

I've advocated this approach for a long time... mainly because I've seen some very good young players hailed as being ready for the first team, (including by myself) but who've been hampered by the fact that the style and tempo of play and even formation, is different between first and reserve teams. It does make a difference, especially for a young player learning his trade... developing your skills is one thing, but to have to cope with a new system or formation just adds to the pressure. Football is stuck in it's ways in many areas... 'we've always done it like that' etc, etc... i welcome this and hope it has the impact I think it is capable of having.

Going into administration guarentees losing points. Selling players does not. I am certainly not going to make any proclaimation about where we'll finish, or even begin to say 'don't worry', because that would be foolish, but if we need to sell more players to stay out of the red then personally I feel it's something we have to do. And aintforever... we haven't paid out anywhere near as much as 1.5m euros for Schneiderlin yet... it'll be an initially very small amount, increasing over time as appearances increase and other milestones are passed.

Oh I do, I'm just good at time management. :cool:

I've scored at The Dell.

It could be worse... you could be at work, like me!

Talking to yourself kip? Not a good sign...