Navyred

Couldn't agree more! This season is already better than the whole of last season! We need to have patience, Rome wasn't built in a day etc...... Brilliant to see Mills today and Thomson. The only tactical change needed in this team is 2 STRIKERS! Everything else is okay, we will survive, but we need goals. Two up front is an absolute necessity, I don't care which two - MCG/BWP/JOHN/PEKHART/PATERSON. Rotherham is an ideal opportunity to do this. We cannot go there on Tuesday and play with one striker - can we?

The four lads I think will do the biz for us from last seasons Academy crop are definitely White, Paterson, Hatch and Mills. All will get a game this season - but I think all four will be heavily involved next season - whatever league we are in!! From the current batch, Racine, Argent, Gobern and especially Mclaggan. We do have some outstanding talent at this club. Lets keep our fingers crossed that JP keeps to his word!

Understand where you are coming from, have you seen this? http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A41102623 Pekhart and Paterson, sounds like a good double act!!

It's not SHIIIIITE - we are playing a team that at very best was playing Reserve if not Academy footbal last season. Get a frigging grip, and get behind them. I am sick to death of the constant ****ing whining - WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCE TO COMPETE AT THIS LEVEL - maybe with a bit of support and some confidence we can survive this season and start building.

FFS. We were seen off by Ollie's red card (should have been yellow) and an incredibly bad decision from Tthe linesman for their second goal. Up to that point we were competing if not playing better than a team that is full of professional players. Our kids were outstanding today, when they had to chase the game, they got caught - remember we were playing with ten men for over an hour. As for playing Rudi - ****, doesn't want to be here, and is after a money move. Perry - old, knackered and no vision. John is the only one that I would have used today. Davis was outstanding in goal today - MOTM in my opinion. We don't have the resource, we need to get behind these kids - they are playing their hearts out - stop your frigging whinging on this board. COYR

Anyone for Reserves v Gillingham tomorrow? Wonder what the team will be? Might give us an idea of who's here!

I am sure Dave Hockaday will have a quiet word with young Pato. Hockaday rates the young striker highly and I am sure he will tell him just to keep doing what he is doing. Euell I am sure will be off on loan soon (providing his shoulder is ok) but as you say I do think he has quite a calming influence when playing with the youngsters.

Thought that I would also add that I thought Bristol City's David Noble was absolutely outstanding this evening. He should be a Premiership player soon.

Completely agree with your report Ron. I thought the kids did exceptionally well against what could be a City first team! First half was exceptional, we held the ball, passed it brilliantly and created some great chances. Jake Thomson was exceptional in midfield, City didn't know quite how to cope with him. Young Paterson as you say, just had one of those nights, he could have had a hat-trick, what I was impressed with was his complete commitment, he won every header, put in some crunching tackles, held the ball up well and ran the line all night - just couldn't get the ball in the net! Saw him after the game he looked gutted - but he can take a lot of pride in his play- he will play first team football for Saints. BWP got a goal but I thought he was poor all round. Dyer never gave up, if he shows this commitment 100% of the time then JP must play him. Think Euell dislocated his shoulder! Young McNish battled well and McLaggon had a couple of good runs in the second half. As you say Ron, the score line flatters City, we lost but we can take a lot of heart from our kids performances. COYR

Spot on m8

Definitely a wake up call to the older pros in the squad. With the likes of White, Thomson, Paterson, Hatch and Mills outplaying them in training and showing more in the Reserves I can only see more of these youngsters coming through. Hats off to JP so far, he talks a good game and seems to be a very good motivator.

Next one up will be Kane McClaggan. Whippet who beats players with ease. Like the look of young Sam Argent, defender, as well, gives100% and gets stuck in.

sorry m8 it was definitely not aimed at you! I enjoyed your report it was exact.

Okay I decided to wait to see the fall out from a 3 - 0 home defeat and am a little surprised that there are not more people on this thread moaning and groaning, wanting to sack the dutchmen, Lowe etc...... I thought last night we were beaten by a far better, stronger and more accomplished Reading side, which included five first team players and Noel Hunt, their new acquisition from Dundee United who played very well. First half we were poor. We didn't pass the ball and struggled to cope defensively. The OS spin on Ollie leading by example and Racine getting lots of heading practice is fine, but actually we were pretty well overstretched by a very fast Reading front line. Skacel, if he was playing for 'the scouts' had a shocker. He has lost the sparkle that he had when he first got here, is a shadow of his former self, and needs to move on. BWP proved what a greedy player he is. Constantly trying to do it all himself and not involving his team mates. Mills was good at left back and White came into the game in the second half and battled well. At 1 - 0 down we were definitely starting to boss the game. Paterson made a big difference when he came on, suddenly we had a threat up front, he got stuck in and put himself about. Think Wotte, tactically didn't quite get it right. Mills should have moved to left mid earlier, BWP should have gone wide and Paterson up front, but hindsight is great! Not many positives, but good to see Ollie back. Fish, Paterson and White should all be on the bench at some stage this season.

Good business I'm afraid. Skacel, Euell, BWP (and maybe Dyer) are all on the market with various scouts watching tonight at the Reserves at Marchwood. The cull is not over yet, but I am still very optimistic about the season!

Saints have not yet stated tonights squad. But this should be an interesting night with Skacel, Euell, BWP, Dyer, Lancashire, Wootton, Paterson, Hatch, Mills, Thomson, White, Racine, Gobern and few more all available. Reading are always a good strong side, so am looking forward to an entertaining game. COYR

One of the best young centre backs in the coutry. Glad he's getting back from injury. Love to see him play alongside Killer.

Very impressed with Saints again today. Up agains the future winners of the CCC our youngsters were again outstanding. Well done Lloyd James your effort and determination were outstanding. Don't think I have seen Alec McLeish so vocal at a game, he was going livid as we bossed most of the game. My only disappointment today was with the bench, not having another striker, whether that be BWP, Dyer, Paterson or White was a big mistake - if we need to chase a game we need strikers on the bench.

Agree, he has some big names in front of him, but he will get his opportunity at some time this season to show us what he's got. Apart from his outstanding workrate, what I really like about him is his mobility. He runs the front line like a good old fashioned striker! Think he will bag himself a few with the Ressies which should then give him the confidence to step up.

I'm starting to get the old tingles back!!! COYR

I think it would be a perfect opportunity to give Hatch, Mills, Paterson and White all a run out. Rest some of our younger players (Lallana and Gillet) and get John 90 minutes. Sounds like Holmes may be a little injured and needs a rest so get Thomson and Dyer working the wings. Exciting days ahead!

Just back from10 days holiday in the States so missed the Stoke, Woking and Cardiff games. But reading the threads on the site, there seems to be a lot of optimism about. Is it fair to say that the younsters look as though they could compete at this level and maybe give us something to be proud of this season?