Tony F

If we were to lose Adam for a period of time I would hope that Lee, as a left-sided player with pace, would/could/might work himself into the team, alongside Ramierez and Punch, hence allowing the team to keep the same shape. Surely this is better than playing a striker out of position, as has been tried to no good effect (yes I'm referring to Jay Rod on the left)?

I think this is a good example of a misunderstanding of the team set-up on that opening day - and a few since then - that has contributed to fan disquiet. Jay Rod did NOT start the Man City match in place of Lambert; Guly was playing a central role up-front and Jay Rod was on the left wing, with Adam playing in the middle. This "Jay Rod on the left and Adam in the middle" scenario has been tried by Nigel on a few occasions in our opening 10 games and simply has not worked. Not once. Both seem to dislike their appointed roles and are not suited to them. Now we have Ramierez fit again and back in the middle, Adam can go on the left which means the only place for Jay Rod is either on the bench or playing in place of Ricky (or starting on the bench and coming on for Ricky). For the time being its my view this is our best combination, especially supported by Punch on the Right, and showing the quality we saw against QPR.

So this is a Chappers match is it?

It's certainly worth making the observation that, if the Saints keeper always hoofed the ball upfield, a tactic which gives the ball straight back to the opposition in 70% or so occasions, he would be roundly criticised. Instead, following the Manager's instructions, he will distribute to the back 4 if he can (or thinks h can) safely. Sadly the problem with this approach is that, when it goes wrong, there's a reasonable chance that the opposition will score - and then its called a cock-up. However in the first situation (always hoofing upfield and in most cases giving the ball away) the oppostion will inevitaby have possession of the ball much more and, logically, they stand a better chance of scoring if the majority of kick outs from the goalie gift them the ball. Its called a connundrum, I think. The two possible solutions are to either master the short ball tactic to reduce the cock-up factor to as near zero as possible or somehow provide a long-ball outcome with a reduced "give away factor". I think Saints are trying to do the former. Hope they get there soon!

If you want to look for conspiracy theories - proof that NC interferes with the Manager's team selection consider this: On 28 August 2010, Alan Pardew's Saints team won 4-0 at Bristol Rovers and shortly after that Pards was sacked. National press were incredulous at the timing. This forum was alive with theories, including one that Guly had been bought by NC without reference to Pardew. The story continues that Pardew didn't rate him, nor want to play him. NC told Pardew that Guly would play OR ELSE. Pardew brought Guly on with 5 mins of the 90 left (sub for Scheiderlin), Although Saints won 4-0 Pards was unceremonously sacked (for complying with the directive but taking the p*ss) and also, it seems, signed a gagging order as nothing has ever been revealed about the reasons or events leading to his departure. There appear to be some themes emerging...... but maybe Adkins is on the way to winning the war of wills???

I suggest its better being involved in a relegation fight starting in November than April. By being where we are now, at least we've got months to sort things out, gain some momentum and climb up. If you start your relagation battle in April the only thing you can focus on is a big red panic button!!

I am convinced that we followed this philosophy during our last Prem years. And it was the demise through injury of our two central defenders that directly led to relegation

In our vain search for perspective, lets look at the league table. Yes we are bottom on zero but QPR, Liverpool and Villa have only 1 point each from 3 games. Next up is Reading on 1 point from 2. Like us, Liverpool have played two top 4 teams (ie Mancx2, Chelski or Arsenal)– QPR have played one, Aston Villa none. And the reality is that we are far from cast adrift. There is time to move on up the table, but we need to have made a serious impression by end of October, to be sure. Our next games are Arsenal, Villa, Everton, Fulham, West Ham & Tottenham. If we are still rock bottom after we have played 9 games then, yes, time to start the wrist slitting. But until then we have only one real option; BELIEVE....

Proud to have voted YES !!!

If you read the OS announcement that is exactly what it says

We would have been a lower category (and price) for Citeh - but the price was bumped up because it was their first home game of the season AND last season they won it at last gasp - so unfortunately Saints fans were on the receiving end of some blatant profiteering

Fair one. Got carried away by the idea of where he's been living for the last few years. I can see when a clever quip backfires. eg now!

Have you tried the Italian Restaurant pretty much opposite KFC in Southampton? If someone takes Ramirez there for some really good "food from home" - whether Spag Bol or otherwise - he'll sign in the blink of an eye!!!

I am happy to concur with pretty much everything you have written - and am proud to have committed the effort (and expense) to go to Manchester last Sunday to support the team when most of us, in reality, were simply hoping we could avoid a trouncing. I was particularly pleased that Jose didn't seem to indulge in any wrestling matches..... Hopefully Jos wil have learnt from the "Prem League Turn and Fall" as ably demonstrated by Teves...... However, whilst happy to agree with your praise for Nigel's Plan A with Guly, followed by Plan B with Ricky, I cannot concur with your suggestion that Adam must return to the Left. Clearly J Rod (present Plan A) is not the solution - but there must be someone on Nigel's radar who is the Plan B for that role (Phillips maybe?). I am pretty sure J Rod is just holding the fort there, for the time being; we mustn't forget that role could certainly be filled (in an exciting manner - Premier League beware!) by Tadanari Lee, when he returns to full fitness. Back to the Adam debate: I see Nigel grooming Adam to become Southampton's version of the role played by Steven Gerrard for the last 6 or so seasons - something which requires a (mostly) central role. I saw really good flashes of this on Sunday - and although it may take Adam half a season to get the hang of it - when he flourishes there it could be a really significant development for the next 5 years. Lets see who else Nigel/NC gets onto the payroll before the wondow closes - and then see what Plans A, B & C hold. Certainly Nigel is not a man who wears blinkers or manages by habit.

I concur that Punch played very well on Saturday -----yes, only against Wolves ----- yes, only in a friendly etc etc. But he did link up well with Clyne, showed some really good first touches, went past his man, at pace, on many occasions, put crosses over and scored a good goal from 18 yards. I have never seen him play so well, and so direct. If he can put his "silly days" behind him and the club can too, then its almost like a new signing. Even people who've been in prison deserve the right to prove they have been rehabilitated. Lets give him a chance ay?

Working aside the notion that this is a clear wind-up - at the very least it is seriously under-informed. If you were attend a session at Thruxton Motor Circuit (where Tiff regularly appears, taking punters for a spin around the track in a hair-raising fashion) you would see the exact opposite. Nah - thinking about it again - just a poor wind up attempt.

Czechoslovakia???? OOps - that country hasn't existed for - what - 10 years, 15 years now???

So - if you believe the Turkish Press, that's a YES, then? Turkish???

I am aware of this website - it is a good guide - but it doesn't necessarily tell me where my fellow Saints fans will be congregating before the match.....

I am thinking that I really have to go to this celebratory event - probably by train as I live in Wiltshire and getting onto the Saints coaches seems more trouble than worth. Anyone know about the stadium, pubs etc?

I guess the brown modular building shown behind the Chapel end is the luxury valet parking facility for our millionaire players?

Can he please post his home address and post code here so we have the full set of info???

If this is right we can expect to recoup half our Jay Rodriques fee at 1945 hours this evening :-)

The advice above is, in my experience, correct - good card companies will log the charge as "disputed" for months, if necessary. My other piece of advice, if the car company does not cave in but tries to play hard ball with you, is to up the ante by logging the card transaction as "fraudulent" with your card provider. This will get a whole new department allocated to investigate and the hire car company will not like this at all. Worked for me to the tune of around a grand, last year

Premier Inn may well surprise you, if you haven't used one before. Normally cheap if you book well in advance - pricey nearer the time