Tony F

But the point I was trying to make wasn't that we were suddenly amazing in front of goal...............purely that there are quite a few teams with the same problem this season.

This is not true though .... before the Everton game, we had scored 3 goals scored from open play (+ 3 penalties) at home. Away from home we have scored 3 times - all from open play. Total was 9. Now 13

After banging in 4 yesterday, there are now 8 teams in the league that have scored fewer than Saints have (13 goals from 13 games) - whilst 9 teams have scored more. Brighton/Everton have scored the same number.... whilst Huddersfield, Swansea and palace are still in single figures. Surprising - given all the recent "Saints can't score goals" hype - and makes you realise quite a few teams are struggling for goals this season!!

And as at May last year (when it was published) we finished three place above our average. The jury is out as to whether we might beat the average again this year.

Problem with this is that, traditionally, the last post signifies the end of the day (which is when it was originally used).... after which one or two minutes silence was traditionally held to remember the fallen....after which the Reveille (the wake-up call) is played to signify the start of a new day. This is how it will be done at Remembrance services this weekend but clearly it's too complex for footy fans.... so they tried to simplify it.....but still too difficult. Not much more to say really... a slightly sad sign of the times I guess

"Re-tweet" on the BBC website today..... Southampton are lining up a January move for Monaco striker Stevan Jovetic. The Montenegro striker, 27, has already played in England with Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

No we won 6 home (and 6 away)...... Still should be better out of 19 home games though, of course

Interestingly, looking at Minsk's Match by Match Comparison - which he wrote PRIOR to beating WBA: "I am using Hull for this comparison and last season we only managed a home draw against them too. So, we remain with a... 1 point deficit Next up, very shortly, on Match Day 9 is a home match against WBA. Last season .... our home game against WBA resulted in a 2-1 defeat." So - assuming Minsk has done his homework (and who am I to say otherwise?) - on a opponent-for-opponent basis, having taken 3 points against the Baggies we are now actually 2 points better off than last season. Surprising maybe????

Thats a good point. We all have a soft spot for Rickie ("take us to the Premier League" and all that) but his Saints hey-days were in L1 & Championship more than the Prem seasons he played.

Aha; the self-appointed "childishness police" have struck. You'd better take out full membership if you want to take this role seriously.

Fixed :-) (oops - pedant alert)

Your stalking of JWP like this doesn't seem very niceandfriendly. Whats got into you?

Such mentalists (as you say) really don't appreciate the value of introducing dug-outs..... There is simply no way we could ever overcome such a handicap regardless of league position, trophies won, wealth, stadium capacity or anything. The die is cast. We must just accept the inevitable of being forever in Everton's shadow.

So this means ..... if you were to consider your manly appendages penis first..... we lose 1-2? Doesn't sound like a very firm (excuse the pun!) basis for football forecasting. Or any other aspect of life for that matter!?

Try sending an email to: southamptoncup@saintsfc.co.uk ??

I was under the impression that three certainties of life were death, taxes and nurses. Given my experience of exploring the latter of the three I can assure you it was more fun than your third........

OK Cheers Chalet. Summer holiday in Moscow ay? - lucky him......

Doesn't see to be in the squad going to France this unless I am just word-blind, looking down the list. Anyone shed any light on this?

If you watch the footage of when the injury was (deliberately) inflicted it was a clear stamp on the ankle joint. I remember watching it in slow-mo as it bent the wrong way. Really callous thing to do to a fellow player when the ball had clearly departed the vicinity. Dunno how he escaped sanction

I lived in the Rome area for the last 2 years and can reinforce everything Benji said (post #4). Other things I can think of: Getting from the airport - the best way is the direct Fiumicino Express train but for half the price you can buy a standard train ticket which stops on the way. Depends if you want speed or money saving. If you go by taxi it's a fixed rate and still expensive in my view and (of course) vulnerable to traffic hold-ups. There are coaches which take you to the main station in Rome - cheap but can be crowded and again vulnerable to traffic. Agree completely on the need to find a "skip the line" operator with English speaking guide for Vatican and possibly Colosseum too. Worth paying the extra as the queue can easily by 2 hrs. Big time. I don;'t think it really matters where you stay in the city because transport really is easy (Metro and buses are good but metro only has two lines, A & B). Public transport is generally busy before 0930 and again after 4pm with commuters. . Just use Google Maps to plan your travel by either/both. Either buy a "number of days unlimited" pass or buy single tickets for only 1.50 Euros (buy in tabacchi shops). At your start of journey point the ticket needs to be stamped (or passed through the gate machine of the metro) and then you have 100 minutes on bus/train withn the ticket price. Note that the train to Ostia/Ostia Antica IS included and Ostia Antica is a good day out. Ostia itself is lovely place (beach) to go in the evening and also to eat out - prices much better than Rome. However from 4pm trains will be packed with commuters going home from Rome. Trains to Osia depart from Piramid/Porta San Paulo station - get off Metro at Piramid, cross to PSP by foot. Get on any train at PSP as they all go to Ostia and only Ostia. Take an umbrella with you and expect to use as a parasol but will be useful if heavens open too!

There isn't really very many ways he could have spun it. "I was awful - manager was right not to play me much"...... Nope OR: "I really enjoyed the few minutes here and there that I was only required to play, to pick up my pay cheque"..... Nope. OR: What he said.

Maybe that's partly what pre-season training is about - not only fitness but extra technique training for those that need it?

This is quality"forum chuckle" stuff; keep it up guys cos it's the reason I come on here

There are many ways to judge a goalie but statistically, shots vs saves is about the only measurable one. For me, much of this season Forster has shown no presence, no authority, no intention to even influence (let alone dominate) his penalty area. The mess up with Jack in the final game was a classic example. Its the job of the goalie, with clear view of what's in front, to take control, make a positive decision and relay that to his defenders. From time to time he may even leave his line (surprise!!!) and physically dominate the opposition. Fraser is not doing any of this. Stephens would have had an even better season if he was playing in front of a goalkeeper with these qualities. It is too much to ask at Prem level?

I really must offer an alternate view on Forster. Again he had no presence, no authority, no intention to even influence (let alone dominate) his penalty area. The mess up with Jack was a classic. As the goalie, with clear view of what's in front, it's his job to take control, make a positive decisio and relay that to his defenders. What happened? Nada. Nearly a major cock up. Sorry but this season Forster has lost the plot. Need a better solution.