John D

Similar to comments above. I watch Saints games still but hardly any of the other games. They will probably be on but only in the background whilst I do other stuff. I can't wait to get back to going to a game. Once again for a great day out ruined by 90 minutes of football. Will be rolling over my balance as I don't need the money right now so happy to leave it where it is.

That sums up my view as well. Appears we tried to get a full back but having worked through our 3 or 4 choices none of them were available so we switched to an AM instead to use up our one slot. I'd possibly question whether we were being realistic in our choice of full back but given AMN did leave and United seemed to flip re Williams then probably they were viable targets I'm sure the decision re Vokins and Valery were both football rather than financial so Ralph must have been comfortable with it.

No snow here in Manchester and none expected now. Due to rain later though as usual

It also highlights our challenge of keeping players happy but having a strong squad. Lots of valid comments recently about our squad depth given our injuries. But players good enough to play premier league won't settle for being 4th choice at Saints. Hence having the likes of Long and Stephens as reserves plus the youth.

Got mine today. I was one of the last to get the previous batch so pleasantly surprised

I always think of it like this: 1 GK 2 & 3 RB & LB 4 & 8 Cen Mid (4 more defensive and 8 attacking) 5 & 6 Centre halves 7 & 11 wide mid / wingers 9 & 10 Strikers. Might swap the 8 and 10 around though.

Agreed, he may not want to run down his contract for those reasons hence possibly signing but trying for a release clause. He obviously didn't speak to Lallana or Van Dijk about how to get out of new contract when you want to leave saints. No release needed

Not sure why his agent is insisting on a release clause. Our history shows we will sell once a player agitates for a move so why does he need one. PEH didn't have any issues getting out when he wanted to.

Probably reflects fact he is available on a free in the summer

Nice selective naming of players there. Beyond those you've named our reserves are vokins, Valery, smallbone, Nlundulu and then players with almost zero first team appearances.

8pm on a saturday night is a shite time for watching football - guaranteed my local in manchester won't be showing it 😉

Other than McCarthy who else is?

I read that all teams are being tested before the FA Cup games irrespective of what league they play in

I spoke to the ticket office this morning and was told the same as Old Sarum above about my Man U and Sheff U refunds. Delay was blamed on Christmas meaning less working days. Told to call back next week if not received. So over a month to refund Man U game from date of game.

Yes, my dad and his bubble got emails yesterday to confirm they had been allocated tickets. As you say though it is probably irrelevant.

Think he is out of contract anyway at end of season

I'm still waiting for Sheff U and Man U too. My ticket accounts show 2 refunds processed on 4 Dec and 14 Dec but no sign of the money back on my credit card though

Probably having to redo the ballot after taking all the London post codes out. Or perhaps waiting until after Wed to see what number of fans (if any) are allowed to attend

They emailed me to say it will be based on tier your post code is in when they do the ballot, makes sense. Manchester now has fewer cases than London so I'm expecting it to be in the same tier as london after the next review.

Same - shows as being processed on 3/12 but no payment. So still waiting for both Man U and Sheff U

I got the same email saying I was unsuccessful but my name should have been taken out of the bowl anyway as I'm in tier 3. I presume it was just a generic email to all season ticket holders who said they wanted to attend but didnt get a ticket

Whilst it is common practice there is no officially no such thing as a shared season ticket. therefore only the person who is the named season ticket holder will be able to attend

I was in favour of ring fencing some for those fans when it was out of 8k seats But given it is only 2k capacity it doesn't feel right now given there are 10k odd season ticket holders in the ballot now.

I emailed the club as I am in tier 3. They have confirmed that any supporter with a post code in a tier 3 area at the time of the ballot will be excluded from the ballot for that game. So does mean that I could be back in tier 2 once the game actually takes place but will have missed out being in the ballot.

Don't think it is connected to Southampton anymore - ownership passed from the St Mary's Group to Katerina L a couple of years ago.