Fonte: We were nervous and anxious (From This is Hampshire)

right so now thats removed the realistic possibility of play offs, we can concentrate on building for next season now. Get a rotivator on the sms pitch and turn it into adams park then we can learn how to get vital wins on poor pitches for next season.

Sorry that we lost but pleased to see that most of the writers accept that our season should be next year. I also notice some comments about Swindon being a small team who will get nowhere. I hope they make the play-offs and go up.
Just over 20 years ago Swindon had a great team of small name players (Except Don Rogers) and I happened to drive through the town the night they won promotion to the top flight of English football.The celebrations were fantastic BUT they did not last. My laymans view is that they were a team of carrot crunching moonrakers with a crappy little ground in the backwoods of Wiltshire.Not fit for the company of the big boys. Remarkably a fault was found in their previous years accounts and so the promotion was cancelled. That was tough on Swindon town. Had it been one of the big boys would they have suffered the same fate?. They have had tough times and perhaps their time has come again.
The Saints have built a firm base and steady progress is the name of the game.

PARDEW OUT.

We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

Didn't Swindon get relegated from the Premier League and docked 5 million points about 15 years ago? Other 'big' clubs got treated more leniently for similar financial misdemeanours. Good luck to them.

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
PARDEW OUT.

We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

How about Jock Ferrari ? I just made up a stupic name to embelish your equally daft post !!!

I'm not to disappointed. I stated on a post a few days ago that at the beginning of the season most saints fans would have settled for stability and a mid table position after the summer we had last year.
To try to gain promotion after a ten point penalty, new owners coming in and starting a whole new regime behind the scenes, bringing in a new manager who had just days to get to know his players before the start of the new season,and who was unable to build the team he wants due to this time constraint, was always going to be a step to far this season.
Still we have the bonus of a Wembley final to look forward to, so lets just enjoy the rest of the season, and look forward to the take off to the championship next year.

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You're a fool if you really believe what you've just written.

Didn't get home from work until the last 10 minutes, by which time we seemed to be playing 'desperation' football.
The statistics indicate that we gave it a good go and it would be interesting to know just how many times we have hit the woodwork this season.
To do it twice in one game (and once Saturday) and get nothing from it is frustrating to say the least, and who knows what may have been if either of them had snuck in?
Can anyone comment on the disallowed 'goal'? Was it a good decision?
The only concern now, for me, is Fonte's comments about them getting 'nervous and anxious'.
Does this mean they don't have the mental toughness and ability to remain cool under pressure needed to get promotion?
If you add AP's comments about the players 'trying too hard' at Tranmere, which could also be construed as being over anxious, it may be that we will need an extra season in Div 1 to develop the character required to, not only go up, but to stay up when promotion is achieved.

It is far more realistic to aim at promotion next season. That was clear from before the season started due to the 10 point deduction. What is not acceptable is the gap between us and the leaders. We may well have had great results against Norwich, Huddersfield and Leeds but the work has been undone by pathetic performances against Wycombe, Tranmere and Swindon. Swindon may be going well but we have spent enough money to expect a home win against them. That is what Cortese will be telling Pardew and if we don't finish mighty close to the play-offs he may well be out of work. It wouldn't be a shock to me if the fans were kicked in the teeth with defeat at Wembley.
It's not missing promotion that is unacceptable it's the huge gap between us and some very ordinary clubs - even with the 10 points added back on.

Tubbystubb wrote:
I'm not to disappointed. I stated on a post a few days ago that at the beginning of the season most saints fans would have settled for stability and a mid table position after the summer we had last year. To try to gain promotion after a ten point penalty, new owners coming in and starting a whole new regime behind the scenes, bringing in a new manager who had just days to get to know his players before the start of the new season,and who was unable to build the team he wants due to this time constraint, was always going to be a step to far this season. Still we have the bonus of a Wembley final to look forward to, so lets just enjoy the rest of the season, and look forward to the take off to the championship next year.

You and me both, it really was too much, too soon. Now, until the end of the season, perhaps the players can relax in the sense that the dervousness of "will we get to the play-offs" has gone.
It is still a brilliant achievement to have made the progress thus far. Nicola and Markus have indeed put their money where it mattered, but, AP did come in last minute-fact!
We did lose the best of last season's squad-fact!
Finally,we did start the season with a 10pt deficit-fact!
So let everyone enjoy the Wembley event(win or lose) and focus on next season.

Nicola Cortese: "We started with minus-10 points but now we're 31 behind Norwich, and 22 behind Charlton. The gap is too much."

Yes - but these clubs didn't have to sell their Championship standard players to pay wages bills and other debts. SFC had no team, no pre-season training or team-bonding for the new players. I believe Alan Pardew has done an absolutely terrific job and shouldn't be held responsible if the expectations of the Chairman has changed from his five-year plan.

Now we have a relaxed Saints team who might just start to enjoy thier footy without the undue pressure. Let's keep to the ORIGINAL 5-year plan and go for a big promotion push next season - we'll be much better equipped.

COYS!!

Jose is spot on unlike Southampton Legend who hasn't grasped the concept of how to build a team from rubble.
We can use the last 11 games as a learning curve for next year where I fancy us to do very well. My cup is always half full.

Well good morning Saints fans, I received loads of abuse yesterday for telling you we would nick it 1-0, you have spent a lot of money have a great ground and are without doubt a big club. but you have a rubbish manager, if he knew what swindon were going to do then why not set you up to counter it. you should romp this league next year, but you underestimated us and the ridiculous scores you lot were saying you would beat us by yesterday !!! We have had 15 years of crap times at Swindon and now we have a great chairman, great manager and a very good team, good luck for the rest of the season...

Really can't understand why they still believe the play-offs are a reality - they have gone this season.
I have stated time and time again I like this league, my only fear is the players may need to be patient for a period before they reach to Championship. Will they stay or will they go?
Disappointed we lost - but reality tells me -10 points plus a very slow start has cost us dearly this season. I'll settle for the JPT and midtable mediocrity this season. Next season there is only one target - PROMOTION. League Cup & FA CUP take a back seat. Blood some youngsters - we don't need the distraction, bookings and injuries that accommpany a decent run. If the youngsters do it fine by me - but leave the big guns with a focus.
I couldn't care less if we got knocked out in the first round of every competition to Crawley Town or Havant & Waterlooville, Salisbury or Totton...FOCUS!
When we win the JPT - we will have been there and done that.
If I was NC it would be in the business plan for next year - and if we are not in the top two at Christmas 2010 - then start asking questions of the squad and Manager.

Gladbachsaint wrote:
It is far more realistic to aim at promotion next season. That was clear from before the season started due to the 10 point deduction. What is not acceptable is the gap between us and the leaders. We may well have had great results against Norwich, Huddersfield and Leeds but the work has been undone by pathetic performances against Wycombe, Tranmere and Swindon. Swindon may be going well but we have spent enough money to expect a home win against them. That is what Cortese will be telling Pardew and if we don't finish mighty close to the play-offs he may well be out of work. It wouldn't be a shock to me if the fans were kicked in the teeth with defeat at Wembley.
It's not missing promotion that is unacceptable it's the huge gap between us and some very ordinary clubs - even with the 10 points added back on.

I've enjoyed this season like no other since I was a kid chasing the training bus and getting my hair mussed by Mick and laughing with Eric Martin.

This season has invigorated the Saints Spirit in fans like never before..and it's not over yet...

I agree with most of what you say but in a sympathetic way with much credit due to Pards for the way he started the whole show from scratch.

Pards has been great and I do believe Nicola Cortese knows it and respects it. Gutted it looks bad for this season but I have and still am enjoying the season. If there is any chance at all I'll always hang on to it and it truly doesn't matter to me if some think it's pie in the sky.. I love to cheer and chant even when down by 3 with 15 to go..... may not seem right but that to me is the purpose of being a sports fan.

Getting down and disgruntled about things is temporary.

Thanks Jose.. you're a gem!

Is that you Lovesey wrote:
Well good morning Saints fans, I received loads of abuse yesterday for telling you we would nick it 1-0, you have spent a lot of money have a great ground and are without doubt a big club. but you have a rubbish manager, if he knew what swindon were going to do then why not set you up to counter it. you should romp this league next year, but you underestimated us and the ridiculous scores you lot were saying you would beat us by yesterday !!! We have had 15 years of crap times at Swindon and now we have a great chairman, great manager and a very good team, good luck for the rest of the season...

Cheers Mate.. we deserved it.
Think Pards is a goodun for us.
Most of the big score ranting is bravado but on the back of a couple of 5's there is always hoping.

Good luck to you guys chasing Auto... I for one would love you to knee cap Leeds.

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
PARDEW OUT.

We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You're an idiot. Discuss...

Who has heard Cortese mention a 5 year plan ?The only guy I can remember saying that was Wotte NC wants a 3 year plan so for Pardew to stay employed at SMS he now needs back to back promotions If he gets the first he will the be given the cash to get the second
To get consistancy we need to reduce the squad to about 18 championship level players How many different players have we used this season 22/23 I reckon The last few games he seems to have had a more settled selection but by May he must know his best starting 11, the best bench and who to release
Nothing less than 11 straight wins will do for the rest of the campaign and come August no excuses
Having said that I have watched two games in 4 days that produced a standard far higher than anyone should expect in the third tier of football on Saturday we came out on top last night Swindon got what they worked so hard for We had 2 shots off the woodwork and one off the line and finished up saying 'if only'
But please dont give up on the support Enjoy a day out at wembley and keep the gates over 20k

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

I didn't see any of your posts after the Leeds game.
One bad game after 7 straight league wins at SMS and people like you come out of the woodwork.
99% of other posters have already accepted that we will probably not make the play-offs this season.
It was never a realistic proposition anyway,but lets just see where we end up at the end of the season.
So according to you we must sack AP and appoint Alex Furgeson,the only successful Scottish manager i know.Or Capello,Mourinho or Ancellotti.
Get real.

StPete wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You're an idiot. Discuss...

Seems like a well balanced opinion to me?.
You don't want to be calling me an Idiot as well.

le god wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

I didn't see any of your posts after the Leeds game. One bad game after 7 straight league wins at SMS and people like you come out of the woodwork. 99% of other posters have already accepted that we will probably not make the play-offs this season. It was never a realistic proposition anyway,but lets just see where we end up at the end of the season. So according to you we must sack AP and appoint Alex Furgeson,the only successful Scottish manager i know.Or Capello,Mourinho or Ancellotti. Get real.

Matt Busby?
Jock Stein?
Bill Shankley?
Walter Smith?.
Gordon Strachan?.
Billy Davis?

SouthamptonLegend wrote:
PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

BIg-Al wrote:
Nicola Cortese: "We started with minus-10 points but now we're 31 behind Norwich, and 22 behind Charlton. The gap is too much."

Yes - but these clubs didn't have to sell their Championship standard players to pay wages bills and other debts. SFC had no team, no pre-season training or team-bonding for the new players. I believe Alan Pardew has done an absolutely terrific job and shouldn't be held responsible if the expectations of the Chairman has changed from his five-year plan.

Now we have a relaxed Saints team who might just start to enjoy thier footy without the undue pressure. Let's keep to the ORIGINAL 5-year plan and go for a big promotion push next season - we'll be much better equipped.

COYS!!

At the start we were building and fair enough it took a bit of time due to the off field events i will take.But a run that took us to within 7 points of the play offs after boxing day i cant understand now were 16 points behind it 3 months later.Fans stop bringing up pre season,Its a excuse.
No one in this league had a worse start then Norwich.
They were all over the place at the start of the season after a 7-1 defeat at home.
Changed manager spent hardly nothing and now there 30 points above us.Yes the team we have took 4 points off and knocked out the cup this season so why are they so far above us.
Its because were too inconsistent and nothing to do with pre season.we all know we have the best players in the league,They train on the best pitches,Play in a wonderful stadium but just maybe we aint got the best manager.
Now i don't see any point in changing it now but sorry i still believe this club should have made the play offs this season after what he has spent and the support this club has over the rest and 10 points is just 4 games out of the 46 .
3 million plus just doesn't get spent in this league and still to be so far off the play offs i think Cortese has every right in the world to ask questions about how far were behind.i just cant believe so many Saints fans are so happy being mid table in Div 3.
But now as this seasons play offs
are over lets get the win at wembley that our fans so richly deserve as i think this is the only thing that will save Pardew.

bazza wrote:

BIg-Al wrote: Nicola Cortese: "We started with minus-10 points but now we're 31 behind Norwich, and 22 behind Charlton. The gap is too much." Yes - but these clubs didn't have to sell their Championship standard players to pay wages bills and other debts. SFC had no team, no pre-season training or team-bonding for the new players. I believe Alan Pardew has done an absolutely terrific job and shouldn't be held responsible if the expectations of the Chairman has changed from his five-year plan. Now we have a relaxed Saints team who might just start to enjoy thier footy without the undue pressure. Let's keep to the ORIGINAL 5-year plan and go for a big promotion push next season - we'll be much better equipped. COYS!!

At the start we were building and fair enough it took a bit of time due to the off field events i will take.But a run that took us to within 7 points of the play offs after boxing day i cant understand now were 16 points behind it 3 months later.Fans stop bringing up pre season,Its a excuse. No one in this league had a worse start then Norwich. They were all over the place at the start of the season after a 7-1 defeat at home. Changed manager spent hardly nothing and now there 30 points above us.Yes the team we have took 4 points off and knocked out the cup this season so why are they so far above us. Its because were too inconsistent and nothing to do with pre season.we all know we have the best players in the league,They train on the best pitches,Play in a wonderful stadium but just maybe we aint got the best manager. Now i don't see any point in changing it now but sorry i still believe this club should have made the play offs this season after what he has spent and the support this club has over the rest and 10 points is just 4 games out of the 46 . 3 million plus just doesn't get spent in this league and still to be so far off the play offs i think Cortese has every right in the world to ask questions about how far were behind.i just cant believe so many Saints fans are so happy being mid table in Div 3. But now as this seasons play offs are over lets get the win at wembley that our fans so richly deserve as i think this is the only thing that will save Pardew.

Great post, same sentiments as Legend above, why do some people on here think they have the right to dish out personal abuse for an alternative point of view.

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?.
Sad really mate.

you can bet your life nick cortese will have a head of steam enough to power turbines and keep the country in electricity for a year

Cant believe we have people on here calling for Pardew's head.
The very fact that we are now expecting to win every game tells the story of just how well he has done in his short time with us so far. We now have a squad that we are proud of and excites us. We have a feel-good factor around the club of the likes we havn't felt in many a year. Fergsuon or Capello would have needed time to sort the mess out we were left with and so does Pardew. Please back the man, back the Saints and have some faith. We are going to get there (with pardew).

the disallowed goal was off side,
i thought we looked tired especially jaidi. god knows why lloyd james was brought on? 1st half was ok but swindon bossed the 2nd, they are a good side which i must admit supprised me. anyway next season the big push with 3 good teams geting promoted who will not be replaced with the same quality coming down from the CCC.

I agree we have now blown it ! On paper the Saints are far better off than this lot up here and yet they are well clear at the top ; early season they struggled as we did . My view the difference is the manager here at Norwich

Just had a text from my mate. He was walking through an industrial estate when he saw Avram Grant , (nothing unusual there i know) but he had his head bowed as though he was looking for something. When he asked him what he was looking for he said '9 points - i left them there with the other 10 and all of a sudden they were gone !!!!'

P*MP*S GOING DOWN WITH NO MONEY IN THE BANK................
......

Who cares about our problems today - lets all laugh at the skates - now what was all this about being a Premier League club ?????

Saintsayer. Chandlersford asks about NC and a five year plan.
On the 3-8-09 NC said that Saints needed to 'create a solid base from which we can build and become successful. This will take time'
On the 23rd September in the Fans Forum he said 'Five years would be reasonable for the Saints to take to get to the premiership'.
As both of the above attributed comments are on the Saints own official website I assume that they are accurate. Pull the two tegether and you have the building of the solid base with a five year timescale. We have the solid base and we are only partway through year one. Thats progress

tried to place a bet on the amount of "Pardew out" posts today but the bookie wouldn't have it! I didn't see too many after the Hudders and L33ds matches, why is that?

The same guy who managed to bug the England dressing room has sent me a transcript of the post match meeting between Cortese and Pardew.

“So Al how do you feel after that defeat?” “Actually, I have already said that I wouldn’t be gutted if we didn’t make the playoffs. Another season in this division means we will get more wins than defeats, we can blame the mud and poor refs when we do lose and for any home losses I guess the old, the players are tired, nervous, or stressed works quite well. So, staying in this div means less pressure on me and the players. Go up and we will lose more games and the fans might start to get ugly”

“But Al, it has been well documented that you and I sat down when you arrived here and you agreed that if I gave you 3 million pounds to spend it would almost guarantee, us a playoff place, you do remember that meeting don’t you?” “ Yeah Nick, I do recall saying something along those lines, but I didn’t take into account the muddy pitches and nasty refs” “But Alan, we started only ten points adrift, just 3 wins and a draw, now we are 31 points adrift of Norwich”

“Yeah good point Nick but Norwich have Delia, much better pre match food for the players” “But Alan, they haven’t spent over 3 million pounds” “Ok, ok, we just have one more box to tick, ummmmm, beat a few more teams and we’ll crack it!”

“But Alan, if I look at our last 14 or so matches in the league we have gained only 22 points, replicate this over a whole season and we only have around 73 points, not good enough to get into the playoffs” “ What does replicate mean Nick?”

“So Alan, any positives from tonights game?” “Nick, I am relieved that there were only 20,000 there to see Swindon out fight and out play us in the second half, plus, the missing 24000 “fans” who are going to have a lovely day out at the Tin Pot Cup won’t realize how bad we can be!”

“So Al, you don’t worry how the fans will react after a performance like that?” “Na, most of em think that the playoffs were never on, and they are going to Wembley, ha ha wait till they see how much the pies cost”

“Sorry Nick, can we leave it there, I want to get some tips from Danny Wilson, I need to know how he got his team playing like that in the second half, did you know they were missing several first teamers, very impressive” “Plus, my players were nervous and anxious, which didn’t help and he might be able to guide me on how to motive the boys for a must win game”

“No prob Al, I have a meeting with Mark” “Oh yeah, who is Mark when he’s at home Nick?” “Just some Welsh bloke Alan, I think he used to play for us”

Tape ends.

Swindon were well organised with alot of energy and seemed to play deep while giving Saints no time to settle! The game could have gone a totally different way if just one of the many scambles in the swindon area had gone saints way, i lost count in the first half how many times the ball wouldnt fall right and even when hitting the woodwork it didnt fall right! We were still the better side last night but have to get consistency! Pardue is the right man to take us on and i think the majority of fans think the same!!! We had a bad start to te season aswell as a 10 point deduction so if you done a league table starting from 10 games in then we look alot better! Looking forward to Wembley and next season and will be there for the rest of this one!!!

Here we go again as soon as Saints start faltering the doom mongers start there stupid rants.
I agree with previous posters watching footie at St. Mary's has suddenly got interesting.
The Saints team have still got to control their anxieties.They are all quite new to each other. One or two need to be careful about their passing skills forward thinking and positional play but I'm sure that will become even better in the coming weeks especially with a Wembley Victory in JPT final.
Any true Saints supporter would be pleased to be in this position after last years debacle when we really did not know if there would be a Southampton Football Club to support.
We do not want to be looking for yet another manager. Pardew is the man for us he will get it right for 2010-11 season.
I will be renewing my season ticket for the next season where we will be Champions of league 1.
Lets enjoy the rest of the season we have no team to fear and no problems to worry about. If we can keep the gate we have done our bit for the club nad paid back Liebherr and Cortese for their help in saving the best club in Hampshire, England and the World.
PS Someone from the Football League needs to look at the referees. The standard is applaling

miltonarchers wrote:
The same guy who managed to bug the England dressing room has sent me a transcript of the post match meeting between Cortese and Pardew. “So Al how do you feel after that defeat?” “Actually, I have already said that I wouldn’t be gutted if we didn’t make the playoffs. Another season in this division means we will get more wins than defeats, we can blame the mud and poor refs when we do lose and for any home losses I guess the old, the players are tired, nervous, or stressed works quite well. So, staying in this div means less pressure on me and the players. Go up and we will lose more games and the fans might start to get ugly” “But Al, it has been well documented that you and I sat down when you arrived here and you agreed that if I gave you 3 million pounds to spend it would almost guarantee, us a playoff place, you do remember that meeting don’t you?” “ Yeah Nick, I do recall saying something along those lines, but I didn’t take into account the muddy pitches and nasty refs” “But Alan, we started only ten points adrift, just 3 wins and a draw, now we are 31 points adrift of Norwich” “Yeah good point Nick but Norwich have Delia, much better pre match food for the players” “But Alan, they haven’t spent over 3 million pounds” “Ok, ok, we just have one more box to tick, ummmmm, beat a few more teams and we’ll crack it!” “But Alan, if I look at our last 14 or so matches in the league we have gained only 22 points, replicate this over a whole season and we only have around 73 points, not good enough to get into the playoffs” “ What does replicate mean Nick?” “So Alan, any positives from tonights game?” “Nick, I am relieved that there were only 20,000 there to see Swindon out fight and out play us in the second half, plus, the missing 24000 “fans” who are going to have a lovely day out at the Tin Pot Cup won’t realize how bad we can be!” “So Al, you don’t worry how the fans will react after a performance like that?” “Na, most of em think that the playoffs were never on, and they are going to Wembley, ha ha wait till they see how much the pies cost” “Sorry Nick, can we leave it there, I want to get some tips from Danny Wilson, I need to know how he got his team playing like that in the second half, did you know they were missing several first teamers, very impressive” “Plus, my players were nervous and anxious, which didn’t help and he might be able to guide me on how to motive the boys for a must win game” “No prob Al, I have a meeting with Mark” “Oh yeah, who is Mark when he’s at home Nick?” “Just some Welsh bloke Alan, I think he used to play for us” Tape ends.

Quality.

Completely off of subject - what happened to that statue outside the ground - I saw this on the local news ages okay - it was one of those things that were obvoiusly meant as respect to a local hero and I respect that - but to actually see it was hilarious. Hopefully the statue was proportionally corrected, even to my untrained eye it was all wrong.
Good luck

Luda. wrote:

miltonarchers wrote: The same guy who managed to bug the England dressing room has sent me a transcript of the post match meeting between Cortese and Pardew. “So Al how do you feel after that defeat?” “Actually, I have already said that I wouldn’t be gutted if we didn’t make the playoffs. Another season in this division means we will get more wins than defeats, we can blame the mud and poor refs when we do lose and for any home losses I guess the old, the players are tired, nervous, or stressed works quite well. So, staying in this div means less pressure on me and the players. Go up and we will lose more games and the fans might start to get ugly” “But Al, it has been well documented that you and I sat down when you arrived here and you agreed that if I gave you 3 million pounds to spend it would almost guarantee, us a playoff place, you do remember that meeting don’t you?” “ Yeah Nick, I do recall saying something along those lines, but I didn’t take into account the muddy pitches and nasty refs” “But Alan, we started only ten points adrift, just 3 wins and a draw, now we are 31 points adrift of Norwich” “Yeah good point Nick but Norwich have Delia, much better pre match food for the players” “But Alan, they haven’t spent over 3 million pounds” “Ok, ok, we just have one more box to tick, ummmmm, beat a few more teams and we’ll crack it!” “But Alan, if I look at our last 14 or so matches in the league we have gained only 22 points, replicate this over a whole season and we only have around 73 points, not good enough to get into the playoffs” “ What does replicate mean Nick?” “So Alan, any positives from tonights game?” “Nick, I am relieved that there were only 20,000 there to see Swindon out fight and out play us in the second half, plus, the missing 24000 “fans” who are going to have a lovely day out at the Tin Pot Cup won’t realize how bad we can be!” “So Al, you don’t worry how the fans will react after a performance like that?” “Na, most of em think that the playoffs were never on, and they are going to Wembley, ha ha wait till they see how much the pies cost” “Sorry Nick, can we leave it there, I want to get some tips from Danny Wilson, I need to know how he got his team playing like that in the second half, did you know they were missing several first teamers, very impressive” “Plus, my players were nervous and anxious, which didn’t help and he might be able to guide me on how to motive the boys for a must win game” “No prob Al, I have a meeting with Mark” “Oh yeah, who is Mark when he’s at home Nick?” “Just some Welsh bloke Alan, I think he used to play for us” Tape ends.

Quality.

Wheres the quality!

robhythe wrote:

Luda. wrote:

miltonarchers wrote: The same guy who managed to bug the England dressing room has sent me a transcript of the post match meeting between Cortese and Pardew. “So Al how do you feel after that defeat?” “Actually, I have already said that I wouldn’t be gutted if we didn’t make the playoffs. Another season in this division means we will get more wins than defeats, we can blame the mud and poor refs when we do lose and for any home losses I guess the old, the players are tired, nervous, or stressed works quite well. So, staying in this div means less pressure on me and the players. Go up and we will lose more games and the fans might start to get ugly” “But Al, it has been well documented that you and I sat down when you arrived here and you agreed that if I gave you 3 million pounds to spend it would almost guarantee, us a playoff place, you do remember that meeting don’t you?” “ Yeah Nick, I do recall saying something along those lines, but I didn’t take into account the muddy pitches and nasty refs” “But Alan, we started only ten points adrift, just 3 wins and a draw, now we are 31 points adrift of Norwich” “Yeah good point Nick but Norwich have Delia, much better pre match food for the players” “But Alan, they haven’t spent over 3 million pounds” “Ok, ok, we just have one more box to tick, ummmmm, beat a few more teams and we’ll crack it!” “But Alan, if I look at our last 14 or so matches in the league we have gained only 22 points, replicate this over a whole season and we only have around 73 points, not good enough to get into the playoffs” “ What does replicate mean Nick?” “So Alan, any positives from tonights game?” “Nick, I am relieved that there were only 20,000 there to see Swindon out fight and out play us in the second half, plus, the missing 24000 “fans” who are going to have a lovely day out at the Tin Pot Cup won’t realize how bad we can be!” “So Al, you don’t worry how the fans will react after a performance like that?” “Na, most of em think that the playoffs were never on, and they are going to Wembley, ha ha wait till they see how much the pies cost” “Sorry Nick, can we leave it there, I want to get some tips from Danny Wilson, I need to know how he got his team playing like that in the second half, did you know they were missing several first teamers, very impressive” “Plus, my players were nervous and anxious, which didn’t help and he might be able to guide me on how to motive the boys for a must win game” “No prob Al, I have a meeting with Mark” “Oh yeah, who is Mark when he’s at home Nick?” “Just some Welsh bloke Alan, I think he used to play for us” Tape ends.

Quality.

Wheres the quality!

in that post

puppy saint wrote:
tried to place a bet on the amount of "Pardew out" posts today but the bookie wouldn't have it! I didn't see too many after the Hudders and L33ds matches, why is that?

I would assume , because no one would read them.
It would be silly to ask questions of Pardews abilities if we had won.
The feelings held by these people remain however, and its when a result like last night and Tranmere comes along then its time to test the water again.
Pardew for me is take it or leave it.
We do win good games, as we always have done, but we still **** up more than a few "easier" games.
I really do not think Alan has what it takes to get us to the Prem, he is used to working with small budgets and maybe thats what he prides himself on, so he may not know what to do if someone says, "spend my money".
Trouble is , we will not know if the grass is greener with a different guy, that is life and that is football, full of ifs, buts and maybes.

20,000 is not a bad crowd for and evening game , and when you say where are the other 24000 thats such a silly thing to say when you work out how crowd numbers work! eg- If there were 6000 non season tickets holders last night i would think that 4000 at least only can go to 1 in 3 games so that makes 12000 over 3 games , then you take in the supporters that can only go to 2 or 3 games a season which is thousands more then you should be able to understand where the 44000 comes from! Our ave attendance this season is 4000 up on last season add to that the money from the cups and the final then the 3.000.000 pound spent on players is all but covered !

robhythe wrote:
20,000 is not a bad crowd for and evening game , and when you say where are the other 24000 thats such a silly thing to say when you work out how crowd numbers work! eg- If there were 6000 non season tickets holders last night i would think that 4000 at least only can go to 1 in 3 games so that makes 12000 over 3 games , then you take in the supporters that can only go to 2 or 3 games a season which is thousands more then you should be able to understand where the 44000 comes from! Our ave attendance this season is 4000 up on last season add to that the money from the cups and the final then the 3.000.000 pound spent on players is all but covered !

He's talking about the 44000 going to Wembley.

Swindon babe wrote:
I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

Players were knackered last night and second best all night. WEMBLEY here we come and better next season with the same squad. To change subject is there any season ticket holders out there still waiting for your wembley tickets as myself and 8 others who are season ticket holders with the extra 8 people so 18 in total found out yesterday after i emailed the ticket office have sent our wembley tickets to the wrong people. We have been told to wait for the other customer to bring our tickets back to the ticket office. Is there anyone else in this situation.

Luda. wrote:

puppy saint wrote:
tried to place a bet on the amount of "Pardew out" posts today but the bookie wouldn't have it! I didn't see too many after the Hudders and L33ds matches, why is that?

I would assume , because no one would read them.
It would be silly to ask questions of Pardews abilities if we had won.
The feelings held by these people remain however, and its when a result like last night and Tranmere comes along then its time to test the water again.
Pardew for me is take it or leave it.
We do win good games, as we always have done, but we still **** up more than a few "easier" games.
I really do not think Alan has what it takes to get us to the Prem, he is used to working with small budgets and maybe thats what he prides himself on, so he may not know what to do if someone says, "spend my money".
Trouble is , we will not know if the grass is greener with a different guy, that is life and that is football, full of ifs, buts and maybes.

did you go to the match last night?

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote: I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

Why do i picture Vicky Pollard when i read that?.
Yer but no but yer..
You lot was rubbash.
Shut up.. i aint never done nuffin

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote:
I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

actually sunderland have that record and lets not slag of other towns i lived in southampton for 2 years and believe me when i say places like st marys flowers estate millbrook woolston and the list goes on are just as much of a dump but back to football must say saints looked decent last night but thankfully swindon had a bit of luck that we have not had this season auto promotion for us this year but see you guys in championship the year after

puppy saint wrote:

Luda. wrote:

puppy saint wrote: tried to place a bet on the amount of "Pardew out" posts today but the bookie wouldn't have it! I didn't see too many after the Hudders and L33ds matches, why is that?

I would assume , because no one would read them. It would be silly to ask questions of Pardews abilities if we had won. The feelings held by these people remain however, and its when a result like last night and Tranmere comes along then its time to test the water again. Pardew for me is take it or leave it. We do win good games, as we always have done, but we still **** up more than a few "easier" games. I really do not think Alan has what it takes to get us to the Prem, he is used to working with small budgets and maybe thats what he prides himself on, so he may not know what to do if someone says, "spend my money". Trouble is , we will not know if the grass is greener with a different guy, that is life and that is football, full of ifs, buts and maybes.

did you go to the match last night?

No, why?.

Luda. wrote:

puppy saint wrote: tried to place a bet on the amount of "Pardew out" posts today but the bookie wouldn't have it! I didn't see too many after the Hudders and L33ds matches, why is that?

I would assume , because no one would read them. It would be silly to ask questions of Pardews abilities if we had won. The feelings held by these people remain however, and its when a result like last night and Tranmere comes along then its time to test the water again. Pardew for me is take it or leave it. We do win good games, as we always have done, but we still **** up more than a few "easier" games. I really do not think Alan has what it takes to get us to the Prem, he is used to working with small budgets and maybe thats what he prides himself on, so he may not know what to do if someone says, "spend my money". Trouble is , we will not know if the grass is greener with a different guy, that is life and that is football, full of ifs, buts and maybes.

If it's silly to ask questions of Pardew's abilities if we had won why is it not silly to ask them when we've lost. Did Pardew become a bad manager overnight? No. This is football, the unexpected happens. That's what makes it exciting as well as frustrating! You need a bit of luck sometimes, we didn't get it last night. Every team in this league has lost games they were expected to win. We are no different.
As for the budget comment - that's just silly. He's spent a lot of money for League 1 standards, yes. But the players he's brought in have all been fantastic. Not one bad buy amongst them. Given that this was one of the criticisms of Pardew when he started here I believe he's proved his critics wrong on that score.

When are you doppy saints fans going to realise that having a big ground (half full) does not make you a big club!!!!.We are soon to extend our little county ground and we too will become a big club!!! Yes... you are bigger than little swindon but you aint a big club and yes you have a bigger fan base than us but.....your support is ****!!!. All talk of spending big money when you shop around the lower leagues..lol. dont see many of the big boys doing the shopping at the rovers!!! keep lambert, we got charlie!!!

captin loopy wrote:
When are you doppy saints fans going to realise that having a big ground (half full) does not make you a big club!!!!.We are soon to extend our little county ground and we too will become a big club!!! Yes... you are bigger than little swindon but you aint a big club and yes you have a bigger fan base than us but.....your support is ****!!!. All talk of spending big money when you shop around the lower leagues..lol. dont see many of the big boys doing the shopping at the rovers!!! keep lambert, we got charlie!!!

Ah Vicky Pollards dad pipes up.

Luda. wrote:

robhythe wrote: 20,000 is not a bad crowd for and evening game , and when you say where are the other 24000 thats such a silly thing to say when you work out how crowd numbers work! eg- If there were 6000 non season tickets holders last night i would think that 4000 at least only can go to 1 in 3 games so that makes 12000 over 3 games , then you take in the supporters that can only go to 2 or 3 games a season which is thousands more then you should be able to understand where the 44000 comes from! Our ave attendance this season is 4000 up on last season add to that the money from the cups and the final then the 3.000.000 pound spent on players is all but covered !

He's talking about the 44000 going to Wembley.

YES I KNOW

Pompey been deducted 9 points !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!

Luda. wrote:

captin loopy wrote: When are you doppy saints fans going to realise that having a big ground (half full) does not make you a big club!!!!.We are soon to extend our little county ground and we too will become a big club!!! Yes... you are bigger than little swindon but you aint a big club and yes you have a bigger fan base than us but.....your support is ****!!!. All talk of spending big money when you shop around the lower leagues..lol. dont see many of the big boys doing the shopping at the rovers!!! keep lambert, we got charlie!!!

Ah Vicky Pollards dad pipes up.

lol!!. you aint famous anymore!!!

captin loopy wrote:

Luda. wrote:

captin loopy wrote: When are you doppy saints fans going to realise that having a big ground (half full) does not make you a big club!!!!.We are soon to extend our little county ground and we too will become a big club!!! Yes... you are bigger than little swindon but you aint a big club and yes you have a bigger fan base than us but.....your support is ****!!!. All talk of spending big money when you shop around the lower leagues..lol. dont see many of the big boys doing the shopping at the rovers!!! keep lambert, we got charlie!!!

Ah Vicky Pollards dad pipes up.

lol!!. you aint famous anymore!!!

Thats Leeds you ****!ng inbred moron.

Pardew out. Where oh where do these misery mongers and abject alleged football fans come from?

Can't they see the massive good that the whole Saints setup has acheived in such a short space of time.

The fact that your father cut up logs does not make you an arboricultural consultant, neither does the fact that you can lay bricks make you an architect or the fact that you can cut meat make you a brain surgeon!

In the same mode watching football matches or kicking a ball in a Southampton park make you a competent football manager.

Sure all can and should have an opinion, but let that opinion be reasonable assessed and be practical.

Should Saints lose all remaining matches and I know that they wont (my opinion based on current form) then I will still be grateful to all concerned for a splendid 2009/2010 season and continue to support my team. COYR

roburman wrote:
Pardew out. Where oh where do these misery mongers and abject alleged football fans come from? Can't they see the massive good that the whole Saints setup has acheived in such a short space of time. The fact that your father cut up logs does not make you an arboricultural consultant, neither does the fact that you can lay bricks make you an architect or the fact that you can cut meat make you a brain surgeon! In the same mode watching football matches or kicking a ball in a Southampton park make you a competent football manager. Sure all can and should have an opinion, but let that opinion be reasonable assessed and be practical. Should Saints lose all remaining matches and I know that they wont (my opinion based on current form) then I will still be grateful to all concerned for a splendid 2009/2010 season and continue to support my team. COYR

Right so your opinion as a fan is as valid as any others.
You think everythings ok, others think it isn't.
Everyone is greatful for the club being saved and the investment made.
Alan Pardew is just the manager, not the chairman or owner.

I think Pardew's doing a good job. We don't need another manager and to suggest otherwise is ludicrous. So the playoff's are out for this season, so what. They were never a realistic goal anyway. I'm disappointed at last night's result but hopeful that they'll get a result on Saturday against MK Dons. This season has had far more positives than negatives and next season we should romp the league. I enjoy reading all the comments on here but get frustrated when we don't win and comments about sackings and alleged rifts appear. These views and rumours create unease and we forget what we have actually achieved this season.

Luda. wrote:

roburman wrote: Pardew out. Where oh where do these misery mongers and abject alleged football fans come from? Can't they see the massive good that the whole Saints setup has acheived in such a short space of time. The fact that your father cut up logs does not make you an arboricultural consultant, neither does the fact that you can lay bricks make you an architect or the fact that you can cut meat make you a brain surgeon! In the same mode watching football matches or kicking a ball in a Southampton park make you a competent football manager. Sure all can and should have an opinion, but let that opinion be reasonable assessed and be practical. Should Saints lose all remaining matches and I know that they wont (my opinion based on current form) then I will still be grateful to all concerned for a splendid 2009/2010 season and continue to support my team. COYR

Right so your opinion as a fan is as valid as any others. You think everythings ok, others think it isn't. Everyone is greatful for the club being saved and the investment made. Alan Pardew is just the manager, not the chairman or owner.

So your assessed point is???

normsted wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

How about Jock Ferrari ? I just made up a stupic name to embelish your equally daft post !!!

Or German bloodline or pubes or maybe just Pr@t

roburman wrote:

Luda. wrote:

roburman wrote: Pardew out. Where oh where do these misery mongers and abject alleged football fans come from? Can't they see the massive good that the whole Saints setup has acheived in such a short space of time. The fact that your father cut up logs does not make you an arboricultural consultant, neither does the fact that you can lay bricks make you an architect or the fact that you can cut meat make you a brain surgeon! In the same mode watching football matches or kicking a ball in a Southampton park make you a competent football manager. Sure all can and should have an opinion, but let that opinion be reasonable assessed and be practical. Should Saints lose all remaining matches and I know that they wont (my opinion based on current form) then I will still be grateful to all concerned for a splendid 2009/2010 season and continue to support my team. COYR

Right so your opinion as a fan is as valid as any others. You think everythings ok, others think it isn't. Everyone is greatful for the club being saved and the investment made. Alan Pardew is just the manager, not the chairman or owner.

So your assessed point is???

My point is , people are quick to shout down anyone who doubts his ability, by saying things like " kicking a ball in a Southampton park make you a competent football manager".
But by your own statement, your opinion about everything being okk must fall under the same guidelines.
Things are ok at the minute, we are winning and we are losing, i just don't think he is the man to take us all the way, so if a change needs to be made , then why not soon.
I am not in the "Pardew out brigade" i can just see their point.

Ok Luda.

Fair comment at the end of your last posting.

Forgive me if I thought that you were in the 'knee jerk reaction brigade'.

I would like to see us stay with the reported 5 year plan, unless we start losing badly and regularly. Analysis of the results and events indicate that we are doing very well allbeit that I would like of course to see us being even more successful. We can all strive to reach perfection but very few acheive it.

miltonarchers, Winchester says...
10:58am Wed 17 Mar 10

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.


Errrr ...... try checking your facts on that one and post your answer

roburman wrote:
Ok Luda. Fair comment at the end of your last posting. Forgive me if I thought that you were in the 'knee jerk reaction brigade'. I would like to see us stay with the reported 5 year plan, unless we start losing badly and regularly. Analysis of the results and events indicate that we are doing very well allbeit that I would like of course to see us being even more successful. We can all strive to reach perfection but very few acheive it.

No worries mate, i was starting to dig myself into a hole.
I do believe in the 5 year plan but i think Realisticly we will only need 4.
Pardew or no Pardew we are going nowhere but up.

roburman wrote:
Ok Luda. Fair comment at the end of your last posting. Forgive me if I thought that you were in the 'knee jerk reaction brigade'. I would like to see us stay with the reported 5 year plan, unless we start losing badly and regularly. Analysis of the results and events indicate that we are doing very well allbeit that I would like of course to see us being even more successful. We can all strive to reach perfection but very few acheive it.

You talk alot of sense roburman

Luda. wrote:

roburman wrote: Ok Luda. Fair comment at the end of your last posting. Forgive me if I thought that you were in the 'knee jerk reaction brigade'. I would like to see us stay with the reported 5 year plan, unless we start losing badly and regularly. Analysis of the results and events indicate that we are doing very well allbeit that I would like of course to see us being even more successful. We can all strive to reach perfection but very few acheive it.

No worries mate, i was starting to dig myself into a hole. I do believe in the 5 year plan but i think Realisticly we will only need 4. Pardew or no Pardew we are going nowhere but up.

Luda and Roburman say COYR and yes the only way is up.

your memory is as bad as your position in the league sunderland with 15

your memory is as bad as your position in the league sunderland with 15

your memory is as bad as your position in the league sunderland with 15

hg191a wrote:
your memory is as bad as your position in the league sunderland with 15

What are you chuntering on about carrot cruncher?

Good Morning,
I would like to take this opportunity to look forward to next season (assuming that we do not miraculously make the Play Offs this year) and realistically assess our prospects.
Firstly, whilst I do not anticipate major changes, what thoughts on new signings or departures during the summer? Personally, I think AP now has decided on his First Choice Team (which only includes 3 players not signed by him) and also on his bench. Our starting 11 over the last few games plus Waigo, Antonio and Connolly would look fairly certain to me retained if possible. In addition, Bartowski, James and Thomas should be safe along with a few of the youngsters. All others, I believe, could be looking for new employment with Murty (too many injuries), Perry (too many preferred) and Wotton (age) all included.
Secondly, a quick assumption on what will happen on the pitch. Lambert and Barnard regularly return over 20 goals each and I see no reason why between them we should not expect 45 to 50 goals next year. Puncheon, Lallana and Hammond look good to add another 15 to 20 between them. The weaakness in the "Engine Room" is Schneiderlin who for all his talent still does not produce the goal end product. We do not get many from our defence but current performances suggest that Harding, Jaidi, Fonte and Otsemibor should produce 5 to 10 over a full season together. Lastly, there are the substitutes and I believe that Waigo, Antonio and Connnolly are more than good for 15 to 20 goals. My thoughts then are for an end product of between 80 and 100 goals in a full season. allowing for say 10% to 15% of games where for whatever reason we do fail to hit the net, this would average 2 goals per game!
Defensively, we have looked much more solid in recent games and I would like to see that trend get even better as players gel together over a much longer period.
Overall then I would envisage many more wins next year instead of the draws that have blighted this season.
Finally, my own prediction, if we do have money to spend, would be on 2 new signings - 1 centre midfield and 1 goalkeeper! OK don't all shout at me at once, I have utmost respect for Kelvin both as a player and as a man who stood by us throughout the darkest days. However, he is a superb shot stopper but still does not command the area and organise the players in front of him. I remember when Peter Shilton came to Saints at a very advanced stage of his career. I was absolutely amazed at his contribution in every game, not just as a keeper but also in vocally organising the defence. He must have ended every game with a sore throat but by God, the men in front of him benefitted from his presence!
I look forward to your thoughts, comments and no doubt some abuse. Whatever happens, the superb ride we are enjoying in supporting our club will continue, onwards and upwards. See you at Wembley!

Swindon played some good football last night but could so esily have been 3 - 1 down at the end of the match.
.
Swindon talk of our support and of attendances is rubbish. We average 21,000 a match whereas if you carrot crunchers took the time to analyse your gates you'd find 14,000 was your highest for a match against Leeds this season - why would you need to expand your 'stadium'?
.
Yes, Swindon is a dump - my sister lives there and I have to disinfect every time I come home.
.
COYR'S!!!!!

I last went to Swindon in 1992. All I can remember was the mad bloke who sold papers in the shopping centre. He was hilarious - you literally couldn't understand a single word he said. Is he still alive?

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote:
I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

I think I'm right in saying Swindon aren't even in the top (or bottom, depending on your view) ten when it comes to 'lowest points in the Premier League'. They did concede 100 goals, the only top flight club to do so since 1992 (if we're doing 'Premier League only' records).

Another point to make would be that Swindon's average home attendance that season was higher than Southampton's.

You are entitled to your opinion of Swindon - however, if you live in Southampton then you are throwing stones from a glass house.

Last night was my first visit to St Mary's and it was an enjoyable one.

Good luck for next season, hopefully Swindon will be a Championship club by then, and I'm sure Southampton will be back at that level before too long.

Lars wrote:

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote: I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

I think I'm right in saying Swindon aren't even in the top (or bottom, depending on your view) ten when it comes to 'lowest points in the Premier League'. They did concede 100 goals, the only top flight club to do so since 1992 (if we're doing 'Premier League only' records). Another point to make would be that Swindon's average home attendance that season was higher than Southampton's. You are entitled to your opinion of Swindon - however, if you live in Southampton then you are throwing stones from a glass house. Last night was my first visit to St Mary's and it was an enjoyable one. Good luck for next season, hopefully Swindon will be a Championship club by then, and I'm sure Southampton will be back at that level before too long.

I do remember us stuffing Swindon at the Dell, (was it 5 - 1????) a ground limited to just 15K, which of course is the only reason Swindon may have averaged higher attendances that season. We did 27 years in the top flight by the way. I guess the record I was thinking of was the 100 goals against. I dont live in Southampton but I would rather live anywhere in Southampton in preference to Swindon. Its a dump, not a decent eatery anywhere in the so call town centre. Ugly 70's buildings, its a complete mess. By the way what are your average gates this season???

miltonarchers wrote:

Lars wrote:

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote: I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

I think I'm right in saying Swindon aren't even in the top (or bottom, depending on your view) ten when it comes to 'lowest points in the Premier League'. They did concede 100 goals, the only top flight club to do so since 1992 (if we're doing 'Premier League only' records). Another point to make would be that Swindon's average home attendance that season was higher than Southampton's. You are entitled to your opinion of Swindon - however, if you live in Southampton then you are throwing stones from a glass house. Last night was my first visit to St Mary's and it was an enjoyable one. Good luck for next season, hopefully Swindon will be a Championship club by then, and I'm sure Southampton will be back at that level before too long.

I do remember us stuffing Swindon at the Dell, (was it 5 - 1????) a ground limited to just 15K, which of course is the only reason Swindon may have averaged higher attendances that season. We did 27 years in the top flight by the way. I guess the record I was thinking of was the 100 goals against. I dont live in Southampton but I would rather live anywhere in Southampton in preference to Swindon. Its a dump, not a decent eatery anywhere in the so call town centre. Ugly 70's buildings, its a complete mess. By the way what are your average gates this season???

Southampton averaged 12,000 that season.

I used to work in Southampton so I know what it's like. But anyway, we're never going to agree on that issue.

RomseySaintNick wrote:
Good Morning, I would like to take this opportunity to look forward to next season (assuming that we do not miraculously make the Play Offs this year) and realistically assess our prospects. Firstly, whilst I do not anticipate major changes, what thoughts on new signings or departures during the summer? Personally, I think AP now has decided on his First Choice Team (which only includes 3 players not signed by him) and also on his bench. Our starting 11 over the last few games plus Waigo, Antonio and Connolly would look fairly certain to me retained if possible. In addition, Bartowski, James and Thomas should be safe along with a few of the youngsters. All others, I believe, could be looking for new employment with Murty (too many injuries), Perry (too many preferred) and Wotton (age) all included. Secondly, a quick assumption on what will happen on the pitch. Lambert and Barnard regularly return over 20 goals each and I see no reason why between them we should not expect 45 to 50 goals next year. Puncheon, Lallana and Hammond look good to add another 15 to 20 between them. The weaakness in the "Engine Room" is Schneiderlin who for all his talent still does not produce the goal end product. We do not get many from our defence but current performances suggest that Harding, Jaidi, Fonte and Otsemibor should produce 5 to 10 over a full season together. Lastly, there are the substitutes and I believe that Waigo, Antonio and Connnolly are more than good for 15 to 20 goals. My thoughts then are for an end product of between 80 and 100 goals in a full season. allowing for say 10% to 15% of games where for whatever reason we do fail to hit the net, this would average 2 goals per game! Defensively, we have looked much more solid in recent games and I would like to see that trend get even better as players gel together over a much longer period. Overall then I would envisage many more wins next year instead of the draws that have blighted this season. Finally, my own prediction, if we do have money to spend, would be on 2 new signings - 1 centre midfield and 1 goalkeeper! OK don't all shout at me at once, I have utmost respect for Kelvin both as a player and as a man who stood by us throughout the darkest days. However, he is a superb shot stopper but still does not command the area and organise the players in front of him. I remember when Peter Shilton came to Saints at a very advanced stage of his career. I was absolutely amazed at his contribution in every game, not just as a keeper but also in vocally organising the defence. He must have ended every game with a sore throat but by God, the men in front of him benefitted from his presence! I look forward to your thoughts, comments and no doubt some abuse. Whatever happens, the superb ride we are enjoying in supporting our club will continue, onwards and upwards. See you at Wembley!

Interesting post
I am not so sure about Ostembor but even if we keep him I would like another RB as Thomas can also be a bit of a 'sick note' I'd be happy if Bart started with KD on the bench but if the young Schmichael (now at Notts County ) was available I'd have him
I think the rest are all championship standard although Jaidi may not be by 2011/2012 but we do have the one we bought from Exeter ( Can't think of his bloody name )

normsted wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

How about Jock Ferrari ? I just made up a stupic name to embelish your equally daft post !!!

or what about Giovanni McTavish He wouldn't cost any more than George Burley's bar bill and he must be a star turn with a name like that....

Come on, mate, get real. Look at what AP has achieved so far and look at where we are at Christmas time. That's when Cortese will be wielding the axe if he has to - and not before.
sw/ hurt-soon

Got it Seabourne

wallop wonderboy wrote:
Sorry that we lost but pleased to see that most of the writers accept that our season should be next year. I also notice some comments about Swindon being a small team who will get nowhere. I hope they make the play-offs and go up. Just over 20 years ago Swindon had a great team of small name players (Except Don Rogers) and I happened to drive through the town the night they won promotion to the top flight of English football.The celebrations were fantastic BUT they did not last. My laymans view is that they were a team of carrot crunching moonrakers with a crappy little ground in the backwoods of Wiltshire.Not fit for the company of the big boys. Remarkably a fault was found in their previous years accounts and so the promotion was cancelled. That was tough on Swindon town. Had it been one of the big boys would they have suffered the same fate?. They have had tough times and perhaps their time has come again. The Saints have built a firm base and steady progress is the name of the game.

Your laymans view is both wide of the mark and insulting, but each to their own.
Your memory is much better.
We were demoted 2 divisions, then re-instated to division 1, for financial irregularities, something Spurs were also found guilty of around the same time, but only 'little' Swindon were ever punished so severely.
A similar thing is happening now with Chester City being expelled from the conference, yet pompey only suffering a 9 point deduction. work that one out if you can.

The squad we had at that time, was a much stronger one, in my opinion, than the one which eventually gained promotion to the premiership with Glenn Hoddle in charge, and we were found out big time.
We are now entering a period of time where only good things are happening in and around our club and yes we will have our time again, and who knows where that may take Swindon Town, under one of the richest sets of owners in the country.
I think you'll find Swindon Town are in the top 20 richest clubs now, it's just that our men in charge prefer the prudent approach currently and who can blame them when you look at the likes of pompey?

Just 1 final thought, I think it's fair to say that during your 27? year stay in the top flight, for the most part, everyone except saints fans looked on Southampton as the 'poor little club' hovering around the relegation spots. In my opinion you overstayed your welcome in the top flight, by some distance, but hey ho......

PARDEW IN lol, I see you have the same percentage of doom mongers posting here after a wrong un as we do on our site......

I'm off to crunch my carrot now, one of my 5 a day... CIAO and thanks for the 6 points.

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see!

Silly silly man!

Avo. Swindon
I messed up what I meant to say-It should have been my laymans view of how Swindon were seen by the footballing authorities and the larger clubs. Saints were a smaller club punching above their weight but with good management over the early years we gave a good account of ourselves. It was in the later years that things went awry and we have paid the penalty. If we meet next year it should be a hell of a game

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see! Silly silly man!

Ha Ha been found out again?..
You have a short memory.

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see!

Silly silly man!

"Southampton legend" my ar*e.

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote: I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

I love the way she says little town, when swindon got a massive 10300 for there last home game and thats a big gate its been as low as 6700.
I rest my case small brain, small club, small town

Billy 2 Baps wrote:

miltonarchers wrote:

Swindon babe wrote: I bet you stupid idoits feel silly now.Yesterday you was giving the big one on how you would smash us to pieces and this and that!We had 3 of our players missing!no billy paynter.Is that the side you think is going up?you are having a laugh lads.brighton was better than that.Sad pathetic little town,ugly looking stadium from the outside also in a filthy dirty area.yuk!still...... .1-0 were going up,your staying down.

Ha ha ha ha. Listen you slapper, I've been to Swindon, what a dump. Ugly urban sprawl just off junction 15 of the M4. If you can read this could you update us all on how Swindon did when they scraped into the Prem??? I seem to remember they have the record for the lowest number of points ever.

I love the way she says little town, when swindon got a massive 10300 for there last home game and thats a big gate its been as low as 6700. I rest my case small brain, small club, small town

MMMMM. Babe?
One was a Batter in baseball(Babe Ruth..I think?)
One was a rather attractive Pig in the film by the same name..MMMMM
COYRAWAPMACHINE!!!!

normsted wrote:

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see! Silly silly man!

"Southampton legend" my ar*e.

What are you on about???

kev63 wrote:

normsted wrote:

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see! Silly silly man!

"Southampton legend" my ar*e.

What are you on about???

Im on about you, you really need to start watching who you dish out your brand of abuse to.
Read back what you have written and you should be disgusted.
Not the first time either.
We are all supporting the same club here, people have different views, if everyone just agreed with each other and said COYR at the end of each speech it would be a pretty dull forum.
You do not need to call people silly and tell them to crawl back in a hole.
That is just weird.

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

normsted wrote:

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see! Silly silly man!

"Southampton legend" my ar*e.

What are you on about???

Im on about you, you really need to start watching who you dish out your brand of abuse to. Read back what you have written and you should be disgusted. Not the first time either. We are all supporting the same club here, people have different views, if everyone just agreed with each other and said COYR at the end of each speech it would be a pretty dull forum. You do not need to call people silly and tell them to crawl back in a hole. That is just weird.

However you can call people "vicky pollards dad? Or f@*&ng inbred morons can you?

go away you silly pathetic individual and crawl back under your rock

in another post you call people "clueless species"

You really are a complete waste of space!

wallop wonderboy wrote:
Avo. Swindon I messed up what I meant to say-It should have been my laymans view of how Swindon were seen by the footballing authorities and the larger clubs. Saints were a smaller club punching above their weight but with good management over the early years we gave a good account of ourselves. It was in the later years that things went awry and we have paid the penalty. If we meet next year it should be a hell of a game

Fair enough.

It's interesting how you mention that in the early years you gave a good account of yourself, as this is how I feel our club may have done had we not suffered the demotion at the hands of the 'elitist' F.A.

I agree, the 2 fixtures next season should be looked forward to, if we do not go up, and for the record I think it might be a season too soon.

whatever happens, we will improve our squad, as our current owners had a 3 year championship plan when they took over last season, so they'll want promotion next season at the latest.
So I expect the STFC SFC fixtures to be belters if we are in the same league.

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

normsted wrote:

kev63 wrote:

Luda. wrote:

kev63 wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote: PARDEW OUT. We should have listened to the Chalton fans, he's not very good. No tactics, no bottle and no passion. He was complaining that the squad was too big but wants to play the same team every game! What happened to his squad rotation?? The players looked knackered last night and surely he could have seen that in training. If Swindon had a game plan like he said then what the hell was ours?? He predicted what Swindon would do days before the match so surely you would think AP would prepare them in the correct manner to cope with it? I want a QUALITY manager with good tactics and passion! Either someone Scottish or Italian please!!

You silly silly man, you really have no clue do you? Crawl back in your hole and stay there!

Not you again?..still dishing out personal insults to people.?. Sad really mate.

I'm not your mate, the only person I see dishing out insults is you!!! Maybe you should read back your own posts and you will see! Silly silly man!

"Southampton legend" my ar*e.

What are you on about???

Im on about you, you really need to start watching who you dish out your brand of abuse to. Read back what you have written and you should be disgusted. Not the first time either. We are all supporting the same club here, people have different views, if everyone just agreed with each other and said COYR at the end of each speech it would be a pretty dull forum. You do not need to call people silly and tell them to crawl back in a hole. That is just weird.

However you can call people "vicky pollards dad? Or f@*&ng inbred morons can you? go away you silly pathetic individual and crawl back under your rock in another post you call people "clueless species" You really are a complete waste of space!

You really are..
First off those are not insults to our own supporters for expressing an opinion, that is banter to a rival supporter, as expressed by nearly everyone on here.
Secondly that quote you have me down for..you really need to check back on that as i have and would never use such terms. So an apology for that would be the honourable thing.
Thirdly, what is your obsesion with crawling under rocks or holes?.
Keep it coming Kev , you are starting to crack.

Dear oh dear the bickering and name calling is flying thick and fast tonight. I have a 4yr old and a 9yr old arguing & calling each other "bum head" and "**** brains" I don't need to read childish insults on here as well!

truesaint67 wrote:
Dear oh dear the bickering and name calling is flying thick and fast tonight. I have a 4yr old and a 9yr old arguing & calling each other "bum head" and "**** brains" I don't need to read childish insults on here as well!

He started it so na..na..na na na ;-p

I've said my piece and thats it, no insults from me.

I find it astonishing that so many people on here accused the Town of playing boring football last night, especially as your website's commentators were apparently singing our praises throughout the game. And, amid all this talk of failing to break us down, everyone seems to have forgotten that we had another 3 or 4 good chances apart from the one we took. Admittedly, all the discussion amongst us at half time was of whether we could hold out for a point, but we came out for the second half and took the game by the scruff of the neck. I am proud of our boys' all round performance, not just the defensive battling. My first visit to St Mary's - great stadium, great view, great facilities, great location - fantastic that you have remained at the heart of the community and not reappeared at some soulless retail park in the wilderness. Just one more thing... we seem to have something in common - the passion to engage in a lot of debate on our respective forums (and each other's). I look at some clubs' forums and see that they're often lucky if they get three postings. Good luck for next season - a bit unrealistic to expect anything for 09/10 now, I think. We've achieved nothing yet either - but it's an exciting ride so far!

If Swindon brought 2,200 fans last night, that means only about 18,500 Saints fans attended!! Where were the other 25,500 "Wembley faithful" and those who claim to go to every home game, yet have mysteriously missed out on a JPT final ticket??!! I know March has been an expensive month, but I suspect all these missing fans were in the warm watching Chelsea v. Inter. Very disappointing and I'd say ask yourself if you deserve to be going to Wembley? I know I do!