Thetownend.com

I've given up forecasting the result as I never get it right.It's gonna be tighter than the JPT game though.

Looking forward to it immensely

2-0 Charlie to get both

What's the weather like up there, horrible down here, windy and raining

I'm in Somerset mate. The weather here's crap.

It's not raining at the mekmnt put it is wet outside.  Rain expected at some point this morning but then mean to brighten up later today

I'm praying for a win today we need this to kick start our season  ;)

As usual I'm hoping for a win but fully expecting to pick up a solitary point today.

I'm going so we won't win

i can't see anything but a victory for us.southampton should be there for the taking today

With you arriba. Right I'm on my way now

See draw written all over it...1-1 for me though i hope we pulverise them.

2-0 today please.

0-0

4-1

Can I expect to hear you verbal encouragement towards the ref today Bennett?

Sheehan, Prutton and Ball in, Kennedy, Timlin and Pericard out according to Anthony Marshall on Twitter.

Seems a bit harsh on Kennedy after two clean sheets, unless he's injured?

3-0. It's going to be a good day.

Really?

Can't understand that if true

Im not going today and extremely gutted about it. But, like mentioned by b3nny, ive not been to any of the last 3 Southampton games and they have ended up victorious.

I will be listening via stfc world and im hoping to hear the Town faithful in full voice today.

Heart says 2-1 Town
Head says  1-1

I think we're going to twat them. Saints are in a real mess at the moment... perfect time to play them.

Can't see us winning, but i can see us scoring. On that basis, 1-1 draw.

I think I predicted 15-0 on the Prediction League.

It might be a bit closer than that.

Not quite sure what Ball brings us yet, sounds like he may be up front but hasnt impressed yet

um i reckon 2-1 town

Ferry and Pericard

big scoring game today i think 3-2 swindon win austin hat trick  :beers:

1-1 for me

Lucas
Caddis
Cuthbert
Morrison
Sheehan
Ferry
Dougie
AOB
JPM
Austin
Dossevi

0-1 defeat

Our play has been sluggish and stuttering in the Brentford and Orient home games.

Weve got to turn it on today and produce a fully comitted flowing performance.

If we dont at least look hungry and even a little bit desperate today then weve got massive problems.

2-0 Swindon

Can't see past a draw 1-1. att. 11,543

We need to improve on our previous home games if we are to win this. Saints may be in a bit of a mess at the moment but with the players they have you wouldn't bet against them putting in a decent performance.

Perfect opportunity to kick start the season.  I'm going for 3-1 to us.  We're (a lot) better than 24th and due a win.

Woot! Just saved about forty pence on a train ticket thanks to the club's deal with FGW. Can't imagine what I'll spend it on... Perhaps go half ona bag of crisps.

2-1 to us. Ball and Manky - keeping it unlikely.

my comments are never without a good reason. in short if the ref is a cunt i will tell him so

Did I imagine it or did the club put something on the official site about matchday parking at Tesco for today? I can't find it now. Where else is nearby to park and not expensive? I dropped a suitcase on my foot so now I'm a cripple

old walcot streets.ie the estate opposite the merlin

Or Merlin car park if you get ther early enough.

Big game, big occasion, we usually up our game for these so hoping for a good performance today. Whether it will be enough for 3 points who knows!

2-1 Southampton.

Ferry for us, Lambert x2 in the last 10 minutes.

Town 2-1 (big Vince to score)

Looks like David Lucas is out injured again today then.

Has the team been announced yet?

Prutton in instead of Timlin and Smith in instead of Lucas otherwise the same team that started last week.

Swindon Town: Phil Smith; Kevin Amankwaah, Scott Cuthbert, Sean Morrison, Callum Kennedy; David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas (capt.), Simon Ferry; Jon-Paul McGovern; Charlie Austin, Vincent Pericard
Substitutes: Jakub Jesionkowski (GK), Paul Caddis, Lecsinel Jean-Francois, Michael Rose, Thomas Dossevi, Michael Timlin, David Ball

Southampton: Kelvin Davies (capt.); Dan Harding, Jose Fonte, Aaron Martin, Danny Butterfield; Jason Puncheon, Morgan Schneiderlin, Dean Hammond, Alec Chamberlain; David Connolly, Rickie Lambert
Substitutes: Bartosz Bialkowski (GK), Ryan Dickson, Guly Do Prado, Radhi Jaidi, Joseph Mills, Daniel Seaborne, Ryan Doble

Cheers JJ

I blame Phil Smith

No Sheehan in the squad, must be injured or I would have expected him to have started today, despite Kennedy playing well in the last few games.

Got the flu!

Has STC Player started yet? It hasn't on mine, still listening on BBC Wiltshire site on t'internet.

They often don't switch it on until the last minute.

It has but it s really quiet on my laptop. Its not a volume fault on my laptop either as youtube vids are perfectly clear

They had been a bit better this season so far, turning the games on about 15 mins before KO, not today though!

Fucking wankers have turned the BBC link off and not turned on the STFC World one, listening to some geordie twat commentating for the Saints commentary.

anyone else having stfcworld problems?

Yes!

World is working, only it is really really really really quiet.

I'm listening to the Saints commentary for now

Cheers for letting me know it works from the saints end tho. At least i have footy this afternoon.

Hopefully we can hear the devastation from the saints commentator

saints just hit the bar from a corner

You are correct its very quiet, barely audible even on max volume.

For some reason i dont mind having a shaky start (as long as they dont score) When we start well we always seem to lose.

Im thinking of Wycombe and colchester away from last season for examples

Fucking pathetic STFC Player. We pay for this.

Why is a lisping geordie twat commentating for Saints?

My thoughts too....to both those points!

We sound crap. But then maybe they have their own version of Vic Morgan

Well, 15 mins in and we are lucky to be level.

Morrison has been caught out several times already & has mishit virtually every pass.

We have no width and are struggling to make any impression.

Looks like a long afternoon ahead :(

Good chance by Austin good save by Davis.

This geordie on the Southampton radio is doing in me noggin!

me too. "Given that both teams are playing 4-3-1-2 I think that makes Saints favourites as they have the better players"

Pleeeeeeasee get STFC player back.

I'm on the verge of losing the will to live.

Peri in the net...offside....bugger!

Just arrived. Sounds dire.

Sounds like they are giving as good as we are giving, but with us having a few more chances than them.

kennedy sounds likes hes having a good game

Keep me updated :)

STFC PLAYER BACK UP AND GOING :)

Keepin the faith... Come on Town... PLEASE!

STFC commentary back!!!

Thank fuck, that geordie was a cunt

We are currently off the bottom of the table!
21   Tranmere 6   -6   5
22   Swindon6   -2   4
23   Leyton Orient 6   -3   4
24   Plymouth 5   -4   4

biggest cunt of all time

YAY!

The back line seem to be doing ok under the pressure. Taking positives and all that

Im having an online facebook chat with a "high ranking" Saints fan. He is telling me that...

Simon
Liebherr said I want to get saints into the prem..Cortsese said, I want them in the champions league....Liebherr said, do whatever you have to do.. Very optimistic. However. we have the fanbase and infrastructure to be a top PL club.

ahahahaha, this is happening within 5 years apparently

I didn't know fans are given ranks nowadays.

Southampton fans measure themselves in ranks?

I have a few Saints supporting mates and they are telling me all the time that they will be in the Premier League in 3 years!

Richest club in Britain.....allegedly....oh and some of them STILL think O'Neill will become manager!

Thats what Facebook is for...abusing fans of other clubs.....I too am doing exactly that!

especially ones that can't even get from southampton to swindon...

Did he say he was a ranker?

I don't think we've been as bad as you guys listening to radio seem to have been told.

Pretty even, both teams playing in very short fits and spells. They hit the bar and Austin had one saved well by Davis. Not any other chances really.

Both teams playing a diamond midfield. Its cancelling each other out. I'd like to see us go to a flat 4 and get at them down the wings. Although it could just as easily backfire and give Saints more space through the middle.

Morrison looking more assured after struggling early on.

Game has petered out a bit.

Still think we look a bit toothless without any width.

Once upon a time 0-0 after 45 minutes would have been just fine :)

Come on yoooou Reds and all that...

Pls, come out as a 4-4-2......

YES!!!!!!!! Austin!!!!!!!!

Yippeeeee

CHARLLLLLIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Woo-hoo!

CHARLIE CHARLIE AUSTIN!!  :suicide: :suicide: :suicide: :suicide: :suicide:

still can't pronounce dossevi correctly! grrrr!!

austin off for ball

austin with injured shoulder

Afternoon chaps, just in from work. How's the game been?  And was it a good goal?  More imprortantly how long's left?

OFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!

no, yellow, dean hammond - dirty saints

Woo 3 points!!!

YAY!!!!!

I hope Charlie is OK

HAPPY FUCKING DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

A big leap up to 15th.


NOW our season starts :)

up to 15th!!!! 6 points off the top

I am fucking chuffed to fuck!

get in !!! :beers:

can we play you every week!

the reporter on supermarine game is shiiiiiiiiiiiite

Yayyyyyyyy!   We are not bottom of the league I say we are not bottom of the league!

I am going out to have a celebration curry tonight and a couple of bevvies.

Very pleased with that win.

Wise men say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you!

Fantastic win. Top class performance from Cuthbert, rightly man of the match.

Any news on the Austin injury? Looked like he was holding his shoulder.

Wow 3 points & 3rd clean sheet Happy happy happy :D :D :D

Dislocated - unlikely to play for 'quite a few weeks' according to Wilson.

ball or dossevi will have to step up then

nice to win, but there is much for concern too.
the team shape is all wrong for starters.we won despite that shape, not because of it.
we need width in midfield desperately.

Yeah, but I expect we played the diamond in part to stop Southampton playing. Douglas spent all his defensive time on Puncheon. If we were playing a flat 4 Southampton would have just come straight down the middle.

We changed to a very right footed lop sided flat 4 for about 5 minutes in the second half and first thing that happen was Puncheon got a clean run at our defence.

There was a reason we kept the diamond in my opinion. If we were actually chasing the game, or even level with 20 minutes to go I reckon Wilson would have changed it. Although O'Brien wasnt on the bench was he? he would have loved that amount of space to play with.

well we wont see anyone brought in this month so dont hold your breath

There's enough talent/capabilities in our team to add width. Yes at times we needed it but think our formation worked well today.

i didn't see any diamond. i saw 4,3,1,2 with ferry and prutton taking it in turns to go wideish.
this didn't change until we scored then prutton stayed out wide right,and we were better for it.

Douglas was holding, Prutton was right side, Ferry was left side, JPM was behind the front two.

Douglas job was to stop Puncheon playing, as he was at the top of Southamptons diamond.

why was prutton often the deepest midfielder first half then?
i think the formation wasn't to counter southampton at all.as wilson has played it recently against other sides too.
i think it's to accomadate ferry, douglas and prutton in the side.

if we go on a run and keep winning ,great.i just think we were pretty fortunate to win, and i don't personally like that shape at all.
whether that is a diamond or what i think it is,it still took width out of the team.how many times were our players looking for an outlet when in posession,only for there not to be one?

The formation wasn't set out to counter Southampton but it did counter Southampton, which is why we stuck with it.

I thought the diamond worked pretty well, especially it not being rigid with plenty of interchange with the midfielders. Though I'm not convinced McGovern is the best choice at the top of it, I'd go with Prutton or even Dossevi.

Kennedy played well but his passing and crossing was poor, biggest concern was him chasing lost causes down the wing a few times which was pointless. It just leaves a massive gap to be exploited and could have cost us. Thought LJF looked better when he came on, especially his passing which was spot on. I'd really like to see LJF being given a go in midfield.

The big problem with Cuthbert and Morrison is that neither of them can pass the ball. Cuthbert never tries and Morrison was all over the place, giving the ball away time after time. They either need to stop trying and give the ball to a midfielder, or we need LJF back there.

Pericard had an excellent game, though he was letting himself get pushed around a bit too much by their central defenders (or the ref wasn't giving fouls when he should have). Surprised at him being taken off as he got better as the game went on and was causing their defenders quite a few problems.

Overall though it was a pretty poor game. We maybe just edged it but based on that both teams are looking at mid table.

First the good. 3 points, fairly even game. Prutton played quite well defensively. Clean sheet. Big Vince put himself about and looked handy,.

Bad - the formation (which looked like a diamond to me too). It wastes McGovern, who had a poor game anyway. We had nothing down the right as Amankwha largely looks like a reluctant wing back though got forward more in the second half. Still it worked and we probably won't play that formation every week.
 
Disastrous - Austin Barry Corr'd his shoulder. Not sure where else the goals are coming from if Perricard doesn't. We'll see.

In conclusion, not a vintage performance, not a bad one either.

Dossevi looks the absolute bollocks. I fucking love him already. Still not impressed with Prutton though.

The problem with Morrison, as I said before, is that if he has the time on the ball he always looks to go long. But what he does well is win the ball.

It's obvious to me that Prutton and Douglas can't play together. Wilson needs to realise this and drop one of them.

Oh and I forgot about the goal that was ruled out for offside. A brilliant header from Pericard. He is getting better and better.

pericard i thought was excellent.very unfortuante to get subbed.kennedy aint good enough i'm afraid.to slow to show and then to recover.

I thought Kennedy had a good game. Oh well.

Kennedy did have a good game, however - every time he did have the ball, he naturally looked down the line as any full back would.

Of course due to the diamond midfield there wasnt anyone there most of the time.

Prutton and Douglas seemingly cant play in the middle together but with the diamond they were kept apart and didnt get in each others way.

Me too. Didn't see anything wrong with his performance. Good for him to be getting a few starts, as he will undoubtedly be losing his place to Sheehan soon enough.

We deserved the win... just about.

Not convinced with the shape of the team although we are looking very good defensively. Sheehan and Caddis will improve the back four. The diamond gave us extra defensive cover which helped against Southampton but stifled us completely, I thought Ferry was the best of the midfield today and Prutton showed a bit more of his ability.

The challenge on Charlie was criminal, the keeper had no intention of going for the ball and knew full well he could just clatter into Austin and the ref would let it slide. Fucking disgrace, hope that cunt dies in his sleep tonight. The tackle by Harding was worthy of a straight red too.

And I'm not a jinx anymore!

would have been harsh to send Harding off for a tackle made by Hammonds :)

I sat next to a right twat. Constanly moaning all game and said I've not been for two years and I'm not coming again it's a waste of 22 quid.

Well fuck off then you cunt.

I thought the game was ok, but the ref was a bottling cunt and the Lino had aids.

The Hammond tackle was borderline Red Card/Assault Charge, let alone a yellow, absolute shocker and the ref bottled it utterly. Wound Chalkie's_Shorts up something rotten, thought he was going to expire with rage!

The Davis one was indeed very naughty but the kind of thing that half the time gets given against the striker, at least we bloody won and the little fucker got it in the neck.

An excellent point.

Oh and bennett impressed me with how restrained he was for 70 mins.

Then it went to pot :D

On the formation, I don't think it's a particuarly terrible idea but not convinced on the personnel- JPM in the hole seems wrong, he's not quick and his main forte is crossing- AOB or Dossevi in that position for me. Prutton had an interesting game, he doesn't seem to look around himself much, stuck his head down and ran a few times when he had options or a man closing him down, he really doesn't strike me as a central midfielder, not sure how he ended up playing there really!

If it had been the middle of the game I think Hammonds would have been sent off.

The ref was never going to send him off.

Agree with you Dave

I think the ref got that, and pretty much everything else, right today.Wasn't as bad a challenge as it looked. He allowed the game to flow and was the best we've had at home this season.

I wish people would stop moaning. We bloody won !!!

Yes, we were a bit narrow in midfield, but we've kept our third clean sheet in a row, and we're off the bottom.

I was waiting for the onslaught from Saints but it never materialised.

I spoke to the Saints fan in the chippy after the game, who admitted except for the two efforts that hit the bar, they hardly threatened. I comiserated with him that they've got a moron for a chairman, but at least we sent down a certain AA down to Pompey.

i thought the ref did ok too.i wasn't close enough to the tackle by the drs to have a solid opinion on the booking, but it looked like he got the ball first.

the collision with charlie by the keeper was accidental i'm sure.

I think ball and Austin might have something to say about that!

And so my irrational dislike of Prutton continues.. I just don't know why!

Great result. Curry time.

I thought prutton was ok today, got better as the game went on.

Still a bit greedy mind

I think this might have been overlooked, cracking result, we are Southampton Kryptonite.

And on another positive note the drum didn't appear for the second half.

Just goes to show how everybody sees the game differently.

I thought the ref was the man of the match and was excellent. He really let the game flow. Cuthbert & Morrison were superb at defending which is what they are primarily there for allthough their distribution is poor. JPM was the only one that I was disapointed in and agree that Prutton got better as the game went on. Thought Dougie was also getting back to his best.

Excellent game and 3 points. Onwards and upwards. Some tough games at home before christmas but we should have enough quality to make a serious challenge this season as long as Charlie is not out for too long.

I agree i thought Morrison was very good and Prutton put a good effort in to today on wards and upwards

I thought the ref did well until he bottled two big decisions late on. No doubt in my mind that Davis deliberately took out Austin and the tackle on Ball was clearly two-footed.

I'd forgotten about the drum, fucking hell...

Agree that we lacked width and missed AOB's pace down the flanks. Pleased with all the players but thought Big Kev had a poor first half.

Atmosphere was shit again, especially in the DRS.

Not sure who's going to score the goals now Charlie's out.

There's a photo of the challenge on Ball on the official website, from that Ball is a lucky man not to have had his leg broke. A criminal challenge and should of been a straight red!

[url width=640 height=480]http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/javaImages/eb/ec/0,,10341~9039083,00.jpg[/url]

As mentioned- this is a yellow card offense folks.

Zamora had his leg broken by something very similar earlier on, Ball is very lucky.

the ref certainly had a decent view of it, as the picture shows.

Just got back from the game.

Thought both team were shit and that was one of the most boring games of football i have ever seen.

Prutton just stands there doing fuck all.

Amankwaah looks uncomfortable on the ball and is a shadow of the player he was last season.

We lack any creativity and all we did was hoof the ball long (where are the good old passing days of last season)

Only positives taken from the game were

1) Morrison and Cuthbert looked very solid at the back and we never really looked like conceding

2)  We played shit and won.

Based on that performance, cant see us being anywhere near playoffs

Morrison and Cuthbert were superb. In my view, they just didn't have the options for the easy ball out of defence - nothing wide, and a congested midfield.

Great to get the win - God we needed that - but I agree with all the comments about the shape. If you want to keep it solid in the middle, go 5-4-1, not 4-3-1-2. JPM topped the assists for the division last year, because quite simply, he was the best crosser of the ball. So keep him wide - it works.

Prutton was average, but was gore stick around me than he deserved. Pericard and Dossevi looked decent.

Bring on next weekend.

ferry looks like jedward.get that fuckling hair cut lad

Depends on whether you see it as serious foul play or not.

Good day, good support, but the drummer is a fucking :cunty:

Er Batch, that was meant to be loaded with sarcasm, I'm fairly sure everyone would see it as serious foul play, wouldn't they?

yep, also have to take into account hammonds front leg is on its way down as well, he's gone in over the ball

Not sure why Wilson is so desperate to accomadate Prutton - my guess is that he's on a fair bit of money. Although an improvement on his recent performances, he offers nothing extra to the side that wasn't already here. The lack of width was really annoying, JPM is wasted in the middle but improved a great deal after the break.

Good for the defence to keep another clean sheet, I expect Wilson will keep it the same apart from Sheehan for Kennedy and that is our first choice back four.

Wooooosh.

That was the sound of Nemo flying 30,000 feet above my head. :doh:

 Well a lot of bad vibes on here tonight...this was a cracking win.
MORRISON IS THE BOLLOX....he had a great game.
We are on our way no doubt,,,not a great match but three points will do.
Well played Town.....a battling performance with commitment...that will do for me. :beers:

You're right Nemo - that challenge was a fucking disgrace and Ball is lucky to be walking. I may have made the odd discrete quiet comment about it. Were you the lad one row in front and one seat to the left of me or one seat to the right.............or neither.
Overall its 3 points. Both teams cancelled each other out and we got the bit of luck. The challenge on Austin by the goaly was also a fucking disgrace and we may well pay very dearly for that with Austin out.

Probably two seats to the right of you, slightly older than the ones directly in front!

I might add that I didn't think the game was too bad.

Good pcture...look where the ref is...had a decent gane but this was a straight red in my view.

I liked the ref, he let alot go. For every time I got annoyed that Pericard was pushed - he let Cuthbert or Morrison get away with just as much.

If it wasnt the 94th minute of a game where the result wasnt in the balance, I think Hammond goes.

Blond hair, glasses??

Yep. Will behave from now on.

The TEF hitsquad stalked you out before the game. We were allstood having a tag and someone shouted you.

Where was your jumper

I'll say hello next game.

Bloke next to me was calling pericard the n word.

In hindsight I shouldve lamped the fucker

It would be amusing if he said it to Percard's face. He might be on liquids for a while.

Yep, who was that? I was just having a little stroll around the ground behind stratton bank when i heard the shout.

It's in the wash.

This is my thinking

Me sipie herthab and Tonis tampon

After reading that football forums website i wish Southampton nothing but relegation and financial meltdowns. Talk about a lack of class, all their supporters seem to be dead chuffed that they crocked austin. I did notice during the game none of there lot clapped him off on the stretcher where as most games you see both sets of supporters clap the injured player off.

Bunch of pricks

Some unusual comments all round.  I thought the ref was fair, but did bottle the two big decisions.  The Hammond challenge was in front of me and the ref came racing over with a red card, due to the Southampton players getting involved - and a few of ours - he finally gave him a yellow!!  Bottler!!  As regards Charlie's challenge I think the keeper knew what he was doing, he knew he would only get a yellow at most, I did not think it was a red as both were entitled to go for the ball and end up in a heap.  My biggest gripe today was the fact that we struggled to find a red shirt all afternoon - some of Smith's clearance kicks were poor.  However, now with Charlie out for six weeks or so we will probably have to go for a new formation, I cannot see Dossevi/Pericard/Ball making a good combination.  Perhaps we need another Billy P. to hold the ball up front.  Oh, and the guy who sits close by who slated Pericard and Manky from the off needs shagging with the rough end of a pineapple.

Cunts the lot of you, when i turned around again i nearly fell over :(

By the way, what where you doing up there? Watching the players go in?

For the few that thought it was a poor game I can only assume that you were not at the Franchise the other week. Now that was crap!

Also I will stick my neck out and state that Prutton will be our highest scoring midfielder this year with 6-10 goals. That, I believe, is what he will bring to the party.  

Agreed. Controversial, but I think he's our most talented player with excellent control, technique and  vision. You can tell the lad has played at a good level all his career.

Pleased with the win and glad the drummer fucked off. What was he thinking bringing that into the Town End?

We were in the legends and wanted a fag and the stewards made that a smoking area so we wouldn have to queue to get back in.

Genius idea, it's only took 5 years for them to come up with that one

because he really rates him and thinks he's gonna score shitloads of goals-honestly!

probably because we've played the last couple of games with 3 central midfielders, crazy thought I know...

Good three points, even better that it came against Southampton who are fast becoming the Leeds of League One.

Started nervously both halfs, with Southampton hitting the woodwork in each. But from then on i think we were in control. Brilliant display from the centre back partnership, third clean sheet in a row is something to be proud of. Smith again came in a did well, i have so much more confidence in him these days.

I really don't like the diamond formation, but it certainly suits Prutton, who i thought was fantastic today. Surged forward alot, attacked down the right and helped defensively too! McGovern was poor, i guess in contrast to Prutton the diamond doesn't work for him.

Pericard was good again, and Dossevi looked a real handful when he came on. Only downside up front was Austin, who must've dislocated his shoulder? Makes me slightly aprehensive for the weeks ahead, without our prized asset.

Overall, well earned three points, and glad to see us moving up the table.

Southampton hit the bar from a set piece & we cleared the rebound.

We hit the bar from a set piece & managed to bundle in the rebound.

Other than that neither team really looked like scoring.

Three points to us & none for the dirty bastards from the south coast :)

Oh, and i don't think i've seen a more disgusting kit than Southampton's.

I have... Loads.

Thought the first half was pretty ordinary, I enjoyed the second immensely - in the same way I enjoy car crash tv, it was difficult to watch but somehow massively entertaining.

I thought the ref did ok, lets loads of stuff go - I bet Pericards got bruises all down his spine tonight. Vince played well today, look strong and took his offside goal well. Prutton looked better, but still stands around far too much pointing for some reason - get stuck in man!

Dossevi is clearly a mad man, he never stopped running and hassling the whole time he was on the pitch, such intensity is quite welcome.

And as for that tackle on Ball, he's lucky both legs are still intact - it was a horrible challenge, the ball didnt seem to move at all, he just went straight over the top. It was full of frustrated malice and nothing much else. What a prick.

I quite liked Southamptons kit.

The south coast club (hehehe) had a shot cleared off the line and forced Smith into a good save. Austin was unfortunate not to score but was denied by a telescopic leg from Davis in the first half and Vince's beautiful header after a great team move was disallowed. I thought both sides had chances but very few.

Morrison has impressed me hugely in the games I've seen.

Well reading through the last couple of pages, some of you are fucking spackers. Hard fought win against the promotion favourites who have spent millions and people are moaning. Get a grip or go and post on thisis. Unfucking believable.

They havn't spent mllions......but i get your drift.
To be fair i was fairly balanced in my verdict................................though my left bollock hangs to the right a tad.

Yes they have.

Aside from the match report from another dimension courtesy of StefPol, I don't see much negativity.

Another three points at Walsall next week, no doubt.

No they havnt........who did they sign pre season or in the recent windows...correct..NO BODY.

Didn't they spend half a million on Frazier Richardson from Charlton...and some player from Serie B. Ryan Dickson from Brentford also but fee is going to tribunial.

Yep....and a million on Lambert...........but that was over a year ago.,,,they USED to be a team who spent big but most of there money came from players they sold............which as we know tends to defeat the object really.

Lambert last season for in excess of £1,000,000 ... surely he still counts?
Richardson for £450,000.
Dickson for £175,000.
Barnard for undisclosed fee (around £250,000)
Seaborne for undisclosed fee.
Fonte for £1,200,000.
Hammond for undisclosed fee.

Definitely the division's big spenders since being in it.

I bet David Connolly's on a fair whack too.

Fonte for £1,200,000? Really? He's the long haired chap at the back I take it... he was utter shite.

Morrison was brilliant today, him and Cuthbert are shaping up well, looked solid. Kennedy also looks a far better player this year, stronger and his positioning was spot on.

The fact is that Southampton have spent significantly in an effort to get out of this division...why are we arguing about this anyway? We've spent fuck all and done far better than them.

I stand corrected Beats and Crispy..........didnt realise Fonte signed for 1.2 million.....for a team that nearly went bust that is massive.
Also with the Pardew connection to Palace......................makes you wonder?

Because we love to argue with each other!!!!!!

I think this performance and result is massive, combined with another clean sheet, we'll be going to Walsall full of confidence. I think another 3 points could be on the cards

I wouldn't argue with that Arch.

Also, another defensive point - I hardly noticed Lambert today, now thats got to be a good sign!

Agreed

Massive sense of relief that we've got the first win under our belts and a really hard fought one.

I thought the defence looked solid, Cuthbert and Morrison won nearly everything, but as previously mentioned, it's a shame they can't pass a bit better.

Prutton played the best I've seen, but at times can be very selfish and almost doesn't seem to look at where he's going to pass the ball.  Douglas looked better today, but I thought Ferry was a bit quiet?  There was a definite problem with nobody being out on the right at numerous points in the game largely due to the formation we played.  Interesting that AOB wasn't even on the bench, was he injured?

Somebody mentioned that Kennedy's crossing was poor, but I thought he put in some good crosses and corners in the first half.  
Definitely seems as though there's going to be a bit of a fight for places in certain positions, which can only be a good thing.  There still seems to be something lacking in midfield though?

Major downside is Charlie's injury, just our bloody luck.  Vince was unlucky today with the header that was offside and worked hard today.  Again unlucky to be taken off and looked genuinely surprised.  Got a really good ovation round by me in the Arkells and one bloke was actually going ballistic at Wilson for taking him off?!  He's definitely going to need to find the back of the net with Charlie out!

Some Southampton fans were walking behind me largely bemoaning their own team, but also saying that we weren't worthy of the win and are going nowhere this season - we'll see  ;)

I actually double checked at one point that I hadn't somehow missed him being substituted, as he was so anonymous!

What was with the drum today?  :badmood:

I enjoyed today and think we'll kick on. Great result and some strong performances from Cuthbert and Morrison. Pericard looked on good form too - I was surprised that DW brought him off, from a confidence point of view.

I was getting a bit frustrated with JPM, especially in the first half, but I don't think it was his fault, as you could see Shirtliff and Wilson shouting at him a lot. I got the impression he was trying to do what he was told. I don't think he plays well with his back to goal and he got lost a lot; very disconnected from the rest of the middle three. He's much better chasing forward and putting the ball in the box. If we're going to stick with this formation, I'd be tempted to try Dossevi behind the front two, but I'd prefer to go back to flat middle 4 with JPM out right.

where do you sit in the arkells?there was a woman sat directly behind me who talked alot of sense during the game.
gonna sound all sexist, but that is rare.

When Dossevi came on, he again impressed me. He's a class above. Roaming around everywhere laying balls of and showing nice touches and masses of strength. He has some serious ball retention skills. I wouldn't mind seeing him at the tip of the diamond if we're to play it again. Although I love JP and hate the idea of him on the bench.

Also, the drum. What. The. Fuck? Glad it stopped and liked the clear hatred of it by all. I hope someone lamped the cunt, smashed it, or he was ejected for bringing a fucking drum.

I see a couple of people get ejected after the goal

agree with those who say dossevi would fit the point of the diamond better than jpm (who i'd drop back into midfield for prutton)

Immaterial really as Dossevi is going to have to play up front for a bit

Soton's kit - Peru in World Cup Argentina '78.  No idea why they would go for that, looks crap.

Win was all that's important today, get confidence up.  Tis all. 

I could hear the drum quite clearly from the Don Rogers, pleased when I heard this:

Drum drum, drum drum drum, drum drum drum drum, FUCK OFF.

http://www.footballshirtculture.com/10/11-kits/southampton-2010-2011-umbro-125th-anniversary-home-kit.html

The new design is inspired by our original kit - the first ever worn by a Southampton side. The iconic red sash design  of white shirt and shorts with black socks will replace the traditional stripes for the club's 125th Anniversary season only, and is the first home kit which is not predominantly red and white stripes for over 2 decades.


==============

Sat in the DRS I don't recall hearing the drum. Was it very small.

Who told my boyfriend he had a spider on his back?? Was it you DOn Rogers shop??

Well I did not know that.

Perhaps Peru '78 was based on Southampton's first ever strip then?

Southamptons Kit is lush

It looks like a jamrag

[url width=440 height=314]http://adultjokes.co.za/images/40343Tampon%20man_46063_40343_1.jpg[/url]

Vs

[url width=320 height=470]http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Southampton.jpg[/url]

Not much difference

Absolute fucking shitey bolocksing cunt bollocks. Seriously. Someone needs to take responsibility and something needs to be done. I can see people deserting in droves otherwise.

Matchday threads have been going downhill for a while now but this really is 15 pages of crap. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

If you come to the winners today you couldve had a pint

You have to have a ticket to get into the winners don't you?

Oh yeah

Oops

well fuck you then you cunting pete burns retarted tranny face.

Depends where you were sat Batchy, I could hear it but was pleased it was shouted down. Saw Mex today (where's your hat?), think I saw JFW too at half time (on her own)....it's great being anonymous  :)

Bollocks. I can see where you can class that as rekcless (mistimed or a timed trip/pull/push) but that tackle is horrendous. If his foot is coming down then that's a red - his foot is coming down from at least knee high. It's just pure dangerous to have his foot that high. Serious foul play in my book. Div?

I see you missed the sarcasm like Batch did when he read it...

I've just not read the thread. Saw the photo and the comment with it and thought 'fuck it. i'm going to drunken comment on this'.

I am a doosch though.

I thought everyone except JP had a good game... even Prutton and Kennedy, which appears to be at odds with some opinion on here. I really rate him and see no reason for Sheehan to replace him at this moment in time. Good result, onwards and upwards.

I thought Morrison was immense. Again. Fast becoming one of my favourite town players.

Sucha relief to get that win.

Great result, match wasn't a classic but the 3 points was all that mattered.

One person has been overlooked, with regard to their contribution in this victory, and that is the originator of this thread....

Thought it was a poor game. Especially the first half, no width, and JPM seemed totally out of place, while  Prutton seemed out of the game. Second half more energy and Prutton got moving a bit.
I'm not looking forward to long ball/knockdowns all the time if it continues like this, boring,lets get back to last season's attractive passing football again.

The first half was boring, granted.
But the 2nd half was good, albeit a bit one paced.
Two slow sides with no real counter attacking football, but some good football at times from both sides.
We did enough to win the game and I can't remember Smithy having a save to make.

Oh and I don't like McGovern with hair, he just doesn't look right.

Smithy made 2 good saves.

Ah yeah, I remember one of them, from the flick on header in the first half.

It's not your fault you're an American. Isn't it a douche though? Better known as a shower. :)

I like Kennedy...but he tends to knock the ball in a bit early when there is still plenty of space to run into...means players wernt ready for the cross...could turn into a real good player if he can build himself up a bit.

felt great to get our first league win and agree with a few above kennedy played well (again) and what was going on down our right flank JP spent all day in the middle we had no width at all, its as though we are accomodating players at the minute as in playing prutton,douglas and ferry. For me it would have to be douggy and ferry everytime.

Any news on Austin?

Quite a lot of the time he had no one to knock it to. The movement in front of the back 4 was not very good until Dossevi came on. Out of the 4 left backs we have the best at passing out of the back is JFL by a country mile. 

That + blue boots + playing in a different position = me spending quite a bit of the first half thinking "who is that" every time he got the ball. Wouldnt be so bad, but I was like a goldfish - no matter how many times I realised it was McGovern I repeated the sorry process a few minutes later.

Good 3 points but the most concerning thing is the drum.

I was near the middle of the TE and wasn't sure where it was coming from it sounded that bad. Was it an Argos kids drum?  Oh and whoever thought to use bloody Tom Hark as music after a goal want's bloody shooting also, naff, very naff.

Pericards header for the goal was brilliant!

I totally agree about the music, what should be played when we score?

You're not alone there, I did the same.

I saw Will Evans in the legend's lounge prior to the game and he's huge. Pretty bulky too. Was he another of Budgie's "big unit" youth policy?

Er, nothing?

A sort of spontaneously generated clapping, cheering, people being happy sort of noise.

I suggest "enjoy yourself" by the Specials when we score....if we need a song that is, crass as playing songs when teams score is.

Great result, just what we needed.

Saints are a dirty side, they are arrogant and seem to think they have a right to injure the opposition when they are losing. The tackle on Ball was a 100% red card! The one on Austin, maybe you can say it was a yellow, but Davies was definately out to hurt him.

The players did very well not to let the nervousness of the crowd get to them. Atmosphere was very poor for the last 15 minutes. Please drummer fuck off.

Prutton had a good game. Overall I didnt think we had enough width going forward, but its certainly made us much tighter at the back. Another clean sheet. Last season was built on 1 Nil Austins, we need more. Hope the arm is OK.

Also thought Prutton had a decent game, he is starting to settle in to our system and style of play, he will be a usefull addition over the season.  Forgot Ferry was playing today but that probably cos he was out of his normal position.

Hopefull Dossevi gets a run of starts now, he is potentially our match winner for the next few weeks.

I agree no music

Did seem strange that Austin and JPM seemed to swap positions for this match
But as i said after Franchise the tactics dont mean a thing when you win..............its when you lose playing strange tactics that the manager feels the brunt.

Just got back ish. Marvellous day out.

Many thanks to leefer for giving me the guided tour of the pubs

The Savoy had San Miguel for £1.45, nearly fell over, thought she had the price wrong

Great to put faces to names, in no particular order Don Rogers Shop, tans, Si Pie, flammable ben, Samdy, herthab, Tonis, you all seemed younger than I had imagined, strange. Great to meet you all

JFW, sure he had a spider on his back

Not the greatest of games, the lack of width was concerning, can't believe that AOB wasn't even on the bench was looking forward to seeing how he got on. Kennedy, Morrison and Cuthbert all had good games. Great to see Charlie score, injury a big blow. Dossevi looked good on the ball when he came on

Think tho the most important thing was the three points, now mid table four points below the play offs. Need to kick on from there, but scoring goals could now be an issue

Apparently AOB and Sheehan were suffering viruses.

Good win for Poole...4-1 at Bodmin.
Brilliant 1-1 draw for Highworth v Salisbury.....that really is a superb result for them.
Supermarine beat Brading 4-0 also.

1-1 that is a good result, I did say Highworth looked a decent side

the austin injury - am i alone in thinking that davies punched the ball and was out of his area?

hammond's tackle on ball was outrageous and just demonstrated how out of sorts they are. they looked pretty clueless for most of the game. we at least had a game plan: goal kicks, pull onto the dwarf butterfield and try to get the ball forward quickly.

ball and dossevi looked good when we were trying to break. their first touches are superb and will hopefully make other defences look a bit gash soon enough.

Probably not me than Arriba, I tend to shout rather than talk  :) Row R, anything from seat 119 to 123 dependant on who's at that game and gets there first!

I didn't go on here yesterday until last night and checked back fully expecting to see the thread had been started by Sonicyouth again.  Looks like we now have the choice of two matchday thread starters.  :clap:

On the theme of superstitions, my 6 year old saw them win for the first time yesterday after 5 draws and 2 defeats.  I was becoming slightly concerned with his presence considering he has a season ticket this year.  Mind you, he was such a nuisance yesterday, I might make him stay at home for the next couple!

Hey I'm glad someone else thought this, it was my first thought. No-one around me agreed so I felt a bit stooopid. On the OS there's a good picture of Davis and Austin just before the collision, how come this wasnt a foul? If any outfield player had gone thundering into Austin in a similar manner it would've been given - no questions asked, goalies seem to always get away with this.

It was a good win for us. I knew before the game that Southampton would be no pushovers and it proved to be the case. I think we just about deserved the win. It was very even and both sides cancelled each other out. I think the difference between the 2 sides was that going forward we looked more of a threat than Saints did. Other than that both sides were very organised and passed the ball well. I think they had 1 very good chance in the 2nd half when Lambert I think it was managed to miss from close range and Smith either made a good save or someone cleared off the line (couldn't see from the Town End).

I'm still not sure about the diamond formation but we have kept 3 clean sheets in a row with it and the defence is looking rock solid with Morrison and Cuthbert moulding very well now. That is pleasing to see and they answered all questions put to them yesterday. The diamond makes us narrow but against certain teams it's effective. Norwich used it last season and it stops the teams that like to play football controlling the midfield. That certainly happened yesterday as we stopped Saints playing their game.

Pericard was very good yesterday. Caused them all sorts of problems. Was baffled when Wilson took him off but Dossevi played very well when he came on. Prutton had his best game for us I think. He still looks a little off the pace though and at times he was too slow to spot the right pass or even make it. Defence as I say was excellent and Douglas is starting to get back to his best of last season.

Was gutted for Charlie when he went off. I don't know if it was deliberate from Davis or not but Butterfield went to check on Austin and then came back to Davis and patted him on the back....all seemed a bit dubious to me. I think it was Charlie's best game this season as well. He looked determined to score and played with a real passion and commitment. He's making himself a bit of a legend here that's for sure.

Oh and Hammond should have gone for that poor challenge on Ball. I'm surprised he was OK after that. Poor decision by the ref that one. Saints were just getting dirtier as the game went on and you could tell they were frustrated. They must hate us....that's 4 wins from 4 against them since they have come down to L1 and they haven't even scored past us either. I'm sure they will pick up soon when the new manager comes in but they will want to start winning games pretty sharpish.

As for us hopefully that's the corner turned now. We've got the monkey off our backs with the first win and it's full steam ahead now. COYR.

Cracking win. I don't care how we got it we got it. My man of the match was Morrison he was superb and special mention for lescinel when he came on.

Felt a bit sorry for morrison in regards to his distribution as with no wingers we are fucked as southampton clearly pushed up onto our midfield  meaning if morrison hit it diagonal to kennedy he was miles out of position.

I am delighted with that win i was concerned with the formation at first but now i have had time to think and we have played 3 games with that formation and conceded none so it's obviously not that bad.

On another note i heard carslile should of battered wednesday yesterday so makes that result a little better.

The other problem with a lack of wingers is that we had no option but to pass the ball backwards at times which heaped pressure on our youthful back four, on a couple of occasions our posession was turned into a Southampton attack because of misplaced/poor passes to or involving the back four.

The diamond will work effectively away from home, particularly at teams who have narrow pitches - Peterborough for example has always seemed narrow to me - but think we need to persevere with 4-4-2 at home, JPM is simply wasted at the tip of the diamond.

Sheehan was a migraine apparently. AOB was at the game, which if he had a virus is odd, as you would have thought he'd be sent home in case he passed it on.

In his defence again, there is that space there but still no winger to pass it to or to cover for him. There was one instance in the first half where Kennedy ran into the space and Morrison played a diagonal ball to the left wing. The Southampton full back won the header and all of a sudden the Southampton wide player has a big open space to run into because Kennedy is so far forward.

I think alot of the negativity being dumped on the players is partly due to the formation.

Does anyone know if Sheehan is match fit? I doubt he's played for Leeds, probably not even the pre-season games, so there is a chance he's unfit?

the formation didn't help kennedy, but he hardly busted a gut to recover when he was caught up the pitch.this happend a few times.fair enough if there was a covering player,but there wasn't.

the biggest victim of the formation was jpm.he had virtually no influence on the game at all because of it.

Agree with that arriba although in kennedys defence to a certain extent do you think he seems a bit unfit at the moment?

Didn't feature for the reserves last week so either he's injured or totally lacking in fitness.

he looked lethargic from the off i thought.

Yeah me too

ljf was much better.kennedy will be surplus come the summer i'm sure

Wilson said on the Radio after the match that O'Brien & Sheehan both had flu all week so didn't feature yesterday

He did it about twice and yes he tried to get back but he was never going to beat Southamptons player for pace, he was pretty bloody quick and had a 15 yard head start

Leefer moaned Kennedy didnt get forward, you moaned that he did get forward - so he cant fucking win.

Since he's come into the team after best part of a year out injured we've kept 3 clean sheets for fuck sake. He's clearly done a decent job and a better one than the 28 year old 300+ games Michael Rose.

...and, at the end of the day we won!

i didn't moan that he went forward at all.i am pointing out that he didn't recover quick enough when he did.

it was also about 7-8 times, not twice.he jogged back each time.luckily we were not punsished for it.
why do you think he was subbed? i thought he was clearly struggling yesterday and that was why.

Me and my old man both said the same thing after about 20 mins. It's not a dig at him at all to say he is not match fit yet just a fact.

I dont know why he was subbed, he was playing well.

Kennedy didn't have a full pre-season and he was still coming back from injury unless I'm mistaken.

As me and arriba said he was fucking shattered

He came on for a good 20 minutes at Carlisle and didn't show any evidence of not being match fit.

Basicly it shows the difference between a fit full time pro with experience and a young lad trying to make a name...it is why many fall by the wayside........left and right back are probably the hardest positions in my opinion...as Dave said judging when to go forward is hard when there is a doubt in your mind about your defending duties.

Even more so when you have no wingers in front of you i would of thought.

I thought Ferry did a good job of covering for Kennedy when he got lost up the pitch a couple of times.

A friend had arranged for my lad to meet Charlie Austin before the game and while we were waiting for him to arrive, AOB turned up.  In fact he was the first player to arrive and spoke to us for a few minutes, seemed fine and seems odd to arrive so early if he was unwell?

Sort of my point iffy. Ferry did do that but going forward was a different story. Anyway its only a small issue we got 3 points and thats what matters.

Videos Uploading..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzIfAauWD_A




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMJgBJksILE

Guess he was ill in the week and is over it but hasn't trained, even when you are over it, having the flu or a virus leaves you weak for a bit.

BBC Highlights show neither Davis' tackle or Hammond's drop kick, but do show plenty of Soton chances. Typical.

absolutely pathetic, why bother even giving a token effort? i'd rather just use someone elses stfc world log on

He was knackered.  At one point just before the sub he was blowing out of his arse just before taking a corner in front of the townend.  Bear in mind he took a lot of corners as well, so spent a lot of time up and down the pitch on Saturday.  It was the right decision.

Took my little girl on Saturday.

She enjoyed playing games on my Blackberry!

Game was a bit scrappy and we rode our luck a bit but got the win we needed to hopefully kick start us up the table.

As far as players are concerned...

Prutton tried harder but looked like a hinderance half the time.

Always like big Kev stoming up the line and Kennedy was great.

I also like the way we got stuck in when Saints went in hard.

The Keeper deserved a yellow card and the team a free kick for the challenge on Austin.  I will need to see a replay but IMO the defender cleared the ball meaning the keeper was therefore late and thus a freekick and booking.....I do honestly believe there was no intent to nail him but thats a keepers job as it is for a forward to clatter the keeper if he can.

The foul on Ball was terrible as the Official Website gallery clearly shows...a scissor tackle and a clear red card offence.


The Ref had no bollocks and allowed himself to be intimidated.

PS - Stick the fucking drum up yer Arse!

Kennedy said he rolled his ankle on the radio after

So in conclusion... Subbing Kennedy was the correct decision.

Can someone pass this news onto DW?

I think DW already knows, he made the sub!

Was stood directly in front of the drummer. Embarrassing.

Would have told him to fuck off but he had his two kids with him. Had a word at half time and told him he was basically ruining all our chants, he seemed to shut up in the second half.

Which strangely is when the townend seemed a bit quieter.

Lot of tension in the air on Saturday. You could tell that goal was a massive relief more than anything.

Spoilsport

The atmosphere was somewhat strange on Saturday - I'm putting it down to nerves and being bottom of the league!  :hmmm:

There was a kid in front of me in the Arkells who blew a horn...and then didn't blow it again !!

You have to wonder whether some people really 'get' football.  Maybe he was trying to find the ice hockey and got lost.

Go Swindon!  You rock.

Anyone who saw those hightlights would've thought Southampton deserved to win. I think the highlights were similar last season when we should've won by five, with Davis keeping them in it.

Worrying visual image now involving pauld and exhibitionism.  So wrong.

Good point....well done to the Beeb for sparing us Two Bogs nadgers.  It was bad enough when Bushey Boy flashed on the TEF

Found these pics on the Saints website. Doesn't look intentional from Davis, but then he hasn't exactly tried to not clatter into Austin either...

[url width=640 height=480]http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/javaImages/a3/ed/0,,10280~9039267,00.jpg[/url]
[url width=640 height=480]http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/javaImages/9f/ed/0,,10280~9039263,00.jpg[/url]
[url width=640 height=480]http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/javaImages/98/ed/0,,10280~9039256,00.jpg[/url]

He also has his eyes jammed shut. Not sure that's the best strategy.

Why's that? I thought it was very good on Saturday. In fact for all 3 home league games so far this season the Town End has been a lot more vocal and louder than it was for much of last season which in some ways has surprised me. And what's pleased me more is that no one around me (as far as I have been aware at least) has even moaned. It's been pretty decent support so far.

I hope you paid Southampton FC to use those pictures! ;)

It was at home you muppet

Have I just been whossssheddd or has Gazza missed the point?

Or was he trying to make a joke that failed?

Nice grimace from Davis, thats his cum face right there I'll wager...

Looking at those pics i'm grateful it's just his shoulder and not a broken leg or fucked knee. Doesn't look ilike he meant it.

All three?

Their goalie looks as though he has been on a course of botox

Late posting...but my thoughts.

Phil had a cracking game, an excellent save in the second half. He's fine.

Back four were superb. Kennedy as he is playing at the moment is 500% better than Rose. I was pleased to see Ferry, Prutton and Douglas in the middle. Douglas is getting back to form thankfully. Ferry is like a little excited terrier, all over the pitch doing what he does best. Prutton was improved, but still has a way to go to convince me he should start.

We missed O'Brien, there was acres of space on the left and his pace would have ripped their right back a new one. I hardly noticed McGovern and has been said, that might have been the formation. Prefer him out on the right ahead of Manks, tbh.

I was surprised by Vince's substitution, I thought he was doing fine. Although Dossevi is lively, perhaps Charlie's unfortunate injury will give us an insight into how they can work together.

I just loved Charlie's goal - you can see how much it means to the man to score for Swindon Town. In front of the TE too. Bliss.

To the guy with the drum...just no. Please don't do it again.

There was loads of space because we played with a middle three and were deliberately very narrow, so I'm not sure how we missed AOB in that system. He doesn't fit at all.