Southampton 11-04

[Geoff Parkstone]

The end of the dream or hopes live on. Given their form over past couple of months and recent big wins, I'd have to say the former, but hope springs eternal. No BBD, no Pat, no Brewster, ? Szmodics we will struggle to score

0-2

[SithHappens]

Morris returning to form though. I'm going for a surprise 1 nil away win.

[macstheman]

Their play in the first half against Wrexham was described as mesmerising, they only led 2-0 but rapped it up in the second half to run out easy winners. Wrexham have an excellent home record and are a tough nut to crack but were chasing shadows and that just days after the Saints superb win in the cup.
Too good for us, 3-1 defeat.

[MadAmster]

2-1 them I reckon. Love to think otherwise but I don't see a win down there. That would, barring a miracle, all but put paid to our Rizla paper slim promotion playoff hopes. Still, when you look back at last season and our opening 10 games this season, it's a miracle we are as high in the table as we are. Most fans were thinking "upper bottom half" would be a success this season. We've done much better and, of late, we've started to see some good football as well.

If there's a downside, a top 8 finish would have many fans looking at automatic promotion next season as the only possible outcome. That's pressure on the club right there. There'll be huge moans if we're not 10 points clear at the top after half a dozen games

[Ramshank72]

Morris returning to form though. I'm going for a surprise 1 nil away win.

Me too. A 1 nil for us, and Saints to take it out on Rovers next week!

[ramAnag]

They must be full of confidence but knackered coming into a third huge match in a week. Gives us a chance, 1-1.

[swaledale]

Mm I can't see anything other than a defeat, 3-1 for me unfortunately.

[Ramshank72]

A fair effort. Time to start focussing on how we'll shape up next season.

[Andy_Faber]

The game that finally convinced me we'd be better off not getting promoted. we were slightly/much worse than Southampton everywhere, individually and collectively. Ward (then Langas) struggled with a lively winger, Ozoh was a shadow of his last week self, Travis continues to disappoint and his lightweightness (?) led to their first goal and almost beyond belief, Clark missed a cross for their second. No-one was especially brill though

[ramAnag]

The game that finally convinced me we'd be better off not getting promoted. we were slightly/much worse than Southampton everywhere, individually and collectively. Ward (then Langas) struggled with a lively winger, Ozoh was a shadow of his last week self, Travis continues to disappoint and his lightweightness (?) led to their first goal and almost beyond belief, Clark missed a cross for their second. No-one was especially brill though

Truth is, our poor first couple of months plus of the season and the three defeats in February have cost us dear.
Despite that I think we can all consider this season a success. Most didn’t expect us to be in contention for the play offs with so few games to go and that is encouraging.

Won’t be easy next season. Tottenham/West Ham/Forest, Burnley and Wolves are all likely to be strong contenders for starters and there are at least half a dozen current Championship clubs who are as there or thereabouts as us.

The other problem imo is, when you build a squad that relies heavily on four or five loanees, you may have a much more considerable rebuild than might otherwise be the case…still, in Eustace I trust. Could just do with the squad gelling long before late October and a little more luck with injuries next time around.

Are we in a better position than this time last season? Of course we are.

[swaledale]

Truth is, our poor first couple of months plus of the season and the three defeats in February have cost us dear.
Despite that I think we can all consider this season a success. Most didn’t expect us to be in contention for the play offs with so few games to go and that is encouraging.

Won’t be easy next season. Tottenham/West Ham/Forest, Burnley and Wolves are all likely to be strong contenders for starters and there are at least half a dozen current Championship clubs who are as there or thereabouts as us.

The other problem imo is, when you build a squad that relies heavily on four or five loanees, you may have a much more considerable rebuild than might otherwise be the case…still, in Eustace I trust. Could just do with the squad gelling long before late October and a little more luck with injuries next time around.

Are we in a better position than this time last season? Of course we are.

Indeed we are, though some of Eustaces subs makes me think he doesn't want to be in the play offs!! Again we run out of steam, but overall we have had a better seson than expected and another good transfer window should see a team capable f being top 6 next season.

I get what you say about loans, but they do provide an avenue of getting 2 or 3 quality players to help a promotion push, that the club doesn't have to risk a transfer fee on. Then if we reach the promised land, recruitment for the prem can begin. Its both risky and costly to recruit permanent players, not to say difficult to get the quality whilst in the champ, so I'd expect a similar approach next season.

[SithHappens]

So much potential in this squad. Hopefully sign Ozoh and Clark at least.

I know when teams come down you expect them to go up but look at Luton and now Leicester.

Roll on next season.

[macstheman]

Roll on next season.

Come on Sith, let's have a bit of sun first with a bit of bat on ball!

[SithHappens]

Come on Sith, let's have a bit of sun first with a bit of bat on ball!

Of course. Not the bat on ball bit though.

[ramAnag]

Of course. Not the bat on ball bit though.

Philistine!