Well done to the Gunners. A 2-0 win at the home of the champions is pretty impressive.   

Today's game at a freezing cold Boleyn was definitely "a game of two halves". First half, Hull were decent and we were dire, and looked completely uninterested, with Nolan in particular looking completely ineffective. The home side was jeered off at half time.

The second 45 minutes were much better, with the Irons playing at a high tempo and putting three past Hull, who were even worse in the second half than we were in the first. Amalfitano (why don't we play him more often?) and Song were outstanding.

COYI!

(PS was rather hoping Citeh would thrash L'Arse as t would have meant us going above them on GD).

"Newcastle fans left hanging as Southampton revel in escape from trapdoor".

"their supporters revelled in a rendition of “We are staying up,” a playful reference to all those summer predictions of catastrophe and implosion". The Game (The Times) 19 Jan. 2015.

Now in 3rd. place on 42 pts. Say no more.

Dave

Dave,

I sense you might like Darren Wheeler's latest 'Beautiful South' column in The Pink, which may still be available in newsagents. (Or you might have the app).

Cheers, Chris

Looks like it's heading for another full house on Saturday. In the meantime - an interesting documentary  http://sportsworld.nbcsports.c...the-southampton-way/

Wow. What a super programme. Thanks for sharing the link. Recommended viewing for not only Saints fans. Other clubs may learn something.

Chris

Yes I've now read the Darren Wheeler column. Thanks. As Shane Long was quoted as saying following the short dip in results before Christmas "the media don't have a clue".

Guaranteed to be another great match at St. Mary's on Saturday.

We are the Saints. We match on.

Dave

Well a nil-nil draw was a mighty fine result for Cambridge.  A nice pay-day from the replay at Old Trafford will be very welcome too.

What a crazy afternoon in the FA cup this afternoon: Man City 0, Boro 2 !!!;  even crazier Chelsea 2, Bradford 4 !!!!!!!!. And Bradford having been 2-0 down.  Don't you just love football?     

Swansea, Spurs and Southampton also out - makes MUFC's result last night look goo!

Saints out.

Swans out.

Citeh out.

Chelsea out.

Spuds out.  

Pundits pummelled.

What a brilliant FA Cup this is becoming.

Unfortunately I think the Robins will batter us tomorrow, it is written in the runes.

I think we have a bit more resilience this year.

Only just, Gerry. First half yesterday, the Robins were all over us. We were lucky it didn't go to a replay. We need to play much better than that if we're to progress in the Cup.

Away to the Baggies in the 5th round.  Do you fancy that, Kevin?

Not really - it's not as bad as L'Arse away or the Mancs, but it'll be a tough game, and we haven't got a great record against any of Pulis' teams.

Thought you might be more optimistic, Kevin, given your lot won at the Hawthorns earlier this season and have a good record against them in the Cup. Still, I suppose we're always fearing the worst when it comes to our own teams, don't we?     

Watched the film. Long on gorgeous visuals, short on insight. Advertorial at best. Sorry.

Chris

Watched the Chelsea v Man City game on Sky this evening. A tense game between two excellent sides.  I thought City shaded it in the second half, showing more ambition. A curiously risk-adverse approach by Mourinho in the second half. Perhaps he was happy to maintain the 5-point gap  but I would have expected Chelsea to go for the win, being at home. Nice reception given by the home crowd to Lampard when he came on. 

Pretty much par for the course I would have said. 

Gutted by Saints' display in front of goal this afternoon, at home to Swansea. A photographer mate told me that more than fifty crosses came in, and not one of them buried.

The problem seem to be Koeman's faith in just one striker. All very well if you have midfielders who cans score liberally but we haven't. I don't mean to dis Pellè but he needs a fellow striker. Then they will both get goals.

Still, it will all be about Villa's plight in tomorrow's papers...

Chris

Gave far too much room to Shelvey when he came forward. Didn't heed the warning when he hit the post. Agree about the lack of Saints' forwards though.

Hippo Head seems definitely to have reverted to type, with his love child KN played at every opportunity, even if his distinct lack of pace means it's like having 10 men.

Against a resurgent Liverpool we looked off the pace, Downing played out of position AGAIN to accomodate BFS' golden boy, umping it up to Carroll again... We are going backwards ever since fatty split up the brilliant Sakho-Valencia strike partnership to make way for his favourites, and I hope we see the end of Allardyce's reign of error when the season finishes.

The man is an absolute dinosaur.

Very enjoyable, Kev!

As for Saints, top four teams win games like yesterday's.

Chris

That made me laugh, Kevin. You ought to have a column in the sports pages of one of the tabloids.

Still, according to my paper Carroll picked up an injury against Liverpool and is out for a couple of weeks so Sam is going to have to rethink his tactics.

'Arry's had to resign on account of his bad leg - nice timing, just after the window has shut!