Yeah 1st probably, with the majority of the tough games out of the way. Would be over the moon with that.
I think West Ham have a bit more depth so they will probably win it, but we just have to keep clear of the rest. Puncheon looking good and Hooiveld and Chaplow hopefully back for the Burnley game.
I honestly think we are better than West Ham, but as we know it can be hard to catch the team at the top with points on the board. We have to make sure we keep ahead of the pack and take our chances if we can.
All round, pretty pleased with that. Decent point away from home, and I thought we were the better team. And one of our hardest remaining fixtures now crossed off the list. Thought Morgan, Lallana and Puncheon controlled the midfield in the first half. Only complaints were Fox's red card and the lack of chances created - best the former, is completely due to the referee, and the latter I will give us the benefit of the doubt and put it down to a maxiture of the conditions and Birmingham's defence (there clearly is a reason why they've only conceded 6 at home al season).
The one thing I am most pleased about - apart from the fact we didn't lose - is the fact nobody was injured in those conditions. That has to be a positive.
Pretty turgid affair, made worse by the fact that my local pub had the rugby on the main telly and the football was relegated to the freezing cold tent out the back. The seats by the patio heater were taken by the people who got there early. Hard enough to see the ball on the tv, so it's understandable that not much was created. It's clear to see why Birmingham don't concede many at home as they never let anything drop to a saints player in the final third. Thoughht we had the best of midfield though. I can see us giving Millwall and/or Burnley a right good spanking as we've played well these last 2 games and have been limited by 2 good teams and some bad luck. Danny Fox shouldn't have been sent off.
I thought that was a very good performance for many reasons, but mostly the conditions and the quality of the opposition we played against (6 straight wins). Fox should never have been sent off for a really good block tackle and a little nudge, although I thought his passing wasn't good today. I think we've turned a corner in terms of play. Roll on West Ham - think we'll beat them at Upton Park
Echo sentiments of fellow Saints, the boys done good, Fox sending off a farce. Puncheon looking good, we are better than West Ham. Watched their game with my Millwall friend, they are not convincing, despite being down to 10 men (and especially at home) and their winner should have been disallowed, as the Millwall keeper was very clearly taken out. We're looking in good Shape. COYR's.
I don't think we are better than West Ham personally - everyone is wear they are for a reason and theyre above us, so the only team in the league better
For now! We play better football (they would love it) and there is some way to go. Don't get me wrong, I would take 2nd, and for that matter promotion through play offs, but I have a feeling that if we get back to form with new additions we are a match for them. Today they earned two extra points because the ref bottled it.
I believe that at the moment West Ham are a better and stronger team than us. I guess to sum it up in a word, they are superior. However, put us both in the Premiership right now, and I'd back us to do better than them. The extra time you get on the ball in the Premiership will benefit us much more than West Ham.
Don't want promotion through the playoffs. It has got to be automatic. According to Nicola Cortese, the tension of it would kill him, and we certainly can't have that. And in all honesty, I'd rather be certain, with a couple of games to go, myself.
The playoffs would be horrible, and yes to be certain would be fantastic with a couple of games to go. Lets hope we step up a gear and cement the autos, I think we have it in us.
Didn't see all the match (strangely difficult to see the telly from behind the sofa with a duvet over your head) but I thought Davis had a good game. Made two excellent saves that I saw. I haven't seen anyone else comment on him, unless not mentioning the goalie is a good thing.
At this point, we all take for granted the fact that if Davis has time to react to a shot, he will get to it.