Brighton had lots of chances...more than Reading. If they give us those same chances, we'll win. It would be good if Brighton gets some points off West Ham, but we probably won't need it...it would just speed things up.
I think you will beat Reading comfortably. They will have to come out and play and that will be their downfall.
Why accept second place? I cannot imagine for one second that Cortese would accept, not Adkins from his players. I want that silverware as should every other proud Saints fan! To see Reading lift the title and their no-mark fans giving it large would give me a coronary.
Thinking about it this is a good result , Brighton will now have to really go for it at Upton Park , trying not to think about our game !
No need to get all wound up...still in our own hands. Other teams owe us nothing...we want it, we've got to earn it.
"richisontheboat": "plastic Reading"? Why? What do you mean "plastic"? Oh, right, their club isn't "big"? IMO, the Biscuit men thoroughly deserve their promotion (again). I know people from around the town, from Thatcham, Newbury, Tilehurst, who are at home games when they can AFFORD it. They're no less Reading fans because they can't always be there. All this ****e about "plastic" makes me laugh.
I think his point is that all of a sudden a lot of people seem to be able to afford it as they make it near to the top of the league.
Even Saints have fans like that :/. When TB came in at Portsmouth and said try could be gone within two months suddenly attendances started rising again...
Yeah that's why attendances go up when teams are playing well. It's no secret. There are plenty of people out there who are far from hardcore supporters, but support a team casually, and like to go see them play every so often when they're playing well, and there's nothing wrong with that. It just means they're not as into football as some other supporters, and they probably have other things going on in their lives as well.
When a team does well you will get new people who come and then remain, but what you also get is that some fans increase the number of games they go to. Nothing awful about that...when money is tight, you are more likely to spend if you get entertained.
Point taken, but that suggests that there are clubs who have supporters who are always there through thick and thin. And that, my friend, is, as the Spanish say: "boloquios". Up the Saints and Up the Royals.
Reading fan in peace (I promise I'm not a 'no-mark' fan). A win for either of us on Friday would surely seal automatic promotion. A point each would be okay (although neither team will play for that) and a loss wouldn't be the end of the world considering we're both currently 6 points in front of West Ham and will still have three games left to play. As for the game, it should be a belter. First v second. And I almost don't believe I'm saying that because I have no idea how the hell we've ended up in second place at this stage of the season. Of course I'd like Reading to be crowned champions, but no-one could begrudge it going to Saints after the incredible season you've had. And I will admit to being one of those who didn't think you'd keep it up all season. For me promotion is the the important issue, especially as I had us down for a mid table finish at the start of the season, so I'm just hoping we don't let it slip now. Good luck for the remaining three games after Friday, and a heart felt well done for everything you've achieved this season.
Thanks. This should be an exciting game between the two top teams with great goals...has 0.0 written all over it Still reckon West Ham will drop more points...can't see them winning 4 games.
Evening SuffolkRoyal. A good win for you tonight, although if you give Saints as many chances as you gave Brighton you won't get away with it!
Reading are due a loss, in my opinion. Bloody hell, they're only a team of 11 human beings - I'm sick of their unbeaten record. How did Peterborough do it? Don't like the fear that I feel when team's are that machine-like and grow that amazing armoured psychological constitution. They need someone to give them a battering! Want them to come up, but really, can they please come second, and reward our consistency?!
It is basically the battle of the curses: Manager of the Month vs TV game! Which curse will be crowned Curse of the Season?
Reading 2012 has some remarkable similarities to Southampton 2011. Looking a lot like a play-off spot, then an incredible run of results getting them up. That run included a win away at the top team...but also finishing second. To get promoted you have to earn it, and Reading have certainly done that. West Ham have not.
