ManU v Saints - Which 0-1 did you prefer?

Interesting reading this. Maybe it's just dementia and I can't remember last year as well as the last few days, but I've gone for this year. Last year I wasn't there, but I was this year which obviously makes a difference. But I think it's the context as well. Despite the two comfortable home wins, I was still very shaky about this visit and imagined a 2 or 3 goal defeat. It would have inevitably been unlucky, and probably involved the loss of a key player through injury. While I was delighted with last year's win, I'd thought we'd at least get a point, but not this time. Anyway, I was there - old 8-0 at Everton; 7-1 at Liverpool; 7-0 at Leeds (and others) - so they were doomed.

"Might as well take them home, Ron. I'm here, you're going to get stuffed" I should have called as the poor buggers came out of the tunnel.

Even with a few minutes to go, when we were holding them comfortably, my mind still played back their recent smash and grabs against us, and their recent daylight robbery at Anfield. So, Charlie's winner was like a bolt from the blue. And one of those great moments of being a Saints fan.

Oh, yeah. That lucky tap in by Stokes from an offside position was OK too.

 

Not far from the truth. I met Bobby Stokes once (RIP) after he'd retired. He told me he shinned that shot. Genuinely.

 

We play Man City at home on 30th April. If Sky could kindly move that to 1st May, it would be the perfect day for a 40th anniversary celebration. I am even sure that the City fans wouldn't mind a reminder of that day.

 

Still can't really decide on either. If I was going to plump for one it would be the 2015, simply because it was a very good game and both teams were playing better than they do currently, in my opinion. Gary Neville's assessment of Saints 'perfect away performance' also carries a lot of weight with me as I felt exactly the same about it. Although we defended mostly, it was totally controlled. And when we did attack we frightened the living daylights out of ManU.

In fact, there are many similarities with last Saturday's match. That was largely controlled by Saints too, I felt. Just that ManU were worse than they were 12 months ago and our form isn't quite as good as 12 months ago either [yet]. Charlie Austin's debut goal tips the balance back and stops me from choosing either game.

Yeah, I'm going to stick with loving both equally.

 

Like many people I have watched that goal over and over. I am convinced that he was actually on-side. The camera doesn't pick up where he was the exact moment the ball was kicked but he was obviously moving forward and even when the camera does get him he seems fairly level. So on-side.

England's 1966 goal though was never over the line

 

He was onside. David Coleman said so at the time.
Seriously though, Clive Thomas, who refereed the game, also says so in his autobiography.

And Geoff Hurst's shot was over the line, so there.

 

Tofiq Bahramov said it was over the line, so it was over the line!

 

I went for last years, because I thought it was simply the perfect away performance.

This year as unbelievable as it was, we didn't have to get out of third gear because United were that bad, and Austin's goal was the icing on the cake.

 

I really must get the hang of this humour thing. Use emoticons? Write in red? I was already living in the North West at the time of the '76 Final and United fans tell me with boring regularity that Stokes was offside. The other charge against the late lamented Bobby is that he scuffed the shot, and this is why Stepney was beaten. For me he was onside and hit a great shot past one of the country's best keepers. But what do I know?

 

He being our favourite Russian linesman of all time.

 

Seriously though can you believe it has been 40 years. It's so scary where that time has gone.

Also it's 50 years this year since Englands world cup win. I wasn't born when that happened but does genuinely seem like 50 years of hurt since then.

And yet I can honestly say it's not been 40 years of hurt since saints cup victory. JPT aside, runners up and youth cups, I have still thoroughly enjoyed almost every other minute of supporting Southampton.

I really don't think it will be another 40 year wait but soon please.

COYR

 

Nope. Finally decided to stop dithering and change my vote to 2015. On Saturday, despite all the circumstances, I knew we could take ManU. In January 2015, it wasn't the case. Sure, they weren't playing like an SAF team, but they had some real vim and verve still, and were in 3rd spot. And so despite our superb form last year I still didn't think it was cut and dried. Plus, we overtook them in the league after that match.

Yeah, I'm convinced. The 'perfect away performance' gets my vote.

 

Still going for 2016. I know in the future that I will remember last seasons win, but Charlie's debut combined with beating ManU will be indelibly printed on my brain.

 

As I posted earlier Lambo, the great Man himself told me he shinned it.

 

Hmm. Shall I bring some evidence to the table for those who can't remember 2015 [Lambo...]? It just so happens that I've found my video of Neville, Carragher and Hoddle giving their analysis of that game. I'll upload it to Youtube and then get it on here. For those who have never seen it, most of the talk is about Saints [which is why I kept it] and they gush for over half and hour.! Got some great stuff in it. Fonte, Morgan, Disgruntled Rooney, and the two Dutchmen.

 

Here's the analysis video from 2015 I spoke about. So much nostalgia. Such a good performance:

 

He lied! Great shot, exactly where he intended it to go.

I actually remember thinking "Shame it's not Channon getting that ball. Stokes will bugger it up ..." I don't remember much after that!

 

Save me from off the cuff remarks. I remember exactly where I was, and with whom I shared the moment. However, I was at OT for Charlie's winner; it was his debut and I was expecting us to get stuffed. Give me a break, eh?

 

I wasn't getting at you, Lambo. Just using your comment as a tag line. Hey, perhaps I should have put a smiley at the end so as not to cause offence.!?! [for those who think they are unnecessary].

BTW, watch the video. It's good. Took ages to upload too.

 

Video's blocked