WEMBLEY: THE POST-MATCH REACTION

Put it here............

Well, Saints can throw that effing stupid samurai sword in a skip, we have proper SILVERWARE!!! So what if people think it's only a 'tin-pot, mickey mouse' cup? Sod them, it's a trophy and Saints won it!

Back recovering from great day out at Wembley. Not only is it a trophy but actually looks like a proper trophy. What a great day, great performance and not with our top team. Full credit to Carlisle who fought all game even when 4 down they tried but always felt we had that bit of class that could get a goal if required. Shame Schneiderlin failed a fitness test and Wotton in midfield, Mills at Lb, harding at Rb and Antonio back after weeks out meant this didnt look as easy on paper as first thought.

Competitive start by Carlisle without threatening on goal then good build up on left, decent cross and penalty, Murphy for Carlisle lucky to stay on pitch having seen on TV now as denied Lambert goal scoring position and couldnt get more deliberate! At least Lambert despatched sweetly into back of net 1 up and game on. Had other chances but then antonio had good chance, good save by goalie leads to a corner. Carlisle break from corner, Wotton's lack of pace exposed but good defensive covering by saints and we survive then go 2 up as Lambert gets good flick on from Antonio long throw and Lallana in acres of space heads the second.

With a patched up team thought next goal would be crucial and again saints opened up Carlisle, good link play by Lambert and Waigo, Lambert down the wing, great ball into the penalty area not dealt with by Carlisle, Antoinio good half volley hits goalie in the face but Papa as so often in the right place at the right time and heads a simple third. Fourth follows and from where we were looked a good build up and good shot by Antonio low into the corner.

4 Nil up and to be honest pretty much coasted from there. Carlisle had a few chances and did get one back as Saints tired towards the end but result was never really in doubt. Cue final whistle and celebrations and well done to Markus, AP and the players for putting a smile back on Saints fans, who would have thought just a year ago.

Davies 7 kept a cool head when under pressure, made some good catches.
Mills 8 while he does then to hoof it a bit thought he had a really good game defensively in such a big game
Jaidi 8 Immense again loves the big stage, him and Fonte great partnership
Fonte 8 Again great game with Jaidi
Harding 8. Played out of position and targetted by Carlisle yet for me had a great game
Hammond 7 Lot of effort to keep midfield running
Wotton 7, makes up for lack of pace with 100% commitment
Lallana 8 linked up well with forwards and was always a menace for Carlisle
Antoinio 8 good effort especially as not played for several weeks.
Waigo 7 got offside when in good position as usual and came up trumps with goal as usual
Lambert 9 Apart from penalty which was a Le Tiss special set up 2nd and 3rd showing his all round contribution

Subs
Gillet 6 nice to see him at least get to play
Connolly 6 little time to make any impression
Perry 6 came on right at end, nice gesture from AP

Overall great team effort, great day out though £8 for pie and pint typical wembley rip off and queues for Gents toilets reminded me of the Dell!!!

Nice to see Wembley half full with Red and White

Don't want to disagree Matty but King Rickie also had a hand in the 4th.

Good day and I am hoping that AP now sees that Gillett could do a job for us. Better than Wotton and quicker though not fast.

Semi might be back for Brighton game. Harding has done well for us and increased his value to us no end by his versatility.

We had a fantastic day.We were parked up at Wembley by 8-45 am.Had a great breakfast at the Ibis hotel £6-95 for all you can eat,then made our way to the Green man hotel,what a superb stop that was,coaches everywhere,music,barbecue on the go,and beer at good prices,the place was heaving with Saints fans, the garden had marquees up and was packed solid.Really great atmosphere.Walked up to Wembley a few hours later,I must say I preferred the old stadium with the twin towers from the outside,but inside the new one beats it hands down,I thought it would be good having seen photos of it but being in it is something else.Was proud as always to be a Saints fan,the colour and atmosphere they generate is fantastic.I thought the game was OK,we did what we had to do and won it.My best memories apart from sharing the day with my son & friends was the moment the cup was lifted and seeing on the screens the sheer joy on the players faces and Marcus grinning and taking photos like some happy grandad at christmas.It was also great to see Nicola & Alan pardew share a hug together,lets hope that puts to bed any talk of a rift between them out of the window.To sum up I still dont think you can beat seeing your team win a trophy at Wembley,I will treasure the day as much as I do 76,I watched that with my father and never forgot it,now I hope my son feels the same as time goes on about 2010.A wonderful day out.

There's a good write up in the Cumbrian News and Star: Saints 4 Carlisle 1

I particularly liked this bit:

High-calibre lower-league performers like Lambert, Lallana, Papa Waigo and Antonio do not require such encouragement to set about a depleted rearguard. Stick a sizeable chunk of your salary on these dervishes sending Southampton back into the Championship in a year’s time, once they are able to start next season without a points deduction. For Pardew’s players and their 44,000 congregation, this was a happy, champagne-soaked preface to their inevitable stride back up the divisions.

I sincerely hope so, but I hope we hang onto said 'dervishes' over the summer.