LEEDS AT ST MARYS............

Thoughts on the game here please.....

Can Saints win a home game on the opening day of the season for the first time since they beat West Ham back in 1988??

And if that is not enough, we also have the Sky cameras to cope with!!

As you say Mike, first game plus sky for me means a win will be impossible!!!

I did have down for a score draw, 2 - 2 will be my prediction, looks like we are creating chances, Connolly looked sharp the other week as did Lallana so think we will score goals but think the defence will have a tougher battle this year. We may have had a record for clean sheets last year but in many games we gave away chances but the forwards in Div 1 are not as sharp as this league. Not sure quite how Leeds will perform but expect them in top 10 so dont think a score draw will be a bad result.

Will be in spain when we kick off so no match report afraid, Millwall will be my first game

Thanks for that Matty, don't forget to make your Quiz League forecasts before you go!!

Bloody hell, I can't believe the new season is only less than 48 hours away...

SaintMike wrote:Thoughts on the game here please.....

Can Saints win a home game on the opening day of the season for the first time since they beat West Ham back in 1988??

And if that is not enough, we also have the Sky cameras to cope with!!

I think that's both those curses laid to rest. Very emphatically at that.

I was apprehensive about this game but I couldn't believe how Saints blew Leeds away. If the team plays like that this season, we'll have no worries. There'll be a few blips along the way but I'll be pleased if today sets the tone for the next nine months. It was a shame about the penalty but that only took a tiny bit of gloss off.

Great day all Saints fans have gone home happy after a brilliant performance.

Leeds turned up to kick our lads off the pitch especially Michael Brown but we were too good for them.

The defence could be a weaker area for us this season and I think we still need a new CB. Martin started off a bit shaky but grew in confidence and made some important tackles in the second half. However Leeds didn't offer much threat going forward at all and we will face tougher attacking opposition. That said the defence is helped by the way we defend as a team and the constant closing down and hassling as soon as the opposition get the ball. Jaidi was injured today but will be interesting to see if he still has a season in him. Most people seem to have written him off but his contribution last season was undervalued and I think he could still serve us well.

Midfield partnership of Hammond and Cork was great. Cork played superbly I thought, he is almost a complete central midfield player, knows the league and knows some of our players already which I'm sure has helped him settle in. Great signing and we have real competition in centre mid now. Lallana is just outstanding and is going to be a saints legend. Guly is not a winger but works hard wherever he is put and has some great moments. De Ridder could be a great signing but needs to learn a few things about this league. Glad NA didn't play him from the start as most fans wanted.

Connolly is going to have a great season if we can keep him fit and scored a cracking finish. Lambert looks in better shape than we have ever seen and was involved in some good build up play.

The team is a joy to watch since NA has come into the building he has given them so much confidence and got them playing some great football. The players look really fit and in good shape for what will be a long tough season. I said this at the end of last season but I want to say it again today NA has done a brilliant job, the players love playing for him and he has got the team organised, motivated and fit. He goes about his business quietly and professionally and has been fairly shrewd in the transfer market so far. We were all disappointed/surprised when Pardew left but the man we got to replace him is just great.

Lallana named in Championship Team of the Week

Just logging on quick, need to get off the beach sometime!! Great result and start to season, keep it up saints and hope another 3 points on saturday and more San Miguel to celebrate with.