BUT IT`S NOT ALL BAD NEWS....HONEST

The home defeat by Burnley yesterday now see Saints staring into the abyss of relegation to League One, aka Division Three. It was one of those games. Burnley had nothing to play for - they won`t get relegated or promoted - and Saints had most of the play, including 18 goal attempts, 12 corners, hitting the post and all the pressure. But all to no avail. They were undone by a header from Burnley`s Steven Caldwell deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half....and never really looked like recovering, mainly due to a high degree of ineptitude in front of goal.

So, two really difficult games to go - West Brom away live on Sky tv (they do like their drama) and at home in two weeks time to Sheffield United. I predict the closing of an unfortunate circle, as I fully expect ex-Saints striker Kevin Phillips to score the winner for West Brom and ex-Saints striker James Beattie to score the winner for Sheffield United. I knew it was a mistake to sell them.

But it`s not all bad news. The playing surface at St. Mary`s Stadium has been voted the best in the Championship and the Saints fans have been voted the best fans in the Championship in a recent poll conducted by `NUTS` magazine. My joy is unconfined at such triumphs.

St. Mary`s Stadium

As I`ve mentioned before - nice stadium, shame about the football.