With relegation comfortably brushed off as if it were never a worry (yeah right!) and nothing to play for but pride in tomorrow’s season-closer, this would normally be a time when fans start looking ahead to next season. But right now what can we really say for definite about next season [...]

In my last contribution to LTLF, a call for a bit of pragmatism from the fans in the face of difficult circumstances, I made the bold statement, ‘I don’t think Southampton will find us an easy game on Saturday.’ And what goes and happens? A pathetic 3-0 defeat at home, as easy as they come for the Saints. After that I haven’t dared write again for fear of jinxing things any more, but last night really was a worst-case-scenario result and nothing to do with my ramblings, so I think it’s safe to venture out into public again [...]

If it wasn’t for TV scheduling many of us would be receiving the sad and shocking news of Nigel Doughty’s death at the age of 54 as we left Pride Park or awaited the match reaction from our radios. But with no game today most of us would have been enjoying a Saturday afternoon with no football, maybe spending time with family or friends, or just getting odd jobs around the house done [...]

The word doughty means brave and courageous, an ironic fact given our soon-to-be-erstwhile chairman’s alleged timidity in the transfer market. Of course it’s easy to be so flippant when it’s not your own millions being frittered away on fees and wages, but Nigel Doughty’s chairmanship will be remembered for those times when a little more bravery might have seen him achieve his ambitions of Premier League status for the club [...]