Sunday 14th September

Today I went to London to watch my beloved saints lose 4-1 to QPR, not the best result I'm sure you'll all agree, but on the plus side I didn't get lost in our nation's capital like I usually do.
I got the 11:25 train from Southampton to Waterloo, then the Jubilee line to Bond Street, switching onto the Central line to White City.
I spent a large part of the journey reading the Sunday papers and took particular interest in the politcal stories of the day. I don't know why Gordon Brown doesn't accept a leadership challenge. His reputation took a dive around this time last year when he refused to call an Autumn election and surely refusing a contest this time will make him look like even more of a bottler. Gordon needs to put his party's and the country's needs first and just accept that the people don't want him as leader. And whatever happened to free speech? That seems to have gone out of the window after three (and counting) of Mr Brown's "colleagues" have been sacked for suggesting a leadership contest is in the best interests of the Labour party. Whatever happens in the coming weeks, one things for sure the upcoming conference season will be interesting.
Enough of the politics (for now anyway). I got to Shepards Bush and went to a delightful sandwich bar with some fellow saints fans who had also got the train before joining some more supporters in Walkabout. After that I met my mate Sam and we headed into Lofus Road. This was my first visit to QPR's ground and I was impressed with it, its great to sit so close to the pitch. The only problem with Loftus Road is the two-tier lay out which means fans are split up, so its more difficult to create a good atmosphere.
Southampton got off to the worst possible start, Dexter Blackstock put Rangers 1-0 up after about 35 seconds. What is it with ex saints scoring against us this season? We've already had Kevin "shagged his wife" Phillips nick the winner for Birmingham in our first home game of the season.
Things went from bad to worse on 30 minutes when debutant Oliver Lanchashire recieved a straight red for a reckless tackle on Delaney. To be fair to the ref, it probably was a red card, but he didn't help himself afterwards, with a number of shocking decisions going against the saints. We went into half time lacking confidence, but faith was restored early in the second half when saints equalised, Adam Lallana putting the final touches on a brillant team goal.
We went mental in the crowd for 10 minutes, but the joy was short lived, as QPR went 2-1 up with a goal that was clearly offside. Its such a shame that this decision went against us, as I believe if the goal was rightly disallowed we would've held on for a draw. QPR scored again twice late on in a game that was closer than the score suggests.
The lads did well out there, playing with 10 men for an hour, played some nice attractive football but there was a lack of end product and the inexperience as well as lack of physical strength really showed, particularly in defence. Kelvin Davis was superb in goal again today. Kelvin clearly isn't as good as Richard Wright, who impressed here on loan last season, but he did well today, making some crucial saves.
Saints need to start getting some points on the board and most fans are hoping to take at least 4 points from Ipswich and Barnsley at home this week, otherwise we're in even more trouble.
I got back to Southampton at 8:30pm and immediately drank the night away at the Avondale and Walkabout.