The9

It's also arguably after the Football League season is completed... but we won't be recalling him in that case, he just won't be on loan any more.

I wish we'd go back to the days when Jimmy Hill and Brian Moore used to sit on football coverage on the box and if there was a controversial incident they'd say something akin to "well, the referee's only human and his decision is final, so there's no point discussing it". Nowadays you get pleas from people who don't know the laws and should, to people who definitely don't know the laws and who cares what they think anyway, to fill my tv will bilge, uninformed opinion and outright nonsense. What's worse is when the FA / UEFA / FIFA decide to take the pragmatic approach rather than enforcing their own statutes, and do things like cave in on video technology, ignore their own rules on sponsorship, award World Cups then decide to consider changing the time of year they're played, and keel over when a team looks like it's going to qualify for something they shouldn't (Liverpool 2006 CL and Cardiff City 2009 UEFA Cup/Europa League spring to mind). Actually I'm kinda sick of the whole "apply the rules when it suits us" attitude of pretty much all senior football administrators - if the Football League and FA had some balls in the late 80s and told the big five where to shove their Superleague, and the authorities had had the guts to say "The Taylor Report DOESN'T specify All Seaters as a cure for overcrowding and we can control it without that" (as they did from 1990-92 perfectly well with reduced standing and terrace capacity monitoring), pretty much none of this mental money-base weaselling would have happened. Signed, My Dad. :O/

We didn't actually know that until a long while after the final whistle, and had to listen to about 20 minutes of guff beforehand - in fact I got so bored with the lack of actual information that I turned off before the Adkins interview (they'd already said they might not have it by the end of the show). The point still stands that it's only moot because the rules make it impossible not because the manager doesn't want him, even if Adkins got the boot before the end of the season and Puncheon's mum became manager, we STILL couldn't recall Puncheon.

Looking at the table at the moment, if I was a neutral I'd be saying it was probably 75/25 to be settled before the final day with Saints possibly promoted at Plymouth with a win. For those not paying attention, Huddersfield are second, but we have two games in hand on them and are only two points behind, they have a pile of tricky matches, including having to play Peterborough (h), Charlton (a), MK Dons (a) and Brighton (a) in amongst their remaining matches. They SHOULD be more than 3 points behind come May. Peterborough have Bournemouth (h), Huddersfield (a) and Leyton Orient (a) and are already behind us by 10 goals on goal difference having played a game more. Again, we should be able to match them from here in and that would put us 3 points and about 10 goals ahead on the last day. MK Dons are a point behind but have played 2 matches more and have to come to St Mary's and host Huddersfield amongst others. As long as we don't lose at home to them we should have daylight before May with them too. We are most definitely in the driving seat and as it stands should be up before the last match, if not in a comfortable position going into that match - the only thing that's going to affect our position is injuries at important times, which is the case for everyone. I'm glad the Plymouth game was moved now, anyway.

Most of us (everyone who isn't you, as opposed to happy-clappers) will be too busy enjoying promotion to be bothered to point out we were right all along. Meanwhile, you'll disappear for a week to avoid the perfectly reasonable illustration from the 90% of posters you've conflicted with that you were talking a load of nonsense, and then reappear on here around June 1st to antagonise people who are happy with what Saints have done, to complain about lack of ambition, not making enough signings and not having enough players with Championship experience. Saves us all bothering now, I hope.

As long as you accept that you contradict yourself depending on your mood, I'll accept that. There's already an example given by someone else on this thread.

Well, if you'd been listening to the radio last night you'd have probably got as sick of them not knowing the answer but inviting argument about it as I did. What annoyed me is not that they had lots of people asking, it's that they felt it was acceptable to broadcast it as a major talking point for about 20 minutes without actually bothering to come up with the answer it took me 2 minutes Googling to find. Long and short, if you can't provide clarity, don't invite ill-informed discussion or you just become an even lower-rent TalkSport, and I'm pretty sure not even BBC LOCAL radio has that in its remit. The actual answer is "we can't do it anyway" not "who cares?", as the regulations make the discussion a moot point rather than being one about a situation which potentially "requires man management", as Dave Merrington was blathering on about. He also then completely contradicted himself, having said all through the game that we should recall him if we could, after the match he was suddenly saying we shouldn't "if he had the wrong kind of attitude".

That doesn't look like abuse to me ? It looks like a sound analysis of your internet persona. As for debate, dress it up all you like, but the constant searching for a negative spin on everything and the preposterous lack of logic and consistency in your frequently self-contradictory posts is why no-one's bothering to actually argue it with you.

Figured I'd quote it so at least Saint Charlie can see that you're mocking him...

...but didn't seem to know the loan rules, here they are : http://www.football-league.co.uk/regulations/20100801/section-6-players_2293633_2125731#50 Specifically the part pertaining to Puncheon's loan is in bold (as it's a half season Standard loan : http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2281437,00.html). We CANNOT recall Puncheon, as the only provision for a recall clause for a loan which lasts until the end of the season is to recall a player in the January Transfer Window - and we didn't even loan him until late January ! 50.3 There shall be three categories of temporary loan transfers allowed - Standard Loans, Emergency Loans and Youth Loans. The following restrictions shall apply to each type of loan: 50.3.1 A maximum of 5 loan Players (Standard, Emergency or Youth) can be named in the Players listed on a team sheet for any individual match played under the auspices of The League. This figure shall include any additional loan of a goalkeeper approved by the Executive under the provisions of Regulation 52. 50.3.2 Up to 4 loan Players (Standard, Emergency or Youth) may join one Club from another Club in any Season.An additional Youth Loan Player may be added to this figure. 51. STANDARD, EMERGENCY AND YOUTH LOANS 51.1 Standard Loans.Subject to the provisions of Regulation 50.3, Standard Loan transfers shall only be approved in accordance with following provisions: 51.1.1 Subject to the proviso that the duration of a Standard Loan must be the time between two Transfer Windows, Standard Loans can be for half a Season or a full Season.Any recall clause requiring the early termination of a Standard Loan can only be included in a full Season Standard Loan and this can only be activated during the second (January) Transfer Window. 51.1.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 51.1.1, a Standard Loan of a goalkeeper (but not otherwise) may be subject to a recall clause exercisable at any time.Any recall may only be implemented in extenuating circumstances and with the consent of the Executive, such extenuating circumstances to be determined in the Executive's absolute discretion.A goalkeeper shall not be permitted to resume any Standard Loan following the exercise of a recall. 51.1.3 A Club can have a maximum of 4 Players under 23 and a further 4 Players over 23 on a Standard Loan during any Season.The deadline for determining a Player's age in this respect shall be 30 June prior to the Season in which the Standard Loan is intended to take place. 51.1.4 No more than 2 Players who are over 23 may join one Club from another Club on a Standard Loan in any Season. 51.1.5 Standard Loans which subsequently become permanent transfers shall not count against a Club's quota of such Standard Loans for that Season. 51.2 Emergency and Youth Loans. Subject to the provisions of Regulation 50.3, Emergency Loan and Youth Loan transfers shall only be approved in accordance with the following provisions: 51.2.1 Emergency and Youth Loans are permitted both during the Transfer Windows and, subject to the provisions of Regulation 51.2.2, also during a Closed Period. 51.2.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 51.2.1, a Player cannot be registered on an Emergency Loan or Youth Loan: (a) during the period of seven days after the end of a Transfer Window; (b) in the first half of the Season, after 5pm on the fourth Thursday in November; and © in the second half of the Season, after 5pm on the fourth Thursday in March unless in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 52. 51.2.3 Only: (a) Scholars who are in the second or third (if that option is exercised) year of their Scholarship Agreement; or (b) Contract Players aged 20 or under on 1st July immediately preceding the Season in question, may be registered on a Youth Loan. 51.2.4 It shall be a condition of any Youth Loan involving a Scholar, or a Contract Player to whom Youth Rule 99 applies, that for the duration of the period of the Youth Loan the Player continues to fully comply with the programme of education in place for that Player. 51.2.5 A Player registered on a Youth Loan may, provided this is agreed between the two clubs and the Player, continue to train with and/or play for his loaning Club (or club) in any match other than matches played as part of the Premier League Competition, League Competition, League Cup, Football Association Challenge Cup or Football League Trophy (First Team Matches).Participation by the Player in First Team Matches for the loanee Club shall take precedence. 51.2.6 Any days on which the Player participates in a reserve team match and/or attends any training sessions for the loaning Club (or club)) shall still count towards the period of the Youth Loan. 51.2.7 Except for the specific circumstances provided for in Regulations 51.2.9, 51.2.10 and 52, the minimum duration of any Emergency Loan and Youth Loan shall be 28 days and the maximum duration of an Emergency Loan is 93 days.The loan period is inclusive of the starting date and the finishing date.Youth Loans may not extend beyond the date of the Player's 21st birthday. 51.2.8 Emergency Loans and Youth Loans may contain a break clause but only where that break clause is exercisable after the expiry of the initial 28 day period of the loan. 51.2.9 Emergency Loans involving goalkeepers (but not otherwise) may be subject to a recall clause within the first 28 days.Any recall may only be implemented in extenuating circumstances and with the consent of the Executive, such extenuating circumstances to be determined in the Executive's absolute discretion. 51.2.10 The Executive shall have discretion to extend the maximum duration of 93 days for an Emergency Loan in extenuating circumstances, such circumstances to be determined in the Executive's absolute discretion. 51.2.11 Subject to Regulation 51.2.12, where the Emergency Loan or Youth Loan of a Player expires (and is not renewed simultaneously) any subsequent Emergency Loan or Youth Loan of that Player to the same Club will be subject to a minimum duration of 28 days as set out in Regulation 51.2.7. 51.2.12 The cumulative total number of days of all Emergency Loans of one Player to the same Club may not exceed 93 days (unless extended by the Executive in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 51.2.10).

You'll have as much fun at Wembley for the Play-Off Final as I will in south Wales at the wedding I'm attending on that day - the Play Off Final is being held at Old Trafford !

It's almost certainly internet radio and will therefore just be streaming a recording of the BBC's standard "we're sorry we're unable to bring you the programme as advertised" message. And more annoyingly they leave it right up until kick off to put it on...

Will be unlikely that there's a stream anywhere, assuming all of the online feeds come from the same source (the Solent stream) they will all get the "contractual reasons" message instead of commentary just before kick off and through the match. Happened to me using various internet radio options for the Dag/Red game.

Well, it was Delgado, so it's not like he'd have known.

A bit nearer to home as well, nice easy commute for Southampton (and Wales, for internationals).

That is quite a bonkers place to find it. I was still looking into the JPT "booking", not being assisted by the fact that Swindon's website claims Barnard was booked then sent off in the fracas, which is what I thought at the time, but isn't the case officially. http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10341~54553,00.html Like I said earlier though, according to Saints' OS the three bookings v Bolton were Harding, Lallana and Schneiderlin, not Hammond. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/Match...~54539,00.html And Saints OS and Soccerbase BOTH have N'Guessan down for the only booking against Exeter as listed against Hammond's name on the Yeovil site. So it still doesn't tally with the Saints OS... Oh well, I'll go with him being suspended for 5 bookings somehow, and now on 8, and we'll just have to hope he can go the next 4 matches without picking up another 2 yellows.

According to Saints' OS the three bookings v Bolton were Harding, Lallana and Schneiderlin, not Hammond. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10280~54539,00.html I'll now have a look to see if there's anything else stating that he was suspended v Oldham rather than injured... Definitely says missed the Oldham match due to suspension here : http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10280~51663,00.html and that he got a 5th yellow here : http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10280~51601,00.html I shall now hunt down the rogue booking... Hm. Soccerbase has Hammond booked in : Bournemouth CCup Swindon A Lge Sheff Wed A Lge Huddersfield A Lge. The match report for Saints v Swindon in JPT http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10280~54553,00.html shows Saints getting 2 bookings and a red, but only mentions Fonte being booked and Barnard being shown yellow/red accidentally - so given that you thought the other booking was in the Cup, I'm assuming there was a second yellow for Hammond in the JPT match, because the tallies and reports from then until Huddersfield A all add up. It would also make sense on Soccerbase, because they're showing the yellow/red combination for Barnard on their page, when actually it should probably be Hammond. I'm still going to try and confirm it somehow though, you'd have to doubt the FA would make Hammond serve a suspension if he wasn't suspended, and Saints definitely thought he was...

I've only gone on what Soccerbase has got, and they don't have him down as being booked v Bolton, but I can believe it's wrong... he didn't play against Oldham, which was the match after Huddersfield, so all that ties up. I'll find a link somewhere... Not good if true though.

That should see this thread into Golden Posts. I honestly can't see Ox-Cham playing for us next season even if we go up. There were a lot of rumours implying he'd already agreed to sign for Arsenal in the summer, and I'm going with those. Even if not, he should get a move while he can, cos as he's predominantly a speed merchant one serious injury will do nothing for his career earning prospects.

I like this logic. The original match was when people would have had to drive, therefore people would be driving there now ?!!? I could understand the reverse argument - if people had bought train tickets which they could still use and were doing that in preference to driving in a situation when it was easier to drive... but not the other way around ! As for costs, depends on when you buy the train tickets, and how many you're travelling with, as well as how long you sit in traffic for and what parking costs.

I agree re: Chamberlain, really hasn't done a great deal or shown much beyond incredible pace and a bit of dribbling skill. Completely disagree re: Walcott's development, as I suspect Sven did in 2006 when he saw how good he could be, and Capello by 2010 when he saw how he hadn't improved from there... He's still making the exact same choices he did at Saints (early cross when there's no-one there, though still doing the good stuff he did too) but he only looks better due to the players around him and the opportunities he's been given due to the club he's at. He may be slightly stronger but it's not that important to his game as he has the pace and balance to get around stronger opponents and has always been outweighed anyway. He'd have never got the chance to play against Croatia when in the Championship but I don't think he's shown Saints fans anything he didn't already do here even in his peak moments - his improvement has only been in his ability to do what Theo does for another 5 seasons on top of the piece of one when we saw him. He was a phenomenon for Saints, and with the exception of a slight maturity physically and having better players around him, the only area I think he's improved is his consistent level from training every day with better players - he was already outstanding at Saints and his level is still where he was in 2006 - just on the fringes of the England side as a flair player who is still a little inconsistent but brings pace and the ability to beat people when he runs at them. Even experience doesn't seem to have changed the on-pitch Theo. In contrast Gareth Bale HAS improved since leaving Saints, adding masses of strength under Ramos and recently an inner belief that he can perform at the top level. He already had excellent technique, and though he's not necessarily any better at defending, he's got the confidence now to regularly do to Prem and Champions League defences what he was doing to CCC teams in 2007. Though even he was getting the better of Ronaldinho for Wales when still a Saints player...

It's because we're announcing the signing of a Czech player from Hearts.

According to http://www.footballgroundguide.com/charlton_athletic/ Street parking, but due to a local residents parking scheme, not in close vicinity to the ground or Charlton railway station. However as you come off the A2 onto the A206, there is some street parking to be had on your right, in a couple of streets, before you reach the Rose of Denmark pub. Colin Gilham informs me; 'There is some street parking to be had around the industrial estates in the area, in Westmoor Street, Eastmoor Street (the very road where the club was apparently formed 100 years ago!), Warspite Road and Ruston Road. If you are coming up the Woolwich Road from the the Blackwall Tunnel, then as you go past the ground, the industrial estates are on the left hand side. But I have no idea why anyone would want to drive.

And don't forget they're playing each other...

That's not really the point, is it ? "Getting real", seeing as that's what you want, we don't have to rely on anyone else's results. If we do our bit we're fine. If you want to call him brainless, you can do so for not realising that it was already in our hands (mathematically speaking, which is the only measurable definition) after the Bournemouth win, rather than after this weekend's very helpful results.