Chez

As someone that was an Itchen block 1 fella for many years, I can say that I stood there because that was where there was the most atmosphere in our ground. The Northam has songs, but you can see and hear the away fans in the Itchen, there is some banter, and there is some genuine noise from the home fans. I'm not into the wanker signs an all that jazz, but I do like the tribal rivalry of football supporters and the two and fro of the songs between the two groups is great. Seeing the away fans at close quarters celebrating a goal is painful, but experiencing that low improves the high when we score. For me, the only reason to go to live sport is the atmosphere. With all seater stadiums and more family based support we have lost this at the majority of grounds, so I seek to get the best of what is left - and at SMS that was definitely Itchen block 1. Since that was closed, I've just moved about the ground. It's not been anywhere near as good to be honest. I wonder if I really care if a set of an away fans get a large chunk behind out goal and make a shit load of noise (which helps their side)...because at least that creates an atmosphere - and those are the best games, win lose or draw. The Leeds 3-4 game was a nightmare, but fuck me, what an atmosphere at that game. Fair play to their support for sucking the ball into the net...four times. I want to see Saints win, but taking it to its extreme, would I want to watch us win with no away fans attending to mock? That would be shite IMO. Watching us win and shutting up a huge (and perhaps once noisy) away following, love it. I don't think this new arrangement will change things massively atmosphere wise. Safe standing anywhere could help entice a few more singers, but I still might be inclined to move closer to the away fans - assuming other Itchen 1 block types did the same.

interesting though, and I haven't been to Leicester for a few years now, so it may have changed, but all the Leicester `lads' (or whatever you want to call them) positioned themselves immediately to the left of the away fans - effectively Itchen stand right of centre - rather than themselves create an end, as we are trying to do.

So basically, if we sell a player in January, that means in your eyes we aren't doing everything possible to get promoted immediately? You might have a point, but in my eyes you do still have to balance the books whilst going for it (promotion) and part of that is ensuring assets don't leave the club for free. If we got offered £10m for Che now, that would be a hard to turn down, but if we spent all of it on a replacement (be that a loan or even part of a larger transfer fee), would that not be a sign were were still going for it whole hog?

Doig possibly off to Marseille (although it was reported that move was off yesterday). Perhaps we continue with Manning and then should we get promoted, we can set our sights much higher than we can right now.

when you set the squad out like that, its obvious why we won't be overly busy this window. The only position we don't really have two senior players is at left back, although perhaps Meghoma might be good enough? He looked decent in the cup game, although its was against poor opposition. Can't see us returning any of the loans.

I wondered if that sale might be needed just to balance the books, so they might not have £30m to spend on a second choice right back.

Why do you say that - is it because his wages are still high in the championship or because he only has 18 months left, so now is the time to maximise return?

who does Prutton suggest is?

That sounds about right. I wonder if that is what we were requesting in the summer? There was little noise about a KWP move, but if every call about him was met with "we won't accept anything less than £45m" then those conversations may have been short. Although he didn't play well last season, overall he has been tremendous for us and the fact we got a season (hopefully a full one) out of him in the championship is great. He's too good for the championship though, so we really need to get promoted, otherwise he may push a little harder for a move next summer.

The will probably just keep the skates in the ground for a few hours...

Good that those getting first dibs, ST holders etc, don't get stuck with the blocks at the far left or right, which isn't always the case. Looks like there will be tickets available on general sale unless they have a mad rush today.

Good post. Perfect kind of player for us. Kind of in between Prem and Championship player, with wages too expensive for most other championship sides. If we go up, they might be worth buying and giving a second bite at the Prem cherry.

I was thinking the same. In general, most away fans walk down Britannia Road both for coaches and train travel rather than go over the footbridge. The percentage going over the bridge is going to increase. Whether that causes a problem, I'm not sure.

makes sense, but they could go in any corner really.

I suspect they would want to keep away fans away from the corporate boxes.

Never seen him play, no idea what he can do, but there is a lot of games to play, so we now have some real depth in that central midfield area to hopefully take us back up. Best of luck to him. His experience won't do any harm. Considering he has played or been on the bench for every game this season, I am surprised Bournemouth have allowed him to leave, but perhaps they someone coming in that will push him back down the pecking order. Most of the sides promoted from the Championship (and those making the play offs) have used the loan system very well. Obviously, it can leave a few gaps should you get promoted, but that's not always a bad thing. You can take stock and look to sign the quality you need for the higher level.

He had a terrible start. Horrific, but like you say, if it wasn't for the fact we had two or three other decent cbs (at this level) he'd of retained his place and found his feet.

He could jump ship fast enough. I'd be very surprised if he was welcomed back into the fold. Obviously he's contracted to us, but I just don't see him merging back in like Bednarek did. We'll see.

THB himself has yet to prove he can cut it in the Prem. The little positioning and decision-making errors are not exposed in the championship. Also, oes he have the pace and power needed? I'm not saying he doesn't, but right now our defenders have an easy life compared to the Prem - we have all the ball and are under little pressure.

ABK will come back as he is under contract, but I struggle to see him playing for us again. We haven't sent him out on loan to gain experience, he's gone out on loan cos he didn't want to play for us in the championship.

He didn't look like a Prem player in the cup game at the weekend. He was poor. Only one game though I guess. I think a lot of Prem sides will be looking, but buying is a different matter. I suspect a promoted side might buy him next summer, assuming Sunderland don't make it.

Good point, just lots of lazy links. However, Nathan Wood was different as we actually made a £10m bid for him according to several newspapers, so that interest felt pretty concrete. I wonder how he has faired this season.

My guess is that Stewart was the replacement and despite Che deal falling through we went ahead anyway.

Firstly, I thought we should sell in the summer. There were similar cries of "the money gained from promotion massively outweighs the £15m (now £5m) gained from selling him, so keep him and allow him to go on a free". Which is great, unless you don't get promoted! Besides, if we had sold him, we would have invested in another striker. League position wise, We'd be in the exact same situation as we are now, because Che aint done much. The difference is, we'd have a young £15m striker, possibly growing in value, not depreciating. That striker would be here next season too...without having to find £15m out if thin air. That ship has sailed. So, who can we get on loan for a £5m loan fee? Thats a very tough question. Decent strikers seem to be rare at all levels. I dont play champ manager, so the wider European net is not one I can dip into, but could Mumbamba from West Ham be an option? I am struggling to name anyone. So with that in mind, he probably will go nowhere.

Of course. But that doesn't mean we should not sell Che and bring someone else in. What do you consider an adequate replacement? It's not silly to sell players at the right time and then reinvest.