Chez

I feel a Dalek repsonse coming on. I agree though. Hardly any teams recover if they have big earners in toe. If we go down Cortese's decision will be heavily scrutinised. I've always thought it would be tight, but there were genuine signs that we had turned a corner and got the belief needed to stay up. I'm much more nervous now.

so not big or fast. They'd be the first two requirements on my list of attributes for a top centre back. LIke the sound of him being top class though

decent question, although perhaps which manager had the final say might be more appropriate seeing as our scouts may have done the identifying. The fact we were linked with Countinho a week ago suggests MP has been consulted for at least a week or two. I guess it depends how long the Forren deal has been in the pipeline. I can't imagine we'd sign him on the same day as appointing MP without MP being consulted, but the manager is only one, all be it strong voice in a committee these days.

Him? You do realise that Cortese is not the owner of Southampton Football Business don't you? The Liebherr family own the club.

no it isn't a fact, it's your opinion. We've just been promoted. It's a bloody massive jump. He and his team seem to be coping fine. We've only been stuffed three times all season. We're near the bottom, but if league position determines whether a manager is struggling to cope with the Prem then is Paul Lambert struggling to get to grips with the prem? What about Pardew, Hughes, Martinez, O'Neil, Bagpuss? What about Benitez?

This whole Chelsea negative atmosphere at home thing is being blown out of all proportion. A couple of results go the wrong way and its all down to some clapping after 16 minutes? Do me a favour. Chelsea battered QPR and just didn't score. The atmosphere had absolutely nothing to do with that result. Our come back was down to us playing well, not because Chelsea fans weren't singing songs about Benitez. Play well and the crowd will be fully behind the side, play badly and there are always groans. A few songs backing Adkins aren't going to stop the side playing well, neither would some anti Cortese songs.

If Nigel's name is not sung at the start of the game it would be poor form, but I don't want to hear it sung throughout, especially should we fall behind.

the £12m-£14m input from tickets comes in quite handy though. Who knows, one day we'll pay so much for match tickets we won't need to take BVI loans out.

Mr Markus Liebherr saved us, not Cortese. Did Bruce Buck save Chelsea?

is this a good time to bring up my regular moan about Cortese treating fans with contempt with high ticket prices, ticket tax, car parking fees, failure to explain BVI loan etc.? He could do no wrong in most of your eyes. Funny how things change. I wonder if the new guy will turn out to be amazing and all the little things that **** me off will be thrown back in my face again because we are doing well on the field? Time to have Club removed from the company name.

unexpected to say the least. If he was going to go surely after the WBA nightmare. Maybe that game was the one that swung it and its taken till now for Cortese to get his man. Strange. Nothing surprises me in football these days. Wonder how this might unsettle players like Shaw and Puncheon who are due to sing new contracts in the summer?

I saw him at Barnet many years ago and knew he was going places, hence regularly suggesting him on the HCDAJFU thread. I've backed him ever since he came - how could I not - and I'm glad his ability is starting to be recognised by pretty much everyone now, after several years of trying to explain what he's good and not so good at. I'm also glad that he's grown up a bit and started to be a real team player. The arm round the shoulder has certainly worked. Hopefully everyone now knows that he's not a flying winger, he doesn't have pace, he will almost always cut inside onto his one foot (but that means when he does go outside it's a complete surprise to the fullback and often gets him in), he isn't the best shooter in the world, he does tackle, though no Souness, he has great body strength to shield the ball, a fantastic first touch and real composure that means he keeps possession and that helps us keep the ball and take the pressure of our defenders. Will a new contract see him sit back and enjoy his earnings? Maybe. If he's in the side most weeks I think he'll give his all. Give him a deal and then sign someone else who takes his shirt then I wonder if he'll fight for his place. I'm not sure why a deal hasn't been done yet. I bet his agent asks for more money every time they speak with the club, and why not, his stock seems to go up with every mention on MOTD. It will be interesting to see the result of any negotiation over the next three years. Will we rue signing him or rue not signing him?

don't blame them. Clyne at his absolute best and Shaw, well, he's the real deal and exactly why we didn't see a left back as a priority in the summer

anyone that went to the FA cup game will know exactly how good Chelsea can be. Great result. Roll on Everton. This is exactly why we got promoted. Tough tests every week, amazing buzz even from a draw.

I've been saying it all season that he will do a job when called upon. Thought he did pretty well again, especially for someone described in such derogitary terms by his own fans on here.

I genuinely thought we were the better side. Outstanding performance from the likes of Morgan, Cork, Clyne and Puncheon. Ball retention was so much better than recent games, essential when faced with so much attacking talent. Don't let them have the ball and they can't score. Brilliant to come back from behind. That will do wonders for confidence and just at the right time. Surprised to read several negative comments about Chaplow on the match thread as he was coming on. He's been great for us and not had the chance to show what he can do in the top flight yet there are quite a few snipes about him. Strange that supposed Saints fans would ignore his role in the promotion season and not get behind each Saint. No world beater, but his off the ball direct running can certainly be used in games especially off the bench.

are they? One decent half against Villa doesn't convince me that Clyne can do it. One woeful showing at West Ham convinced me Yoshida can't. Reeves might fit the bill, but could be sure.

Warnock at Villa is available and linked with Fulham. I'm not a huge fan, but he had a spell at Villa when England cap was talked about.

you mean McCant. FF had more talent in his little toe.

Considering how big a club we are now, do you think the management will start doing `Welcome to Madrid Ronaldo' style presentations to the fans at the stadium, with 40k turning up to see Forren juggle a ball for two minutes, followed by a quick stage managed interview and some fireworks to round things off? Imagine the revene from the car park.

I saw Zarate play live quite a few times for the Zulus. Very good player, great skills, small, nippy, nice touch, ability to beat a player. He didn't really get a good run in the side. I can't recall why, perhaps the other two strikers were doing well at the time. He came off the bench a lot for them. The bluenoses loved him. I seem to recall they had him on loan and he would have cost a fortune to buy. I think he improved after going to Lazio. He was well liked there. When banned he watched games with the Ultras. Not seen him for a while, but if he is better than he was at Brum then it's a yes from me. Wages would be a massive concern though. Not sure we can afford him.

made me chuckle...

to be fair, who else is going to be hiring out pitches Monday to Friday 9am-12am? I can see why they've chosen to put the previous hits to one side.

Got a nasty scar on right and side of my face. Pushed into a fence, a bolt when through my cheak. 18 stitches. Could have been worse and gives my face character. I could do with a nice back story if anyone can come up with one. Shark bite just doesn't seem believable.

the new junction doesn't really increase access to Portsea Island as such. It just means those wanting to go to Tipnor can come off the M275 earlier. This new development will add a whole load of new housing. How much demand there is for it I don't know. When built, maybe there will have been an upturn. An increase in available housing might reduce the overall price in Pompey, thereby reducing the value of the land at nottarfkrap (surprised the PST haven't jumped on that possibility for their court case).