Chez

His mention of one or two CBs was made in reference to the unavailability of Seaborne (and need to replace Jaidi) who subsequently did become available. Not sure if that changed NA's request to Reed or NC's willingness to add another wage. Probably not.

I'm liking being in the top flight. If you don't want to be in this league you may as well give up supporting a side. What would you have to aim for? I didn't hear many saying how much they enjoyed it whilst we were getting beat every week in the Championship. It's not the league its the winning you want. I'm far less fussed than I used to be about the result, which is perhaps why I disagree so much with Alpines view that the result that is all that matters. For me how we play is a big thing, especially if we don't win. Just wish there were more games at more reasonable prices.

I was being sarcastic. They offered the same as Chinny at the time and no reason why they would change it - they wouldn't want to leave themselves short now would they. The original CVA won't be honoured and therefore there is not a cat in hells chance they will avoid the -10.

Initial allocation was 500, which they sold out and then 400 tickets were available on the door.

I know that hit brum hard when the car plants closed down there, but are components for the Transit made locally? 500 is still a lot of people and if they are not spendign that effects shops and trades so will have an effect. Reduced activity at the docks for starters.

Terrible news. Is there actually any large company left in Southampton? I missed both of these stories, did B&Q move to segensworth with Ageas moving in? Whats the story with Skandia? They have a couple of huge offices. how many going? The city is going to be on its knees pretty soon. What can anyone do?

it's his process. He wanted to flood the midfield (4-3-3) and therefore asked that the youth teams follow suit. He played 4-4-2 last season and had the rest of the sides doing that too. He has made the change and forced others to do the same five minutes after making them all play 4-4-2. He's possibly apologising for making the other teams change tack completely.

Not for this thread. No revelations, just the standard moans about ticket tax, ST reclassification/prices, hypocritical spending of future income etc. My point was that I am not a `Cortese supporter' yet even I can see that Cortese/reed have not interfered with the formation or team.

Adkins picked the 4-3-3 formation in the first place. Every other side has to follow HIS decision to enable seamless translation from one age group to the next. He has total control of team affairs, formation and selection. The varied formations so far and selections show this. You are twisting things and using Blackmores opinion to create fact. It's not currently fact, its an opinion. You are right about transfers. Decisions are based on a committee. Adkins and scouts will make recommendations and then it will passed over to Les Reed and NC to try and negotiate the deal. If the player in question wants too much NC will be the one that says yes or no. Nothing at all untoward here and normal practice. The only difference elsewhere would be that perhaps a manger would be the dominant voice on transfers and that might still be the case at our place. Is Pardew being undermined because of Carr find and recommends players to buy at Newcastle? What's Pardew's role there? I just want to add that I am by and large negative towards Cortese so not defending him. I just think you are using the wrong rod to beat him with here. As for untenable, I'd say no. You kept saying that we'd be in a relegation battle (the vast majority probably in their heart agreed with you although hoping for a Swansea like season) and we are, so I think most are happy to give him more time so long as he himself stops making mistakes like taking Puncheon off against Manure.

the revised PST bid must then be honouring the first CVA. Not a chance.

for the record I'd like Yoshida's absolutely pathetic flick at the ball included in the reasons for the second goal. Far far more responsible than Fonte for that one IMO.

3 appearances this season (2 of which were for a minute), 13 appearances last season, 36 the season before, 40 the season before that.

I don't see much ill-will to be honest PES, although I was personally disappointed to see the PST's original bid failed to offer any bigger return (to the poor bastards ****ed over by the previous owners) than Chinny's bid. Good luck to the PST. They have done very well so far. Not sure owning the club will be all its cracked up to be though.

fella over the road is the grumpiest **** alive so this could be a perfect way to annoy him.

about 5% of our taxes go on "entertainment"

both not good enough, difference between two was Martin was available for loan at wages tiny, Seaborne wages too high for Millwall otherwise he'd be out on loan too.

Our record against the top 6 sides certainly worried me as we would obviously be playing sides of a similar or better calibre once promoted. But we did take points from West Ham for example. I was perhaps more worried about our more direct style, having played like Swansea in the first half of the season. I guess I was hoping the investment in players would bridge the gap.

Not sure who qualifies as a neutral. I'm relatively negative towards Cortese, but at the same time relatively happy with the signings brought in, does that qualify me as a neutral??? I personally don't think that Nigel plays any formation based on an instruction from `above'. The players selected and the formation are his choice and his choice only. I don't doubt their are opinions from above, but he is his own man and knows the bucks stops with him so he makes those decisions. The fact we started the Villa game 4-4-2 (Ramirez played up front with Lambert, before dropper deeper in the second half) and moved to a 4-4-2 in the second half against Wigan (where upon we couldn't get the ball) tell me that we aren't even rigidly sticking to the 4-3-3 that NC or Reed have apparently forced him to play. Is Blackmore saying that Cortese has just started meddling or always has? Why would he start this summer? Adkins has got a double promotion, the last thing the chairman is going to do is say, you know what, he's done well but now we've hit the big time I think I ought to step in. Doesn't add up to me, but what do I know.

not convinced we were all that strong in attacking positions myself. I didn't rate Barnard or Sharp, have no idea about Lee. But if we're only playing one up front a left back instead of the extra striker might have made sense.

fair point, but realistically was he ever going to get more than 8 new signings?

Not going to argue with that. Something tells me he won't go before the manager.

the article that Turkish pointed to gives the exact quote. "One or two CBs". So he did get that. I thought Fonte and Jos would be adequate, but then again I wasn't aiming for anything other than survival. I don't rate Seaborne, so I'd of liked to have seen two come in and him go out, but maybe Adkins rates Seaborne.

So Reed and Cortese are to blame then?

I have to agree. I simply do not understand signing Mayuka AND Rodriguez of we were only going t play one up. Neither are really suitable for the wide role, although both have given it a good go.

can't argue with those facts.