Chez

Contrary to what others have said he is not especially fast and that is one of the reasons he gets stick from fans. I'll explain. Because he lacks that yard of pace that you need to get to the byeline, he tends to be played on the opposite wing that enables him to present a threat when he comes inside. Fans want to see him bat on and stretch a fullback but he doesn't ever do that. After a while fullbacks work out that he is going to come inside all the time and he become ineeffective leading to fans moaning at him for not beating the fullback. What he offers is an absolutely golden first touch that will enable him to play in the top flight. He is totally one footed (left) but has the poise and balance to get him out of tight places. Some of his passing his delightful, but on occasions he tries to thread the ball through the eye of the needle and lets himself down by giving it away. He is not well liked at our place, but not just because of the recent refusal to play (on bench) at Tranmere. He has a very laid back style which some fans hate. Initially there wasn't a great deal of tackling which got other backs up, but funnily enough the more fans moaned the more he through himself into tackles. He was dropped by Adkins in favour of Chamberlain. At the time he wasn't playing well, holding on to it for far too long and not making quick decisive decisions. The fans moaned and he sensed it. When Alex was injured he got back in the side and the manager looked to have had a word. Instead of holding it for too long he passed quickly and became a very effective player. However, Chamberlain quickly came back in and he seemed to sulk thinking he should be first choice. There was a rumour of a training ground bust up with the assistant manager and this seemed to substantiated as after a few weeks was farmed out on loan to Millwall where he obviously shined. When he returned he was chucked in against you and he was decent playing in a more central role. Like I said he has the touch to cope with a congested midfield. That was a one off and he was dropped for Chamberlain and that led to the Tranmere situation. If Holloway puts his arm round him and he gets playing time, does well and gets fans support he may do well at your place. Lots of IFs though.

Wednesday signed Osbourne from Villa yesterday. What's he like?

I never thought either would go but I am still happy we have kept hold of both. I think what the window might tell us is that there is not millions available for transfer fees. We seem to be running within our means and long may that continue.

Wotton, Puncheon and Forecast out as well don't forget.

I heard that Doble rumour from several skates today.

I heard that Doble rumour from several skates today.

take a wild guess.

Marlon Harewood to Saints I wonder?

when did that happen?

I can't recall seeing him live, so out of interest, is he quick, quicker than Barnard for example, because he's quite short right? Unless he is pacey I don't see the point in bringing in another Barnard/Connelly (small, good finishers but not quick).

I thought Barnard looked like a player that hasn't played a lot - falling over his own feet, treading on the ball etc. - but at his best he is good at this level. Moving up a level he lacks the pace to really hurt centre backs. Tyson or suchlike would be good.

Bart's kicking was woeful. Davis get slated for his distribution, but he is far far better than Bart at that part of the game.

if you can't make Swindon perhaps the club will allow you to exchange for another game? Enjoy the match.

left footed left sided wiger. At his best he would push Adam for a place.

now that Barca have sold out lets step into that no sponsor on shirt fold. Tissot is my guess by the way.

did I mention that Wednesday after Lee Cook on loan and `other' clubs are interested. The club offering the highest percentage of his wages wins.

out of interest when will the replay be? I'm off to Vietnam on the 7th and other than being at the theatre of ********, nothing could be better than watching Saints beat them Tim Flowers-stylie in South East Asia (in a Saints shirt) in a bar full of plastic mancs!

with the coverage on the radio, the Echo and on here I'd have to agree that he will get slaughtered. Mind you Adkins wouldn't now pick him unless he felt things had changed and he was committed to the cause.

the Carlise link up has kept many away. Shame the club did not promote the fact you could link it with a choice of home games.

so for all intents and purposes any potential `handouts' from Marcus (if there were any) will have been made as loans (for tax reasons). These will be on the company's balance book, and could potentialy be called in by the current (new) owners should they choose. After the Gaydmak nightmare forgive me for not being 100% carefree.

for what? Are we breaking even or not?

very good question. I'd take Wright over Wotton every day, and Telfer over both of them.

ahem

First Saints Game:- Home to Newcastle in 1985, I think. Might need to check as my first game just does not stand out at all First Away Game:- Coventry away FA Cup 1991. 1-1 Shearer pen equaliser. I recall some fella having a **** on the terrace that scattered Saints leavig him standing in a big empty gap with steam all around him Best Away Trip:- Stuffing Liverpool at Anfield in 2003 takes some beating. Favourite Saints Memories:- final whistle at Vila Park semi, Abide with me at Cardiff, Barry Horne equaliser, Camera winner at Steau Bucherest trip added together almost equal Moran's winner Worst Saints Memories:- 1-4 at **** park Preferred Strand St. Mary's:- Itchen before it was ruined Preferred Stand The Dell:- Milton St. Mary's or the Dell:- Dell Best current player:- Adam Favourite Players technically other than Le Tiss:- AOC Favourite Players cult wise other than Le Tiss:- Case or chicken george Favourite unsung heroes:- Nick Holmes Favourite Manager:- Nicholl Most hated Players:- Judas Cranie Worst Players:- Powell Worst Manager:- Branfoot Where will Saints be in 5 years time realistically:- Championship

having turned down a £1.5m bid from Hull already, we seem to have come up short by at least half a million, if not more.