SW11_Saint

I looked again and ABP are listed as a Partner in the Renaissance prospectus. Good news that they are involved and onboard. As you point out less of an issue for the area adjacent to SMS, but critical for the Town Quay plans.

Actually enhanced transport links are part of the Renaissance plan, and as I understand it that includes investigating a potential rail link to SMS.

I’m pretty sure they know what Dragan/the club does and doesn’t own. They aren’t buying any housing around the ground. It’s all either ‘wasteland’ already or commercial land where negotiations have already taken place.

Unfortunately, unlike other coastal cities, Southampton is at the mercy of ABP who have absolute power and control over all waterfront areas, via an act of Parliament. Pretty much means they can do what they want and they naturally try to gain commercially from all waterfront spaces. Case in point, when they demolished the beautiful and historic Rank Hovis building - the City Council, all city MPs, Heritage Associations and most citizens were against it. They did it anyway. It’s sister building in Gateshead is a beautiful & thriving arts centre (The Baltic Centre), putting aside the fact they retained an important architectural landmark. Anyway, it appears ABP are onboard with the current plans for the City. Massive plan to redevelop the Town Quay area too. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2e972rrygo (Can’t see it referenced here, but look closely at the map - there appears to be another structure to the right of SMS) Town Quay development: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51nzm1zm40o

Not sure he (or the club) own any of it atm - other than the areas immediately adjacent to the stadium, currently being used. The MOU sets out though that land around can be jointly developed by SFC & SCC. https://www.coliseum-online.com/st-marys-waterfront-pioneering-plans/

That plan fell through - latest is that site is earmarked for the proposed 15k indoor arena (concerts, conferences etc). Think it was referenced in the ‘memo of understanding’ between SFC & SCC, along with the development of the waterfront where the cement works is.

Perfect (other than the back, possibly). No idea why so many kit manufacturers find it so hard to develop designs like this.

P*mpey women have apparently disbanded their U23 team (effectively the reserves).

🤮

Brilliant. What a legend. And what a player. My first Saints😍!

Best squad pic ever. Likely our best squad ever too.

Would love us to sign Sargent.

I don’t have his looks or money, but have certainly been called worse! BTW I wrote an article for the programme (published in 2 parts) on that match, actually inspired by that photo (which originally appeared on the club website).

Renewed today. I mean, what else am I going to do on a Saturday (Sunday/Tuesday)…?!

You have no idea how funny that is… (assuming you are taking about who I think). That is me! 🤣

What was the story behind the black eye?! (and well done whoever gave him it!).

A moment…

It’s lot better than the reported real one…

Watching that ‘High Performance’ Pod, it was bugging me who Will’s demeanour reminded me of… especially the “They called and offered me the job. I said, “What?”…” parts (there were several). Then it came to me… (Comedian James Acaster for those who don’t know him…).

Classic👌. That with simple stripes, or even just a red sash would be superb.

Agree - Onuachu isn’t better than Stewart. In the last few games I think we’ve seen there is a player there in Stewart. He can do a job in the Championship, no doubt, but fitness will be the key. So though I do agree we can’t put all of our eggs in one basket, and need reinforcements, I’d like to see RS stay.

Lots of running, zero end product. He looked interested (as he does in season finales… “buy me”), but that’s about it.

Of the three going up they have the best chance of staying up I’d say, but it’ll take big investment and a lot of fight. 17th s/b the sole aim of all promoted teams these days. Sad really.

I mean obviously next season I’ll want to win as many games as possible and it’s human nature that I’ll want us to go up. My point - as others have pointed out - if this year has taught us anything it’s that you have to be fully prepared for the step up, and we were anything but. I just don’t want to go through that again. Leeds stayed down for two years… and I bet they enjoyed their season a lot more than us! I take your point though - it can go the other way and you end up like Stoke or someone. Let’s just hope they get the managerial and other appointments right - and then start reshaping the squad. One step at a time…

Why is it being a ‘drama Queen’ to suggest we might not bounce back at the first time of asking? To be honest, I’d rather have two seasons in the Championship to complete the much needed ‘reset’ and go up better equipped than we did this year. As for Leicester and Ipswich being almost as bad as us - they are 13 and 10 points respectively above us. That’s a pretty significant improvement on our return, albeit with the same end result.