SW11_Saint

Nothing we don't know - basically nothing to do with performance, simply a 'personality clash'. As Claridge said, nothing wrong with the football side that a couple of decent signings won't fix. Interesting they all thought NC would have to go 'big'. I am not so sure.

Listening. Claridge will be interesting. Tells it like it is.

Well, not quite - he had won the French league, and the French cup with Monaco. Jan Poortvliet is probably a better example...

Football is a pretty close-knit community, and with Cortese's growing 'reputation' in the game I don't expect any big names or people who want be given a degree of autonomy to be interested. I suspect we're back in the Lowe era of low-grade 'yes men' or unknown lower-league foreigners. How ridiculous.

Could Coppell be an option? The timing works, but then he's also just 'retired' from football management. As Bridgnorth says if he's sacked AP he'd better have a top class replacement lined up... Or be prepared to deal with the backlash.

And I'd really love him to get that job and do well. Whatever people felt about him, I doubt anyone would wish him ill. He'll certainly get a good reception from me if/when he next brings a team to SMS.

Exactly right.

That's an article from May. Cotterill is at Portsmouth now...

I wonder of Liebherr's death has anything to do with this? Ie perhaps he wanted Pardew to stay on, so Cortese's hands were tied? Liebherr's suddenly dies, NC allows the dust to settle, then acts... In some ways at least this has now happened - rather than things festering in the background. Cortese HAS to come up with the goods now though - someone with a proven track record, good motivational skills and who can hit the ground running (think I'm describing AP!). Good luck Alan. I know you will be snapped up quickly, and be a great success wherever you go next. Thanks for giving us the most enjoyable season we'd had for some time last year. You've left us with a squad equipped to win this league. The pressure is on you Noe NC...

Absolutely ****ing ridiculous. What are you playing at Cortese?!?

Anyone of reasonable intelligence and/or without an axe to grind...

Thought he was terrific last year. Hasn't been great this year, but neither have most of the team. Still, seems that the pack mentality has taken hold, and for some reason Saints fans always seem to want to single someone out as a scapegoat. Perhaps he'll go the same way as Oakley, Magilton and Kevin Davies and prove what an asset he is elsewhere. I hope not. With the crowd behind him, I think he'll be a really effective player for us. Interesting to hear Paul Ince talking about him on Sky this morning "our best plyer" (at MK Dons).

What a ridiculous thread. AP is recognised as one of the more intelligent, articulate managers out there. Just another case of someone trying to ****-stir after just the second league game of the season. If only some of our fans were as level-headed and sensible as Claridge was about us on The Football League show.

Get a grip FFS. It's our second game of the season.

RIP Markus, and thank you for everything you did for our club. Our thoughts are with your family and friends.

Oxlade-Chamberlain Oxlade-Chamberlain Daddy used to be a skate But bought you up to be a Saint When we see you scoring For the boys in red & white **** you P*mpey, **** you P*mpey We'll know he was right!

Funny how they are going to use cartoons for all Plymouth games from now on. This could catch on...

Oh get a grip FFS! (though I guess you are right in one sense - promotion IS a long way off, about 40 games away).

?!? And you proclaim yourself 'smart'?!

Agree, plenty of positives, and I for one am glad to have the dreaded first game out of the way (predictably with the usual result). The hysteria on some of the other threads is ridiculous, and frankly, somewhat embarrassing. Get a grip! (you know who you are). The sky is not falling in, and the season is not over. We remain the strongest squad, and I am still convinced we'll go up. Some people are such drama queens.

Hey don't come on here spouting facts and figures and things! This wasn't a scruffy defeat to Plymouth's one shot (which itself came from defensive error), we were totally and utterly played off the park by a Brazilian-like Plymouth performance. Never seen anything like it before - it was stunning. Couldn't you see that?! are you blind? and it's all Pardew's fault - he needs to be sacked, and sacked immediately, before the rot sets in. Christ what would happen if we draw with Bournemouth? the sky will collapse, the world will implode. Luckily though Alpine & co will be around to say "told you so - we should have replaced Papa Waigo". Today pretty much spells the end of the club. There's no way back from this defeat. If only we had time to turn things around, but sadly that's a luxury we just do not have. We may as well pack it in and resign from the league. I'm off to get my shot-gun and am going to shoot my face off, I just can't face it...

How ironic. Was reading this post while watching the match highlights on Sky, just as Dickson skinned the right-back and sent a perfect cross over. Funny how selective memory works...

What's the point of this thread?

Me too! If Lambert had of been playing he'd have bagged a couple in the first half alone. I thought Dickson was a real bright point. Lost his way a little in the second half, but then so did pretty much everyone else. Better days ahead.

Good, well balanced, assessment.