Fitzhugh Fella

Question nos 2 is a valid one

Well if Nick won't back up his words with a bet is there anyone else of the positive variety who wants to take my £50 bet on that we will finish in the bottom half?

Note you are not prepared to back up your views with my offer of a wager

I bet you £50 that we don't finish in the top half of the table Nick

Whatever her intentions she has every right and we have none. I pointed this out when we were bought by Marcus Liebherr but was derided for so doing.

Do you know people might take your opinions a bit more seriously if they excluded unpleasant personal references to people not in a position to answer back. I met you once and seem to remember you weren't exactly a well rounded attractive physical specimen yourself.

Now being reported the fee for Chambers is £11m + £4m add ons. That is scandalously low for a player I think will be another Bale. I have been vocal in my support for the new board but Chambers leaving has seriously dented my confidence in their integrity and ability.

Now being reported the fee for Chambers is £11m + £4m add ons. That is scandalously low for a player I think will be another Bale

Morgan will go, I'll wager my house on it

I think one of the areas where concern is growing is the fact players who have been offered new contracts ie Rodriguez, Fonte and presumably Cork are stalling and with Schneiderlin and Lovren being lined up for an exit that is a hell of a lot of uncertainty with the new season looming. RK is a good manager but he too has to find his feet in the world's most competitive league where "settling-in" time will be at a premium.

I remember "looking" at pictures of Raquel Welch in the 70s but I never ended up getting her, more's the pity!

Cortese wasted millions

The premiership trap door does not hang around waiting for players to possibly improve Minty. And it has little time for sentiment.

The fact that some on here are already hanging their hat on Sharp having some sort of role at the club in the forthcoming season is a real concern.

I am right behind the new board and believe they and the owner are doing all they can. I also believe in their ambition. As a football fan though I am a little concerned that the days are creeping by and for a team to gel they need to get to know each other before the football starts in earnest. As things stand we are very short up front, we may well be short of central defender in a few days time and we need a gk. When you factor in the fact our squad was already thin and there still could be more departures it is only natural a few grow fretful. Last year Billy Sharp was nowhere near the first team and yet tonight after Pelle is our only other experienced striker. A couple more quality signings and the nerves will settle.

Cutting through all the crap, now would be a good time to make a marquee signing just to show intent (I believe the intent is still there but the club needs to prove it fairly shortly imo). It's great getting the stripes back but I am getting a little hacked off that they think that is all they have to announce to keep us all happy. Stripes don't score goals.

Massively important post this everyone take heed and learn.

Less than four weeks to go, imo still need 2 forwards to replace Osvaldo and Jay Rod, assuming Pelle is Rickie's stand-in.

You can't wait to criticise can you. Do you know Nick Illingsworth? Are you speaking from experience having met him? I think not! You just love jumping on the bully boy band wagon, Mike.

Hmmmmm! When a man goes cryptic it usually means he knows not wtf is going on and he is covering his arse.

I was impressed by him when Burnley came to SMS last season in the Cup and he is only 21. A better player than Sharp without doubt.

Utter crap, you obviously haven't watched him recently.

Koeman will be unfamiliar with him which is a pity because I think it would be a good signing

I was interested in the IoW demographic split. For someone who grew up in Archers Rd and whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents were all fans my passage was so much easier and natural than yours. That does not make me any more of a fan though and you do describe your awakening well. I suspect there is a large percentage of Saints fans who like you came to support the Saints via an obscure or tortuous route. Well done, I will look forward to reading the rest.

If we are relying on Stephens and Turnbull then we would soon be in trouble. And anyway Phil, heavily rumoured that Stephens is being lined up for a season long loan back at Swindon.