Fitzhugh Fella

horrible - that crest badge whatever is so 70s, should revert to the old city emblem with the 3 roses.

NC's statement is to be welcomed and I found it reassuring. Speaking as someone who had "his ear chewed off" by MLT when I rubbished Pinnacle on this forum, 4 days before the whole deal collapsed, I was once a little hacked off with the man who I regard as the finest ever to don the red and white shirt. However, time is a great healer and I recognise Matt was only doing what he thought best for the club and is guilty of nothing more than probably not doing his homework. Criticising him in print probably went a little too far. Maybe a private phone call would have been better? I think legends like him and LM (I know not everone's idea of a legend) would be best boycotting the Echo because that appears as if they are in their camp and it will only alienate NC. The last thing we need as a club is for the current ownership to fall out with those who have provided us with many of our finest memories. This club needs to be all inclusive and that includes ex-players and managers. The Echo really has gone down hill, I know finances are not good but with the standard of journalism so low it is little wonder hardly anyone buys it and they have to resort to unhelpful sensationalism. Finally I was intrigued about NC's comments on the style of football he wants us to play - very commendable sentiments but ones which any manager would rise an eyebrow to. Should be an interesting season, but with Saints when isn't it?

Although I am not 100% happy with AP this season, replacing him with Cotterill just does not make sense and would be a retrograde step. We will no longer be promotion favourites imo. NC does worry me.

That just goes to show you should not believe a lot of what is said. I am far from "sorted" For the record I have 18 months left of my 2 year term as a branch secretary. The crew have told me they want me to see out that term, I was elected in Dec 09 so will go though until December 2011. I will get some money from Unite while I complete my duties. After that I will be on my own with 2 teenage kids to support. Obviously getting sacked was not in my plans and although I am not going to starve I am pretty unemployable at my age. However I have to say that I believe in what I did and I would do it again, without a second thought. Striking really is our last option - there has been no where else to go.

I don't usually think responding to every rumour is a dignified way to run a football club but NC needs to stamp on this asap - if it is untrue. The longer he let's this fester the more damaging it is becoming. I know someone who spoke to AP this week re the situation and his response was "I am past caring". That can be taken a million different ways but it shows he is fed up with the whole scenario. Despite having small misgivings re AP's tactical acumen I think replacing him would be a foolish step. So SFC; time to put this to bed and hurry up!

Can i just confirm I WAS at the game?

Tbh you had to be there. It was the very patronising way he said it which incensed everyone around me. Once okay, twice irritating 3rd time just unneccessary.

I think people just didn't like being spoken to like they were 5 year olds. The announcement was way over the top and to do it 3 times was incitement.

I hate posting this but the little snippets I have heard over the last few weeks do indicate that all is not well between NC and AP. I do think AP creates a rod for his own back with some of his tactical decisions but most supporters would probably say that about their manager. If he leaves it will not be a good day. This club needs stability more than anything else right now and Pardew has, by and large done well. However, unfortunately there is not much point him staying if he does not have the full confidence of NC.

Thank God this is in the Mail. I can ignore it safe in the knowledge it's made up.

I know what I do and have done will not find favour with many. However I would like to thank the likes of Arizona, Dell days and Co who have sent good wishes despite not agreeing with what I have done. Fair play and your words do really help me tonight. You do what you do and you are what you are. Good ? Bad? I don't know but whilst I genuinely wish no harm I would still do what I did. Just following my principles but to be called "scum" is a little ott. Never mind let's concentrate on Saints - at least we are vaguely united on that front?

Let's hope this thread doesn't touch 500 pages. Thanks for all your messages - not worth getting into the whys and wherefores but for what it is worth this is all about the dispute and my part in it. Regardless of your views on unions take it from me I was sacked for going about my union duties in a manner that BA had over the previous 12 years had no issue with.

We're not pointless anymore! After beating Yeovil at home and wiping out the -10. Brilliant!

Trousers? care to comment - the boy speaks da truth!

Yes but this was Army v Navy. Different kettle and all that

And then been offered out by some 6' 8" Army bloke who had been to the rugby when I interrupted his conversation with the guard - you missed the best bit!

I hope Pardew found a few answers today but if he hasn't I have come up with a few that needs attention if we are going to "romp away" with the title next year. James is simply not good enough, Davis still does not command his 6 yard box for crosses, Fonte can't play on the left, Connolly and Barnard upfront together does not work, Puncheon plays better out wide cutting in, Semi sometimes enters a world of his own, Hammond is over-rated and Lallana is inconsistent - he was dire today. On the plus side, Mills is good back up and I thought Martin had a steady afternoon. The view from the back of the away stand was good but don't look down between the cracks in the scaffolding and they could have at least provided plastic macs - everyone got soaked. Watching Saints play like planks in the pouring rain was not my idea of fun.

So going back to Page 1 - is there any news on July 8th being made a public holiday?

Very busy, grabbling with mr Woodley!

I hear he is having a meeting at SMS this tea-time. Don't ask me what about but the bloke who sat opposite me on this afternoons Waterloo-Southampton train (14:35) was on the phone arranging to meet someone at SMS and said "is Mr Liebherr going to be there"? and then said "Good". Unfortunately before I could try and engage him in chat, he plugged into a dvd and my chance was lost. He was smartly dressed in a suit and tie. My mind boggled all the way south.

I sense the influence of the Daily Mail

We certainly miss him when he is on song, but for me he reamins, rather like Matt Oakley, an enigma. He needs to develop his consistency and control his impetuosity.

Indeed give me Rupert over Walsh any day. As for the book, David Bull was keen and contacted the major players but not all of them would talk on record. Maybe we have to let the dust settle. As for forgiveness - hindsight is a wonderful thing. When I see some of the crooks who have become involved in football clubs and what they have done to those clubs then I realise Lowe was far from evil and appreciate that he did want what was right for the club - it was just his methods that grew questionable in my mind.

Barclays pulled the final trigger, while Lowe was doing a "Lord Nelson". About 3 weeks before we went into admin, Salz told me he had bumped into Lowe on the tube in London and Lowe had admitted to him administration was likely! I don't think RL could accept he had failed is my honest opinion, and he was hanging on for a miracle that never materialised. In the overall picture there were many worse than Lowe. I think Lowe wanted what was best for Saints but he also wanted what was best for Lowe and sooner or later the two dreams were bound to splinter. When you look at the shysters at Fratton over the last 12 months they make Lowe look positively angelic.