Fitzhugh Fella

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.

Love to but I need to get my money back first!!!!!

Just bought some never before seen colour footage of Leeds v Saints 1949. It was on old 16mm film which I had put on DVD. It's only 2 minutes but to see Ramsey, Bates, Wayman, Black, Day and Co in colour is a treat.

Yeah could be right but my guess is NC would not welcome being "kept on his toes" by anyone, and indeed his bluff could be called. Pardew is not perfect (certainly tactically) but to lose him would be a setback we don't need - but I guess that is stating the obvious to most on here, if not all.

Well, you know more about Celtic finances than me but if he is so wealthy why hasn't he assembled a side that can beat Ross County?

I hate to say it but usually when a manager refuses to comment it is because there is some truth in the story. IMO it would be a mistake because I think the decline in Scottish football is virtually terminal, but no one really knows how "happy" he is here. I think some of the "stuff" that went on between him and Cortese earlier in the year may have just persuaded him to leave the exit door slightly ajar or at least keep an eye out for where the lifeboats are situated.

Thank you for that. Delicious reading.

I missed the dirt in the Sunday Times bit - can someone enlighten me?

Kevin Davies 33 years old the third coming HCDAJFU no doubt about it!

I dunno why they suddenly decided to call it the Pink. It was always just the Football Echo in my day until some smart arse at the Echo jumped on the northern bandwagon.

I'd go along with this too. No way do I think AP to be "inept" to use the word in the OP but there are times when he is too defensive and also times when he over complicates. However I do like the way he talks straight and interviews candidly - so refreshing after Burley the mumbler.

Why after he was so succesful playing out wide on the right has AP moved Puncheon into the middle where it appears he is ineffective. I was talking to a Charlton fan this morning and he said it was those sort of idiosyncratic tactical decisions that in the end alienated the fanbase against him.

Thanks Hypo - appreciate the comment.

Ta!!!

Appreciate your comments. I know that politically we maybe apart but that makes your post quite heart warming and I am grateful for it. Indded I have taken out a grievance v BA re this data protection so probably best I say nothing more - but again thanks

All I can say is if you and the people in your office believe anything that you read in the Daily Mail and then make a judgement on someone, then that says more about you than anything else. But hey, don't worry about it - if you think I am a tosser because of what you read in the Mail so be it. I will meet you anytime for a beer and maybe you can then make your mind up having met me?

Its not pink - more faded red - a bit like me actually!