Fitzhugh Fella

I think I am going to be sick. I don't think Markus will be that bothered Nick, but you keep dreaming, fella.

The Moonie is taking over the asylum again.

That Guardian article is priceless

I'm not too worried about Barnard - yes he has missed two sitters now, but he works hard and he has got into the positions to miss the 2 goals in the first place. He will come into his own next year.

Nick you know I disagree with you on this but I accept your point about no movement around him. I am still watching him closely and despite his elegance I remain convinced he catches the eye but actually produces little. It would help if he could shoot as well. He is starting to fascinate me because in the pub after there were some praising him and as many saying he was crap. Enigma.

Well he kept them out but actually he also let them back in and they could be in for a long time. Blair shifted this whole country to the right

Dearest Ottery I never went away. I think you misinterpret me and my motives. I was and remain delighted we were taken over by ML and NC. I believe ML to be honourable and benevolent in his intentions and NC to be a very shrewd and able Chairman. We could have done a lot worse for sure. I hope NC stays forever if it means Marcus is here for the same time for we will get nowhere without a wealthy backer. But, by the same token I don't believe everything that we are told. The Wilde affair proved to me how gullible we all are (myself very much included) when we are given what appears to be good news regarding our football team, and since the Wilde debacle, the Paul Allen fiasco and the Pinnacle near disaster I tend to keep a wary eye out. I think you have to these days in fotball as nothing seems to be what it says on the tin. The only people in this for 100% love are the fans - everyone else is in it for different reasons. That is why the fans always get hurt. Right now things are going well but I remain cautious, especially with what's floating around in the breeze. Already Cortese has enemies inc the local newspaper so that has to be taken into account. I believe this Italian malarky to be a bit of spin that went a tad awry. Sorry, I would love to the revert to the days when all we worried about was how many Ron or Matt were going to score and what song shall we sing. Maybe it's because I am getting old and cynical. Mind you I am still going to home matches and have never been to so many away matches in one season before. Rgds Duncan

Not me jam but a very good friend of mine who is a respected member of this forum and a known family friend of Giorgetti.

Nick it seems you want to bring your hero worship to your levels. However, I will name where my information on this originated - "I have spoken to Giancarlo Giorgetti this morning and he denies having ever discussed Cortese with Berlusconi. Indeed, he has never met Cortese".

Very senior sources at Milan are -privately - saying he was never approached.

Jesus - Harry the vulture stitches them up and then comes back to pick at the carcass. Agent Redknapp you have surpassed yourself but don't overdo things or someone will get suspicious.

I think we should just print this straight from the forum, turn it into a book, sell it for charity and donate some of the proceeds to a headstone for the PFC burial spot.

Thank you. Wise move.

Hypo (or mods) I would strongly advise you to remove your last post asap. It could lead to some unpleasant consequences and I dissassociate myself from it completely.

Gawd there's some crap put out on here, and one or two major culprits make up things about what I have said or not said. These people are all anonymous but they love to have a pop at someone who does not hide behind that cloak. Right, for the record, I am not bitter and twisted about ML and NC taking over one little bit. I welcome it and continue to do so. I have been to many games this season home and away and there is no doubt the club is moving rapidly in the correct direction. IS THAT CLEAR? It could hardly have worked out better. However, I never subscribe to blind worship - everything is done with reason in football and I watch and listen closely. I hate to say this but for some reason I do get passed information some of it pretty believable and "interesting". I don't post it publicly because I am asked not to. But I do share it with people on here who I respect. Hypo was one of those but after I told him Wilde's username, he blew the cover, I stopped including him on the private stuff as i could no longer trust him. Now I have just ignore him because he gets personal as can be seen earlier. What I do try and post "bits" and hope you can read between the lines. What I am trying to say is don't believe all you are told no matter who it comes from, especially if you do not personally know that person. No one on here really know NC or ML's inner thoughts with regard to why they really got involved in So'ton. Maybe they are 100% genuine - I hope so, but I am naturally suspicious - especially when I hear other things, which may or may not be true. Certain people have told me certain things and I have some doubts over this whole "story". If you don't want to accept it fine - stick me on ignore - I really couldn't care. In the meantime debate away but let's keep out the personal bits, because the people that are making them don't know me at all. As far as I am aware I am free to express my fears, hopes, feelings, expectations or opinion on here as much as anyone else is?

The Guardian say the Italian club who wanted NC is AC Milan and yet that club is, according to reports, denying they approached Cortese. Something seems a little odd from where I am sitting. For the record I think the Echo are being pretty stupid here, but both sides should take a step back as this row is not very seemly.

Not sure AC Milan would 100% agree with what has been said.

Good post - Worryingly, Pardew has much to do.

We were awful last night especially in the 2nd half where we were just so pedestrian. Starting to think Pardew lacks the nous to turn things around. Lallana hardly got a kick all night - should be rested or dropped. Midfield were anonymous and is our big problem area now. Barnard made some good runs and worked his big chance well but what a miss and in front of all the fans too. Interestingly after they scored I thought they would press hard for the winner but Brentford were happy for the point and we played our best footbasll in the last 8 munutes. And boy was it cold. Can' t really think of anything positive to say except Davis's performance - we really were at 6s and 7s most of the evening and on this performance Pardew is not making much progress tactically.

And how do you know WS doesn't know anything? Tis you being presumptious Mathew Le God. I happen to know that WS does have possesion of certain info, and I also know he is not at liberty to say anything. It is replies like yours that undermine some good intelligent debate on this forum. I know no one like all this ITK stuff but some on here do try and inform without giving the game away and yet they get grief. Pretty soon they will realise that staying schtum is the easier option. The spat is ridiculous, it should be sorted but you have two very stubborn men involved, I think. Ultimately the Echo will be the loser because the club hold all the aces but Cortese would be wise not to "paint himself too far into the corner" on this one. I also don't think Cortese will leave just yet, but I will be very surprised if he is still here in 4/5 years. Can't respond further as I am off to Griffin Park.

Well OB I speak has someone who would not really lose too much sleep if PFC went out of business all together - that is a bit pathetic and nasty I know, especially as there must be some decent Pompey fans out there, but I just think 20 years from now Saints will be a better supported club thanks to people in Fareham, Bishops Waltham, Titchfield etc gravitating towards St Marys because there is nowhere else. However the hatred thing has got out of hand now and I think someone could really get hurt one day or quite frankly killed which just does not bear thinking about. I think PFC fans started it all off with their bitter jealousy in the 70s and things have escalated. My Dad used to cycle to Pompey in the 40s from So'ton to watch what was a good team but today he "distinctly dislikes" them. I remember going to Farton in 1966 and even as a kid not really having strong feelings either way but all that seems to have changed now and I don't think it will ever change back. Society is becoming incresingly polorised. Tbh if you asked me would I prefer to get to Wembley in the JPT or beat PFC in the 5th round I would probably plump for the former because the day would linger longer in our folklore, and I am certain it is third on AP's priorities. Times have indeed changed.

oops Freudian slip - this has nothing to do with Avram Grant

Strange this because there was a piece in the Echo last Thursday quoting Pardew saying the club would not appeal, especially as the 3 match ban could be extended to 4.

At the end of the day beating Poopey will not feature highly on his cv whereas finishing near a play off position will. Unfortunately these days managers have to keep more of an eye on the bigger picture and satisfying our rabid desires (my own included) by thrashing the skates pales into insignificance put up against a good showing in the bed and butter business of gaining promotion.

I think you are right. For all his faults Ian B was a bloody nice guy.