um pahars

I would counter argue that I would like to see my son developed and coached at a well resourced Academy (I think that for us, those days are gone). In addition I would like to see him nurtured and used when it is right for him, not thrown in too early because the first team are desperate. Despite some people trying to tell us Staplewood is state of the art, it really isn't and there are a number of clubs who have a much better set up than we have. We're just a low level Championship team trying to do its best to survive. We've always had a decent reputation for developing youngsters and I'm sure we'll tick over, but any line that the Academy will be our saviour is just a rehash of the old jam tomorrow promise.

Should probaby throw in Baird and Surman as well. But we have had this debate many times before, in that the Academy was always rolled out as this jam tomorrow thing that would save us, when in reality it never produced a conveyor belt of talent that then went on to play for the first team. It proved it's worth by earning us millions in transfer fees (which we could then spend), but it was never this conveyor belt of talent turning out players by the bucketload.

Our finances may well restrict some of the things we want to do, but we still have/had choices available to us. Going down this route was not the only option, so let's put that one to bed straight away (for instance we could have gone with Pearson, we could have used the Scheiderlin fee to pay for some experienced pros etc etc et). I'm not saying doing it another way would be better or worse, but there were choices available to us.

If........................

Which is something I said in the close season. People were raving about his performances against some non league teams,when I was more worried that if he was our best player, then in all honesty we were going to be in trouble when the proper football started!! If Gillet has been overlooked by a number of our own managers and a number of other managers/coaches/scouts, then I think you would be pretty safe saying he's not really up to it. He's almost 23 and frankly if he was any good, he would have either been playing regularly here, or some other team would have taken him on. Without being too harsh on him, he's what I would call a long time reserve player who has had to fill the gap!

Exit2 heard a story/rumour (I'll let him confirm) that the reason Skacel is not playing is due to his £4k appearance fees being too much. Is that another false economy??? or do you have to draw the line somewhere???

Are you totally sure, because I personally didn't agree with this part of his summing up: "I have to give a big compliment to the back four after this game because they kept us in the race." I thought our defence (and in particular the full backs) did not have a very good game at all. Having listened to him on many occasions, I have really warmed to him, but I don't think he's above the norm of rolling out platitudes and soundbites that are then beefed up on the OS.

This is one of my biggest worries in that whilst some good results might well get some people back in SMS I'm concerned that others will just get out of the habit of going. But in the short term, what is the solution other than going on a winning streak???

But would the response be: OK we'll shut the Chapel and take the savings there, but we will also continue making the savings by closing the corners!!!!!

None of us who went last night are sports scientists, but we were having the same discussion last night as the youngsters defintiely seemed to tire in the second half. Our unscientific (and probably totally bololokcs) answer was that we thought players were at their fittest in the early to mid 20's and that in late teens through to 22ish they are still developing. Our seats are near(ish) the pitch and have to say that many of our youngsters looked really slight (particularly up against some of the opposition).

Methinks a simple NO would suffice here.

If anything I think many on here are asking for him not to be ruined by being dropped into the first team too early. People aren't crucifying him (I think on the whole we're all really supportive of these young players). He may well have some talent and he may well turn out to be a good player, but at the moment he looks out of his depth and I fear that playing him could be doing more harm than good to him as an individual. I would say exactly the same for Surman, who despite giving his all, really struggled last night. He is a much better player in the midfield.

I was definitely one of them, but I didn't see that as an issue when I was calling for Wigley to be replaced. Sometimes it's as much about the appointment as it is about the sacking of managers!!!! PS I think it's way too early to judge JP one way or the other (and have said so for quite a while, although of course there may come a time to reconsider this view).

If you could possibly rephrase that again in English, then I would only be more than happy to engage you in an arguement [sic] (pretty easy to be the pedant you see).

Well considering you find it difficult to discern between opinion on a message board and the actions of a PLC Chairman, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised at your lack of ability to be able to discern between typing errors and a fundamental lack of nous and understanding of a subject. PS I was within about 6 ft of my "mate" last night as he overtook me on West Quay Road. I'd do anything to protect him .

Would have liked him when Burley left (have no idea if Crouch & co considered him as an option). Would certainly have him back again and if it cost a little bit more, then I reckon it would be worth the little bit extra. The manaer is the most important man at any club and it's not an area I think you should be scrimping and saving on. However, I don't think Lowe would sack him as it would ultimatley undermine Lowe himself.

It might be about the same if you're in the Northam, but in the Itchen the atmosphere was awful (and even the Northam didn't sound up to it's normal level). However, I'm probably in agreement with Saint Lard in that as long as we get shyi7t attendances we have to cut costs and close corners. It might put some off, but I think the missing 7,000 or so is more the issue.

PMSL I missed the nit picking of typos he first time I read your post:smt064 I wonder whether we would stand for Lowe making typos:rolleyes:

Usual gibberish. Who is this mate I'm trying to look good.

A false economy or a necessary evil??? Due to holidays, last night was my first league match at SMS this season and it was a pretty soul destroying experience. Sitting amongst 14,000 Saints fans (7,000 down on the comparative fixture last year) certainly brought it home to me how far we have fallen. Having sat in Itchen Block 2 and 3 for the last few years, having to sit in Block 4 last night was just such a soul destroying experience. Of course, the missing 7,000 all around the ground doesn't help, but I couldn't help but think that by shutting the Itchen Notrth Corner (and also the Kingsland North) the atmosphere was massively curtailed. It was almost like watching a reserve match, and even the Northam looked boxed in and not able to spread out in to the adjacent blocks. So has shutting the corners massively curtailed the atmosphere (or is more to do with dwindling attendances)?? Does atmosphere even transalate in to points on the pitch?? Has shutting the corners put people off from coming (i.e. has it ruined their matchday experience) or is that more to do with other reasons?? Or was the saving (was it £150k) worth the sacrifice?? PS Had an e mail from a Tractor Boy who couldn't believe the atmosphere last night and picked up on the fact that the away fans were no longer boxed in between two sets of passionate fans.

The positives for me were: Davis - Looked confident and played a blinder. Draw - Snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat, sometimes you just need that bit of luck. Lallana - Loved everything about him. Pekhart - Looked lively after his introduction Moving up - We went up two places. Fans - Didn't sense too many getting on the youngsters back.

I've seen similar quotes on quite a few threads about how decent/good/ quality Ipswich are and have to say I just don't get it. They've won two of their six matches, losing three times and drawing once and are currently mid table. They're not on a flyer that's for sure. I didn't think they were that good last night (how many times was Stead caught offside) and really just outmuscled us in the middle of the park and made to look better than they are due to our own poor performance.

You don't have to agree with me and you may be right that some fans had concerns that he was undecided, but having spoken to him and others at the time I am firmly of the opinion that he was never going to side with Lowe I the run up to that EGM. Now if I had to decide who I was going to believe with he options being (a) nickh and others who had not spoken to Crouch and others at this time, or (b) someone who had spoken to Crouch and others at that time, then I think I would probably pump for (b).

Yes because that is what it meant and that is what I said it meant. Unless of course you know better than me what I was thinking FFS. Yes it is a noody internet forum, but also an engaging one at times. You were the one somehow trying to compare an answer I gave on here to one that a Chairman of a PLC might give and how it woud be received. Sometimes you come across as a bit dim, adn tis is one of those occasions. Do you easily forget what you post??? You were the one saying what would I be happy if Lowe gave such a reply which is a ridiculous challenge in the context of a message board. No I wasn't. The reply I received at the time was not from Crouch and I did not give the person slack when they replied to me. I was not at all content with the reply they gave and I challenged them at the time (what I have already explained, but which has been somewhat lost on you, was that my responses were not concerned about why one pursued that route, more to do with trying to ascertain why U & A thinks Crouch is the architect of all our financial woes). Once again you're gibbering on about something of which you have no knowledge. I have never intimated I have the ear of Leon Crouch. I think you get first prize for getting so much, so wrong in just one post. HTH

I agree. Maybe we're now at the point of developing a siege mentality and the real hard core giving 100% support to the lads. Have to say I didn't notice too many people getting frustrated around me last night. Most could tell they were all trying their best and not just taking the pay cheque and under performing. A win on Saturday would be good for both team and supporters alike (lose and I'll be shi77ing myself).