um pahars

And I don't think it's confined to football or even sport in general. Sometimes to get to the top and succeed, you have to be one tough, cold hearted, self centred barsteward.

Absolutely, and when this sorry affair first raised its head a year or so ago I said as much back then. I think the bedwetters on here called it wrong when they got all hysterical and were trying to make out there were dark forces in the background trying to undermine the Club, instead I see it as a clash of egos with blame on both sides (as someone mentioned above I thought Benali was wrong to air his grievances on Soccer AM and it's disappointing to see Cortese bring it up again in this piece). Duncan, what's you relationship like with Cortese and the Club??? Could'nt you get them all to Camp David and broker a peace deal???

I'm not sure of the relevance of comparing the "salary and perks" of our most successful manager during his employment and an "expectation" 30 years on. Back then, football (and other businesses) often did extras for their stars (it was also a very good tax dodge).

As was borne out by events and subsequent comments, Pardew's tenure was under the severest of scrutiny at the end of that first season. A situation which then nosedived further over the summer. Behind the scenes there was obviously a struggle taking place (obvious to all apart from those who wanted to pretend things were all rosey). Personally I wouldn't call people commenting on an obvious power struggle as attempting to undermine or as being dark forces at play. Football is all about opinions and whenever "something" is going on at any club "old" players and interested parties are asked to comment on the situation by the media. As it turned out, Cortese has been vindicated by his stance, so fair play to him.

Yeah, within reason I'd probably go along with you and accept not everything is going to be 100% and if the general direction is a positive forward momentum (which it is at the moment), then so be it. However, I also don't think it's unreasonable or even impossible to try and iron out the odd % of things which we perhaps need to work on (e.g. the relationship with Matty, season ticket policy). I don't see anything wrong with praising the good things and also seeking to redress some of the others (after all perhaps we should be ambitious enough to get it all right!!!).

Could easily be a cock up by the journalist or a simple slip of the Tongue by NC, but you're right I'm sure Gus and his goonies will be having an eppy!!!

Link just worked again for me. It's not the longest article but Interesting enough.

Success is certainly seeing us back in the media spotlight, which I personally think is a good thing. We'll also get some "downer" stories with clubs sniffing around our best performers, but I'll live with that. I admire NCs ambition and positive thinking (even if I think some of his ideas just might be a step too far). The only downside for me is the need to have another pop at Club legends!!! (when MLT said something a few months back, some of the bedwetters on here jumped down his throat accusing him of perpetuating this feud, I wonder if they will be as even handed with NC?).

Although I agree with a lot of what you're saying and think how clubs will develop youngsters and whether they will get a chance in the first team is key to some parents & youngsters choice (making us well placed), sadly there is a C) as well. C) How much will I get for signing on for this team

Have to say that I thought 21,300 Saints fans wasn't that decent a showing considering the start to the season and a victory meant going to the top of the table. I'm sure the rearranged Sunday had some impact, but can't help thinking it will be a tough sell to get decent gates off the back of some stilted season ticket sales. The most we have had is 23,000 v Forest and given our start would have liked to have seen 25,000 + away fans. Not a million miles away, so fingers crossed we can get there.

ALL???? We only ran two. LOL.

I've no idea where this Champions League obsession comes from. It's just fanciful thinking to believe we will ever be in the Champions League, apart from a one off fluke of a season some time over the next 50 years as we somehow scrape 4th place in 2045.

I've been to Oporto and I went to the old stadium to watch Porto play Guimares or whatever they're called and the city (and the club) are not comparable to us with regards size and status. (and I was advising against using wiki as your source!!)

For me it was the arms. From the three jointed extra long right hand to the double-jointed wrist on the left arm. (Plus the size 3 football)

Go and have another gander on Wiki or wherever and I'm sure you'll find Oporto is a lot bigger than you're saying here. The main city centre might only have 250,000 but it's much bigger than that and on a par with Liverpool (if not bigger!!!). Boavista also hail from Oporto. The Premiership may be "bigger" than its Portuguese equivalent, but comparing us to Oporto is nearly as bad as the recent Barcelona comparisons.

I actually think a little bit of wee came out when I was reading that thread. That was followed by a 30 min phonecall to Exit2 where we managed to get in about three words each in between the fits of laughter. Some dark humour that night.

That is truly legendary status. Remember driving by it the night it was unveiled and thinking WTF!!!!!!!!!! In a car crash sort of way I suppose I would like to have been there when it was unveiled. Still, at least we ended up with something to be proud of (and a story that will always get a chuckle out of me).

Any relation to Eddie Mitchell????

He looked "better, but" would be my response. The back four looked tighter, but still not infallible, but then again we had a mixed bunch playing against Forest last week. He looked better, but still not convinced he's what we needed. Lost the ball completely at one point in the second half and then eventually realised it was behind him, gave away the silly free kick they scored form and his distribution needs working on. Against that he was a bit of a lump when we needed one and got some good challenges in.

Frayed knot. Wanted to put a picture of one up, but feck knows how you do it.

Did you go to any of these???

In the Southern League 1908/9 season we won the first 7 games, drew the 8th and lost the 9th. And as Bobsleigh points out in 1896/7 in the Southern League we won the first 9 and drew the 10th. We then continued throught the season without losing.

I don't think anyone can write Cortese's epitaph until we can see the final position he leaves us in. Not being at all negative and can see the positives he has brought to the Club along with always remembering the part he played in "rescuing" the Club, it's just that it is early doors in his tenure and football is a funny old game!!!!

At times a truly superb performance. So clinical up front in the first half that Brum just couldn't cope with us. Another quiert start to the second half, but fully composed and in control at the end. I predicted a very tough game against a team who I think are half decent, but at times we were streets ahead of them. Confidence is sky high and the way we passed the ball around at times and the quality of finishing was exceptional. Going forward we look unstoppable, still have a few doubts about our defensive frailties (some of which might be as a result of our brilliance going forward). Davis - 8 - Very good game with a couple of decent saves (although again played the short ball out once too often). Richardson - 8 - Sensational going forward and solid at the back (set up two goals as well) Fonte - 8 - A rock that never seemed troubled. Hooiveld - 6 - A lump at times and did a job on their centre forward, but a little unsure at other times. Fox - 6 - Still need to be won round by this fella. Nothing that bad, but nothing that good. Lallana - 9.5 - Truly sensational and just too good for this league. Cork - 9 - Ran the game, all round quality. Hammond - 8 - The legs of the team who anchored it all Guly - 8 - Silky at times, great finish and full of running Connoly - 9 - So intelligent on and off the ball. Lambert - 9 - Hold up play and linking up woth others was great. Subs: Chaplow - 8 - Get a few goals up and then bring Chaplow on seems to be the plan. Only on for 20 minutes but made a massive impact Schneiderlin - 5 - Only 10 mins, but never did much De Ridder - 6 - Only 10 mins, but provided an outlet and made sure Carr's nightmare continued even with Lallana going off Adkins needs to take some massive credit for producing a team who are so full of confidence and playing so attractively. Have some concerns about the "squad" so hopefully we can keep injury free (particularly the key players) for a while yet. Slightly disappointed about the crowd as well. For me it's not just the results that have been impressive, but also the manner in which they have been achieved.

No, but he Le Tissed him about three times on the trot, dropping a shoulder one way and then the other!!!!! Carr looked physically sick being made to run around in circles!!!!!