um pahars

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!!!!!

I don't have any easy solution, just saying that maybe we need to have a revisit on redundancy protection etc if it is deemed to be so unfair on individuals who have given companies so many years of their working lives. There will always be a trade off regarding how it is funded and much could be same for pensions and employers contributions to these. That said I do remember the catastrophic warnings from the Conservatives and the vested interests of the business world who warned of economic meltdown if companies had to stump up more to cover the minimum wage. Didn't really have that impact though did it, with the economic meltdown being driven by those at the top end of the wage spectrum as opposed to those at the bottom fighting for £3.60 ph. I don't doubt it's reality, but firstly, does it have to be?? and secondly, does it make others being treated fairly as being outside the norm and worthy of contempt??? Absolutely agree. Nothing can be achieved without wealth creation and everything should be done to make this easier, no doubt about that, but I also accept that certain jobs may not be deemed wealth creating (e.g. nurse, firefighters, carers). Additionally, I think you can judge a nations greatness by how it treats ..............................................

I would have thought the state would have provided some minimum redundancy payments and perthaps we should be looking at ways to augment these to get employers to ensure payments are made (obviously a bit of a minefield and a push in these tough times, but the same could have been said about legislating for a minimum wage). Your mate was hard done by, no question about that and I'm sure would have sympathies with many on here, but I don't feel that justifies "attacks" on those who have been fairly treated. I would say the problem lies more with the "unfair" treament of your friend rather then the "fair" treatment of others. How about being progressivbe and trying to raise standards rather than just dumbing down. I think support of the minimum wage showed a great deal of empathy and support. I also think it would be fair to say that a "true leftie" would just be as concerned for those earning a pittance and being sacked from Compass Cleaning up the hospital as they would for a p/t librarian up the Civic. I don't really see a "hard done by" mentality that you obviously do, and as stated above I'm just not comfortable with the "think yourself lucky" approach in these situations. I accept its use in many situations (particularly when you see how some poor souls around the world are living), but I'd rather be looking to raise standards by moving forward.

I think the support for the minimum wage (a very progressive social policy that was vehemently lobbied against by certain sections of the polticial and business spectrum) demonstrates quite clearly that there is compassion, empathy and support for those who find themselves at the lower end of the wage spectrum. He has my utmost sympathy and support at being treated unfairly (IMHO), but I'm not sure I agree with this race to the bottom. Rather than bemoan those who are earning a fair wage under fair terms from a fair employer, we seem to be berating them because they haven't been treated as harshly as others. Methinks we would be better off looking at what support, protection and terms we can give to those who are being harshly treated (private or public) and what incentives or support we can give to their employers to act in a more "fair" manner. It is the same when people trot out the line that you should be grateful you get a pension in the Public Sector as many in the private sector haven't got one. Well rather than drag us all down to the poverty line and storing up problems when a large percentage of the population retire with no wedge put aside, how about the Government, employers and employees start working together (and yes steps have been taken in this direction) to provide everyone with a fair pension. The race to the bottom mentality is not something to be proud of.