um pahars

Indeed we don't have the fanbase to regularly fill a 32,000 ground when we are in the third tier. Hope that clears that up.

Change jobs and/or career!!!! (plus travel) Did that in 2003 and never looked back. Was previously working on the treadmill as an accountant and eventually it turned in to a repetitive role. Previously the jollys, the fun and the job was good, but eventually it turned in to a bit of Groundhog Day with long hours meaning my job was my life. A couple of things made me take stock and when I traveeled the world in 2002 I decided to change my job and make more of my spare time. Went in to teaching and have never looked back. There may come a time when I get bored of that, but for now every day is different, I really feel that I am impacting on young people (and their families lives) and enoy every day in school. The holidays are also great and I always make sure I do something in each of the holidays I get. There's plenty to do in this country during the one & two week breaks that doesn't cost much and I always do 5 weeks abroad in the summer (once again, apart from the flight you can do it quite cheaply). Just don't get stuck in a rut.

I actually think it is a tad sad to see the arrogance (and more than a hint of jealousy) in some Brighton fans. It wasn't long ago that I and a few others went along to their Fans United day when trying to save them and the Goldstone. Rather than try and create a rivalry and sound off, they would do well to remember the support they got from throughout the leagues when they were going through their troubled times. I suppose there was a pseudo rivalry back in the late 70's/early 80's when Portsmuff had disappeared down the leagues, but it was never a rivalry in the real sense of the word. They do seem rather like the Bournemuff fans whipping themselves up in to a frenzy and trying to create something that simply does not exist. I think it's rather good that a club who on the verge of going under have bounced back, are opening a new ground (not sure about its location, but that's an aside) and have a benefactor who is helping them to push on. They've obviously played well this year to be where they are and have laid down the gauntlet for us and others to catch them. Are they stuttering a little, maybe, but we will need to take advantage of that. Strange how some of them are getting all narky about a rivalry that doesn't exist (apart from on purely footballing teams, in that we are both challenging for promotion) and why they are wasting time on it when they have so much to look forward to. Each to their own I suppose.

Here's my scores on the doors for a game we could have won 8-1!!!!!!! Davis - 7 - A couple of good saves and looked fairly comfortable Richardson - 7 - Some good play in the first half, but faded in the second half. Fonte - 7 - Looked a bit ropey at times and was lucky to get away with quite a bit of man handling (he can certainly play much better). Seabourne - 6 - Probably our weakest player, would prefer someone else in there with Fonte. Harding - 7 - All sweatbands and effort. Played pretty well, particularly going forward. Messed up a couple of simple balls. Chamberlain - 8 - Very impressive at times. Skinned their left back on numerous occasions. Chaplow - 8 - That something we have been missing. the perfect midfielder for this division. Schneiderlin - 7 - Despite my reservations, thought he was much better today and even got forward. Missed too many challenges in the middle of the park though. Lallana - 9 - First class, just wayyyyyyyyyyyy too good for this division. Some of his skill, control and vision was phenomenal. Lambert - 7 - Played a good role in the win today, just needs to be a bit more mobile and get a couple of flukey goals. Guly - 8 - Very good, should have had a hat trick though. Typical confidence player who after he scored his first was just really up for it. Subs: Dickson - 6 - Think he missed the sitter at the end. Barnard - 7 - Also missed a chance but scored a decent goal and was always in the thick of it. Gobern - 6 - Not really on long enough to make an impact. They should have had a goal early on, but we really did create 8 or 9 gilt edged chances. A very good day at the office and very happy to be starting the New Year in an automatic spot.

Nah, just found the board a tad boring & repetitive (or I was being too boring & repetitive) at that time & not enjoyable and I found a few other pursuits that have taken up alot of my time (inc a future wife). These boards can be a bit all consuming, so took a step back for a bit. Still been going to matches regularly and keep bumping in to Granty and others from here and The Ugly. Have always popped by for a looksee now and then as there are a number of wonderful posters, some great gossip and some very funny threads.

I quite agree and I'm not saying he is total pants, more that he has failed to live up to the high expectations I had of him (of course I could all be wanting too much out of him). He's decent enough to have as back up to Hammond and Chaplow for the remainder of this season, as one of them will be suspended or crocked I'm sure. Just not my first choice and I wouldn't persevere with him beyond this season (not that he wants to stay around IMHO).

Think they're still pretty desperate despite some financial wheeling and dealing going on. Was sure Murray was on the verge of selling up to a Varney (the ex CEO) consortium, but it hasn't gone through yet (I think there might be some issue with just who is in his consortium).

I make it 19 and 43639/525600 OR 19.083027 HTH

Now that is one old deer I wouldn't mind seeing stalked (or chased by the Tiverton Staghounds).

Fair point, but still think there is an opportunity for centre midfielders to push when necessary. It is the one role where they really have to be box to box (unless they can boss the game from the centre circle with their vision and passing).

Indeed sometimes Hammond does sit deep, but my counter argument would be that he does push on at times and has scored a few more than Morgan (probably more assists as well - has anyone go the stats?). Additionally, I would say he is better equipped to stop the opposition when they come forward. I would also say that I accept Hammond has his weaknesses and is no more than a good League 1/Championship player. He is a work horse who probably realises his own capabilities. I accept that and I don't think anyone tries to claim he is any more than that. However, with Schneiderlin there has been this aura from day one that he will come good, yet he has continually flattered to deceive. They certainly shouldn't be playing in the same team as neither of them offer the thrust and forward runs of Chaplow.

He is such an enigma that I decided to watch him very closely in the Brentford game. He offered us absolutely nothing whatsoever going forward and just did not push on. At times he was like a third centre back strolling around the centre cirlce a couple of yeards ahead of the centre halves. No forward runs, no cutting balls, even his crossfield knocks have deserted him. It was all sideways, into a player under pressure, or backwards. Defensively he wasn't much better. Mistimed tackles, lazy ankle taps or body checks and the game just passed him by. There may well be an element of going through the motions as he doesn't want to be here, but IMHO he simply hasn't performed since he came here. It may also be that the cut and thrust of the lower leagues don't suit him and he will go on to better things (but I can't even see that from his play at the moment). From the moment we signed him I didn't think he was the type of player we needed and have to say that for once my initial thoughts have not changed (this from someone who thought Shearer wouldn't make the grade as he was missing too many one on ones when he first appeared on the scene!!!!). I really want Morgan to boss the game and use his supposed talent and footballing brain to dominate midfields and open up teams, but I just seem to be kept waiting. Hammond & Chaplow for the rest of the season, Morgan off in the suimmer and then look for someone else to bolster the middle of the park.

Very well Tooms, how are you ticking along???? Saw you the other day, but decided against shouting across a couple fo thousand people to get your attention!!!

Here goes, a football post!!!! IMHO Puncheon isn't that bad a player and I would welcome him back to the squad. Some TLC, some support and give him another go (there were times last season when I thought he contributed quite a bit). IMHO Morgan should now be sidelined with Chaplow taking his place. Is Morgan too good for this division, does the division or our style of play not suit him, has he lost his motivation and passion, or does he just flatter to deceive???? Not sure which one, but just think he has never really delivered what I expected of him.

From my very poor understanding of how these things work, someone has to nominate him, fill in some forms and garner some local support. Someone needs to take a lead here and get the ball rolling for 2011/12. Granty has probably f*ck all to do, so he gets my vote for setting this one going.

I actually prefer the old reminiscing threads and stories of Southampton in days gone by (certainly beats arguing over footballing rights and wrongs)!!!!!! Got an easy day today, so might have to start a thread to get back in the swing of things!!!!!

I would have to say that that is not what the "countryfolk" who I hang out with would say. Having played football and cricket up at Mottisfont and surrounding areas for 20+ years I have had much time to talk and see a number of countryfolk in action. In the teams I have played and socialised with we have had a number of National trust wardens, river keepers, farmers, farm hands, land owners, tenants etc and they have always suggested that shooting is the best way (in terms of efficiency and humane treatment) to address any problems with foxes. Having spent much time out that way, I have to say my attitude to a number of country sports has changed somewhat. Fox Hunting is a tradition and a sport (to some), but it is not an effective or humane way of controlling the fox population. There are many arguments for and against Fox Hunting, but IMHO a pro one is not that it is humane or efficient.

Cheers fella!!!!!! Boooooooooooooooooooo

Mate was a deck hand on there in the mid 80's?? and just used to spend all his time scrubbing floors and polishing the brass (as well as spending very long lunches in the Waterfront and that Yellow Welly Cafe down Shamrock Quay). Not sure who owned the Shemara at that point?

I'm the ghost from Christmas present!!!!!!!!! LOL And Delldays I'm very alright, how about you?

My only question be, what was served for supper at the event?

A battle?? LMFAO. It's like being savaged by Geoffrey Howe (he of the Dead Sheep analogy)

I always find it strange why people get all upset at others success, in this case Norwich's success in maintaining their levels of support. Norwich's success in maintaining their fanbase should be applauded and seen as something we should aspire to, not necessarily as a stick to beat ourselves with. IMHO their success has been more to do with the commitment, forward thinking and respect shown by the Club itself (something that has been sadly lacking down here for a while) and something their supporters have responded to.

There is no way we should be looking to compare ourselves to Leeds, nor should we be concerned that their support outstrips ours. They are a substantially bigger club than us, up there in the realms of the Man City who manage to pull in big numbers irrespective of the division their team plays in. Norwich is a good example of how a Club can manage to attract decent attendances, and everything that is being done there is almost a complete opposite of the shambles we have seen in recent years (at it's worse under the Lowe regime(s)). The relationship between the Club, it's owners/Directors and the supporters is one of trust, respect and mutual support, something that Lowe lost in the latter stages of his tenure. On top of that they have an imaginative pricing and renewal policy, and by March of this year (when they were still in the Championship) they had already managed to get 18,000 renewals. In recent years, Norwich have been a beacon to others with regards the relationship between a club and its supporters. So whilst aspiring to emulate the success Norwich have had in respecting, attracting and retaining their supporters, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that our attendances are at a decent level (as noted by the fact we beat many in the Championship, some in the Premiership) and that they have gone up year on year (remember those terrible attendances under jan & Lowe), despite being relegated, almost going out of existence and not selling season tickets until the season was almost upon us.

And what was I saying earlier about the unexpected joys of people quoting our raving lunatic/resident troll. It's for gems like these that I can forgive people for by-passing the ignore function:D