Holmes_and_Watson

Sets out his position as far as he can, but aware of a potential ban, as well as the players. So, for the "My full support would be behind him actually, because I think he's a super-talented manager." There's " I will obviously seek advice from the team. I will seek advice from the players, from the fans. But yes, if it's ultimately my decision, he stays." "But if he's banned, he's banned. I mean, I can't put somebody to manage the club if he is not allowed."

Better than being called one of the Showroom Dummies. 🙂

"We are not the robots, and I am not das model manager. But the FA can sling their hook on the trans-europe express, if we're going to accept more punishment." Bit of a giveaway. And the tour dates coming up at the bottom too.

Quite a poor AI. Just the guy from Kraftwerk, with Tonda put on top. So robotic and...oh, that was Tonda. "hope to see you soon" points to that FA investigation. It is good to get clarity, that we didn't do this more than the WhatsApp messages showed. Also, that we got little, if any,nadvantage from it. That indicates, now it's stopped, that the preparation won't be impacted. It still comes down to the players. Will they whole heartedly be able to give as much as they did last season, under Tonda? There are plenty of reasons why it would not be the same. Even small margins can make a difference. If they are backing him, will the board be in a position to back Tonda as much as they can. Dragan's message was positive, and a warning to the FA and EFL.

My favourite player, even before Saints. He was probably the reason football captured my attention, as a nipper. Not just the skill. But also his sheer work rate, fitness and determination. Attributes that helped shape him as a person. Qualities he carried right through to his management. I can only hope he has as long as possible at a high quality of life left. An inspirational man.

Quite a ringing endorsement from their board. Of course, he could be gone in October. 🙂

It was tried against us a couple of seasons ago. The players were upset that Martin tried to sign them. "Drones! Perfect for my robotic passing moves!"

He'll work it out. After all, where there's a Will, there's a way. 🙂

What's that Gianni? Say something nice about FIFA or you'll cut the rope, plunging me into the piranha tank? No player chats with the manager, during 'keeper tactical breaks. WWF grappling before corners to be looked at! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9v39x2v8yxo Mind you, it doesn't stop the 'keeper going down, to break up the play. That's tougher to deal with. And the grappling thing applies to attacking teams. So, defenders can still get up to the usual. Aaaargh! No! Not the tank.....hey, these are goldfish....oh, of course, it's you Gianni, you've embezzled the Piranha money under the FIFA Goldfish for Goals Programme.

And there you have the reason @sadoldgit struggles with it.

Over £120 million raised! Give generously to raise £200 million for Middlesbrough, I mean, Unicef.

Windy Militant 🙂

Do his plans involve fighting each employee in turn?

A great testament to sportsmanship, But, if both clubs win, then both names would be engraved on the trophy. That would lead to much bigger trophies. That will increase their weight. Which leads to a sharp increase in back injuries, as players lift them. Faced with multi million euro compensation claims, UEFA goes bankrupt. I'd have a concern about teams being ultra defensive, to hold onto a draw. But mainly the massive trophy bit above. 🙂

Ferry

And there you have the reason @sadoldgit struggles with it.

Apparently Nicola Sturgeon has come out as a massive Saints fan. She has declared innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence, and said she has no knowledge of any wrong doing, in spite of running our intern programme, data analysis and signing off on the accounts. 🙂

Could we just put Lowe in charge, and sell the UK to Elon? Since Trump likes golf and his heritage, Scotland could be sold off to him, to give spending capital when the debt is clear. I'm sure we'd all get used to government being run from Elondon in Muskland, and look north to Trumpton. Simple problems, solved by simple people. That's my election slogan. 🙂

The first articles I read about it, made it clear from both hotels and FIFA that all of this was standard practice. FIFA had a structured, detailed timeline of when they, and the hotel groups, would allow room availability at higher prices. It was clear this wasn't the first time either had been involved. And Both will also have taken practice from other areas. Pretty much every ticket, to every big event is set out to fleece consumers. FIFA, being FIFA, can never be greedy enough. So, along with "incentives" to host the thing, they have their fingers in deals for transport, merchandising, TV, and sponsorship. The states are pulling them up for the transport fleecing too. A slightly closer look will see than mini-don Infantino is at it everywhere else too.

Edited for likely reality. 🙂

What's the current UEFA ruling for when one set of mums calls their side in for tea. 🙂

Thanks for the squad and transfer news Christophe! While it was a poor season, it’s interesting to note the number of first team/ regular league players who have now left the club. Koem; Coeff; Boissier and Appuah. All of these were better than the alternatives in the squad. Appuah, in particular, looked to be the one who would improve with experience, and support. El Hadary and Baghdadi had fewer appearances, but were often first choice players, while Takaoka had quite a few sub appearances. All three of these were young players, and a lot was put on them to create in a stuttering attacking side. VA will no doubt be looking to bring in stronger creative players this season, preferably with a bit of experience behind them. Of those in the perhaps not staying group are:- Bryan Passi and Ahmed Diomandé. Both with contracts ending 2026?. Passi came in during the window, and was growing stronger towards the end of the season. Often the most dangerous from attacking set pieces too. One VA would want to keep hold of. Coming in are Zogba, who finished 10 points ahead of VA this season; Ekra, who is stepping up a division and Lebouath, who has some sub appearances in the league above with Pau. So, next season looks something like this so far (no doubt with errors to be corrected):- GK Jean Louchet; Justin Lacombe DR Derrick Abu; Salif Lebouath (MR); ?Erin Airhiavbere? DL Abdelwahed Wahib DC Loïck Landre; ?Nolann Bourichon (Youth)? DC Maël Zogba; ?Sakhalou Niakaté (DR)? MC Mabrouk Rouaï; Quentin Daubin; ?Joel Ngoya? MC Samir Belloumou ; ?Thibault Maréchal?; ?Kaïs Lesueur (Youth)? AML Alain Ipiélé (MR) AMR Rayane Ekra AM Daou Kader Diomandé; ?Ben Osman? FC Gaëtan Courtet; Kylian Kouakou (Youth); ?Marks Inchaud? FC Charles Abi; ?Célestin Nyemb? VA could do worse than re-signing Passi. Niakate and Nyemb and Maréchal are options too, with some potential. Perhaps it’s time for Courtet to take on a supporting role, behind Abi/Nyemb where he’d also be able to bring in the wider players too.

One badge on each, as a memento of the uncertainty of this season's play off campaign. 🙂

Yes, it is possible to link Lowe's reverse takeover, world class radio station, getting a bigger stadium and great catering to future "interestingly leveraged" takeovers, the rise of social media, and pushing for improved fan experiences respectively . That's not even mentioning getting in the best from other areas to... hey! what's all this politics stuff here for?! We'll get moved to the Lounge if we're...never mind...

Eze psyched out by their keeper, and putting a CB up for the deciding penalty. Shame. Nearly a clean sweep for the English clubs.