Frank's cousin

The whole 'big club' thing is such a sad load of ****** its untrue... seriously only an issue for those with low self esteem....or where so called 'bigger' clubs have won feck all for a long period of tiem and are worried about losing their 'status' as if it means anything. The only thing that matters is where the club is now and the likely potential and how much they pay and support a growth plan. If MP wanted to go, he would go. Whatever, some might want to read into Cortese's 'head of department' quote, I suspect he will ensure he does what is necessary to keep MP, whilst MP is part of his current plan... next phase who knows, but not sure its worth losing any sleep over. As others have said, there is NO loyalty either way in football - clubs happy to sack when things go bad, fans happy to turn on players and managers when things go bad.... so can we expect any loyalty when alternative offers come in? NO. What will happen will happen and we move on... although I suspect the odds of MP leaving within the next 24 months are prtty long, stranger things have happened.

And that is the crux of the matter - Salmond us a Nationalist - principles built on IMHO all things anti English - yet seems willing to devolve additional power to Brussels.... hopefully and I think they will, the voters will see through it and the referendum will be a clear NO... which means Salmonds position becomes untenable as the whole rationale for the SNP is disolved.... hopefully... Interestingly being English but living in Scotland, I get a vote... whereas my Scottish colleagues living in England dont... hahahahah. I did ask my local MP (who is another sad obnoxious SNP tw&t wherever I would qualify for all services such as health etc as I was English... he said of course.... I then said, but I work officialy in England and ONLY pay tax in England so does that efect this.... he could not answer and gave some BS about details still to be resolved.... he really is an ignorant fecker...

So answer Hokie's question - what is it - global, EU, UK? and inflation adjusted? its peanuts and you know it in comparison to global GDP. Secondly, there is value in this spend in terms of a return, through cleaner, more efficient energy returns, improved air quality and health care spend reduction.... but you fail to acknowledge any of this, let alone answer any questions.... Do you know what the cost will be of treating some 300 million Chinese workers who have have advanced COPD and other lung related illnesses in 2030? Or like your Grand children, dont you 'give a f*ck'? For someone who professes to have a modicum of intelligence you dont half act like a complete ignorant tw&t on here. This issue is and should be apolitical...as many venture capilalists with a brain recognise - (notice you never actually address ANY of the issues that rip your opinions and post to shreads...) GM you may be on the mother of all wind ups, who knows... but your knowledge of true scientific review is...flawed.... your opinions antiquated, a relic of 80s beardy's v Torys - (science has moved on from that one), your attitude ignorant of the current TRUE scientific opinion based on currently available evidence - which is ambiguous, often contradictory and without accurate enough models to be confident of eliminating all hypothesis... yet you retain the arrogance of f*ckwit politico... I have met you and you were an arrogrant ***** then so obviously nothing has changed.

hahahaha - 'few billion tax payers money' - you sound like some sad uninventive Mail hack wth sensationalist headlines basd on total ******. What you seem incapable of recognising is that irrespective of the continuing need for further research to establish the level and potential impact of man on the climatic fluctuations, investment and research into alterantive energy sources, despite the current KWh cost comparison, is a no brainer... we aint going to have fossil fuels ad infinitum... 'knitting' ? poor very poor. From your interpretation of 'vigorous and robust scientific review (much more elequently arse kicked by Holie and Bletch) its clear you leaned feck all from yours. .... given the huge amount of Venture capital investment in alternative cleaner energy sources, it also suggests your powers of business acumen leave something to be desired.

Admittedly, you have a certain wit, but please don't confuse that with intellect... Or Spelling errors or not you would have quite clearly understood the post. Your problem GM is your misguided arrogance... Your history of suggesting you 'know it all', is comedy gold so keep it up. Big it words and smart arse put downs don't make an intellect. You have repeatedly demonstrated yours is misguided and limited by your refusal to keep an open mind, on a subject where the only true and unbiased scientific conclusions demand you keep one. That much should be obvious to anyone who has studied a science degree. By the way, I got mine from St Andrews as well - a good one at that, so obviously I must be able to speak with the same authority as the 'hockey stick' chap you seem to have adopted as the oracle on this.... Why not simply admit you are politically biased in this matter when it's so obvious to any reader ? True science (and yes there are plenty of examples where science has taken the silver from industry or political pressure groups that have influenced their research) acknowledges the limitations of existing knowledge and data... Common sense dictates that ignoring the potential negatives is as ignorant as it is shortsighted. Your inability to reason and view this objectively is what marks you down as politically motivated and ignorant of the fundamentals of scientific research. You must be extremely naive if you believe Cameron's motivations is driven by anything other than placating the industrial supporters, or the current fiscal problems... One thing it is not driven by is any scientific evidence. As mentioned by many, the evidence is unclear, so the wise, unbiased and common sense approach is to act based on worst case scenarios - not to ignore it in the interests of those with economic agendas...

Verbal, hope you can see who the above was aimed... Unfortunately don't have the edit function.

It's hilarious that GM actually believes that if he shouts loud enough, pretends to have some authority and intellect, anyone would actually believe his 'unbiased' so far up the arse of the Right at the party Right BS. For someone who has a science degree, you must have missed those lectures, lab sessions etc when they discussed true scientific method and also how best to review a paper.... See most folks including 99% of scientists will acknowledge that with climate, climate change, whether man has accelerated this and to what extent, whethr this impact is simply absorbed by natural geological fluctuations - there is not sufficient evidence to draw any conclusions that have enough evidence to become established theory. Therefore, I suggest that acting to try and reduce the 'potential negative' impact of mans contribution, is NOT politically motivated but common sense... If nothing happens, great, no sweat, if it does well at least we tried... Also having been to China, I suggest the day-to-day standard of living breathing in that industrial **** pumped out could be improved.... But hey such whacky behaviour would impact on the ability for a few to make **** loads of cash... It would cost industrial polluters money ...and that is not attuned with your political afflictions... It's you and your twisted and somewhat stunted view (a sign of a more limited intellect) that is biased and driven by your political path.... And with every post on this thread you illustrate that with even more zeal... It's actually quite funny.

The Frank's cousin saints pundit player ratings England v Germany B Saint Adam 10 Saint Rickie 10 Saint Jrod 10 (superb unused sub performance) The mancs 3 The Scousers 3 The cockney's 1 (just for being cockneys) The Germans - well thank feck they were without Neuer, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Ozil, Khadira, Schurle...etc.. Sam looked good though.

True, and the probability of winning or even a top 4 is low. However, I just think its great that the club and MP has the attitude that focuses on what is possible, not what is probable. Focussing only on what is probable will limit what you can achieve as it effects belief.

... always contentious. If it was as simple as first 11 being able to maintain this standard throughout 38 games, I would say we have a chance of top 4/5. The reality is that at the moment, come Dec-Mar, the depth of squad of the traditionally dominating top 4 or 5 will have a huge advantage as injuries, burn out or simply the odd player going off form kicks in. Havbing said that, I would NOW not be satisfied with anything less that a top 8 spot - 9th/10th would seem scant reward for the progress we have demonstrated, even if progress from last season. Seems odd to be unsatisfied by a that, but at teh same time, we have already shown what we are capable of, and in purist terms, the style we play, the attitude and the homegrown effect deserves to see those current slightly patronizing platitudes converted into a genuine success story. I hate the cliched 'this years Swansea', if we are genuinely a progressive club with a strategy that is a 'model' - then that needs to be backed up by a decent finish (top 6/7) followed by another place or 2 next season - otherwise we are just another one season wonder.... I would NOT take 6th now. As MP says, the only limit to where we can go is the players themselves, if they believe in the 'pundit portrayed' glass ceiling, or whether the confidence installed as a result of clear coached improvement results in real belief. Due to squad size and back up quality, we will need a HUGE amount of luck, but to suggest we should 'know our place' is the defeatist crap that pleases the traditionally dominant. I like the fact that the clubs approach is belief in POSSIBILITY - not dwelling on PROBABILITY - the curse of the 'mid-table mediocrity' - Sport should always be about going for top. Giving it a go with style - we will get more enjoyment from that as we are doing now, than from accepting and settling for second best.

Big contributing factor to the progress we have made in successive seasons IMHO = 1. Manager changes - both seemed harsh, but the thing I see is that we have not had replacements that have changed the style radically - just made subtle but impactful adjustments - so continuity in playing style but with that extra bit... and the maanager pesonalities involved all seem to inspire. The thing with our style is it needs all to buy into it 100% and be willing to put in that extra training, effort etc - not an easy thing and why perhaps we are more selective in transfers? 2. All incoming signings (and really only 2-3 a season expected to become regular starters) - are expected to FIGHT for a place, even if they cast a fair whack. Means that the squad know that if they are going to lose their place, it will be to someone who deserves it. 3. Belief - naturally long suffereing fans who have seen plenty of false dawns, or promised scuppered on the rocks of disappointment, take a lot more convincing than the chairmans vision statements - and no one really wants to end up looking foolish, if they jump right on in -despite some being called happy clappies, most in reality are either cynical or cautious with any optimism... too often burned. BUT its clear the players have belief - not necessarily in finishing top 4, but that the media and accepted football wisdom that determines a glass ceiling for clubs like ours, is only real if you believe it to be. As MP says, the only limit to what we can achieve is ourselves - clever in that includes injuries and bad luck - but importantly so much is due to confidence in their own ability. Players who a few seasons back were in L1! Have learned, improved - through dedication, graft and decent coaching from Pards, Adkins and Poch, all of who can take some credit in where we are now. I have feck all idea of where we will finish - some say we are where we are because we have a relatively easy start.... but the bottom half is the bottom half because ALL top half sides have in general beaten them... I dont think we fear anyone and on our day can beat anyone - key to where we finish is how consistent we can be, luck ... the next 5 games seem tough on paper and in reality will be, but for the first time since maybe '84, those same sides will now also be concerned by us, and adapting their natural game to counter us... we stay fit, get lucky and dont burn out and we could be top 4-6 - stranger things have happened! Whatever else happens or wherever we finish, we have already shown that we have progressed. The club, the players and the staff deserve our respect for that and we should be proud of our 'plucky little side' - because if NC carries on in the same vain, we will be gain more than just patronising platitudes, but will be a new addition to the top table on merit, rather than just stupid cash - and that makes me most proud.

Think it's simpler than many of you are making out. Adam clearly had the talent, and those 3 seasons in L1 and CCC where he was stand out gave us the expectation he would suddenly perform to the same game changing standards the moment he arrived in the prem. Up against better and more experienced players, he needed time, just like many others to improve, go up a level and progress. Last season he started to show glimpses pre injury, but was never as consistent which is to be expected. It also helps that under MP, the front 4 don't half move about, and that plays to Adam's advantage + a years top flight experience and he's coming good. For some it's easier so to adjust, for others they never do. Does not make them bad players, but sadly just can't find their game. For Gaston, think his only problem is he is too easily bullied off the ball... Bit of a vicious circle for him really, he needs lots of games to get used to it all, but he won't get them because he is not going to deliver to the level we need and others are... It's a real shame, as Osvaldo made some very astute runs in his 15 minutes, but was not picked out... The sort of runs and passes that Gaston would have seen... If he still had the ball... anyway back to Adam. Great lad, from a great down to earth family, who have brought him up to a decent grafting young man. Top performance and special goal.

He's kind of scored an own Goal Alps. Pic of you just looks like a normal 50 something bloke enjoying a game - Ok so maybe could do with losing a few pounds but cant we all? ;-) Nah - Grumpy, emotive, reactionary you may be, but reckoon you'd be alright to share a beer with. The snivelling Hypo, bigotted Dune/Sanchez, not so much...

Ignoring the successive and blatant wind ups (whatever happened to the old Glasgow Saint who posted normally? Were you frightened into a personality change to avoid becoming a victim of the forum 'bully boys'?) opinion on this will depend on how much winning any trophy means versus managed progress. The have clearly stated they want to eventually do something special - most opinion suggests this is highly unlikely because we don't have the money that acquires and keeps world class players and top 4 all have at least 1 if lucky 2 of those + high quality not only I starting 11 but throughout the squad. So the strategy is home grown + buying young players I the hope you unearth some gems that develop into class acts within this division and the prem. Sometimes it works, eg Loren, others not so much such as Gaston. It's always riskier with younger players, especially when price is higher... But its the way NC has chosen to go and so far we can't complain. (But some still do, or constantly take the **** out of OUR players - so much for support... If folks haean issue with NC or the transfer, they should say so, but constant **** take out of our players is just childish) As to playing weakened sides in this competition... Well it's clear to most that we do not yet have the strength in depth in all areas to continue pushing for as high a league place as we can as well as compete on all fronts... Higher league position this season is in my opinion important as in theory will impact on players staying and who we can attract to progress the squad again... IMO not a bad strategy and aligned with the yearly progress that NC wants the team put out, did not perform as well as they could have, given the opportunity some had of staking a claim for greater prem inclusion... More work needed yet first 20 minutes showed they are aligned with the same style of play used by first 11 so in theory should provide reasonable cover when called upon. You and others like to go on about 'happy flappy' - well, good for the happy clap pies I say, if we can't enjoy where we are now what can we enjoy, or is misery the only thing saints are meant to bring to the table? Want players to succeed, improve and do better is good. Expecting progress and improvement is good. Enjoying being top 6 with some decent play, is great. Slagging players whether because of their struggle to adjust, or to covertly slag NC transfers seems pretty pathetic - not least because the strategy and decisions made to date have us where we are despite those things that have not worked out so far. Enjoy it FFS.

Given the mileage you do, Company car will always work out better - simply because of service insurance and depreciation. You say your current car allowance is 5400 per year which from a company car perspective is same as a £21600 car over a 4 year period. with a company car, you pay tax band rate on 25% of the list price so on a 22k car, around £1500 per year tax. In effect you are already paying tax on that 5400 car allowance, in theory with the take home portion covering your finance on your own.... If you sell and pay off the finance, you should find you are about the same on a monthly basis but without the need to pay insurance, services tyres or depreciation.

Ahrrrr ! "It's hard to take all science seriously" Not having a giant you nick, but this should read " it's hard to the Media interpretation if science seriously" Meteorologists are scientists, and they forecast using the best models and technology they have available to date- it's far fro perfect, and they KNOW its a best estimate they can provide. As with those researching global climatic change, the published in respected journals science is still in its infancy and the scientists acknowledge this. Anyone with an agenda can find papers to support their opinions - but science looks at ALL data before drawing conclusions, not selected data. At present the true scientific evidence remains inconclusive on several areas because and a great deal more research is needed before all the existing hypotheses are whittled done to a stronger theory.... Will say it again - the question should be that whilst the evidence is inconclusive, do we carry on as before and HOPE there is no impact, or do we try and change ours behaviours in case there is?

Sorrry Paul, these are exactly the sort of sites that you should avoid in this debate - both are motivated by an agenda- and in both cases present opinion rather than data, are poorly referenced and dismissive in attitude of what should be a reasoned scientific discussion... One even suggests conspiracy theories! The only way to get an accurate picture of the latest scientific perspectives, unbiased from Both or even the many facets of theses hypotheses, is to read the peer reviewed journals... And high citation indices. They publish Good Science, not on what the results are or suggest... So you will see original research that other independent peers have critiqued - and you will see, that the current overall thinking is as above, yes there are studies that present conflicting data, and also models that provide different predictive outcomes from the same data.... scientists KNOW that to date there is still too many open questions to draw any final definitive conclusions. It journos, media, politicos or social commentators and activists that cherry pick data..... And then give scientists a bad name.... They don't have a clue on how science works..... As as said above, whilst we wait for many years for any conclusive data one way or another, the real question we should be asking is do we want to keep pumping out pollutants and toxins regardless of their effect on the environment, ignorant of ther impact. Or do we take some ****ing responsibility for a change put such things ahead of profits?

True, but no different from 'traditional' Tory voters who continued voting for Thatcher, despite her overwhelming 'indifference' to the impact on whole communities from policy. And there in lies the biggest problem with politics in this country.... Majority of voting along party lines for parties whose dogma and 'traditions' are not fit for purpose in a modern times.... With a minority so swingers who determine electoral outcome... when parties of all flavours try and modernise, they either alienate 'traditional' supporters or are accused if lacking principles... So they play safe. the sooner we realise that old school labour as well as traditional conservatism are both so out of touch with the needs of this country, the sooner policy will be determined by what is truly most effective, and not by so called traditional values. Sadly, too many resist such pragmatism as it's effectively electoral suicide.... 'The people' don't trust either party, yet trust those wanting new thinking even less... As the yanks say, go figure. there needs to be far more open and transparent communication on the simple things - what it costs to provide a particular standard of public service, how taxation levels would need to be set to fund it, and let folks decide. The complexities of the the fiscal policies of all parties are beyond most folks ability to understand or interest. Meanwhile, the parties bicker, and none think beyond the next election. Government has become a 4/5 year election campaign. There are certain key issues such as health, education, defence, pensions and social security.... Why even healthcare that simply cannot be looked at in short term 5 year chunks or from traditional party lines.... But need 15-20+ pragmatic solutions that are simply right! not driven by party rhetoric.... But common sense is not something our current parties seem to process in any great measure... And sadly the electorate has no stomach to demand it.

Good spot Turkish - but once at the start of a campaign, launching the next phase, I have no problem with CEO laying down the law/approach.... if you are trying to imply he is always in the media etc, dont think a single program cover is going to support that as a viable criticism

Ambition? A word slung around by many clubs - often backed by a wedge - often aligned to 'five year plans' yet the vast majority never get close to realising those 'ambitions'....why? For me the word should be 'focus'. A clear strategy set out that is not deviated from, even if it comes with set backs or if it includes unpopular decisions. Many club Chairman have ambition and many back managers with cash, yet because their focus often centres on their own popularity or on the existing ingrained culture, they dont follow it through. We had three big advantages to potential success: 1 - we were broken, yet we had infrastructure - the previous years had left us is such a bad state - rock bottom, that it was accepted that a huge broom was needed to start again and BUILD the club back up again - an opportunity to set the 'way' and thsoe who did not buy into it would be out the door - creating a unity of purpose and a sinmgle 'focus' 2. Money - not City or chelseas super spend, but enough to ensure we could not only support the manager, but also keep players who could arguably have gone elsewhere if we could not match with appropriate wages for their talents - and at the sam etime continue to invest in infrastructure which itself sets a tone - it demonstrates that the clubs 'ambition' is not just chairman rhetoric - but supports the strategy - actions speak louder than words... 3. Cortese - ego is probably massive, but not in the typical way - no constant media pressence, or 'look at me' distractions... but a shear bloodymindedness to see things through on HIS terms, no matter who he upsets in the process - a concentrated driven approach - and a recognition that plaudits come only when you have actually achieved something - not by being nice to fans with cheap tickets etc - and other fan friendly BS, which is fine if happy to remain amongst the also rans. That characteristic is obviously only effective IF you can ensure it permeates through the organisation - that everyone shares and buys into not just the vision' but a belief it possible if everyone remains focussed. Cortese has done that to date - hope it continues. Finally, none of this makes a difference if the players dont buy in - that they are off, the moment a 'bigger' club comes calling - the players need to recognise how much better it is to achieve something with the club, rather than take a short cup to medals where your contibution may have been 5 starts and 20 sub apprearences - that is probably the hardest part in this modern day culture where kids want everything now, and dont appreciate how much better it is to have worked for something - For me our academy is great, not just because of the talent we unearth and nurture, but if you look at most of our youngsters, they appear intelligent and schooled in this. Its not to be confused with loyalty - loyalty is often wrongly used as it implies staying even when you want to go... out of loyalty - what we seem to be trying to do is create and environment that players love - a culture and team environment that is second to none - even if we cant pay as much as others, the benefits of being at Saints outway everything else. It wont work for all, but if it can work for the majority, then we get continuity. ...naturally it means nothing if we dont eventualy achieve what we aspire to. Luck will play a big part, but given the growth, development and cultural shift we have seen over the last 4 years, you dont need to be happy clappy to see that Cortese, might just be taking us to teh brinnk for something very special... who knows, but its exciting to be watch.

Nah its simpler than that - Dune or Barry whatever he calls himself these days is simply a boring C***. Once a C*** always a C*** ;-)

Cant see it, as Think MP will play second string with focus on League... can see us going out v Sunderland. Akways nice to win a trophy, but not sure we have teh strngth in depth yet to keep pushing in teh League Cup, with FA cup still to come.

Potentially yes - probably no (perhaps not teh strngth in depth yet to maintain the standards we are capable of during a full season...but we shall see) Was a great performance from the whole team, against a side that had no idea how to cope with our tactical game, and as MP said, the players deserve the credit because they worked so hard as a unit - that part is working well. Also clear that we can get better and gell more as a SQUAD and we are still not quite there yet lacking a bit of strength in depth that we will need as the season progresses. Some folk on here still seem to think like playground tacticians - asuming its all about starting 11 - but as we see with the bigger and better sides, its about the squad and how easily players can come in and fit within the system and maintain the levels the 'first 11' attain. NOt sure why some are obsessed with Osvaldo v Lambert - and who should start ahead of the other. Two things here. RL has been a majestic part of this side for 4 years and his contribution in that time has been outstanding - whatever the future holds, he is nigh on legend status for his effort, goals and general all round leadership and attitude. In the prem, at times, the pace has meant that he is not always able to get a hold of his game, but his effort never wains. Osvaldo came with a hefty price tag for our levels - and so naturally the expectation is high. He has not yet adapted to the combination of the the prem and the tactical systems that MP wants to establish - not one but several. Clear to me, that we have not yet come up with a system that allows us to play tehm both and get the best out of both. But you cant dismiss Osvaldo as 'not being as good as Lambert v Fulham' - as Fulham were awful and I suspect that Osvaldo may have gotten on the score sheet yesterday had he played. For all the talk of pressing yesterday, I thought we pressed less than at Man U - tactically we seem to press higher up and to a higher degree away from home - and that will be in MPs thinking when selecting sides - as well as injuries of course. RL even in great form, will not start all games - will depend on what MP has in mind tactically - and it wont always work, thats the nature of the game. I am not sure why some of you have such negative attitudes to Osvaldo and worse towards Ramierez - they are our players who have as yet not reached the heights we would like, but like at work, when I see staff struggling, its about supporting identifying areas they need to work on and supporting their development, not dismissing as no hopers.... well decent managers do anyway. We know we need at least 3 decent strikers - and with a bit of luck Osvaldo will come good and deliever. Mid field is trickier as we have more riches - even Cork cant get a game right now, and Ramierez gets less opportunities to get with the pace and physicality of the prem...which I think is his problem. HIs ability to read a pass is better than anyone else we have, but he is still bundled out of it to frequently. We would all love to see a player with Wayama's physicallity and Ramierez's skills, but 80mil would be cheap for such a player! Give it time, give it support and recognise its not about who is better, but its a squad game and our players deserve that support - perhaps even more so when struggling than when doing majestic things as they did yesterday.

F***! He's killed my Gran

Great come back... LOL Only thing 'odd' with this thread is your obsession with the 'lying journo' 'Daily Fail' (sic) comments...