Dragon_man

I think there will be a few with priority given to the Villa game. Disappointing for fans but probably financially better for the owners. Last year Leeds finishing 9th got £135m whereas Palace finishing 14th got £111m. Its not an exact science but 5 places could be worth £25m. Winning the cup from here would net some £3.2m in prize money, I'm sure a lot more from tickets/merch/sponsorship etc. But even if you double it, its a lot les than 5 league places and we've probably more chance of saving league places than winning the cup. As a fan though, I'd prioritise the cup as finishing anything between 9th and 17th isn't as exciting as a cup win

I was bit disappointed with it really. Came across as lacking ambition, even if realistic. Essentially he said we’re a mid table team and aspire to stay that way. We’ll sell talent to the top 6 and use the money to sure up mid tableness and make some profit. Hardly inspirational. I do concede that the lack of any FFP means realistically without a Russian or Middle Eastern suitor, things appear to be as good as they will ever get. But I would like to have heard some fire about developing players, hanging on to them longer, moving up the table, aiming for top 6 or 8 etc. A Leicester is possible, arguably they are (were!) knocking top 6. I didn’t get any sporting ambition from him, just the business one. Not sure I buy the argument of ‘players won’t come here, if we won’t sell them’. Isn’t the point of a contract to give certainty to both parties? Players can obviously leave at any time with a sizeable offer or at the end of their contract. Surely the real aim is to hang on to talent for as long as you can ????? Players will only ever view the Saints as stepping stone, get out of it what they can, no long term aspirations with the team. Seems as odd message. Telling bit was Micah: ‘so what’s the destination – top 6?’. Martin ‘Not really. The destination for us is not about where we finish in the league’ then ‘it’s about creating a pathway for players’. Sounds like we are focussing on being a training academy. Perhaps we should suggest Ralph for the Man Utd job? On a personal level it would be nice to see JWP get some silverware for his talents. Perhaps we should encourage him into a top 6 club? Sounds daft doesn't it.

Was there today and boy do we need to be more ruthless in front of goal. Created a fair few clear cut chances that Broja and Amstromg failed to bury

Kills any argument Ralph has about Newcastle having the chance to field a stronger team in the re-arranged fixture !!!!!!!!!!

Ralph should rest the team now. Lets offer up a 0-3 to save further embarrassment

Looks like Ralph is more worried about getting dragged into a relegation battle. Spurs, Man Utd and Everton will be real tough. That said, I'd have balanced the team across all 4 games rather than throw this game under the bus. IMO should have prioritised this game.

Phew, that was close. Hearing Everton have bought him feels like a last minute winner.

No one has really mentioned what Broja might want in all of this. For me ... he'd be mad to sign for the Saints. He's got the best of both worlds by staying here on loan for another season. Continue to excel at a mid table club, increase your value and have an easy route back to the first team at Chelsea in 18 months if their current strikers don't cut the mustard. if they do and there's no route back to Chelsea, then in 18 months with 2 good seasons under the belt, he'd be in a great position for a move to a top 6 club or secure a lucrative deal with the saints. What's in it for him to change the status quo?

Just got here and Whitmore Hill Road car park is permits only. Website implied it was just turn up for £5. Have parked at Birch St cat Park which is very close. Have to use Ring Go and its £5 for the day. Easy walking distance.

That's great thanks, just what I wanted to know. I am a new season ticket holder, but no away games yet, first one will be at Wolves on the 15th. Spurs is a challenge being midweek but given family ties, Man Utd will make a for an easy weekend away

Does anyone know when these will go on sale and whether they will make it to season ticket holders? Normally the key dates are given but nothing listed. (reason I ask is that I have family near Manchester and will arrange things around a visit there if I can get tickets)