CSA96

LR: "Mauricio believes with the quality we have we can play exciting, attacking football, taking the game to our opponents by playing a high-intensity game. He will continue to develop and introduce young players whilst building on the core of experience that we have in the squad. During the recruitment process Mauricio quickly became our first choice and, while he had other options, we are delighted he feels that St Mary’s is the right place for him and we believe he is the right fit for us." Hmm.

In case anyone missed the email this morning about the early bird window on the safe standing... - Time is running out for you to beat the crowds by securing your spot in the new home-fan-only Northam Stand, from 2.30pm today other supporters will have access to this stand. Make the most of the early bird price in our new stand and access all home league games, priority away tickets, offers on additional home tickets, discounts across the club and much more. This price is guaranteed, regardless of the division. Wednesday 1st May 2.30pm: General sale opens for any remaining availability in Northam safe standing End of the 2023/24 season: Northam Early Bird prices end and full pricing announced. An average of 10-15% price increase will apply to remaining areas.

Yeah, some raised this Q with the club last week online and they put out some clarifications. When they refer to 'priority' it's just the standard season ticket priority on access to aways. Possibly a bit off misrepresenting it as a benefit of having any of the bolt-on packages, but certainly not a change of approach to how away tickets are sold - thankfully.

Given his contract expires in the summer of 2025, you'd hope/think that if we do fail to go up, renegotiating his contract is going to be a priority this off-season.

Erol Bulut reveals devastating Cardiff City injury list with 12 players out for Southampton: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/erol-bulut-reveals-devastating-cardiff-29019295

It was not a serious response, thought that much was obvious. Yep, do agree.

After having to watch us play that fucking Watford team four times this season, no replays doesn't sound so bad...

Yeah, sold out. Took the full allocation of 3,193

I'll put you down as a maybe?

This is how I feel right now too. Would just really like that Leicester game to actually mean something and be a huge moment in the season, rather than an irrelevance. Fingers crossed...

Maybe we will after all

It is. All part of Sport Republic's masterplan to make St. Mary's a more intimidating away day.

And in the programme. (photo from Alfie House; Daily Echo)

I spy a Puma

Lifeless, limp and toothless.

So, the back four is now... RB: Harwood-Bellis CB: Downes CB: Bednarek LB: Stephens ...

Play with two full backs! HT changes: Get Manning on for one of your CBs. Leave KWP in his actual position. Then put Armstrong out to the right and get Brooks off for Che, so we might actually have half a chance of holding onto the ball and not immediately getting muscled off of it.

Just seeing this thread now - RIP. Do remember his expertise on the Sala thread and, yes, him being questioned and told he shouldn't speculate on things he isn't an expert on. Classic internet. This is a great read: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8622099.stm

Sorry... what? Surely these two are incompatible, unless you are planning to play teenagers and a failed QPR/Boro goalkeeper who is now winding down his career in the biggest games of our season. The main focus has to be to settle the defence down, find the right mix up top and get some confidence back into the guys who have declined of late.

I don't think so. I think there's enough mitigation to keep him on (not advocating for it, just looking at some of the facts) - they could point to the fact he got 80pts+ (presumably by end of season) and that in a regular season, we would not be 4th on that total. Factor in that Luton, Burnley, Sheff U are not Leeds, Leicester, Southampton and I think he gets a second season where the points threshold for promotion is most likely considerably lower. Perhaps there's also an argument for some continuity after so many years of upheaval, changing the coach, losing backroom figures etc. He has definitely settled the turmoil down behind the scenes and created a more harmonious environment at the club. That might be worth something given we are losing Wilcox this off-season. But if we start struggling next season then I would expect they will be much less patient, for sure.

Because he did well and was popular at Manchester City and the new Manchester United CEO was the head of football at Manchester City? I don't even think he's really done a bad job here tbh. But you're not allowed to drop points without everyone and everything being sh!te anymore.

Daily Echo says it's an old Greenhams site and the new tenant was Polystar Plastics.

He got caught hassling young lads at Birmingham (one who would fetch big £££ in particular...) to sign with his agent and his name got muddied in football circles. Middlesbrough also accused him of dodgy dealings: https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/All/Middlesbroughs-new-bombshell-accusations-at-Garry-Monk/1540023