Colinjb

Unfortunately, a lot more really really are not. Take mindless popular culture as your start point and work from there.

I'm for it. As long is it is clear that a decision is made without external influence then I have no problem with it whatsoever. I fear nothing more then being a burden to my family and given the choice of a dignified chance to depart over a long, drawn out and painful process for all concerned then the former is an extremely easy choice.

This could be quite symptomatic of Labour's future. While the initial principles of the party were founded in Union activity there is a generation that has only known a Blairite Labour Party and that does not identify with a more traditional left wing ethos. While there has been a large ground swell of membership in Labour it doesn't necessarily indicate a wider spread validation of the shift to their roots that now seems inevitable.

As have extreme right wingers, Dune springs to mind. But no, they are being oppressed for their political standing..... it suits their modus operandi. Please Hockey-Saint, that kind of remark should be beneath you.

A heartening story. Thanks for sharing. When the time comes I'm hoping my daughter takes to the club in the same way.

Oi! We're not all stuck in the 1800's.......... Where did I leave my cane?

1. What is your opinion on your manager Ronald Koeman? What are his good points and what are his bad points? I think the bloke is bloody fantastic. I worried we had run out of steam a little at some points last year and that did make me question his man-management capability but on the whole excellent.... with the exception of his love of Mayonnaise, that sh*t is vile. 2. You have made 8 signings so far this summer, who are the ones to look out for? Soares at RB looks to be a good attacking threat, Juanmi also could be tricky going forward. There is a lot of focus on Clasie as a Schneiderlin replacement and he will be key to our midfield shape should he play. 3. Who will be the key threats to Everton at the weekend? Mané, our wonderfully rapid forward threat, he will be creating space for others to thrive whilst also being a massive threat in his own right. 4. Where will be your weak points? Defence. We really miss Alderweireld and Morgan, without their presence we have looked a little less then water-tight. 5. What are your season ambitions? I would bite your hands off for a cup final. I have no expectation on being top 7 again but would be disappointed to be outside of the top half. On to Everton 6. After a great first season under Martinez and disappointing second, how do you think Everton will do this season? I feel Everton are stagnating under Martinez, you will be in no danger but equally there will be little to shout about either. 7. What do you make of our manager Roberto Martinez? A principled man is a good thing, a naive one quite another. I admire how he tries to play football but he seems to have hit his glass ceiling, an inferior Arsene Wenger. 8. Who do you see as the biggest threat to the Saints in the Everton side? Barkley is obvious, Lukaku on form can bully Yoshida and Fonte. Also, Seamus Coleman for some reason seems to love playing against us. 9. Where do you see our weaknesses? Central defence. Stones will be distracted with the Chelsea interest, I hope to see Pelle capitalise on that. Score Prediction: Saints 2-1 Everton.

Reading between the lines, I am in a not dissimilar position myself. I have a lot of financial commitments that are taking resources away from areas that I would rather be paying for right now. However, should I weather the storm the financial future for myself and my family will be secure and there will be far greater options for us all. I would take short term pain to secure long term gain every time.

Be sure to list them. But really, while there may be short term positives to what you might be doing through selling up consider the long term handicaps.

Cute, I'm sure the fact that this would cost more then the stadium they believe we couldn't afford when in the Premier League, and that that they would have to do it on League 2 income is simply not a hindering factor.

Ever get the feeling you've read the same thread before? The cynic in me believes that Richmond's aliases are making themselves apparent.

Yep, Buctootim understood my point. An interest rate rise will cause mortgage payments to increase but the price of property will at the very least stagnate.... If you rent you are just putting money into someone elses pocket (Often landlords will have mortgages on their rented out properties too, the rent prices will also go up), if the house price stays still you are at least paying off the mortgage and adding equity. Personally, I think you would be mad to sell. Take a lump sum now and in 3-5 years you will have spent more on rent and have less equivalent value to play with to get somewhere else, leaving you 2 steps forward now, but 3 further back down the road.

No, I'm not disappointed. My club is stronger now then at any other point in my lifetime, we are being spoilt.

Is the payment on your debts in excess of any rise in equity that you are also making?

Thank you Marcus indeed. Can't believe he has been gone for five years. Hope he has loved every minute of our progress from on high. Would love to know, of all the clubs he could have bought and invested in, why us? (There are logical grounds for speculation of course, but to truly know the full answer would be very satisfying.)

Reflecting on yesterday, really quite surprised that we do not learn from our past history. I cannot remember a game where we started with four forwards and really tore the opposition apart. We had no control over midfield and nearly lost out as a result yesterday, Victor and Davis were only ever reactive and Pelle/Jay/Tadic/Mane at times couldn't play to their strengths as a result. Nonetheless, we showed great spirit. Put in a more fluid game plan and there is reason for a great deal of optimism. We are two players away from a truly excellent squad.

Not that i'm unhappy about us scoring, far from it... but we barely deserved it. haha. (Actually makes it sweeter.)

GET IN THERE SHLONGY!!!!!!!

Cynical from Colback on Mane. There's still a lot of football to play here, a lot can still happen. Incidentally. Petr Cech is having a nightmare. Arsenal losing 0-2 at home to Wham.

Well, not winning on the opening weekend is a Saints tradition.

We need more in the centre of midfield. Jay off, Reed or Ward-Prowse on. Can Martina play at left back?

It's not so much the special day ones, it's the pathetic profiteering sods who sell Southampton/Watford (Or similar laughably unremarkable game) half and half scarves. It tars the decent ones by association. Imagine the Japanese tourist who has come to watch Yoshida wearing a Southampton/Wigan half and half to blend in. Nothing wrong in isolation, but utterly self defeating.

Regardless of their league, Midtylland are not to be underestimated. Looking forward to it.

Couldn't even make it and I wanted one.....