Neil

"Their watering system wasn't working."

Can't see any problems getting tickets for any away games this season, although Brighton will sell out very quickly.

Good planning! Biggest danger is rain / snow / frozen pitch rather than tickets! This is the Lancashire wastelands in September after all...

I wonder why Gobern left, he'd only have Cork, Chappers, Hammond and Spiderman to get in front of! Reckon Cork is one of those natural born footballers who could probably play in just about any outfield position.

Brilliant news and a quality signing. Just hope that's not the last one...

Good news, most fans seem to rate him higher than Saints actually do judging by the number of times he actually plays.

Anyone know of any pubs / casinos showing the fight in Southampton or Winchester?

Antigallican was good circa 2003/2004, would always avoid it like the plague these days. Brentford was quality, obviously the pubs round the ground and others on the High St. Carlisle rugby club was decent.

It's now been moved to the Friday night (30th) at 7.45. Which I think is strange, as surely there'd be a better crowd on NYE (Saturday) than on a Friday night? http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2381506,00.html

The cost would almost certainly make it a non starter if we had no financial backer. With the Liebher Estate the cost may not be an issue, that we do not know for sure. I don't think many people are saying that we're going to add 15,000 to the gate on average any time soon, but a 40,000 capacity would be required in the premiership and we would be capable of filling that albeit not for every game.

I hope that the 5-year plan includes expanding St Mary's, even if it's just to 40,000 to start with. This would be a great legacy from Marcus Liebherr and his family. The current capacity of 32,000 will hold us back in the longer term, I'm sure that Cortese has got the stadium on his agenda and is working on things behind the scenes, but it will take a while.

Not sure I understand this. We play West Ham away on 14th Feb from what I understand. If you want to go to the game then go to it, better still get a few mates to go with. If you don't want to go to the game then don't go. Is it any more complex than that?

Good spot, sorry missed that. Ok we won't be playing the Skates in the Carling Cup this season then, I can see them going out to Barnet away or something!

If away, then Aldershot, Wimbledon, Crawley, Stevenage, Oxford or Cheltenham. If home then not too fussed, although the Skates could be very interesting. I still remember the atmosphere at that 2003 Carling Cup game at SMS which was the first meeting for 7 years. Absolutely electric, St Mary's was rocking that night, never heard it so loud since.

But we're expecting to be better than most Championship clubs next season, so perhaps we have to pay more than them? (guess we'll see in May) I accept the hike leaves a sour taste, and I would expect NC to at least provide some explanation for that, even if it won't be satisfactory.

Yes I think so. They looked comfortably better than Norway U21s. Whereas Switzerland looked comfortably better than England seniors!

I think if you look at the ST prices every season since (and including) 04/05, you'll see that the ST prices for the forthcoming season are reasonable when put into the context of the last 7/8 years. That period encompasses three different divisions (19 games in 04/05, and 23 every season since), so you can see some fluctuations. Admittedly the increase looks big, but should be put into context.

That wasn't a mistake, it was just that CMS was too quick/good for him.

I reckon it will be easier than some people think and harder than some people think. Sadly I reckon we will end up 9th.

Any news yet, this is getting ridiculous. I may go out on a £400 drinking binge over the next few days and not get my ST. That'll teach Cortese a lesson. Of course if I then end up going to enough games, he wins anyway...

http://bettingzone.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/next-season Paddy Power have Saints 18/1, a bit more realistic than Skybet's 10s? Can anyone see any early value in any team, and who's bundling in at 18/1?

Templeton.

Division 2 or League 2? Christ things would be really bad if we were in League 2...

Nicholl's biggest problem in the end was 89-90, a terrific entertaining season, which when followed by a disappointing 90-91 meant that most fans thought it was time for a change. Having said that, they wouldn't have said it was time for a change if they'd known what that clown Askham would come up with next! That was the start of the managerial instability and fan power, all kicked off by one appointment of Branfoot...