adrian lord

quite - and Dubai is being built by Asian builders on slave wages in dreadful conditions for their Arab masters. Crock of sh1yte that Saints academy is racist, or criticised. Classic case of making up a controversial book-selling idea and reverse-justifying it.

Is it April 1st already? This "partnership" is so completely out of kilter with the entire public philosophy of the club and "The Southampton Way" - prudence, sustainability, thrift, nurturing and safeguarding young talent - that it seems utterly bizarre that we would dream of getting into bed with them. This makes me question what's under the skin at the club. After all, the prime targets of this tie-in are us the supporters, to "invest" in BDeB. BDeB are hoping this will give them much needed blue-chip credibility. The only credibility and reputation that will suffer is that of Southampton FC, BDeB can't sink much further.

Nivea missing sitters and overhitting crosses as usual

Of the modern era, Koeman by far the most amusing and likeable. Adkins was likeable and presided over a golden era but was just a bit 'David Brent'. Poch was arrogant and I didn't like how he kept aloof with the interpreter but dropped it as soon as he went to N. London - but no doubt will go on to great things. Pardrew? Never warmed to the fellow.

Charlton are lower than I expected - the Valley used to hold 70 thousand but I guess the long decades in the wilderness and ground-sharing has killed their all-time average.

Might just be the missing piece in Puel's diamond jigsaw?

Posters' sense of humour failure

Dear oh dear lighten up!

one foot in the grave

clappers in Board apologists mode

I'm excited by the prospect of that "next manager".

It has been project fear

I fancy the Sky bird.

Not Over Yet Is It?

Unfit, and would likely stink out the training ground with bad attitude. For those reasons I'm out.

"He's got great feet for a big man..." "Plucky Southampton..."

Merseyside or Manchester for £90M July 2018? Seriously though good stuff. And I love the way we are trumping the likes of Chelsea in getting these lads like him and Hojberg. They and their agents are realising we offer first team football and a real stepping stone to great things, not languishing in the reserves with 45 others or out on loan in some obscure club and league with the other 35.

The VVD interview was ominous. We can speculate all we like on here but that was hard evidence from the heart of the team - shockingly frank and not subject to the usual media-trained filter of platitudes and cliches. I don't think that this Puel odyssey will end happily I'm afraid.

From today? Or season start?

Not seen anyone actually demanding his sacking yet. A lot of misgivings expressed though. Poch and Ron are 2 hard acts to follow, and an unknown like Puel isn't going to get the grace that say an Emery or Garcia might.

My worry too. Reminiscent of a Deputy 4th Year Head in a Reading Comprehensive, not someone who can inspire young millionaires.

Leadership and the inspiration of men requires more than mere language.

His affect is constricted and wooden, and the verbal delivery is in a droning prosody. Not a recipe for charisma. Lets pray it is the language matter, but Poch exuded a certain charisma even through an interpreter.

Well, VVD's interview was not filtered through media training or PR guff, was it! Very honest. Labours the point several times that they have to adapt to a new system the manager is requiring them to play, and hints at the question why, given they finished 6th and on record points only 3 months ago. But the key thing is VVD does not seem the least bit enthusiastic about the prospect of the new system and formation. He would have looked more enthusiastic if he'd been asked to clean up some cat sick. My fear is that the droning Puel is not inspiring the group to convert to his methods nor imparting any enthusiasm or relish for the challenge in them.

Diamonds are a Puel's best friend.