dubai_phil

Here endeth the lesson. Spot on Frank.

Ouch. OK game over then. Do unto others as.... So a (number more than one) of Saints fans, who do not go to or are in the domain of the media have requested, in writing, a reason why an event that Nick was involved in caused distress (I'm being polite) He did not answer them. OK you can argue he made a public statement about it, but it does not take many seconds to press a "REPLY" button on an email and cut and paste. "I'm sorry, I was let down" and then press send. No answer given. Not going to call Nick the things others have done, but I can start to see where this leads. So I'm staying in the "Maybe the club has a reason for not giving a reason camp"

Yes, But. Yes there could have been a breach of ST T's & C's but that is likely to have been something simple that would have been likely to have elicited a response from the club. (ie they could have released that info to the IFO to "make Nick look petty & childish") The fact that they chose not to could be deemed to be consistent policy of no statements or of something more deep OR the fact that they did NOT want Nick to be made to look petty & childish. Hence why we don't know IMHO

Just a moment. Let's take a step back on this. You make an unrelated (to this thread) statement here - "petty childish behaviour" relating to the photographer ban No it was not. It was decision made for a reason AT THE TIME by "The Football Club". Your post is invalidated because you have not used the IMHO comment. The ban on photographers was an Incorrect decision, BUT the club made it for what THEY (ie NC) thought were valid reasons. HINDSIGHT has shown it to have been a pretty stupid decision to have made and one that I do not fully understand because I don't know WHY it was made. My opinion on that issue is that it was a wrong decision, bordering on stupid, and that the club entered into discussions and changed their decision. BUT they did NOT make a public statement about WHY the decision was made at the time. Again, despite 9 pages of OPINIONS and speculation we have a similar situation. The Club has made a decision for reasons that THEY believe are valid and have decided to continue to be consistent by NOT giving a reason. The club haven't given a detailaed public statement or reason why AP was sacked, they haven't (actually) made a public statement on a great number of decisions that have been debated on here. They didn't give a reason for signing N'Guessan & Forte, for deciding to delay Staplewood or even detail how the Liebherr family will continue to support the club. There are many deep and meaningful and TBH IMHO far more important decisions that haven't been explained. The CLUB believe THEY have a reason for not saying anything. We don't know what it is. The ONLY thing we know from the short history is that the club appear NEVER to explain their decisions. It is tough on Nick, it MAY well be hugely unfair, both sides in the argument are putting forward valid "arguments" but nobody has answered the question and IMHO unless Nick takes the club to court, he will NOT get an answer. But, you know what? One thing here is good news. Tough on one guy in this instance, but at least the Club IS being consistent. Oh, and one other thing we have learnt. About the only way this will be answered - someone is going to have to ask NC to his face at one of those ST Dinner evenings. That seems to be the only way to get detalied answers - off the record and face to face. I like consistency, it makes a change.

Lol, how ridiculously random. I read this thread about Mexican Stereotypes being offensive to Mexicans. The GF wants to go to the local outlet Mall as they have a shoe sale. I go to the Mall, in the centre there is a stage set up (Dubai Shopping Festival Events0 This music kicks off and lo and behold there are a full blown Mexican Peasant Dance Troupe giving it the entire Fiesta style hat dancing and yep they are wearing Sombreros and blankets and they start the dance routine Sitting in a circle "as if they are asleep" until a Chickita in White Peasant dress makes them wake up Bless. mexicans reinforcing teh stereo type First time ever that I wished I had an IPhone, you lot would have hooted with laughter at it

Jordan doesn't have a Government today (where the King is trying to take pre-emptive action), Lebanon who's Government was in turmoil even before Tunisia for different reasons and Syria which most Syrians are fearing will go next. Iran tried a year or so ago. Regime change is all very well but with Israel sitting slap in the Middle it is time for concern

Well, in the fairness of balance, he should now submit a claim to The Press Complaints Commission as he does not use, wish nor condone that title himself.

I'd rather lose him after Forte has bedded into the team rather than right this very moment

You hit a cyclist... Easy way out, if they are a keen cycling fan then they must have been on some dodgy drugs. Did you get a blood test request in to the Ambulance service? All EPO of course Oops sorry meant IMHO

Yes, all well and good but what about Egypt?

I have no idea. However I fully expect that the club's lawyers have a very good (and defendable) position. To Gemmel. I am NOT defending the club's position. All I am saying is that there are two parties who could know the reason. I am sure that EVERY poster on this forum has at least once in their life upset someone and cannot for the life of them understand why. I also accept that IS incredibly annoying and frustrating. The issue in Nick's case though IS a little bit different. In "real" life, I have found that the only way to find out is to ask contacts mutual friends and eventually sit down and talk about the problem. If I find I was wrong I apologise to their face. I sure as heck NEVER told the press about something. My ONLY thought here is that these things are always done (in "real life") outside of the glare of the media. So again. I don't know whether Nick deserves this or not. The Ombudman stated "no evidence from the club" therefore he HAS to find in favour of Nick - that's fair, but again the club MAY have had a reason for NOT providing evidence, the Ombudsman is an arbitrator in a dispute. For all we know, the position of the club may NOT be in dispute. They may believe they have a legally sound case. And again ONLY as an example, Nick MAY have breached the rules regarding use of club logos. He may NOT have. But if he DID then the club COULD have taken this stance to avoid embarrassing him further. OR they may just be nasty people. I'm on record as believing "NC is a ****, but at least he is our ****". FFS he is an Italian, for all we know Nick may have had a rant and suggested that NC wore fake Armani suits! So, I'm sorry. I did not believe George W Bush or Tony Blair I didn't believe Gordon Brown or Maggie or McMillan I am a confirmed Cynic. There is a reason. I'll judge both parties on that when I know what it was, and if Nick has been wronged I will make it my lifetime ambition to remove the evil curse from our club. If Nick's wrong then well, maybe he can enjoy Saints Player like the rest of us poor souls

Nope you miss nothing. I'm just not taking sides that is all. Should a fan be able to buy an ST? - Yes Should a club be able to have a reason NOT to sell it to a fan? - Yes COULD there be reasons why the club made that decision? - Yes (IMHO) Could there be a reason why the club chose NOt to talk to IFO? - Yes Now, that LAST one could be because of i) pig headed stubbornness or ii) corporate poilcy or iii) the fan in question did something to annoy the club Should Nick be given back his ticket? - I don't KNOW is my valid Opinion and won't be swayed by hearsay and Jolly nice chap comments. He IS allowed to attend games, but not at a "discounted bulk price" So again, as I said earlier, because we DON'T KNOW. Could it have been that he was one who did not actually fulfill his installment obligations? Could it have been because the club thought he was benefitting commercially from selling "Un-Authorised" Merchandise? Could it have been that he insulted someone? WE DON'T KNOW. When we find out I'll be happy to have an opinion on either side of the argument

Plymouth is the hub for Football in the South-West. They have a huge potential catchment area. The City is to a large extent a "Working City" not a Bompey style retirement home. They SHOULD have been a big club for decades. Anyone looking to divide soccer up "Franchise Style" would always argue for a Big Club in the South West. So WHY have they never been able to make it? Nobody bent the rules for us, nobody outside our fan base really cared or stepped up to the plate (unlike "Poor Plucky Poopey") So it is up to their fans and local businessmen (or Risdale) to save them. I hope they do get saved, but if they DO fail then the sadness is not so much for the passing of a club, but more for Why on Earth could they not fulfill all that potential. I agree with MLG, it looks very bleak for them, it did for us and we were incredibly lucky. Not sure Plymouth is a lucky City, to me it just doesn't quite have that vibe, must be the post war rebuild or just too many negative lay-lines

Well, respect again to Trousers for trying to be the balanced view. Well put arguments from Wseton, UP & Patred. I'd like to sayNick (as a fan) has been treated badly by the club, but I am also aware that (as I think Trousers pointed out) what we are seeing here is consistency from the club. There have been a number of issues and occassion where they could have put forward their point of view more succinctly and possibly even got into "arguments" but it seems their policy is to make a decision and then shut up about it. It IS very hard to criticise the club for showing a degree of consistency, especially after all we have been through, and many have put forward possible theories. But until we see both sides (which IFO say has NOT happened) I think this will stay a sealed issue. But, to venture an opinion. IF the club decided to STFU when asked by IFO then that would have been done in full awareness that the NEXT step could well be a court injunction or similar demand from the Authorities. I am willing to bet that they have taken Legal Counsel on this and know what they are doing. Again, BECAUSE this is speculation, they COULD be protecting Nick's interests by NOT commenting, maybe they aren't. But you know what? One thing is very very clear. Somehow, someway, Nick has upset the club. There is always a solution to that. It's one word and it starts with sorry. If he doesn't know what he did then .... Hmmm I'll stay in my middle ground for now.

We did. They tried to send us the post to tell us but the forum crashed

You know the real answer to your dilemna of who to choose Eric? Which one do you get a lift or taxi home from!? I'm sure both concerts after 4 or 5 pints will be fantastic. Roger Waters took 4 pints to become OK & by 6 pints was just awesome man (note only gig here that was perfect without ANY beer was Muse) Was checking the general consensus though last two evenings, would say 80% would pick Alison Moyet & Jools Hollland closely followed by Clapton and would only go to see Amy to get Brownie points from wife/GF

You know. it's amazing that so many of us on this thread have worked out that there are more than 40 matches in a season. That you need 11 players on a pitch and 7 substitutes. It's also amazing how we figured out that players can get injured, can get tired mentally and physically over a season. So, one has to ask, how come the Management at a Professional Football Club couldn't work that out? Sympathy because they have a small squad? Hahahaha, I've got more sympathy for Hosni Mubarak

Again, people keep flying into battle. So obviously you all know something as to why this is wrong? Again, nobody has actually told us WHY he cannot buy a ST. There is much blame giving and outraged indignance in positions, but why? For ALL we know of the FACTS, he could have been banned because he was one of the ST installment payers from last year who decided NOT to pay for his ST. Were any of them banned? Did some fans complain to the club about the Wembley Fiasco and the club are supporting their stance? Nick COULD put his side of the argument, but I haven't seen it in print, anyone know where it is? Any links? So, this remains a storm in a teacup, Nick enjoys (ed) talking to the media, we know that because it is very easy to i) not answer the phone when they ring or ii) to say sorry, I have no comment. or iii) which would gain back some respect to start every quote with "It is the opinion held by the Saints Trust that".... But he doesn't. But, in his defence we had a lengthy debate some time ago about who WOULD like to be the spokesperson for the fans, and none of us wanted or are qualified for that position. So, again why? So get us some facts and I'll pick up my pitchfork and cross to the Dark Side

And the reason NI was prohibited from buying a ticket in the first place was what exactly?

Note to Poopey.... Get your skates on (oops sorry) There's a whole bunch of really wealthy businessmen with very strong political contacts currently doing a runner from countries bordering the Mediterranean. They are ready to any deal possible in return for a residence permit. They can save you from Chinny. Please contact in the first instance hosnimubarak@hotmail.com or check his website anotherfinishedcrookontherunsuitableforskates.com

Great, perfect game of football that. I've listened to Pundits, read Journos and seen on here for decades that "The Mark of a good team is it's ability to grind out results when not playing well" We've had the Lord Mayors show and we've had the dustcart and the fact is that we got the results we wanted, knocked out the distracting Cup & a win in Exeter. As we used to say in Village Cricket - "Look in the Scorebook". Should we see this as a sign we will walk the rest of this league, no of course not, Tranmere showed that we still have some problems. But, the signings in the past days and lack of sales indicate quite clearly that the Management of the club have seen weaknesses and have acted to do something about it. Perhaps the one realy important point that HAS been missed is that last season a major moan was "The Lack of a Plan B". Well, last night NA switched to Plan B. It worked. So, squad weaknesses have been addressed, NA has coached the team into being able to play a Plan B, so all that we as a team and fans REALLY seem to be missing is belief. Would have LOVED to have read and shared in the emotional ups and downs of the night through the MatchDay thread but of course for the second day in a row it decided to take the p1ss. In the same way the moaners will want NA to sort out the Belief and battling issues in the team before Saturday, so should we on here expect the Admins to sort this fecking forum out before Saturday

When was the last time a debutant was MoM? And phew. Finished my call at just the right moment.

Thank God daughter called me up on Skype for a chat and I had to switch off the radio feed

OK so I have paid for subscription to Saints Player & I am listening to the fecking SKATES

Big shout out to EoA for finding the last Polska/Saints shirt in the Mega store sale. One VERY happy bunny wearing it ATM, she sends you a big hug. Atmosphere sounds as bad as at the egg chasers on Sunday in Abu Dhabi What we've got to do is get Chamberlain into the game and about 400 other things in the list says DM. Bet his HT team talks were fun you'd have needed secretaries taking notes. Basically we have to put their defence under pressure then Dave.