macca155

Bloody hell this Morocco side is good, I wonder how long they can play at this pace. No wonder Brazil struggled. As for Scotland ...... desperate

I agree very similar to Mara in that respect. Bottom line though is that he was out of his depth and needs a loan somewhere equivalent to L1 or L2. However we've plenty of youngsters who are ready for that sort of loan. I just can't see a future for him. Considering the money paid for him and the goals Ballard is scoring, a bollock was dropped there.

There are never any easy games at the World Cup. Considering our record in the World Cup (NZ / Costa Rica), a result is all that is required. Great take from Che Adams for the goal. Nervous 30 minutes I think

He's 29 and needs a decent contract, can't blame him for that. Saints know all about his medical issues, so I suspect weren't prepared to take the risk. Which frankly is the sensible decision. It's a shame and good luck to him, but I can't see him playing a full season elsewhere. He'll have golden periods but injury will hit sooner or later. I'm sure they'll be interest in Scotland. Saints need to replace him with someone a little more robust.

What's the point in a reduction, just be adding another barrier to promotion. After the seasons we've had recently, I want to see last season's form continued. Reducing income isn't going to help. I think a 5% increase is a bit strong, but something below that is to be expected really. Just add in a cup game as an extra, if they want a gimmick. The debate for me is whether to continue my 36 year old season ticket. I seem to miss more games these days for various reasons. Perhaps it matters less now and maybe a membership is more cost effective. In fairness I have the same debate every year, but it doesn't last long 😀 No need to break with tradition. I just don't think I can be added with the admin involved with getting tickets.

You're probably right, football is a hard business, and the move has turned out well for Dom. Just speculation from me really. Good luck to him in his career, it could have easily been over.

Normally I'd agree but I said all this before he was sold. Having seen him play a number of times, he's a real goal machine. Not unlike Steve Moran in some ways, just has impeccable timing. Just so obvious that he could have been our back up striker. Would have allowed us to cash in on Archer. Saints put all the effort into developing him, and mending him, and then let him go.

Ship has sailed sadly, he needed game time and Saints weren't prepared to guarantee that. He's hot property now, and will end up at another Championship club as a starter. Really feels like a major error letting him go

The club are clearly trying to tough it out and keep Tonda. That's going to be hard to do and the FA may yet force their hand Fair enough go for it, if that's who we are now, then so be it. However they need to ensure they take the fans with them, as we'll be the ones taking the flak every sodding game. So far they haven't made any effort on that front. If that really is their strategy, then they better make sure they continue to invest in the squad, and maintain last season's form. That more than anything will settle things down. It's just shite though isn't it.

Now hold on , those of us of a tartan persuasion fully intend partying on. It probably won't be a long party, but it's taken us a while to get there. So sod Trump, don't let him ruin the beautiful game.

Good posts from @Fitzhugh Fella, and I'd concur the more heat that can be taken out of this situation the better. However fans will want someone to pay for this shit show. Tonda is getting support as most recognise his worth to us. Few will know of Parson's worth, but that's the deal with senior management. It doesn't hurt to remind us. Go on holiday by all means, but take your bloody phone and stay ahead of this fiasco, at the very least. Just a few settling statements is all that is needed. It's the silence that is annoying.

The question is not do we want to keep him, but will we be allowed to keep him. Or rather engineer a situation where he can be kept on. I'm less bothered about potentially losing out on the PL. We'd probably stink it out again anyway, but obviously the money is important. I'm majorly bothered about the reputational damage to the club. Normally that's a sacking offence right there. However Tonda enabled and unbelievable run, and we've not seen that since the early 80s. Just feels like an act of self harm to let him go. I'm totally conflicted so I'm just glad I'm not making the decision. Wish they'd get on with it though.

Bound to be a lot of unrest amongst the players at the moment, but moving clubs mid contract needs a lot of dominoes to fall. Those that can go will, but one looks at the contracts page tells you the Saints squad remains pretty formidable. GK Roeslev, Wood, Stephens, Quarshie, Manning, Wellington Fellows, Azaz, Charles, Bragg, Archer, BBD, Edozie, Robinson, Oyekunle Add in some decent U21s like O'Brien Whitmarsh, and Barney Williams, Saints are hardly down to their bare bones. Some glaring gaps though, a goalkeeper obviously, a THB replacement, and a CF. However signing Stewart (he owes us) will help. There is hope but a manager is needed asap.

That is an excellent read, and really nails the main cultural issue at the club. I fear that we are going to see more of the same. They seem incapable of learning.

That's a good point, I've envisaged a series of relatively calm crisis meetings with players, lawyers, and sponsors. In reality they are probably all running around blaming each other, and waiting for Dragon.

They'll have to break their silence soon. An email on season tickets must be on hold at the moment, and financially that can't wait much longer. Nevertheless I don't think we should be too impatient. Probably sensible to let the whole playoff saga quieten down a bit. I'd rather they took their time and make the right decision. Problem is I don't trust them one bit.

They're not questioning it, they are looking past it. Like it or not we'll never appoint another manager with his success rate. Any serious contenders will give Saints a wide berth. All down to the FA and the players. Nobody gives a toss what we think anyway. Bunker mentality from the club is doing my head in.

I can't envisage a scenario where we keep Tonda, but I wouldn't object if we do. The whole spying fiasco shouldn't detract from the fantastic job he did. His ability to galvanise and motivate players, tactical acumen, and let's face it ice cold shithousery, probably presents our best opportunity for success next year. As FF says, who gives a fuck about what the football world think. They aren't exactly positive at the moment. All depends on what the FA do and whether the players are prepared to accept him.

Totally agree we need experience in key positions . However without a thriving youth set up we really would be screwed. Look back the transfer fees that kept us going these past few years. Just find a sensible balance. Crucially they need a name as manager. Plenty around and despite our current woes they'll fancy their chances. Dyche, O'Neil, Solskjar, Parker, maybe even good old Ralph Players come and go, we've all seen it many times. Edozie sensibly sees an opportunity, as will Bragg, and Okunola. Get some experience in and they'll prosper. For me the scandalous treatment of the fans and entitled behaviour, needs to be addressed. I still don't think they get it, but they will when season ticket holders switch to memberships.

There is the nub of it. I'm 60 years supporting Saints, as did my father, and grandfather. Support stretching back to before Saints joined the league. That torch has been passed to my children, and grandchildren. It will be the same story for most on here. That is how support is built for clubs like Saints. Loyalty and a family bond that keeps you going. Success is rarely expected (or achieved), but we have a way closer connection to the club, and each other, than the corporate big six. Exactly the same as pretty much every other club. We're all hurting right now. SR have put a massive dent in that support. Things will calm down eventually, but the owners need to get their act together and fast.

10 to 14 days are they having a laugh

Losing a clearly talented manager is another blow, but clearly inevitable. It's a harsh punishment but Saints put themselves there. The club's response has been dreadful, they've shafted their own fans and players. Early door sackings to appease the vultures at the gate. Then they need to take their time and make some decent appointments for once. There are are a lot of decent youngsters still on the books, so it's a good opportunity to bring them on. Add in some grizzled experienced pros, and above all else a manager like Dyche or Lampard who can rebuild us.

The players must be devastated. They gave everything as did the fans. Most will want out now but the club will play hardball I suspect, unless they can get a decent price. Can't wait to be asked to buy a season ticket. I think I'll put the club on Ignore for a while. They've had enough out of me for a while.

As the noise increased over the last week, I began to feel that it was inevitable that we'd be chucked out. Admitted to 4 counts but I bet those were the ones there was evidence for, and they couldn't avoid. Judging by the results it was a pointless activity, but that's irrelevant, guilty beyond that charged. We'll be known for this for many years. What really pisses me off is that the club has hung it's own fans and players out to dry. They knew they were guilty and yet they still let the charade continue, and continued to stoke the fire. We all have to face the music now, .... my phone's melting. This is every Pompey fans wet dream. They'll be facing a fair bit of fury from the fans over this. Going to be a shit summer football wise.

What the hell is that statement, ridiculous. The rest of the football world will just laugh at them. They lost an (extended) game of football. Clearly no material advantage to Saints, whatever skulduggery we were involved in. They are losing all dignity doing this. They've gone very high on my list now.