trousers

simon bucknall ‏@theuniversalsi @pn_neil_allen This better not be an April Fools gag Neil. Neil Allen ‏@pn_neil_allen @theuniversalsi @Aled No it's not an April Fool's joke - can't imagine anyone would find that amusing!! NagoyaPompey ‏@Nagoyapompey7 @pn_neil_allen is it April 1st by any chance? Neil Allen ‏@pn_neil_allen @Nagoyapompey7 Would never be that cruel!!! Nick Arnold ‏@nickybobarnold @alex_crook @pn_neil_allen it's 01/04/14 Neil Allen ‏@pn_neil_allen @nickybobarnold @alex_crook May be so - but this is no joke!!! Surely even Mr Allen can't be daft enough to not realise that you don't carry on with an April Fool's joke once someone has questioned it...?

We might just have to throw the game at the weekend now...

Or it could be an April Fools 'joke' of course... Hard to tell the difference between reality and comedy in Pompeyland...

Which no doubt Pompey will give straight back to the tax payer who paid for Johnson in the first place...

@pn_neil_allen: #Pompey are tight lipped - but I understand there IS a clause from Glen Johnson sale that entitles club to about £1m if Liverpool win title.

Ah OK... The OP said it was on the OS..? I could still be half asleep of course...

^This Anyone else remember the days before social meeja when April Fools 'jokes' used to be cleverly thought out and mildly amusing? (Bah humbug) That said, last year's 'Rickie picked for New Zealand' one was worth a chortle.

[video=youtube_share;twvUw44-iz8]

Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport Had feedback from football finance expert - a senior lecturer in economics- who thinks #saintsfc figures show they're a solid well-run club Trousers ‏@Lord_Trousers @bigadamsport Perhaps the BBC website headline should be changed to "Southampton are well run club" in that case...?

Heart says to go for same starting 11 as vs Newcastle. Head says to swap JWP for Morgan.

What next? The Pope giving a presentation on birth control options?

Found this report from the Guardian (published this time last year based on 2012 figures)... http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/18/premier-league-finances-club-by-club

Just listened to that. My gut feel is that there is more to be optimistic about than pessimistic about in today's statement.

From the horses' mouths... BBC Solent Sport ‏@solentsport EXCLUSIVE #saintsfc financial results. CEO Gareth Rogers and director Hans Hofstetter talk to @biga... https://audioboo.fm/boos/2033417-exclusive-saintsfc-financial-results-ceo-gareth-rogers-and-director-hans-hofstetter-talk-to-bigadamsport … via @audioboo

Bite potential rating = 9.3/10

Some stats for comparison.... (albeit from this time last year)... http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/18/premier-league-finances-club-by-club

Is that referring to bringing in new players?

Quality thread

@SouthamptonFC: Financial results for the year ended 30th June 2013: http://t.co/3V4UgpxUEX #saintsfc http://t.co/6wJn7sPJzn m.twitter.com/SouthamptonFC Total revenue increased 213% to £71.8m (2012: £22.9m) with average league attendances up from 26,427 to 30,807 Broadcasting income grew from £5.6m in 2011/12 to £46.9m in 2012/13 Matchday income of £11.8m in 2011/12 has risen to £16.9m in 2012/13 Commercial income increased from £4.8m in 2011/12 to £6.7m in 2012/13 Profit before player trading increased to £8.7m but with an overall net loss of £7.1m. Player trading included a one-off exceptional cost of a £2.1m impairment charge to write off the carrying value of certain players The loss before interest and tax has reduced to £6.6m (2012: £11.9m loss) Club wage to turnover ratio reduced to 65% (2012:102% after the removal of exceptional bonuses) Total group wages, including player wages, increased to £47.1m in 2013 from £28.7m in 2012 At 30 June 2013 (balance sheet date) there were £21m of committed transfer fees still to be paid and since this date a further £27m of player transfers were negotiated (in the 2013/14 season). Whilst £21m has been paid in this current season, £27m will still be owed from 30 June 2014, with £22m of this being due in 2014/15 alone A £5.6m loan was taken out with Vibrac in September 2012 to enable the Club to take advantage of a lower transfer instalment payment by paying earlier, and so reduce overall cash outflows and liabilities Expenditure on the total training ground project now anticipated to exceed £30m. The first phase of the build is expected to open this summer Further investment from the shareholder in the year was £12.5m, with another £2.2m in September 2013 bringing the total investment since acquisition to achieve promotion to the Barclays Premier League to £52.7m. £37.9m of this has been converted into equity shares in the year bringing net liabilities down to £1.6m from £32.4m in 2012

Man City 1 Saints 2 First game on MotD COYR!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2592830/Classy-Adam-Lallana-good-Barcelonaa-trio-Xavi-Andres-Iniesta-Cesc-Fabregas-insists-Mauricio-Pochettino.html http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/southamptons-england-world-cup-cert-3302971 http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/30/southampton-newcastle-united-premier-league-matchreport?CMP=twt_gu http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/southampton/10733035/Southampton-captain-Adam-Lallana-has-the-skills-of-an-Iniesta-Xavi-or-Fabregas-says-Mauricio-Pochettino.html

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/30032014-luke-shaw-post-newcastle-united-home-1456159.aspx @SouthamptonFC: Shaw: "We've got a lot of young players in the team that will get older, get more experienced and improve as players." #saintsfc @SouthamptonFC: Shaw on #SaintsFC's production line: "It is not just me, Prowsey and Calum coming through - there are plenty more. It is not going to stop." @SouthamptonFC: Shaw on #SaintsFC's youngsters: "We're all starting to get to know each other's games and we're only going to get better."