Saint Mikey

I've read both these. Brilliant Orange is a cracking read. Jonathon Wilson's books have a very academic feel, but they are rigorously researched. If you enjoy that one, get Behind the Iron Curtain (some quite simply unbelievable allegations and revelations about what some teams get up to in Eastern Europe - make Pompey look like amateur cheats!). Also, The Anatomy of England, which details why we are so gash at the National game in 10 featured matches. I would also say that Steaming In by Colin Ward is an absolute must read. A real insight into the behaviour and psyche of the fan in the 70's/80's. Spawned a load of 'yob' books like Hoolifan, but isn't like the rest. Doesn't go on about how 'hard' he is and is more a 'bystander'. By far the best footy book I've read and I've read a few! If you want a real insight into a normal Pro footballer's life, then Left Foot Foward by Garry Nelson is also a very very good read. Is playing for Charlton at the time and towards the end of his career. Gives you a different opinion on pros (well some anyway!). Want to mix it up? Then definitely read the Damned Utd by David Peace, about 1,000 times better than the film. Which, I thought was well acted, but insipid and toothless compared to the book, which is frankly, dynamite!

Yeah, I mean we might actually save more lives here. FFS, what is this world coming to?

LOLz. It's the hope that'll kill 'em...

I saw those plain La Coste polos for £65 in John Lewis. Best off checking there...All a bit 'footy thug' though, isn't it?

Carried some around in a briefcase once. Regards, Lord Melbury

It was in fact, U16! But have a moan without the facts anyway...

Mine is an increase of about 42%, but...I think last season was a bargain really. £328 made it £14 a game. How much is it to watch Eastleigh these days? £11? This season it'll be about £20 a game, which is still reasonable for C'ship footy.

I agree with your points. But, looking at this one. I think that these 'criminal gangs' will just move in to something else. They'll start people-smuggling, prostitution and exploiting children. What's worse?

I'm not really sure what to make of this takeover, to begin with (like other posters) I was beginning to think that they're managing to get out of the hole they're in. Then there's this....why don't they want to speak to anyone? What have they got to hide? Surely they want to tell the fanbase all their grand plans? There's something not quite right. When you look at how quickly our takeover happened and even one's like Chelsea and Man City. There was a strong rumour, then bang - done deal. Then players started arriving very quickly too. I guess we'll start seeing how serious they are, when they start signing players - they need a few!

We're never going to get that amount up front. Practically all transfer fees are paid over 2/3 years these days.

That's the interview I remember, thought it was a lot longer ago than that...

Nah. It wasn't him, he'd never be able to give up beer and smokes for a year!

Does anyone remember some joker who reckoned he could become a Pro-Footballer in a Year, given a particular training and diet regime? It was on the Local News and they even had some footage of him and interviewed Matty about it. He was mid-20's and pony, Matt was very gracious when asked about his chances, which were clearly nil. Anyone know what happened to him? From memory, it must have been about 5 years ago.

I can only suspect that, the brigade behind the notion of, 'cash in and build the squad', don't go to many games and haven't seen much of the lad 'in the flesh'. I, like most people, go to games to be entertained. AOC is a quality, entertaining winger, that there are very few of and he's only 17... Eventually, due to the size of the club, we will always lose our best players eventually if they do become that good. We all should be used to that! However, I would like to see the home grown youngsters that have established themselves in the first team, stay a little longer than a season. The amount of time we managed to see both Bale and Walcott was extremely disappointing, and is another reason why I was delighted to see Lallana sign another deal. There's no dilemma here. We need to try and kepp him at all costs, whether we can or not, remains to be seen.

Racist. I don't actually really cares who wins, I would like to see a good game though and no diving, surrounding refs etc.

All fine and well, but I've been to a fair few weddings in the last 5 years and you can tell the stuff that's been nicked from the t'internet. I even heard the same (but adjusted) gags at different weddings. Come up with your own gags - racism and sexism are good places to start...

I concur with all the other posts - actually listen to what he said! He doesn't say anything wrong, soundbiteville...

I agree, but I listen to this show as a Podcast where I think it actually works a lot better than a TV show. I agree that Brian Woolnough is a c*ck, but they do have some very good journos like Henry Winter and Patrick Barclay. The Guardian Podcast is still the best thing about, regardless...

Agreed. Also, due to the current state of the economy, isn't advertising down generally?

Hammill had a consistently good season and a half for Barnsley, hence why he got a move to Wolves. I know he was frustrating when he was here, but he has developed into a better player. You've just listed a load of strikers. Although I agree that they aren't brilliant players, apart from Wellbeck, who I think can be very decent. Overall, I agree though. Lallana has only done what he's done in Lge 1, which will probably prevent from being in the final squad. Despite IMO being good enough.

Decent piece. Looking at the squad, Albrighton, Hammill and Sinclair are all ahead of him, but other than that who else is an option on the wing? Considering Lallana gives an option on both. Rose? Is all left-peg, I think? An awful lot of CM's in there. England U21 provisional squad: Frank Fielding (Blackburn), Scott Loach (Watford), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Alex McCarthy (Reading), Joe Bennett (Middlesbrough), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Blackburn), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Ben Mee (Manchester City), Kyle Naughton (Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), James Tomkins (West Ham), Kieran Trippier (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Jack Cork (Chelsea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jay Spearing (Liverpool) Adam Hammill (Wolves), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Jonny Howson (Leeds), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Andrew Carroll (Liverpool), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Gary Hooper (Celtic), Jay Rodriguez (Burnley), Freddie Sears (West Ham), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), James Vaughan (Everton), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Connor Wickham (Ipswich).

Anyone on here, playing at St Mary's on Sat?

Also, as I said before - due to UEFA's new Financial Fair Play policy, we wouldn't be able to do an Abramovich or Sheikh Mansour, if we wanted to compete in Europe.

No comparison. I'm willing to bet ALL attendances were down 15 years ago.

If you think about it rationally, without rose-tinted glasses. We are not a big enough club to continually finish top 4 in the Prem. We would need massive investment every year to finish 4th, we couldn't do it on our income generation alone. Well, we have wealthy owners I hear you cry. What about UEFA's new fairness policy then? I think it is an impossible dream, and we should be over the moon if we ever get up and have the sort of success Stoke, Bolton and Fulham have had the last few years. Even Everton are a much bigger club than us and struggle financially. FFS.