revolution saint

Ah well that's a different topic entirely and to be fair I chucked that comment in at the end as a joke. With my username it's hardly surprising which side of that debate I'd fall into. However to answer your question it's not really about money for me and never has been. I notice most republicans always bring up money as a counter argument to something that is inherently undemocratic. So, personally I don't really see the need to replace them with anything. I don't think we need them or a replacement for them. If one was proposed then I'd judge it on it's merits but if it was democratic and accountable then that's far better than the current situation. I find the idea of a heriditary head of state to be frankly ridiculous but that's just my opinion - been round the block on this debate and realise opinions are unlikely to be changed. Thanks for asking though and apologies for going off topic.

Hmmm, maybe I'm missing the point but does Salmon want a shared currency, or just a separate currency called the pound? I honestly don't really care what they would call it but surely from their point of view a shared currency would mean they really wouldn't be independant? They certainly wouldn't have control over interest rates anyway and practically I can't see it working. I'd also take issue with him when he says it's as much Scotlands currency as it is Englands - I thought it was the United Kingdom currency which is the very thing they want to leave. At any rate I fully expect a vote to stay in the Union because apart from a patriotic tug-at-the heartstrings / braveheart style appeal the SNP don't seem to have many convincing arguments. Hopefully it'll be the end of Salmon and devolution talk for at least a while as well. If they do split I hope they take the monarchy with them though - they can have that part of the union free of charge......

Bit difficult to say who is better, or worse than the players we've lost until you see them play competively for us.

Good post and agree with all of this. Some people seem to be hailing Pelle and Tadic as being successes before they've even played competitively for us and too early for that. What we're doing is selling proven premiership players and replacing them with unproven ones. No matter how you look at it, it's a gamble and not all of them will work out. In fact I'd be surprised if half of them did. Add to this an unproven manager outside of Holland, learning the league and it doesn't look good at all. We won't even have the stability that the promoted clubs will have (and that played a large part in our success last season). Oh well.

To be fair you seem to be saying the players were gullible enough to believe that, and yet ordinary fans should be more savvy. I imagine the reality is that the players probably never really thought CL football at Saints was possible - and they are all leaving because they have better options. Unfortunate timing though. Ultimately players will make the best decision for them - there doesn't need to be a scapegoat whether that's NC, KL or LR. The only thing you can say is that some players under contract you can hold on to - you don't have to sell every single player you get a bid for. Chambers is a particular case in point - there is absolutely no reason to sell him.

To be fair, Samuel isn't a journalist now - he's a columnist paid to give an opinion. A rent-a-gob if you like. Of course that's not exclusive to him - it's true for any columnist and part of their remit is to spark debate or controversy; if he were the "voice of reason" he'd probably produce quite dull articles. The thing about columnists is they have nothing to recommend them except an opinion and who wants that? You can get that here, or anywhere, if you really want to know an opinion other than yours. I'm not really bothered about his opinion and it's only valid if you want to pay attention to it. Bit like pundits doing a post match analysis - if you've seen the game then you know everything about it. There are some good ones out there but generally they're a bit pointless. Anyway, this is my opinion - I'd probably ignore it though.

To be honest grammar is a humble refuge for an argument against the content. I'm sure the lounge will provide many opportunities to vent your spleen against journalism though.

I thought Wickham did quite well when he came on against us at SMS last season - as long as the price is right then not a bad signing and probably as much chance of being a success as Pelle. Mind you I'd still like to see Ings sign as well.

Wow, just how big are your rose tinted glasses? It must be strawberry fields forever wherever you look. Joking aside you're right when you say we'll just have to wait and see because no-one aside from Nostradumus can predict the future (and he was patchy at best). But (always a but eh?) here's where we currently stand: Lost our best premiership manager Lost our captain and England International Lost our leading goalscorer and England International Lost our bright young thing and England International Have an unsettled and want-to-leave best central defender Have an unsettled and wants-to-leave best midfielder None of those statements can be refuted, and none of them make you a better team. I'm not blaming the board, Les Reed or anyone for this situation - just pointing out that we are currently much weaker than we were at the end of last season. Common sense innit? So, to get better we need to sign players (not always easy) and make sure they're better but cheaper. Well, good luck on doing that. Our recent big transfer record is more miss than hit and the task of overseeing their integration will be an untested manager in this division (and if you were being unkind a failure outside of Holland). If you look at how we managed to do so well last season then it was based on a settled side and players used to playing together - we haven't lost it completely but we have lost an important part of that. Our best players with the exception of Lovren and Boruc were ones who had been here a while and benefited from that - we really haven't done that well at bringing new players in and getting them to perform - yet you seem to be suggesting that it's possible we could be better? Yep, possible but then so is the chance Harry Redknapp will avoid a cliche. So I guess we will wait and see - I hope you're right and we do manage to get everything right. History and logic suggests we won't though. I imagine this will be seen as a "bedwetter" type post but whatever - the fact that I don't see this summer so far as being in any way positive for saints won't affect my support for them.

I think if the game is played at walking pace then you're probably right - he could be our best player. Unfortunately for him it isn't.

I don't believe anyone would be even talking about Ramirez if he'd been bought from a championship team for a few mill - I think his pricetag and alleged ability is clouding thoughts. I'm not going to hide behind the usual excuse, "the lad is clearly quality but just needs to adapt" - I'm saying he is actually pretty poor. I didn't hear many moans when he didn't play and neither did I hear many plaudits when he did. How many chances does this lad need when he's barely shown anything to justify it? Frankly if he's going to get another chance then he'll need to get better and get better quickly - I don't buy this "played out of position" or "style doesn't suit him" comments. Good players adapt. If he can force his way into Koeman's team then great but I doubt he will. I predict a return to Italy at a cut price for him.

I think you may be taking things too seriously.

And I didn't say there were. I said that it's possible that some of the players we'd like to sign might only become available after the futures of WC players have been decided. A bit like the chain when you move house. Didn't think it was that difficult a concept to grasp.....

Probably but not out of the question. Other deals could be dependent on what WC players do though - Player X will only be sold if player Y currently in the WC signs etc. I'd imagine the whole merry go round will start in earnest once the WC is over.

Hmmm, I'm merely pointing out that he really isn't all that bad unless you want to pretend he had the same affection for the club as you do. Personally I think he did pretty well for the club. As for handling the situation better - are your feelings really that precious? Would you like a tissue?

Some of you need to get a life, or at least calm down. None of you know what went on behind the scenes whatever you may think. Just like you all like positive stories in the paper and slag off the ones you don't like you are all too willing to take it out on a player who gave sterling service to us (and that is not in doubt) because he had the audacity to leave us and (sob) never even said thanks. What a t0sser eh? Get a grip lads you're in danger of looking like spurned teenage boys crying as you masturbate into a sock. He could have left the club when it was on it's knees and didn't. He could have left when we were on the brink of promotion to the premier league and didn't. If he's ambitious then now was the right time and probably his last opportunity to move. Can't say I'm happy about it but it's sadly understandable. I suppose only the really gullible can have a legitimate right to feel *that* aggrieved - fair play if you believed the badge kissing and all that but it's really just a tired old routine. Just like Koeman respects the history of the club, just like our new signings will all talk about signing as soon as they heard we were interested in them. It's all guff. Personally I'd have liked him to stay but I can understand why he hasn't. I can't really comment on what else has gone on because I don't know - none of us do.

I really don't get this almost unbridled optimism amongst some people. We've sold our best players and look likely to sell Lovren and Schneiderlin - selling your best players doesn't make you better. Money in the bank doesn't make you better. Our ability to attract top players is not enhanced by selling our best players. So far there is nothing to suggest optimism except blind hope. The managerial appointment is a gamble (as is any new player or manager) and there's no guarantee of success. He might turn out to be great or he might not - it's 50/50 for me and although he's been good in Holland that's about it. Let's hope he is. Any new players we sign will be an equal gamble - for those who blame the Osvaldo signing on Pochetinno then remember that an untried manager in Koeman *****ried as in the premier league and for us) will be probably doing the exact same thing. If he's not then we'll still be relying on the team that brought us Yoshida, Ramirez and Mayuka. Of course they might get another Lovren but don't expect all the signings to be like that. It's not easy to replace quality players - there are not a whole host of players better who want to come to us (and if there were they would probably skip us completely and sign for CL clubs). Although this may seem an overly negative post it's not intended that way - just to point out that the likelihood is next season will be tough. I'm not arguing that player sales could have been prevented either - unfortunately we got caught with a good group who all felt it best to leave at the same time. Maybe we could have been stronger but it's a moot point - they've gone and I don't necessarily blame the board. In fact I don't really blame them for much except raising expectations a bit too much (and they have to do that to sell tickets). So I guess it's really fan expectation I'm criticising here - there isn't a european Lallana waiting on every street corner, Koeman will do very well to be as good as Pochetinno but even if he is he faces a much sterner test than MP did. Our recent success has been built on stability not signings and with the exception of Lovren it's those players who have been here a while that have given us that success. Having a big bank balance and willing to spend it will not replicate that (IMO) - naturally you can feel free to argue any of these points but I'd challenge you to find any club in a major european league that sells ALL it's best players, changes it's manager and appoints someone unused to the country and league and equals it's success in their first season. Hopefully we don't end up too near the relegation area but it's a distinct possibility and to pretend otherwise is naive.

Well I expect a struggle. It's OK having money to spend but that's only because we've sold that amount of quality so if we raise 90M then we'd need a 90M outlay just to stand still. Add in the fact that last season MP benefitted from the fact that the team had a stable base and were used to the style and playing with each other - in some ways buying an almost complete new team puts us in a worse situation than we first got promoted. So, we'll have a new team getting used to each other and the league, and a new manager doing the same - it's not exactly a blueprint for a successful season. The other thing is that we'll be unlikely to replace the players who leave with the same or better quality - I know Les has said that's going to be the case but then he would say that. Realistically we'll be buying from the next rung down and hoping they come off and best case scenario is they perform as well as their predecessors which is a big ask to expect that of all the new signings. Hopefully they do but it's unlikely. Really hope I'm wrong but looking dispassionately at the situation I'd say the likelihood would be that we'll spend the majority of the season involved around the lower end of the table - which will make things even harder for the new team.

Actually that's a really good idea. Would re-invigorate the league in the same way the play offs have done for the football league divisions. Doubt it would happen as the big clubs would be the ones to potentially lose out and UEFA wouldn't like it. Losing finalists could then get the Europa League spot as well.

Would be happy with Ings - scores goals, young, point to prove and a bit of pace as well. Burnley fans think he's a better striker than Rodriguez. I'd rather make signings like this than take an expensive punt on more proven players that probably don't want to be here. In any case I reckon we'd need another two strikers even if we do sign Ings.

Ha ha, I love it when people lose an argument and then say "it's just a joke". I don't think science tells people what to think - it offers proof and is open to questioning. Religion on the other hand..... Anyway, you'll be pleased to note my 3 posts for the day are up so to summarise - GSTQ is a rubbish anthem whether you believe in either a monarchy or a christian god, monarchy and hereditary rule is logically indefensible, and god probably doesn't exist.

Do you dress up in skirts and call yourself Mavis?

Nice to see a healthy dose of republicanism running through this thread. Personally can't stand GSTQ for reasons already expressed and always either turn the sound down on the TV or if at an event then sit down (did this at the cup final in '03 - didn't notice anyone else doing it but what the hell).

OK, read a few fairly recently so here's my thoughts An Officer and a Spy - Robert Harris. Really enjoyed this one. I'd tried his book on Cicero but gave up - I'll give it another go now though. This book really interested me and I've always found French history exciting. I knew a bit about the Dreyfuss affair as I'm a fan of Zola but Harris does a terrific job of turning a story of great injustice into a modern parable. It stands up in its own right as well. My only slight criticism is that after a great build up the ending seemed a little protracted and lacked a bit of momentum but that's a minor point and thoroughly recommended. Live by Night - Dennis Lehane. I've enjoyed lots of lehane books like Mystic River and when he's at the top of his game then the books are unputdownable. This one tells the tale of a small time crook who makes it as a gangster during the prohibition era in America. Apparently it's to be made into a film and it'll probably be a good one along the goodfellas line. As a novel I thought it fairly good but suffered because it centered too much around the life of one character and the events around him became the other characters. Good read about an exciting era but not his best by a long way. The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion. Don't normally read these types of books but it had good reviews and fancied something lighter. This is a tale of an obviously (obviously except to him) autistic lecturer in Australia who embarks on finding a wife because it is proven to increase longevity. Of course the girl of his dreams doesn't fit any of his carefully prepared criteria and that's a struggle for him. It's a good, fun little book and funny. Maybe overdoes the autistic angle - surely not all autistic people can be like rainman but if you ignore that then it's pretty entertaining. The Thicket - Joe R Lansdale. Think True Grit meets the Coen brothers. I don't like westerns much but this was brilliant, funny and gripping. Early 20th Century and a 17 year old boy searches out the kidnappers of his sister in East Texas. He ends up accompanied by a midget, a hog and it's grave digging negro "owner", and a prostitute with a heart of gold. There's tension, violence and humour along the way as the unlikely band track down the sister in a hornets nest of outlaws. Really recommend this one. Lansdale does many different styles and all well, after this I read a short story of his called The Drive In which is a terrific homage to classic B movie horror films. I am Pilgrim - This had had some terrific reviews and was bought on the back of these. Apparently it's Bond meets Bourne in a modern spy setting. It's not though. It's total rubbish and awful. The writing was so bad it made me feel dirty. Avoid. Mr Mercedes - Stephen King. Retired cop tracks down homicidal lunatic in a race against time. King goes for standard thriller here - no ghosts or supernatural stuff but doesn't suffer for it. It's not his best but perfectly readable and enjoyable. Forget any of the comments about hard boiled crime because it's not that but if you want an exciting standard detective story told with a bit of style then you won't go far wrong.

Can't say I'm overly excited about any of the potential candidates so far. That's probably more to do with selling RL and likely LS and AL as well. Anyone coming in will probably have a fairly big job on their hands. I guess if I had to pick one candidate it would be Ronald de Boer based on nothing but gut feeling. Is he out of the running now though? No one seems to be talking much about him. Hopefully whoever comes in will continue the same pressing style we've got used to - makes us a bit more distinctive.