VectisSaint

I think he uses sign language :-)

I know this is meant in a light-hearted way, but how would you propose that Barny stays and helps out in the cup competitions? That would mean playing 1 or perhaps 2 competitive matches this side of Christmas (3rd Round of FA Cup is in January). Paying someone on good money to do nothing for 4 months is a nonsense. He doesn't need to play in the development/u21 squad, everyone knows what Barney is capable of, and in the end it is clear that NA does not consider him to be in his plans. Harsh but fair. Saints will be looking to sell him, or if that doesn't work loan him out with an option to buy.

That might be true, but Steve Davis is not a bellowing Northern Irishman. He is quite softly spoken (I refer you to SaintsPlayer if you have not heard him).

A loan with an option to buy. If Sharpe were not that much better then NA would acquire someone else, not replace him with Barnard, it actually wouldn't surprise me if we see another new striker yet, although I'm chuffed with what we have, is Hooper definitely a no-go now? In any case Sharpe is miles ahead of Barnard.

I think some are still not quite grasping the squad situation or the fact that he did not go to training camp in France. He won't be named in the 25-man squad, so he won't be able to play, except in cup matches or development squad games. He is also not 5th choice, Guly would be ahead of him as well, so at least 6th choice. He was left behind for a reason and will be shipped out one way or the other by September. I seriously doubt we will see him in a Saints shirt again, unless its in the dev/u21 squad. Forgot that De Ridder and Lens can also play striker, so guess that would put him 8th.

Slightly different though. Pardew wanted an outfield player as match day captain, we had almost completely changed the team and almost all the new signings were captains of their former clubs. We don't have a completely new team this season, indeed I could easily foresee a situation where all 11 starters against Man City would be players who were here last season, in fact I rather suspect this will be the case. Not saying that Jay Rod, Clyne and Davis won't play significant part in the season but at the moment at least that is the extent of the signings that will seriously impact the 1st team, with due respect to Gazza, hardly a new team. Still, we'll see, won't we. In my own opinion I would be more inclined to give the captaincy to Morgan.

The problem now is that it is much more difficult to work your way back into the managers plans. Once the squad is name in the first week in September that is it until January (unless you name less than 25). Even then you can only come into the squad if someone else is "dropped", so the question then would become who would you like to see dropped for Barnard to get back in, Lambert, Sharp, Rodriquez or Chung (because that is the reality)? I would hope none get a serious season-long injury. The other scenario is that Barnard sticks around and we get relegated (another scenario I hope not to see), even then would he get back in? Nope. Lets face facts, Barnard, together with Forte and Dickson are surplus to requirements and will I am sure not be around come the end of August, either due to transfer or at least a loan.

Seriously doubt it to be honest. You don't just parachute a new captain in, would be quite a kick in the teeth for some current players. Maybe Hammo won't be skipper but I bet it will be someone who has been with the club for a year or two min.

I think it may be this week, but would not really mean much until the end of the transfer window. Although squad numbers have to be confirmed, the squad itself does not have to be named until 1st week in September, so changes are allowed during that time. If Punch is alloacted a number all that we will know is that that number will either be with Punch or will be unused for rest of season (may be until end December, not sure). What may be interesting is if Punch is given a low number (1-18), rather than 42 or something high, now that might give us a clue.

In the case of Punch, I suspect he is on the fringe of NA's plans. In other words unless someone better comes along and assuming he gave a decent account of himself in France (which he appears to have done) NA will persevere with him, or may at least use him as a makeweight in a transfer. But if an opportunity to bring someone better were to arise Punch would find himself out of the squad. Different situation to Barnard, Forte & Dickson who will not figure under any circumstances, whose positions are already adequately covered in the squad and who will be set down from the bus as soon as a suitable alternative bus route is identified.

Unless we draw a lot of games of course. I am expecting somewhere about 12th. I hope we don't do so well that we qualify for Europe in any way, its a curse for newly promoted teams.

For English transfers the money is paid to the FA, who then deal with any sell-on clauses etc. Money does not change hands directly between 2 clubs. Not sure if there is equivalent for "international" transfers as in this case.

Think its bull as well, unless the Team GB Olympic team is there for some reason.

Who? (already mentioned)

Not bad that we can name 2 complete teams that both look quite good and still have De Ridder, Cork, Chung, Davis & Clyne not even involved. Yet we should still be looking f or 2 or 3 more players (GK, CB & MF). Not to mention that Barnard, Forte & Dickson have been left behind presumably as they are surplus to requirements.

Recently, Poke, Wright, Blayney, Bevan. Further back since I've been following Saints, Forsyth, Martin, Turner, Gurr, MacLaren, Davie, Middleton, Montgomery, Wells, Gennoe, Sperring, Kite, Granger, Nixon, Burridge, Andrews, Moss, Flahavan

Sorry Art, but cannot see why it would benefit our youngsters to play in the Scottish 3rd Division, we may as well loan them to Sholing, Totton or Salisbury. I assume that part of the deal was to reduce Davis' pay to allow us to pay compensation (not saying the whole800k, but at least a part of it), hence the addition of a 4th year to his contract to compensate. Seems like a bit of common all round. At least what we pay Rangers will presumably go to some of the creditors of the old club.

Forte, Dickson &Barnard are not with the squad, I think that answers 3 questions. Seems like Stephens has been converted to CB, so maybe only 1 more CB to come.

Rudi Skacel?

If Gazza is anywhere near as good as Butland has appeared so far then KD will have to watch out. MAYBE WE. Ould habe Butland and Gazza.

Getting some complimentary remarks about his assured, confident play from the tators.

I feel very very sorry for... Gillingham. I have mates who support them, no-one deserves this.

I always like the way incompetent companies blame inanimate objects for their screw ups.

Silly, Skates can't write

Seems that we are all getting the 3 mails, tried to find out from my online account what scheme currently on but there is no useful information at all. I just have this feeling that I will be billed 3 times.