VectisSaint

Ottery, while I know that you are closer to Exeter than me, I think you will find that contrary to your remarks Perryman is very much involved in the selection of players and is also very much on an equal footing with Tisdale, indeed Tisdal has said before that Perryman is his mentor. I work with several Exeter supporters and know how much of an influence Perryman actually is at the club. It is one reason why I have never jumped on the Tisdale for Saints manager bandwagon. There is no inference anywhere by the way that Reed is planning to coach the first team, unless on an occassional basis (and why wouldn't we take advantage of his skills, he is after all one of the most respected coaches in this country). If you seriously think Reed will be heavily involved on match days, then why is it not happening right now, when we don't have a manager? As far as I can see the team is being run on matchdays by Wilkins and Hunter. I think you are simply mischief-making.

Don't know of any fixtures, but losing place in the Premier Reserve League is no big deal. There are at least 5 clubs (Spurs, Fulham, Birmingham, Blackpool and Stoke) who are not taking part this year because of the poor quality, and have gone the same way as us. Even Arsenal threatened to withdraw but were persuaded to stay in this season. Reserve team football is currently a total joke in this country, as it is just not competitive. It needs a radical shake-up, which I believe is on the cards. Also, I don't think many of our players are left high and dry on a Saturday, with the introduction of 7 Subs (really bad idea in my opinion), we are currently struggling to even name a full squad for a first team game (due to injuries and suspension). Most of our other players would be involved in the Academy, there can only be a couple of others who are not involved, Pulis comes to mind if he is still employed. My suspicion is that we will not see many fixtures announced for the development squad, but that does not mean that games will not take place during the season. Expect some behind closed doors games against the likes of Spurs and Fulham will take place as well as some games in Europe. Incidentally, just reading about Arsenal Reserves, they will be playing most reserve fixtures this season behind closed dorrs because spectators are not allowed in their home ground which this season is their training centre (Colney), but will play some fixtures at Barnet when the weather is favourable!! Just shows that playing reserve team football does not have any real competitive edge, and certainly does not prepare players for Premier league football other than giving them a run out to gain fitness.

Standard set up on the continent. Only in this country do we have arrogant managers who can't work like this and want to do everything. Even here there are models, Chelski for instance don't seem to do too badly. Exeter work like this as well if you want a League One example (Tisdale and Perryman). This is the same system that Lowe tried to introduce, trouble was he tried it with Saggy Chops and a Rugby Coach, now that was just plain stupid (though the Rugby coach should have been good for the club, just not with Saggy Chops). While Reed may be part of the reason why AP has gone (because Reed joined much later, and also because of their history with Charlton), I don't see an issue if Reed is part of the selection process and the new manager (or 1st team coach) is appointed with this system in place. If the manager is continental he may indeed welcome such a structure and expect it to be as such. Sadly I would agree that O'Neill is hardly likely to be enamoured with it. Dismissing Reed as useless simply because his management career lasted exactly 6 weeks is just plain daft. He is not a manager, never has been, never will be, but he is one of the most highly respected coaches, especially on the development side in this country, and internationally renowned. As ong as Reed and the new manager get along, work together and understand the roles, all wii be fine.

Quite frankly I had never heard of Adkins until last few days. Seems a hell of a gamble to me, may have got Scunny promoted twice, both times on a shoestring, but also had them relegated and a survival by the skin of their teeth. No experience working with "star" players, no consistent winning experience in the league above us. Can't see it and will be underwhelmed. Still maybe he could teach Davis a few things about goalkeeping given his playing experience (such as not always hoofing it to Rickie). Seems like the sort of appointment that might well get us promoted, followed by a swift sacking as soon as he struggles in a higher division. Can anyone really see this guy managing us in the Prem? Sorry, no offence to the bloke who sounds perfectly good at this level, but hardly what we need right now.

Any facts to back up this assertion? If you mean when he took over as manager of Charlton then you are so deluded. Yes he was crap at that job, but then he has never planned to be a manager. Check out the facts and you will see that even when Pardew took over after Reed's brief spell in charge he could not turn things around and Charlton were relegated. This doesn't mean Reed is wanting at the top level. He is one of the most highly respected coaches in England and internationally (coach, not manager please note). He has not been applying for managers jobs or coaching jobs for years because he was running his own very suucessful consultancy firm, why would he want to give that up for the risks and uncertainties of a club job. Clearly the SFC role did appeal and he has taken it on. Designing the UEFA Pro Licence is not and never has been his crowning glory. Like Nigel Pearson he has been involved at many levels of England coaching, indeed he is one up on NP because he has coached at EVERY level, whereas NP has only got as far as U21 so far. This is a man used to working with kids, young players and top international stars. Dismiss him as useless only if you know nothing about football. That said, the Charlton affair may explain if AP and Les Reed do not get on I guess.

What a load of tosh Doesn't want o know about our history - hello, why do we have a 125 anniversary shirt, no sponsor, historic notes in the programme No time or respect for ex-players/managers - says who? Probably has no respect for ones that talk out of their arse like Dennis, about things they know nothing about, sorry even Le Tiss talks horse **** sometimes. Who are the ex-managers? Lawrie, well much as I like him he does upset some people and can be a miserable old git like me. Who else? Saggy Chops? Burley? Deserve no respect. Agents Orange? Likewise. WGS? Who knows, has there been an issue with WGS, about the only recnt manager that still has my respect. Dictatorial attitude will put managers off taking the job: What a load of absolute ******. Managers, good and bad will not be put off applying, or taking the job, all managers are thick skinned and know that their job is short term only, and that they are God's gift to football. Some might not be offered the job, but no-one will be put off applying. I've been associated with Saints for nearly 45 years, I don't see any less respect for our history right now than in the previous 10 years, NC won't lose me, because I remain loyal to the Club, not influenced by some passing phase.

So why aren't the other 91 clubs in the League paying the price as well? Some have taken a lot more of the devils dirty money than we have. What tosh.

I cannot believe I just spent nearly 5 minutes reading this thread. Thats 5 minutes of my life gone, I cannot get it back, gone forever. Wasted.

I wonder if he played hockey or whether it means ice hockey. I realise field hockey is big in Germany, but so is ice hockey. Have to say ML looked more like an ice hockey man, but who knows.

Crawley.

Completely one-dimensional with no Plan B. Strange where have I heard that before. O'Neill is the right man for me, and I really don't think its pie in the sky. Problem would be when Fergie retires or Capello packs in, would he be off? Where has this Adkins story come from? I even had to look up who he was? Assume this is the Scunny manager, long successful record with Scunny and Bangor City, WTF!!!

Danny Wilson was seen in Southampton on Tuesday.

Did anyone seriously suggest that we were OK for strikers? It was blindingly obvious to all that we needed a backup for RL and there were many posts saying so, I don't recall many disagreeing. Now we have 2 fit strikers, and no-one on the bench as cover. It looks like Butts is being lined up to play up front, presumably with Harding playing LB and Dickson (or Mills) at RB. It is shocking to have only 3 signed strikers, it doesn't matter how good they are.

Newfooty, one for us that remember pre-Subbuteo I quite like the idea of a Michael Bentine Mad Mad World set up. or maybe just use those magnetic discs and a coaching clip-board. Quite honestly most of the ideas so far have been far more interesting than a photo would have been.

All the speculation about Pardew's sacking seems to focus on AP himself, and perhaps something he did. I don't have a clue what is or is not the case. But what about Wally Downes and Stuart Murdoch? How were they involved. I can understand them leaving as AP was sacked (since they were staff that he brought in), but why would they be sacked as well? Wilkins was also brought in by AP, but didn't leave and wasn't sacked. I'm coming round to the idea that the timing was bad but that something must have happened involving AP that warranted instant dismissal, after all AP has said nothing, if he was completely innocent I have no doubt that he would have come out and said something to the press, can't se he could be gagged if dismissed on the spot. Anyway, whats done is done, sad to see someone go who I quite liked, but managers are like buses, just hope the next one is along very soon and is someone of high calibre (excludes Hart, Brown, Coleman and Ericsson)

How can you tell that all the other nationals are ignoring us? I don't recall the last time I saw any reports, and certainly not pictures in any national newspaper about Saints, other than the JPT, unless it is a regional variation issue. Most papers don't print anything more than 1 line about any team outside the top 2 divisions, even the Championship is hardly worthy of a mention in most. I don't think the nationals are boycotting Swindon, The Gas, Rochdale, Hartlepool etc. The Sun is actually printing more about us than all of the others would normally put together. Then again even the Sun's coverage is only really reporting what is in the Swindon Adver - Subbuteo pics made the front page banner today. This will only really be an issue if/when we get back to the Prem, and after last night that looks a dim and distant prospect.

Actually, there are adverts in it. More to the point, the player line-ups and player sponsors pages are included, which was the point of my original post on this subject. So the bull**** fed when the adverts were omitted from the first online programme has proved to be just that, bull****. Couldn't give a flying **** about the adverts, but factual information that is a integral part of the matchday programme should be included in full.

AP basically saying there is now no chance of getting Antonio. The penny has dropped at Reading that they have a player on their hands.

Has it stopped working or is it just because its half-time?

Almost Zero, about the same as last season (unless there are regional variations). The only time we would have made nationals last season would have been the JPT Final.

AP talks about bringing at least another one before Saturday in the context of "adding to the goal scoring prowess". I suggest therefore he is almost certainly talking about a striker, assuming its not another attacking midfielder. I suspect he is looking to back up RL. Use of the term "at least" suggests more than one is possible.

Whilst following (a) could leave us with a squad of mediocrity, you do know that, right? What AP is doing is what most clubs with money do, most big deals are done within the last day or two of the transfer window. On top of that for the League the loan window is also available, once the PL clubs have named their 25 man squads, new dimension to transfer this year. Anyway, we have signed Guly so thats one step nearer haveing the squad we need (1 down, 3 to go, Backup for RL, pacy wide MF and possibly CB if Jaidi is as bad as he looked on Saturday) .

Maybe thats why we have employed a corporate marketing guy who starts officially at the end of August. Perimeter hoardings didn't look much different to me, boxes are a different matter, but who wants to take their business colleagues along to see Leyton Orient?

If he has the 11 shirt, does that mean he will be playing CB as replacement for Killer? I know nothing about this guy, never heard of him before yesterday, but on the face of it this sounds like a hell of a coup.

Assume you are joking, did you forget the smiley, winky thing?