VectisSaint

Can't believe some people, we have Connolly and Barnard up front, two of the best strikers in this division. We also probably have best GK in this division, I would accept that MF does not look great on paper today, bu the 4 starters are all decent players, perhaps just not all together.

OK, so the evidence you have is that Nick says so. Must be true then As I've said elsewhere, no-one on here knows anything for sure, but are willing to believe every word that is alleged by NI, who has an agenda, while berating NC & SFC. Personally as I have no facts make no judgements whatsover, but my gut feel is that there is more to this than meets the eye.

How do you know that? Not saying you are wrong, just fascinated to know how you know.

You are leaping to conclusions. Nowhere is there a single mention that he has been banned from St Marys. In fact there is nothing to say his season ticket renewal was rejected, read the original post, only that moneys were allegedly refunded (if they were ever taken in the first place).

Do we even know what you allege are facts? From the original post "Shortly after the season ticket deadline I noticed that my money had been refunded by the club". This does not say his renewal has been rejected, it could for other reasons, was his money actually taken initially, did he fill in his renewal form correctly, did his application miss the deadline, who knows? And who knows whether his emails and phone calls have been ignored, perhaps they have not even been sent. It does all seem a little strange, but some people seem to be more than willing to treat every word uttered by Illingsworth as fact, while having no eveidence, and every word uttered in defence of SFC or NC as lies, untruths or the work of Satan. Get a grip, NI is an outspoken critic of SFC, he puts himself in the spotlight and should not be surprised if he makes enemies and is not welcome at St Marys. I doubt that he would be refused a ticket if he tried to buy one for a match, unless he has been made the subject of a banning order, and in any case he could presumably get one of his mates (?) to buy one on his behalf. This is a non-story about a self-publicist who enjoys the limelight and is upset when the tables are turned on him. I wish him no ill-will (I really wouldn't know him from Adam, although vaguely recall his lame interviews on TV) but really he reaps what he sows.

Typo, should have been shorts of course.

Actually we originally ditched the diagonal stripe (4 seasons) for quarters, later for halves and only in 1896 for stripes. Incidenatlly until 1950 we wore blue shorts (or knickers as they were called) and blue stockings. So if we should stick to "tradition" would you have been happy to see us running out with blue shorts and socks, probably not, but for 50+ years that was Saints. Personally I like the diagonal stripe, my preference would have been the other way if I'm honest and being picky, and I think we missed a trick by not having a diagonal stripe on the away kit as well. I will however be perfectly happy to go back to something more akin to what we are used to next season. Will be nice to not have a sponsor though. By the way, for anyone who does not remember it, the Golden Jubilee souvenir programme is still online: http://www.jarvis-psv.me.uk/04_sport/04_saints/Golden-Jubilee/index.html I look forward to seeing AP in bowler hat at first home game in keeping with tradition.

Maybe I missed something but I thought the protest march was organised by a nipper on Facebook. Was I wrong and in fact the Saints Mistrust organised it? I know I'm getting old and the memory is not what they say it used to be (can't recall personally).

22, perhaps he was missed initially but he's there now Good to see the swaps so that our RB is 2 and our LB is 3 at least some people understand proper numbering in football. But surprised at Dickson being given 5 unless he fancies being a CB.

Two things from this completely pointless thread: (1) The interpretation of AP's comment as about as obtuse as could possibly be. It is fundamentally clear that AP was saying that he is OK to start the season with the squad we currently have, but that we will need more (and while the transfer window is open that is not an issue). As for anyone who "bricks it" based on an interview with a football manager, then seriously you need to take a look at yourself and grow up (unless you are only 10 years old of course) (2) Alpine admits he " doesn't know". That must be a first.

Hope NC pulls this off. It would be a great Italian Job to Get Carter.

Thank feck you are not running the club. Lets just spunk all our money on whoever is available now and potentially miss better options that may come along in the next 5 weeks. We aren't desparate for players, we already have the best 1st XI in the League, we need a few additions to give us some strength in depth, there is no need to buy right now, no need to panic. Not everyone is available, you can't just go to a club and say we want X, here's our money job done. It only works like that in games that 5 year olds play on games consoles (I assume you are a bit more than 5, but then again I've been wrong before). This is the real world of football, there are 91 other clubs in this country alone competing for the best players, we don't have some God-given right to buy who we want, it is often a long-drawn out affair, with bluff and counter-bluff.

How on earth can you come to such a daft conclusion. Last season we had a 10 point deduction, a dispirited demoralised team, curtailed preseason and need to bring in lots of new players, added to the fact that by most measures we were in the strongest Division 3 for many years, maybe ever, with 7 or 8 outstanding teams (and 16 mediocre/poor ones). The League is considerably weaker this season, we already have 10 points more than we did last season, we have the same 1st team as were the best team in the last part of last season, we have a settled management team and we have 5 weeks to go before the transfer season closes, we also have 3 good players added to last season (admittedly we have lost 2) plus we have a fit DC. Yet somehow you think we have a lesser chance than last season. Sometimes you talk a lot of sense. Other times you remind me of the press officer for Ferrari.

Always lots of little, niggling injuries at this stage of the season. The only ones I would be concerned about at the moment are Richardson and Lallana. We have adequate cover for Richardson (Butters), Adam is a bit harder to replace. Running round on rock-hard pitches after 6-8 weeks off plays havoc on any footballers. Think it as David Moyes yesterday dismiising concerns about pre-season injuries, in general don't worry.

Exactly. I see Man City have also said Bridge is for sale. Now I'm not stupid enough to suggest that Bridger would come back, but here is good example to illustrate the position. We pitched in early and bought Dickson, now Bridge is available. Is Dickson still the best out there, no, but we have more than enough LBs so we won't bid for Bridge now. AP is being very sensible. He knows he can buy quality, but wants the chance of buying the best quality, rather than make-dos. Some other posters here would rather get in now and buy adequate rather than top class. Plain stupid when we don't need to show our hand and also have a perfectly good 1st XI with which to start the season. It is 5 weeks until the transfer window closes.

August

There are players currently available and some of them would be OK, and we could get them here, but as pre-season progresses and clubs assess their squads and who they want to keep other, possibly better players may become available. If we have already pitched in and bought from the current pool we would then be kicking ourselves because we would not then be in a position to get the better player. Simples. Makes perfect sense, we have perfectly good team to start the season with, we need some strengthening and we will do that when the full extent of availability of players is known in a couple of weeks or so, we aren't going to go out and buy now just for the sake of it and because the "fans" expect us to.

Peru copied Saints

1-1 Lambert Free Kick

Mad thread, next we'll be hearing that we've signed the current European Footballer of the Year, you couldn't make it up.

Unfortunately its now been hijacked by a fish-fiddler, doesn't even know how to use a spell checker. "Benjamin Mwaruwari (born 13 August 1978), known as Benjani, is a Zimbabwean footballer, who currently is negotiating a move to Southampton as he's heard about this so-called "League One" and wants to know what it's like to play for a mediocre side in that division. He also has a rare condition which means he's addicted to losing 4-1 to teams playing in blue that are based only 17 miles away from the club he plays for and felt this would be the perfect opportunity to continue to feed that addiction. He also said he can't wait to get to grips with the local Stalions as he always wanted one back in Zimbabwe"

Did he always applaud the fans after the match? I think you maybe getting mixed up with David Prutton.

No, you are absolutely right, few of us have seen him play, and all the managers that he has "worked" under, not just AP, clearly are keeping his abilities under wraps until the time is exactly right when he can be unveiled as the new Maradonna and sold to Barcelona for 50m. There is a reason why we haven't seen him play, and that is because all the professional managers who actually determine these things have all come to the same conclusion, that the lad is not good enough. Even his old man failed to play him, its only his Mum that still believes he can make it, oh and Rupert lowe.

Not sure we want Beckham, but suppose he could be a slightly useful addition to the squad, backup for Pulis perhaps. I think we could do better.

You married a season ticket...