VectisSaint

try looking at the stats again taking into account the assistant manager and you will get a better perspective on his abilities. We made the play-offs because Burley was ably assisted by one of the best assistant managers in the game. Once he had left (and before he joined) the true ability of Mr Burley was evident for all to see. We ended up with one of the most demoralised and unfit squad of players that it was possible to have. I had a lot of time for Burley before he joined us, did very well at Ipswich, but it was clear that he was not the same man when he joined us, and has demonstrated his total lack of ability now with Scotland, thank goodness they did not realise the truth until after they had given us a pay off

Strictly speaking "would have been of school age" would be more accurate. Chances of them having actually been at school are very very small.

Evidently its on the cards, Scottish Courage don't need it. I lived in Reading 78/79 when the old brewery was still operating and casting its aroma over the town.

Don't understand why some people think Pompey won't exist in 3 weeks. They may be in admin, but I seem to remember that didn't stop us existing. Even if (and its a big if) HMRC are successful with their winding-up order, Pompey will at least appeal. They will exist in 3 weeks time, they may be in admin and minus 9 points but there is zero chance that we will get a bye. They may also have their transfer embargo lifeted this week. I know I'm not the only one, but really I would rather have not got Pompey this season. If we get beat can you imagine the stick we will get, and whether you like it or not they can still beat us comfortably as they did yesterday against Sunderland.

As I said on another thread I think we will get Leeds/Spuds Got to be said that this is looking like one of those years when someone will get to the SF/Finals who are not expected. Mind you history would say SF would be as far as we could go, L3 teams have been that far before, in 1976 for instance I seem to recall a certain L3 team beaten by a L2 team who went on to win it.

Hope nobody mentions before the interview that the Courage brewery is likely to be closed this year, GB may be attracted by the environs at Reading

Clearly you answered your own question there. So neither Seaborne or Jon had "standout" games against Millwall. FFS man, it was their first game, playing in a changed back row, quite honestly what were you actually expecting? Seems clear to me that Seaborne is for the future. Jon is also our only fit specialist RB, I think Pardew realises that Murty is unlikely to figure regularly again. Jaidi and Perry are in the twilight of their respective careers and don't seem to be able to play twice a week. Thomas is not in favour, likely to be on his way within the week I would imagine, yesterday's goal notwithstanding. You could tell from AP's interview that he was quite shocked by Thomas' performance, referring to him not showing such ability on the training ground. Not clear why James came into this discussion, as clearly he is a CM, AP has been trying hard to get him back into his preferred position. Still it gave the James bashers some more ammo, luckily I think like most that AP is more skilled at picking good players than some if not all on this forum. James will turn out to be a very good player for us, given a preseason working on his speed, and if he could find a decent hairdresser. So, options seem to be: RB: Jon and Murty (James in emergency) CB: Fonte, Jaidi and Seaborne (Perry in emergency short term) LB: Harding and Mills Thomas and Lancashire surplus to requirements.

Not sure whether you think the Iranian leader or Keane was one of the best British midfielders, but Ahmadinejad is about as British as Keano Actually if you listen to Keanos interview on the BBC what he actually said was "didn't deserve to win and probably didn't deserve to lose either", which probably (based on not being there myself) was just about fair (allowing also for Keane being biased as you would expect). Even Pardew admitted we were outclassed in MF yesterday. I agree Keane is knob, but there are plenty of things that could be used to beat him, but his match assessment yesterday was really quite balanced IMHO.

We have so many players and yet we will struggle in the next 2 games in midfield. Clealry where we are now short. Hammond and Spiderman out, AP admits Wotton can't play 2 in a week, played yesterday so presumably won't play Tuesday. Looks like the MF signing tomorrow will be very important. We need to take 6 points from our next 2 league games, yet we don't really have a central midfield other than James and Gillett!!

I have a feeling we will get Leeds (or Spuds) or possibly Reading. Don't know why. Did I detect a wry smile from Coppell last night when they were (briefly) talking about us, just wonder if he is lined up for the Sporting Director role at the end of the season. Really hope we don't get Pompey, anyone really wishing for us to be drawn to play at their **** ground must be mental. All that means is aggro and a chance for the small-minded people to pose as thugs, what we don't need right now is a game marred by violence. I also don't wish to contribute anything financially to them. Can you imagine if we lost and then they went out of business? We'd never hear the end of it from the club that would rise from the ashes. And as for that tosser Westwood, last night syaing "the PL will miss us, because we are real fans" - what planet is that guy on? Planet Ugly I guess.

We have such a huge squad it really should not be a problem, we could field 2 completely different sides, including 7 subs, and still have 4 players left who wouldn't get a game (Pulis would be one presumably).

You're listening to the wrong game

Must be smallest crowd ever

He's here and available, so having him on the bench makes sense as we don#t have many options at the moment. Being cup-tied at this stage in the season is not really a factor for any team likely to take him.

Subs include Gillett and Saga, as well as Harding, Bart, Lancashire, Antonio and Papa. No sign of Connolly then, must still be injured.

Why do they have Forecast on the bench? Also Fonte is cup-tied so also unlikely to be on the bench. As you say, spot on by the Grauniad as usual, not. Still at least they spelled Seaborne correctly.

Saw that earlier, bloody good job too, getting down to St Marys for 7pm was a joke.

Depends when the replay would be, could mean that Spiderman's suspension could include the replay rather than a league game. Also that Hammond would miss less league matches. Maybe that a replay could be a blessing in disguise.

Thank you for providing a potted history of each of the players mentioned, I am so thankful to learn such information. Doesn't change what I said in response to your original groundless remark, money talks and players (most) will go where the money is. If Mr Scotland is different then good luck to him, but I bet if we offered him the right deal he would be tempted. Wigan don't pay big money, I agree we probably wouldn't land Gerrard (well Steven anyway) but there are run of the mill prem players who would still be prepared to drop down to further their careers. And who's to say we will not be only one level down within 5 months?

Why not? Connolly has, and David Healy is reportedly keen to rejoin Leeds. If the money is reasonable many players will play at whatever level that money takes them, and many see Saints (or Leeds) as a decent place to go at present. Ask Fonte about dropping down as well, doesn't seem to have any qualms about it.

We could offer more if they will take Pulis as well

Goo dresult, but could have been better, we should have been at least 2 up by half-time. Ref was terribly inconsistent, but unfortunately got Morgan's sending off spot on, straight red for pushing in the face. Of course the MK bloke should have gone as well, but there can be no complaints about Spiderman. Ref missed the penalty shout, I thought there was another handball missed as well. Thought Fonte looked absolute class, what a signing he should turn out to be. The game seemed a bit pedestrian to me, was the pitch really heavy or something, difficult to tell on the TV. Was urprsied how their players got away with murder (Gleeson was it, the red faced little *****, got away with all sorts all night). Funny really that I thought we out-niggled an Ince team, really got to them in the 1st half, great closing down, never let them settle. Still we nearly threw it away. Same old Saints - looking forward to the 2nd leg, got tickets today, just hope we can get down there for 7pm kick-off, what a ****ing stupid time to start a football match on a weekday.

Community Service orders I imagine

Maybe it will happen, but unless the transfer embargo is lifted I think they will at least still be going down...

Seems quite clear to me, Pardew and O'Driscoll have not been involved, but Cortese made an enquiry to the Donny Chief Exec (or whatever his title is) to make an enquiry about Stock. Donny CE told him he would cost £x, Cortese said thanks, but no thanks, told Pardew and that was that. This goes on all the time, its not unusual, its how negotiations start. No formal bid was made, neither manager was involved directly because it didn't get that far. The only question is who leaked the story, because clearly someone did. I would suggest Stock's agent would be a likely candidate.