VectisSaint

As a MF so would I, but the thread is about African Centre Backs. Actually I would have Pele back as a CB, but he doesn't fit into the sterotype that the OP was portraying. I still think he was a cultured CB, more in the Claus role than the Killer role, and alongside the right partner (a big bruising CB) he would have been a top player. Trouble was our dozy coaches thought the two of them could play together...

On the other hand as we don't actually have a game to sell tickets for for nearly 2 weeks it probably is about the best time to do it (assuming for some reason it couldn't be done during the close season).

One word, Pele

Is there actually any basis for this rumour. I've seen it said on here a couple of times, and also about Pulis, just wondering where this sort of thing originated, cos I'm sure it wasn't from the OS. Would be very unusual for a club to pay for a player that they have sold, if a new team wants someone they usually have to stump up the money thats required, selling clubs are not usually known for their charitable status.

if he's cheaper than JP perhaps he should be put in charge, after all thats the only reason allegedly that JP is in charge.

Hopefully, he can make a decent pairing with Stern John or Robertson up front. Great news. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/7653539.stm Seriously though great to see he is getting back to his old self...

Sorry fella, but that is where you are completely wrong. He does have a track record of working with youth, and at a higher level than JP (this is not to knock JP who I have a lot of respect for simply a fact that so many overlook). NP has worked with every level of the England set up, up to and including u21. Cast your mind back, and it was NP who was bringing youth back into the team during his spell in charge (Baseya, McGoldrick, Lallana, Gillett and Poke all made contributions), depsite the fact that he was battling to avoid the drop with the legacy that Burley (and Gorman/Dodd) had left us. I would have agreed if you had said he didn't have much experience in the League of managing a team, but to knock his youth credentials is just plain nonsense, thats why he would have ben ideal in our current situation. In any case, he seems to be doing quite well this season as well, as far as I can see, certainly better than the pillock before him.

What good can they do in training? They can train to defend corners against our forwards. Our forwards don't know how to attack a corner, and so our defence probably look good on the training ground against our forwards

Killer not in squad, but would have been silly to change the team much anyway. I'll stick with my prediction of 1-1, and will be happy if we get that. Anything else has to be a bonus.

Ah, at last, back to the point, it would be helpful if the OS told us about his injury status. If he is injured still then tell us, if he is recovered then why not say so. To just leave him out of the report is bloody daft. As is the idea of continuing to pay players without actually even attempting to make use of them, if indeed that is happening. Thomas may well not be highly thought of, but we will not get shot of him if he is not used in some form, and we cannot use him in an emergency if he is not fit/match fit - if he is not injured then at least play him in the reserves, then perhaps we could loan him out if we could find a willing taker.

Yes it does, I suggest you read it again... Svensson in full training and aiming to be available for selection this weekend Spiderman felt discomfort in his hamstring... Holmes is on the long-term injury list blah blah blah

Still strikes me that there is something odd about the Pulis and Gasmi signings, they don't seem to exist as far as the Club is concerned.

If that was the case why would Pulis appear (without number) on our squad list? As for Gasmi, it was 5 weeks ago he signed (deadline day deal) and was said to be recuperating from his broken foot, would have thought he was close to recovery now, his non-appearance in the squad list, and lack of mention in the injury stakes is strange to say the least. The case of Thomas is also odd, trying to deny he exists while also trying to move him on, would seem better to keep him in the shop window in the hope of attracting interest from elsewhere.

FA Cup final – a horribly one-sided final in favour of Arsenal Funny, my memory isn't what it used to be, but I don't recall the Final being "horribly one-sided", I thought we lost 1-0. May have been horribly one-sided if Henry hadn't done us a favour and enabled Claus to stay on the pitch. Also glad to see that The Verve are now amongst our supporters, and have attended our last 2 games.

The injury update on the OS curiously does not mention Thomas, Pulis or Gasmi. Pulis doesn't even seem to have been given a squad number yet, and Gasmi does not even seem to have made it into the squad. Do these last 2 players actually exist? http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=10689

So we're being taken over by a South African consortium headed up by Manfred Mann. Hmm, interesting Would that also involve the return of Paul Jones? Apologies to younger viewers who may not know who Manfred Mann is...

Sounds like a hard hat, some steel-capped boots, and a stab vest might be useful as well as a box. I guess the Reading idiots are accurate with their kicks if you think just a box is sufficient.

Not much info on his web site, but it would seem he is well on th mend which is great news: http://www.mickchannon.tv/news.php#384

May be a reason, but is not acceptable. Presumably someone who is banned is a "no brainer".

How often did she play Centre Forward? Not surprised she didn't sleep at night, must have been something to do with her conscience.

We still have a Dutch coach though...

5000 over 10 home games, seems about right

I would say Nick Holmes and Dave Peach would be 2 of the strongest contenders for unsung hero in my time supporting Saints.

I think they will have to give Pulis a squad number before he can be selected. I reckon that will be about Christmas time as we cannot currently afford new numbers.

Funny old game really, the same Boaz Myhill who picked the ball out of the net 4 times at SMS last season...