BTW Saint

From 2014 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/southampton-manager-search-steve-bruce-3671371

In 2014 Steve Bruce was also in the running to replace MP at St Marys, when Koeman deal was in doubt. Despite promotion he is currently unsettled at Hull with a possible change of club ownership. I have also had his name mentioned re Saints managers job from another source. Not my first choice, however worthwhile checking out the Hull message boards. Anybody else heard of rumours about Steve Bruce?

Ballboy was hanging on to the ball, however Hazard kicked him and deserved red. Chelsea out.

into last 10 Minutes

Come on Leicester- Corner

Half Time. WHU 6 attempts on goal, 4 on Target and Leicester 1 attempt and 1 on target.

At the start when walking through the prerecorded section in the changing rooms he said 15 months ago we were getting over "the sudden death of Marcus", the depature of Pardew and "hanging omninously over the play off zone", surely should have meant relegation zone! Anyway, I liked the extended coverage, would have liked more goal action, however understand the limitations of the contract. My children enjoyed seeing back stage and my daughter (6) wanted to keep rewatching the little girl having a photo taken with Nigel in the corridor. Liked the Nigel quote on the future being red and white. One for the book.

Good feature, both papers and opposing managers (as well as Clarridge) now accepting the truth. Quote from same article in Guardian: "Portsmouth have long run out of credit. Now they are straining the wells of goodwill in the game. After Barnsley beat them 2-0 at Oakwell the home manager, Keith Hill, was asked whether he had any sympathy for Pompey. "Absolutely none," he said, "because they've recruited players I couldn't afford and are paying wages I could only dream about paying. They are spending money they haven't got, so why should I have sympathy?" Agreed!!

I needed four extra and struggled to get these all together after spending 15 minutes on the phone yesterday (Sat 27th Nov). Advised just 4,000 left. Book soon to avoid disapointment.

If looking for a cheaper fee Try Argus car hire. This is another brokerage service, so random as to who will be placed with, however will offer good savings. . http://www.arguscarhire.com/?clientID=226433&source=PPC&campaignID=42980712&adGroupID=1484157282&creative=7330358202&gclid=CKvnv_KgkqkCFcJP4QodHD7FjA They also offer a much cheaper excess excess waiver through Mondial. May have a local restriction. Or you use http://www.insurance4carhire.com/ for single or annual Excess policies. Again has a restriction on using close to home, fine if you just pick up cars from Airports. Have also had good car hire deals with Enterprise by phoning local branch. If possible avoid the Airport locations as they charge a premium for these sites.

Both North and South coasts have a lovely contrast Trebah gardens and beach nr Mawnan Smith and Glendurgan (NT) next door Flushing especially for the childrens pirate ship overlooking Falmouth harbour Daymer Bay, nr Rock for the beach and Polzeath for surfing Coast path nr the old mines at St Agnes Porthcurno for the coast path over the boulders

Nice feature on Nigel in todays Guardian with some comments from Davis. Good to know the team get breakfast now. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2011/may/06/nigel-adkins-southampton-promotion Nigel Adkins puts celebrations on holdbut Southampton prepare to partyThe former S****horpe manager will guarantee his third promotion from League One on Saturday but is desperate not to tempt fate

Rochdale were up for the game and started well. Evening was bright, cold wind. Pich seemed a little rucked and some water was applied before the game. Saints seemed uneasy and casual in the first half, not firing on all cylinders, similar to some recent home performances (MK, first half). First goal, Kelvin could have done more. Dale keeper made a few good saves. Dale also had other chances. Second goal was disapointing, Saints looking for a free kick just before, break away. Two nill down. Davies possibly could have done more again. Forte on, without immediate impact required before Half time came. Second half much better although still failed to get ball forward, however could not get the break we deserved, felt midfield passes were too often wayward. Some good runs in by Lambert and Hammond. More frustrating saves and punches from Dale keeper, just felt this was'nt going to be Saints night. Found lack of running by Forte frustrating for a spell, however he came into it more later on. Being 2, up then Dale have more men behind the ball and it seemed without another idea or a lucky break that getting a goal back was not not going to happen. This is one of those games we could have Won, like Walsall away, where we played quite well however could not apply the finisihing touch. One goal back and confidence would have been restored. Lallana had a positive impact and looks fit for Saturday. Progamme was from the 19th February with printed inset for Manager and Captains comments! Good saints contingent tonight, along one side of stadium. Must have been over 1,000, with fluctating noises arising from frustration. 4 nil on aggregate is a very nasty statistic and a contrast to the previous visit to Lancashire and that 6 nil at Oldham. Lets just move on.

Saints travelled up on Monday and stayed at the Village Hotel in Bury, about 20 minutes west of Dale. They left the hotel at 17.40.

At Deepdale last night, crowd only 14,622 We should be able todo much better. NB Tickets for group bookings (minimum booking 15 guests) at 50% discount, ie only £5 per adult and £2.50 per child (plus £3 booking fee)

No expense spared then and a decent location for a few days away and a little more than just a pool to use. hopefully not to relaxed though, before tonight. Have been in Village Hotels/Holiday Inn type locations, when coming across other teams. Do most teams when visiting St Marys still use The DeVere or Mariott at Botley or other locations?

This will take a few weeks for this to resolve itself, todays Guardian is not very optimistic. However I can see a local White Knight (or consortum) coming in to support them for the rest of the season. Starting next season in League 2 though not much of an attraction for longer term investment and they will struggle for a few years. "The notice of intention to appoint Brendan Guilfoyle as administrator does give Argyle 10 working days to complete the sale, since it legally prevents creditors such as HM Revenue & Customs – whose six-figure monthly PAYE demands cannot be serviced – from issuing a winding-up order. There may be the prospect of a request for a court order permitting a further 10 days' grace. That would give Argyle between a fortnight and four weeks to secure a takeover by one of three interested parties. Yet, if it fails, Guilfoyle would face the troublesome task of raising the working capital required to permit the club to see out the season. One well-placed source said that would amount to between £2m and £3m and there is almost no prospect of that being generated from the club's own resources without the support of a white-knight investor. If Guilfoyle is called in, liquidation would logically ensue, making Argyle the first Football League club to succumb since Maidstone United in 1992 and throwing the League One competition into chaos." Source http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/21/plymouth-argyle-administration-points-deduction

Has anybody ever stayed at a Hotel where Saints team were also staying before a game? Have ended up in Hotels with Millwall, Leicester and Charlton in recent years, usually on a Monday night ahead of a Tuesday fixture, however never found the Saints. I wondered where Saints had spent last 3 nights ahead of the Hartlepool game? Do they have a favourite Hotels to use in each region or do they just use the nearest 4/5 star hotel? 4 nights away and a 300 mile drive back on Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning is along time away from familes and must have an impact on the team ahead of the Swindon game.

Late kick off South and South West now on BBC I player from about 9 mins 45 seconds for about 5 mins. Worth watching if you failed to catch last night with highlights from the Mayflower. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ycv9x/Late_Kick_Off_South_South_West_and_West_2011_Episode_4/

6 Goal Highlights now on BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9359715.stm

interestingly the Manchester Evening News has the report filed under Rugby scores! http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/rugby_league/oldham/s/1405035_oldham_0_southampton_6

(or just back at Hotel) Still can't believe we scored 6! and 6 different scorers!! Awesome display. Oldham could have got a goal back just before half time, which would have changed game, however we never gave up and kep pressing for the next goal. Glad this one was postponed and I could make a mid week fixture. Liked OXO opener and Lallana celebrations. Guly looked great and liked him coming back at the end to stop a challenge. When was the last time we scored 6 away and kept a clean sheet. Quick lets head to the bar.

So in summary current situation. If Southampton want Atkins they have to agree compensation. Atkins is being honerable and wants compensation for S****horpe, not to resign and leave compenastion until later. He wanted to say goodbye to S****horpe and not be forced to take training in Soton this morning. That would against his principles. Soton and S****horpe continue to talk terms for compensation. I agree with Atkins stance.

From S****horpe Telegraph at 16:15 today http://www.thisiss****horpe.co.uk/sport/Nigel-Adkins-installed-Southampton-weekend/article-2626577-detail/article.html "Nigel Adkins likely to be leaving S****horpe United NIGEL Adkins is finally close to being installed as Southampton's new manager. Tomorrow is expected to be the 45-year-old's final day in charge of the club. The Iron boss told a press conference this afternoon that he remains in discussions with the League One club. Adkins said he will not resign from his role at United - but hopes that the two clubs are close to agreeing a compensation package. And while he is still expected to be at Glanford Park tomorrow, he does not know where he will be come Saturday - at the Iron's game with Bristol City, or Swindon, where Southampton are in action." BBC Radio Humberside also reporting clubs still talking on compensation.

and that Gaydamark is keen to meet him. Just reading deeper on on Independent links Indpendent has published accounts summary and has links for all clubs accounts except Portsmouth (as not available0 The EPL is being brought to account by papers The debt league: How much do clubs owe? Pompey entering administration has left other fans fretting about their team's safety. Ben Chu assesses the state of financial play in the top flight http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/the-debt-league-how-much-do-clubs-owe-1912244.html Premier League finances: the latest club accounts http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-finances-the-latest-club-accounts-1904909.html