edprice1984

As someone who voted Conservative at every election from 2002 until the last two (European and GE in 2019 - and then voted Lib Dems as I wasn't voting for Corbyn's Labour policies) I believe the best thing for the country right now would be a strong, centrist opposition with a charismatic leader and clear policies. We currently have a weak sort of centrist opposition who have been unable to form any sort of policy, led by someone who is just a bit 'meh'. He should have the balls to tell the Momentum, Corbynistas to fuck off with their Sixth Form Policy debates (£15 per hour minimum wage; Who can have a cervix etc) and actually understand that the only way to get rid of the current clowns is to actually be a realistic government in waiting (like Blair in 1997). The £15 per hour min. wage is so unbelievably bonkers that even people who I know are full on supporters of Corbyn have said they think its lunacy. I have one former school mate who tried to argue that it would mean no-one would have to be on benefits etc - I then had to explain what inflation was and how this would only lead to increased automation and a sudden jump in unemployment; which if you get rid of benefits means people are even more fucked than before.

Went along with my 9 year old daughter yesterday (we live in Gloucester, so it was only 20 mins up the road). Really impressed by the quality of play by Saints. Cheltenham were very direct and caught Saints out on the break. Poor positioning from the GK for the first goal and partially at fault for the second too. The number 8 (Williams) for Saints was outstanding and controlled the game. Didn't create a huge amount in the first half but dominated, second half was one way traffic apart from the freekick and consolation goal at the end. Could have been another 3 or 4 for Saints to be honest. Really enjoyable and my Daughter loved talking to some of the players at the end of the game too.

Difficult to judge as it’s age group but that is an impressive performance

How old is Doyle?

It highlights even more than ever the importance of a good academy system too.

Covid isn't a Flu virus. That is a basic fact. They are similar in some of their symptoms and that they are respiratory illnesses, but they are genetically different. The reason why Flu deaths have virtually disappeared is because the majority of people in the UK were either in some sort of lockdown, while a large proportion of the vulnerable people who would normally have died from flu (ie, elderly, people with severe underlying conditions etc) either had already died from COVID or were isolating/shielding. Yes, more people have died and will die from smoking related illnesses; or from alcohol and its effects. I also don't necessarily disagree that it is bizarre that Governments haven't banned smoking for example, but your sarcastic remark about the taxation benefits from cigarettes and tobacco aren't actually that far from the mark.

3rd shirt arrived today as a Birthday present. Bloody fantastic - best kit (IMHO) we have ever had, with the possible exception of the 2010 Sash with no sponsor. Like the look of the training kit too - might get some around Xmas when they discount some of it.

I remember going to watch England play Belarus at Wembley in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. The fat moron in front of me started to boo the Belarussian anthem and was in no uncertain terms told by a number of people around him to shut up. Now of course, he could have had legitimate concerns about the ongoing human rights abuses by their President and the general aura of repression in Belarus - but on balance I think he was just a knuckle dragging moron.

Oh my....that is spectacular!

I agree. Or at least make them available to buy when you announce the kit! One thing I would say is that it is amazing to think that £55 for a football shirt is seen as 'good value' these days too!

Calling it now - I reckon the third (Black kit) is going to be the 'Denmark style' one. If it is, I just hope that the awful sponsor plays along and goes black too.* *We all know they won't

Really like it. Mirrors the shirt we got to Cardiff Cup Final in, lots of really nice touches and with a 76 inspired Yellow shirt on the way this may end up being a rare season where I buy two shirts.

Hmmmm. It does appear that they may not be on as secure a financial footing as some would have had us believe. Basically up a certain creek without a paddle. You have to think someone in the Championship is going to come in for Ronan Curtis (I know he's shit, but he's still better than a lot of the crap out there). Other than that I suppose Marquis would be a decent signing for a mid table Championship side. With the teams in League One next season I can see them being mid-table at best.

Went to school with him. He played one game and then went off to Mansfield. Similar age to Michael Owen and was part of England Schoolboys at the same time. Lived down the road from me and known as a bit of a knob locally. Not really a surprise.

I really like our crest/badge. There is nothing else like it out there and it is very distinctive. Most of the concept designs basically incorporate bits of the current badge but overall the result is quite poor. Leave alone and concentrate on the stuff on the pitch.

Look closely at the picture on twitter and its clearly been photoshopped. However if it is similar to this I would be happy. Looks like the 1989 kit.

Fan engagement is always going to be higher with smaller clubs - they have fewer fans and can target their messages to a smaller more devoted audience. It is a pointless survey.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned... https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/southampton-chasing-west-bromwich-albion-5375482 Done very well at Cheltenham who have got form in getting good young English GK's on loan over the years.

Apologies for the rambling thoughts below. Just a few initial ideas on how Governments and FA's can meaningfully target the clubs concerned: The only way to really target the ESL and the owners is through monetary means and targeting the players. Bans from Internationals and all other domestic competitions. Windfall taxes, extra Image Rights taxation or additional rate taxation on all salaries earned (not just over the current threshold) when playing for these clubs. The current Broadcasters to sue and reclaim revenues from the clubs - Governments could even freeze assets if they wanted to. I suspect the 14 other Premier League clubs will threaten expulsion while the FA will ban all the players from representing England for example.

Although their form and position in the table probably would have been just cause, apparently the reason (A WEEK BEFORE A CUP FINAL!!) was that he refused to take the players out to train in protest at the proposed ESL. Mourinho for all his dickish behaviour over the years I think is a decent bloke at heart and understands what football is and who it is really for. Fair play for sticking with his principles.

Keita is too big a name and has too big a reputation for Saints. Not even worth talking about that as a possibility. Rico Henry would be an excellent signing and I actually would prefer him over Brandon Williams. (If we could get both though, WOW!) Not sure what the finances of the Turkish clubs is like currently, but Lemina seemed to enjoy his time at Galatasaray and I do think they valued him - maybe a route for him at the end of the season? Hoedt - god knows, I think Lazio are unlikely to try and sign him on a permanent deal. Balogun in, with Long and Obafemi going - provided we kept Ings - to rotate with Adams, Walcott and Nlundulu. That would be decent. However, all this depends on what funds we have (if any) and whether there is a takeover (unlikely).

Two year deal would make perfect sense. It does appear he is willing to take a wage cut and unlikely to block any kids coming through. Offers an option out wide and through the middle.

Agreed. Not being able to go on a foreign holiday is probably not going to be the straw that breaks the camels back; mainly because of the total sh*tshow that is the European vaccine rollout. The big challenge will be when, all being well, we are out of all restrictions after June and cases start to rise or we get to November/December and there is the standard pressure due to Flu season etc. If the Government start locking down again or imposing restrictions I think that will be a game changer. The only legitimate reason for doing any of that is if we had some super-mutation that starts killing people quickly (which due to the normal evolutionary pressure on viruses is very unlikely).

The 'breaking point' is difficult to assess. If there is any sense that we are heading back into a stricter lockdown, I think people will quite rightly question why and for what reasons. The new variants are obviously a worry and a danger but evolutionary pressure on viruses means they tend to become more benign although possibly more infectious. I think this year foreign travel is to the standard European destinations may be difficult but for those who planning on going further afield, they may be in luck.

Fair enough - maybe dreadful is too harsh. Frustrating could be a better and fairer description