Bailey

I disagree with almost everything in your post, but my god it's good to be debating football related issues again!

I see that Warnock has been quoted as saying he'd like to have him at Palace for a trial. Haven't heard any more than that though.

Weird isn't it?

Fair points. Could always put Lloyd James in midfield alongside Gillett, or add Wotton instead. Personally, I think we need some wide players. Whilst I rate Thomson and Holmes, we don't really have any other options.

Not officially. Paul Sturrock recently refused to comment on speculation that he was interested in signing him though. I've been told that Jason Euell has held talks with Plymouth too.

So, assumming the takeover goes through OFFICIALLY tomorrow, what kind of a team do you think we'll have come August 8th? With new owners, hopefully we'll be in a position to offer some of our current out-of-contract players new deals, as well as bringing in a few new faces. Potentially, we could still have a half decent side for League One. It could look something like the following: --------------- Davis -------------- Murty ---- Perry ---- Saeijs ---- Mills Lallana -- Gillett -- Schneiderlin -- Holmes -------- John --- Saganowski ------- This side doesn't even include the likes of Lloyd James, Jake Thomson, Jason Euell, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Paul Wotton and Grezgorz Rasiak! If these new owners come in and 'hit the ground running' as they say, we could still salvage our pre-season and get a decent side together.

Don't think it'll be Hoddle. He seems to be enjoying life out with his Academy in Spain . . . http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8138203.stm

I just hope everything is confirmed first thing tomorrow. Have everything crossed that this goes through without any last minute hitches!

I don't think it's for Holmes to say really, and he's just giving a pretty standard, run-of-the-mill response. It's unlikely that the majority of players do know what's going on, but I think it's safe to say that senior players and coaching staff are being updated and kept in the loop as much as possible.

Have heard today that Kelvin is still holding out for this takeover to be concluded before signing a new deal at Saints. West Ham have set him a deadline so if there is no news by the end of the week, then I think we'll see him leave to join West Ham.

Congrats to all on reaching 100 pages! Never thought that would actually happen. Back to the takeover talk anyway. Could tomorrow actually be the day? I've got a feeling it might be, but I refuse to get too excited until everything has been confirmed. If we're just waiting on the Football League to carry out their 'fit and proper person test', it could potentially be announced in the next 24 hours. Now where have we heard that before!?

To those that can't figure out why Kelvin is on the verge of joining West Ham, I suggest it has a lot to do with what's best for his family, financial security and getting one last big pay day before his career comes to an end. Playing for West Ham means that he won't have to move house again, and baring in mind how settled he and his family are in the area, that will no doubt have been taken into consideration. As a result, his kids can continue at their current school too. In an ideal world, Kelvin would stay at Saints and be our skipper next season, but he has a deadline set by West Ham too. If he hasn't signed on the dotted line by that deadline, then Zola may well start to look elsewhere at other alternatives.

Won't hold it against Kelvin if he does officially leave today, but I still hope that he sticks around for a few more days to see if a Saints takeover is forthcoming. The guy has been first-class for us and we will definitely miss him. Should he go today, then I wish him all the very best at West Ham.

Fingers crossed that these Swiss rumours are true. Refusing to get too excited just yet though. We've been here before remember!

From seeing Wotte's interviews recently, and after reading Fry's statement on the OS, I can't help but think that the Swiss are all set to complete their takeover and that Wotte has been assured that he will be the Manager. I might be completely wrong, but it's just my gut feeling. I'm not ITK on this one, nor do I claim to be. I guess time will tell! In answer to the question though, I'd absolutely love to see Strachan back here, but realistically I don't see it. Would be delighted with Keegan also, but again, I can't see it unless Pinnacle pull a rabbit out the hat and seal the deal. Realistically, I'd go for Tisdale but Shearer would be fantastic too.

We haven't even been taken over yet! Lets get our own future sorted first before we start needlessly speculating and worrying about that lot down the road! We shouldn't be getting too ahead of ourselves just yet.

That's a tad harsh IMO. We were only a couple of penalties away from the play-off final, so to say he was a complete disaster is pretty unfair. Admittedly, his reign ended on a bad note, but he wasn't far from being a great manager for us. Had we got promoted that season, and make no mistake about it, we were very close to doing so, then people's opinions of him would be considerably different.

Shame really as Thomas would be decent in League One and we could certainly do with his experience. However, 8K a week really is too much, especially for Saints. If he doesn't get a move elsewhere, maybe he'd consider a pay-cut?

Would be a very good signing for us IMO, especially in League One. Murty has bags of experience and he's a good, solid defender. I'd be delighted if we secured his signature, he's exactly the type of player we need. One question though. Should we be publicising the fact that we have these players on trial when we aren't in a position to offer them a contract just yet? Other teams may hear about it and try to sign them from right under our noses.

I would suggest that Stern is willing to train with us and get himself fit in a bid to earn a better deal elsewhere, but if no other offers are forthcoming, then he will be 'happy' to sign a new, much reduced deal at Saints. If he did stay and was totally committed, then I'd be delighted. We could really do with his experience and he's a proven goalscorer at CCC level, so I'd like to think that he could get 20+ goals in League One.

Tomorrow will be a non-event IMO. It will come and go and we will be none the wiser on any potential takeover.

Just seen his interview on SSN about the ongoing problems at Southampton. He kept referring to Saints as 'we' and had to correct himself. Nice to see! He's still a Saint at heart and it's with deep regret that he's had to move on but it was inevitable. Both parties mutually agreed that the move was in the best interests of Surman and the club. I wish him all the very best in the future.

No idea who's fit, who's been training or if our out of contract players have left the club. With all that in mind, I'll guess the following: -------------- Bilakowski ----------- Hatch --- Lancashire --- Perry --- Mills Thomson -- Gillett -- Gobern -- Holmes --------- Paterson -- White ----------

Have given up all hope of Pinnacle taking over. Time to move on. I'd be very surprised if they sealed the deal.

Doesn't actually say how long for specifically. There's nothing to stop potential new owners sacking him and bringing in their own man if they wanted. Time will tell though. For what it's worth, I don't think Wotte is the man to take us forward, but I do commend him for his attitude during what has been a very difficult off-season. I can understand why he has been given the chance to continue in his current role, but long-term, I hope we appoint someone else with knowledge of the lower leagues.