the saint in winchester

What we SHOULD bedoing is anything possible to bring in out of contract PL Experience defenders BEFORE the January Window - it will be too late then. Completely agree with that. The season is half over by January and we could be too far behind to make up ground. But .... realistically who is available that meets the above criteria? Silvestre? Who else?

Most of us agree it was foolish to let Harding go .. don't we??? I would get Dickson match fit then as we are going to need him. Should have bought Liam Ridgewell. (sigh)

Adkins says "blame me, I pick the team; we thought we had a strong enough defence but individual errors are costing us." So, the players primarily, for which the manager carries the can.

You wouldn't have thought so today. Looked like a youth team keeper playing with the senior pros. I was surprised. Gazzaniga for me. Good keeper, excellent distribution.

Needs to be someone who can set up a proper defence. McCarthy is as dull and dour as dishwater, but maybe he is right for this job.

I read page 1 of this thread and the link to the Simon Peach/MLT interview. Excuse me for not reading every comment, but the facts were on page 1. Simon Peach is a journalist and decided to report the story. Except there was no story to report. All MLT says is "one day you'll find out things about Cortese that confirm he isn't very nice." So I hope if MLT calls again, or indeed if Peach ever feels like calling MLT, then I hope there is no second conversation. Peach needs to say "sorry Matt, it's not in the best interests of the Club to talk more or write anything. Your conclusion may prove correct in the future, but right now, let's row in the same direction." In short, I agree with those who say "put up or shut up." Stop wimpering, Matt. Unless you want to lay down to us your concerns now, then shut up.

I'd put out the Real Madrid team vs West Ham and the Barcelona tean vs Spurs. Job done.

If his contract is only to the end of the season, he has to be given the chance to earn his crust and potentially play for a new contract. I assume we didn't recruit him to play in the development squad!

You joke, but I would like to know who it is that puts themselves about so much that we end up with these injuries. Previously the word was it was Lee Barnard, but that can't be said now. Is there a reason for naming Guly, or just a jocular accusation. Whoever did this - unless it was a freak accident - should be had a word with. £12m player on the treatment table for 6 more weeks is crazy.

Must admit when I saw the thread title, 'under orders from above', similar heavenly thoughts went through my mind. Is Nigel a man of faith? I do see his head go down - is he praying for guidance?

He looks very good. Credit to him for keeping the jersey over two experienced keepers, but I think Adkins is right on this one.

Have to say I think the next 2 weeks are potential announcement times re the manager's position. Especially tomorrow morning. A new manager would have a fortnight to work with the squad. Don't want to lose Adkins, but NC has to decide whether to give him the season and run the risk of repeatedly coming away empty-handed in games we were winning, or making the change. No guarantee another manager would do better. Twist? Or stick? The decision is yours, Mr C.

Assume your user name represents your location? I'll be at Sunningdale Village at christmas. I'll bring my Saints replica shirt. I'll be watching games at the irish bar opposite the Aguamarina. See you there?

and so said all of us! Baffling to take Rickie off, and even more so to put Guly on ..... unless Adkins was trying to win the midfield, and hang on to 1-nil. That's all I could think. Mayuka would have been a good out-ball.

I presume he means Charlie Austin. Well, that ship has sailed. Dave Merrington tells the story that he recommended Austin be looked at while he was still at Poole, but the club didn't go have a look. Swindon did ... and you know what happened next.

Nigel Adkins - Adele Adkins' dad! We're ready for Skyfall!

5-1 to Liverpool. We are back to relegation zone! On online sports, I have had issues with iLivid downloads. Let the buyer beware!

I wouldn't want either Ramirez or J-Rod to play "out wide". J-Rod is a central striker and Ramirez was perfect in the 'Sheringham' role. I think we look to be playing without formal wingers today (as Lalla isn't a proper winger), with Clyne and Richardson given licence to bomb up the wings. The issue will be how we stop EVERTON's attacks down the flanks playing like that. We have firepower going forward, but are leaving ourselves exposed when Everton attack. See ItchenDan's set up above - that is the way I have drawn it on my notepad too.

This is getting dafter by the comment. Options should be "Ryan, you can (1) go to Crawley and accept their wages offer, or (2) go to Crawley, accept their wages offer and we'll add a little (not to the full value of your wage here, mind). There is no third option to sit here and draw a full wage." Having said that ... I would play him, pay Brentford their dues, and get him back in the groove. Just plain silly to leave him on the sidelines while paying him.

So rather than let him play for Crawley and reduce the wage we are paying him (as Crawley would chip in), the club prefers to pay him a full wage to do nothing. Speaking as an accountant, that doesn't make financial sense. Pay him £7k to play elsewhere or £10k to sit in our stand. (figures notional). I don't get it.

Yes. He is playing well at times and therefore the jury is still out. Some fans think he'll never be as good as he thinks he is, but others take him on merits and indeed he can play really well and be a game changer.

Are you lot suggesting George Burley had a drink problem?

Yeah. my son read me MLT's tweet earlier. I said that NA had said team news only released to the press at 2pm Sat, but maybe the players know the team already. Not a good idea for Gazza to be releasing that info .. but hey ho. Actually support giving him a go. If NA has decided to play Gazza, so be it. If it doesn't work out then it should add some urgency to the need to get in Boruc or Gordon.

Get him back here. He's good enough as backupin the Prem and first choice in cup games.

So, game 5 and its a MUST WIN game. Crazy to call the fifth game of the season a 'must win' but I fear we must win this one to instil confidence into the team, the fans, the TV pundits et al.