the saint in winchester

As you suggested on the other thread, I called the Ticket Office and said "Mr Trousers suggested I call you." The guy laughed out loud. You must be a legend there! Anyway - to business - he confirmed there was a glitch with the booking system, he checked my record card, confirmed I had NOT booked tickets up to that point according to what he could see, told me the confirmation email was false, and let me book again online to save booking fees. Said I shouldn't have been charged by the credit card people, but get back to him if I am charged. So, all in all, back up and running.

YES, Trousers, me too! Tried 3 times and got the same message above. Gave up and thought "sod it, I'll do it in the morning!" HOWEVER, see from my inbox my booking has been processed, even though I got this message. BUT ... and it's a BIG but .... I booked 1 adult, 1 child, and it has been processed as 2 Adults and charged me £49!!! Should be £23+ £10 + £3 booking fee = £36, so I'm £13 out of pocket. I know you'll say "shut up you, you got tickets" but bit miffed I've been overcharged!!!

OK, MLG, you are Le God. I will book up now!!!

Guys. remember in pre-season when we missed out on Liam Fontaine ... and Kaspar Gorkss .... and then we took a loan signing who couldn't even get in the Celtic first 11??? Who like me, thought, WTF?? But I said to myself "give him a chance, let's see what he's like". He has been FANTASTIC. First name on my teamsheet now (2nd is Rickie, yes). Unless he tails off in the second half of the season, I'm saying Player of the Season. Very important signing. I'd have paid whatever it took to get him here, up to £5M. I was thinking earlier that poor Liam Ridgewell can't get in the Brum side, and maybe we should offer for him ... but he wouldn't displace Jos in my side, so would be on the bench. What a partnership we have there right now. Love it.

Can you let me know what the T.O. say, guys. I'm planning to go but in view of postal delays was planning to 'walk up' rather than pre-book. Don't want to turn up to be told its a sellout. Yeah, can pre-book and collect, if need be.

Seems Kenwyne Jones may be coming back onto the market? What offer, if any, should we put forward for his services?

Ryan Dickson - hasn't put a foot wrong all season.

I like the sound of this!

Yeah, outside Rumbelows in Winchester High St waiting for that telex typer thing to print out our score. That was the first indication in them days. We never 'ad radio or footie coverage on the telly, just the telex on the telly at Rumbelows while out shopping with your mam and dad. Aye, tell that to the kids of today, with their smartphones.

Yep. Stanmore Primary then Kings Senior Schools. As many of you have said, I can't see he has done anything wrong at all. He was hired for a role at a given wage. (£90k/wk apparently). Then they hired someone else to do that job. Why SHOULD he up and leave and cut off his revenue stream? He turns up for work every day saying "I'm here, boss, can I help out?" Boss say "no, Wayne, go sit in the office. I'll call you if I need you". He has kept himself fit and ready to play. Hasn't done anything wrong. Now his boss says "I wish he would clear off and leave us." Er. in terms of employment law, I think that is what is called "constructive dismissal" and claimable at a tribunal.

"Last month, a Southampton supporter was convicted of shouting anti-gay abuse during a match against Brighton and has been banned from football for three years." just copy/pasted from BBC site Really? Who was this?

Have to agree with you. Also, deliberate reckless two-footed challenge that breaks an opponent's leg/ankle = 3 match ban for red card, if that. "sticks and stones may break my bones. but names will never hurt me." What happened to that childhood rhyme? In the words of current philosophers Little Mix "stones taught me to fly". Racial abuse IS wrong, but is it even worse than physical abuse, actual or verbal?? The tarriff needs querying.

Move Lallana to the right? Yes, good idea. Bring in Andrew Driver on the left? Don't know. We can play Harding, Holmes, even Dickson there if Lala was on the right.

Seems a good question to me, as watching the game on TV on Sunday, noticed that our players taking corners or throw-ins were being verbally abused by the Blue fans - anyone could lip read their screamed insults. Why is that deemed acceptable banter, but even referring to skin colour, even in a non-derogatory way, is deemed as racist? Personal abuse is as bad, maybe even worse, than stereotyping generically?

I agree with you. I have made this suggestion before. Seems a lot of us rate this switch, but NA clearly doesn't want to do it.

I would say "yes please." That guy has become a goal machine. His name comes up all the time with Stelling and the boys.

I'll agree with you, even if Valesaint doesn't. Yes, Bart had a shocking game and we are fortunate Blackpool didn't take more advantage of that then they did. But Bart is our reserve keeper and has proved in the past that he can play as a high quality keeper. His previous performances were good and it's being so game rusty that is demonising him. He needs to be infused with confidence, told to be vocal,, command his area, shout at the defence and BE IN CONTROL. Having said all the above, I read that KD is almost certain to be cleared to play on Sunday, but Bart needs to get back in the saddle, play the FA Cup games and get a few games under his belt.

I would play Bart again next weekend, I have written (post 4) that we should back him, but I concede we do need to have another GK on the bench. Either KD (assume not fully fit or he would be starting) or we need to recall Jack Dovey from Eastleigh. NA has said "we will pick him up" when asked about Bart so I don't expect him to ditch BB.

I'm not a top goalkeeper, never liked to play there. More of a forward or a RM .... but I agree with your reasoning 100%. He needs games to raise his confidence.

Well, De Ridder is hardly been used as a RM anyway, more an extra attacker. RM - I'm going to say Antonio again. I hear he has gone off the radar career-wise, but still think we could get him to reprise his magic again. ST - don't mind, don't see the point in spending multimillions, I'll look out for candidates.

Ironically, we spend most of the game shying away from shooting at goal. Preferring to cross or play too many passes. the ONE time someone takes responsibility to try for goal himself he mucks it up. Yeah, SDR should have passed. But we had so many opportunities to score, it was unreal.

Don't agree. He needs MORE game time, not less. He is a confidence player and needs to be playing. Pulling out of the Reserves league has meant he has spent games on the bench. I wouldn't give up on Bart, he just needs to get his confidence back. Remember not so long ago when he came in for an extended spell, and when KD was ready again, may fans wanted Bart to retain the jersey. He can still play at this level IF he can get his confidence back, and that means playing more regularly than the odd League Cup game.

Agree with the last two comments. Phillips was really good for us, formed an excellent pairing with Crouch - the old big one and a little one. IIRC he only left as with relegation Lowe was threatening to invoke the 50% pay cut clause in his contract. Like most players, he thought "I'm off then." I never held that against him and he was consistently good with clubs after us, and I'm sure will get more goals this season. Kevin Davies - don't get me started - completely under-used by Saints. Was delighted we got him back for a second stint then annoyed he wasn't given a chance to stake a claim for a regular starting place. Was always arguing for this with fans around me and they all said "not til he loses some weight and gets fit." He was never given a chance, and I'm pleased for him his career got back on track after Saints. As noted above, a top player in the Premiership now.

Just read about him on BBC Sports and was going to post this suggestion, but you beat me to it - by 6 hours. Get, get him in. Problem is he wants game time. We want a standby.

what a surreal thread ... anyway .... any chance this nipper is good enough to be thrust straight into the first team and can play the first 60 minutes until SDR is unleashed?