the saint in winchester

Definitely No 1 and yes ideally No2 but agree your comment that untimately success breeds confidence. Most of them looked out of condition on Saturday, especially Saga (woah, who ate all the pies?) so FITNESS should be a priority. Also agree a few other comments on here that he should be getting to know everyone and listening to their views and assessments. He also should be making his own assessment of the players' abilities. The only comment attributed to him since the weekend was that we are 5 or 6 players short of a good side. Personally I'd like him work with the current squad until December and then in January bring in players that we need.

Quote: Originally Posted by the saint in winchester Have to say this post on 606 BBC site concerns me .... Sorry guys.We dont hate him at Charlton.He was just inept.Doesnt like playing 4,4,2,only 4,5,1,and he doesnt use gifted players when ordinary ones will do.Remember Tevez and Macherano? We had a few favourites he refused to use.Usually plays them out of position too.Good luck,youll need it. Same old same old? Toad of Toadhall responds : Don't worry about the tosh on 606. For Pardew its a past life and one I'm sure he would have learned from. Incidently whats your view on him as Saints manager? Well, thankyou for asking. I was initially disappointed and I had been taken in with the hype that WGS was coming back and I initially felt we had been sold a pup. But having researched his career stats, and discovered he has a sweish wife, I think he's a sound appointment, and keen to get behind him and his lovely wife (who sadly I can't find a pic of). Anyone?

Well, some do that. Others are mocking you, MLT, but it's a fact that several senior managements colleagues dye their hair grey as they believe it gives an air of experience and seniority. Personally, I prefer to dye from grey to brown, but it takes different strokes to row the world (or whatever the phrase is) ...

Have to say this post on 606 BBC site concerns me .... Sorry guys.We dont hate him at Charlton.He was just inept.Doesnt like playing 4,4,2,only 4,5,1,and he doesnt use gifted players when ordinary ones will do.Remember Tevez and Macherano? We had a few favourites he refused to use.Usually plays them out of position too.Good luck,youll need it. Same old same old?

Just read up on him at that centre of excellence - wikipaedia .... he has a Swedish wife! Welcome to Mrs Pardew, and we hope you will come and sit with us at St Mary's.

Aw shucks, guys, thanks. Truth is .. I heard it on the radio ... on the radio, oh oh ah, on the radio (one for the Donna Summer fans amongst us) .... have to say I awoke with a start this morning when they named him. My son said it was also on the Radio 1 news, so there may be some truth in the rumour .... If there's any other rumours I can clear up - like who Tevez will sign for .. let me know. :-)

I may be wrong, but I don't think it's Strachan. Here's a name out of left field - how would y'all feel if someone like ALAN PARDEW got the job? Remember where you read it first.

Haha, here we go again, eh Mark? We had this same conversation about 6 months ago. What is this - Groundhog Day? :-)

yeah, it's a friendly, a bit of fun before the serious stuff starts. Even if we hired a quality manager and brought in half a dozen players before the weekend, we are going to get stuffed. I remember the pre-season against Parma a few years back. I'm expecting this to be similar - Ajax will play at half pace and still be miles better than us. Up to them how many goals they want to score. It's exhibition football.

Polegate, later report quotes him saying he would like to stay with us, that we've made him feel welcome etc. As I work by the Madejski, I see his testimonial is next Monday evening (21st). Thinking I may work late and walk over to see him play (I'm assuming they will give him some pitch time). By next Monday he may have signed a contract and be a Saint. Anyone else coming up?

I heard that yesterday too. HCDAJFU. Also Dan Harding released by Reading (on trial at Brighton) - another one I'd like to see us snare.

That was my thought too. Bit greedy to want both of them. It's a bit like choosing a wife and a girlfiend at the same time.

Of course, the fella Ashley up at why-aye Newcastle adopted the same policy, was soon as popular as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip (admittedly for supping a pint in his seat) and now he can't wait to sell up. Mind you, he's welcome to get the beers in at half time.

That was my thought too. I feel sorry for the guy; he has been professional through a tough time. He signed a 12 month contract so someone must have approved the offer to him. Presumably he gets a payoff from that. Just seems odd that he's embraced one day and the next he's pushed away. On whether I'm happy, depends who comes in. If it's Mourinho, woo-hoo I'm happy. If it some failed has-been, no I'm despondent. Can't guess who they have in mind. If anyone? Maybe now a blank page and see who applies.

Great news that KD has signed. But ... Davis, Bialkowski, Foreacast, Poke ... we can't keep 4 goalkeepers. One will have to be moved on. But which one?

And now we know who the long tanned legs belong to. A banking executive by the name of Nicola Cortese. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1716924,00.html I like to tie up the loose ends. :-)

I think we're ok on RB with Lloyd James, Sam Argent and Graeme Murty (if he signs up). For LB, maybe more exposed - Joseph Mills and .... (insert names) It appears from the team sheets from Saturday that Oscar Gobern (1H) and Ben Reeves (2H) played LB (assuming the 5th name is the LB).

Just seen a small pic of her and her horse. Couldn't enlarge it, but have to say she has a look of Sally Taylor (BBC South Today). Nothing wrong with that of course, just putting it out there. :-)

Exactly. Whoever could stump up the non-returnable deposit first was given exclusivity.

I've had Play on since 10am Saturday - not continually, or else I'd never sleep :-) I haven't heard any mention of a press conference, just Wotte's interview where he says he is confident the deal will be completed on Mon or Tue.

For me, today is critical. If we can close the takeover deal, that would show the players we are ready for next season. I read Wotte's going to try to convince KD to stay. Might be a hard conversation if we still don't have ownership and a business plan.

He HAS indeed been injured - long-term injury. We are right to take him on trial to assess his fitness. If he is fit, then he would be a great acquisition. Was Reading's club captain and until his injury, first choice RB. Unfortunately for him spent more time on the couch as a TV pundit on the second half of the season. However, would be good to have a choice at RB and may free up Lloyd James to play in midfield. Turned my nose up at the Ode Thomson trial, but this one I'm smiling at. Go Murty - new club captain!!!

He said the name, definitely said the name. Unfortunately as I was driving down the M4 with the aircon on full blast, and listening with analogue medium wave, I didn't catch the name. I was hoping Brazil would say "so what was the name of the group, again, please Mark", but sadly he didn't. Did anyone listening at home with clear digital sound catch the name of the group? We can then do our own due diligence (via wikipedia!) to see if they really as "classy as f**k" :-)

They tick all the boxes for me. Just get them to sign up, then they can break open the champagne and ferrero-rocher.

I've read all your comments and we seem to be unsure of whether he has been given a rolling contract (with a period of notice to be given eg. a month) or a fixed term contract like he was on previously (expires 30 June). Personally, I'm underwhelmed, after all this talk of Keegan, Hoddle et al, but at the same time we do need some structure at this time. And he's better than nothing.