the saint in winchester

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.

Reading v Saints last season - he scored 2 and was easily MOTM. The Reading fans rated him, shame some of our oiks didn't. Talk about a prophet not being honored in his own country.

I see what you did there, Arizona. :-) Nice touch for a big man.

The Thriller years were obviously the best. Shame the personal issues overshadowed in the end but we should remember the music. A musical genius, no doubt. Await the post mortem but we probably never know the full truth. Respect.

Another comment MLT made this morning was that "it's the (prospective) owner's wish to challenge the FL on the 10 points, and who are we to tell him otherwise"? I'm answering back, "you're the prospective Chairman, Matt, you're in the football profession and you can tell him he can't win!" When the interviewer asked him whether he was concerned that rival bidders were gathering, he just said they were a long way down the procurement chain, so he wasn't too bothered. I agree he sounded de-motivated and I can't see this being resolved any time soon. Sounds like MF wants to take this to court .... and that could take weeks/months (delete as appropriate).

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Fialka/526920798 And he's on Facebook! He will soon have LOTS of friends!! I have messaged him a welcome already. :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fialka He's a RUSSIAN machine! I like his background. So he can print banknotes. Woo hoo!

It's a landslide in your favour. Seems to be all about word symantics and principle with TL and Pinnacle. They want to appeal simply because they have been told they can't. Let it go. Do a cost/benefit analysis. What's the cost of this appeal not only in financial terms but also in lost morale and team preparation terms? And what's the benefit? We may get our 10 point penalty overturned. Or we may lose the appeal anyway. I'd rather we swallowed it, allowed ourselves to be wronged, took the moral high ground and got on with the transfer of ownership, management choices, player contracts and training. We have bigger fish to fry than arguing about 10 lousy points.

No, not today. It'll be FRIDAY!!!! Everything is resolved on a Friday!!