the saint in winchester

You've only got 10 players there Cabbage. You're a MESS

As this is a cup game, surely he will use the squad? --------------------------Gunn--------------------------- Bednarek---Vestergaard---Yoshida---Targett --------------Romeu------------Hojbjerg------------- JWP------------------Davis--------------------------Gabbi -----------------------Gallagher------------------------- However, I fear it will be same old same old 4-4-2, usual suspects including Hoedt as captain

Just been noting down all the names suggested on this thread. All the managers named and currently in work would not see us as a step up so would stay where they are, so you can put a line through Wagner, Hughton, Puel, Rogers, Benitez. Championship managers currently doing well would not want to come to us, a side that may be relegated - so delete Lampard, Bielsa, even Darren Moore. That leaves us with the out of work managers - Allardyce, Pearson, Hoddle, Pardew. I think we would be picking from these or from a League 1 side, who WOULD see us as a step up. It's not a promising situation, is it?

That's right. We do have the players but we haven't found a manager who can bring out their best. It's frustrating. I would also be tempted to go back to Yoshida and Stephens. Certainly Yoshida plus one, and try each CB with Yoshi until we find the right combination. We know Vestegaard plus Hoedt is no good. We need to solve defence first then midfield, then the attack.

I thought the same. Ideal for us, but wages would be the deal breaker.

Press Statement : thesaintinwinchester appointed Saints manager on 5 year contract, promises return to glory days. "I'm honoured, as a lifelong saints fan, to have been given this opportunity to manage this great club. When I was a lad, there was a policy called "The Southampton Way". Some of you may have thought that meant hiring cheap foreign managers on a long contract and then firing them after 12 months, but no, it's about using our renowned academy to produce the finest talent around and supplementing them by committed players who are keen to prove themselves while at Southampton. In the short term we will use the resources currently at our disposal. The previous manager has inexplicably discarded some players who I am keen to bring back to the playing fold. We will also look at high performers at a lower level and give them the chance to prove themselves in the Premier League. We will aim to become the fittest squad of players, we will focus on ball skills rather than cone management. We will become a centre of excellence that young players will want to represent, rather than send off on loan or sell off. I want you to be proud of our club once again. We will take this journey together. I want as many as possible to share this experience, so today I am authorising the extension of our stadium to 50,000 and reducing the price of tickets to a manageable £25. Stadium facilities will be improved, there will be quality entertainment from an hour before kick off including a popular choice of music as the team comes out. You will be proud to be fans of this great club once more. Let's get ready to ruuuummmmmbbbblllleeeee !!!

What are the rules on pre-contract agreements? OK, he can't sign an official contract until 16, but could we have done any more than smile at him and offer him Quality Street?

Yeah, sounds like he didn't sign any contract with us or with Montfermeil. Key phrase is "were expecting to sign him when he turned 16". But we never had a signature, and yet paid to have him looked after. We don't really have a case. First rule of business : get it in writing.

If you want to capture current mood, then (as above) Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now OR Quo's 'Down Down, Deeper and Down' ... If we want to think positive then Yazz's 'The Only Way is Up' comes to mind. But agree why use anything but OWTS that we can sing all with ...

Like Targett ... and then left on the bench until that readiness has worn off.

Yes, agree with comments above that Turkish's post is accurate. Puel was dealt a very tough hand of cards and expected to get wins with a seriously weakened team. I did feel the style of play was poor, but was in the camp of believing he should have had a second season with a better hand to see if the style of play improved. I hardened in that view when Puel was left dangling for weeks after the season end to see if he would be invited back. Our appointments since have been very poor while I actually think Puel is doing well at Leicester. Admittedly he now has Vardy, Iheanacho and Maddison to call on. I am worried about Hughes, especially the zonal marking he has introduced. Prefer man for man marking, so everyone knows who they are picking up, not just nearest man, as the tall strikers are targeting our shorter defenders/midfielders.

Yeah, the Reading fans here in the office love him. Say he "has great energy, not afraid to take a man on." They were calling out for him to get a start and now he has, they hope he plays every game.

Why do you want to go via London, when there is a Cross Country train direct, no changes, Basingstoke to Wolverhampton?

We have discussed this to death on the Yoshida thread. To save you reading it all, we don't know. Could be anything from Hughes thinks Hoedt is the messiah through to Chinaman Gao has blackballed Japanese Yoshida. No-one knows the real reason, but we would like to know!

TM : "All the while I am here, this is the way it will be" Obvious solution : bin her then!

Hope so. And it SHOULD. GM's argument is correct. The first vote was based on deliberate or accidental misinformation. £350M has NOT been saved and spent on the NHS. Now tell us the truth and let the country vote again.

-------------------McCarthy----------------- ----Stephens - Yoshi - Vestergaard---- Cedric - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Targett -------------------Romeu------------------------ -------------PEH-----------Lemina---------- -----------------Armstrong-------------------- --------------------Gallagher-----------------------

Now that made me laugh.

Whispering Dave on Solent made similar comments eg. "Vestergaard was brought in to dominate and clear our lines; he just isn't doing it". Like you, I want Yoshi back in immediately.

Get this. Liverpool fan in office is worried sick at playing us. Says they never play well against us, and they are in fear of Shane Long!!!

This. I genuinely would like an answer to this question, above all others. Yoshida is a leader and a warrior and should be in the starting team, over Hoedt.

I don't know the reason, but it's bizarre that Yoshida isn't in the starting 11. At the mildest, one can only conclude Hughes doesn't rate him.

Not a wind up, Doddy, my honest frustration. It's a squad game these days. MH seems to think he only has 14 players at his disposal.

What a predictable line up! Same old 11, and the same old 3 subs will come on - Ward-Prowse, Gabbi and Austin, although the order is unknown. I honestly wouldn't blame everyone bar this 14 if they asked to leave on loan or be sold in January. Does Hughes not value rotation of a squad???