The Kraken

Is unhappy the right word? If highlighting the things the club does well is valid, then highlighting the things it does badly is also valid. Its not a case of being happy or unhappy. Its about wanting the best from the club you support. In a lot of ways we've got that. In some ways we haven't, and its the little things that get the airtime (perhaps because they're so easily fixable and entirely unnecessary, sometimes from both sides). In any case this debate is much more than just a spat between MLT and NC. That's just another minor point taken in isolation to a number of various other poor shows of form which move us further away from a former community and family club. We can grow and still be a bigger club but one based upon its community and past heritage, we just choose not to. And I don't think the club needs to be so ruthless in moving forwards; in some ways it perhaps does, but in others there's a way of doing things and I don't think we've got it right in certain areas (even if sometimes the change is actually for the better, its just been handled poorly).

I just can't make up my mind which one I am.

The its a shame that we have to write it off completely and say that it can't happen. As has been said elsewhere; I'd rather be a struggling PL side or a Championship side than become a success at all costs top 8 side. We already see £48 ticket prices for Cat A games. Where is that going to stop before we say its too much? If next year those tickets go up to £55, for instance. Or £60. Success has to be paid for. Most of what NC has done has to be lauded, it really does. Some of it sticks out to be criticised too. That's fair comment. As I say, its a real shame if the argument truly is that black and white that we can't hope for a simmering of the feud from both sides. Unlikely to happen though, you're right about that.

Is it really much to hope for both? A club that is successful on the pitch, but also embraces and centres itself around the local community, its past legends, and its local media. Is it really too much to hope for all of that, and we have to be reduced to such a simplistic black and white choice?

Tickets are free but the £3 is a booking fee.

Only one way to find out.

I would happily take that bet.

New training groud edict: DON'T KICK ANYONE.

Well he's gonna be pretty f*cking disappointed come May, then.

Dave Whelan? A man with a footballing background who understands the game and has pumped millions of his own money into the club that he supports. Yep, he'd be a terrible chairman. And MLT drinks Malibu and coke, silly.

I don't understand your definition of ambition. Apparently it is spending more than we actually did, even though we couldn't afford it, though not too much as that would be bad, but definitely more than we did, I'm just not sure exactly how much more. Phillips' salary was offset by a huge signing on bonus by the way, so that we could maintain the wage structure. Was that lacking in ambition too? Your argument makes no sense, as its basically "we should have spent more money that we didn't have, f*ck where the money came from". Bizarre.

What is your definition of "ambition"? As in when we'd just finished 8th. When you say "ambtion", do you really mean "spending money we don't actually have"? I'm just wondering who should have paid for this demonstration of ambition. Because the club couldn't afford to. Perhaps we should have followed the Pompey model?

Completely different Diggers. In fact I explained it earlier. I'll do it again as you missed it. That was a reaction to the Simon Peach story; in reaction to MLT coming out again and saying "Nicola is a nasty person, but I won't really say why". Hence the "say why, or don't say it at all" comment. This is pretty cut and dried, and if you were paying attention, what I actually hoped for. Still, use it to mock if you wish to diffuse it that way.

Once again I'm bemused by the number of Saints fans willing to turn their backs on a club legend who chooses to stand up and be counted against the idiosyncrasies of a dictator chairman running roughshod over the club. And amazed by those who choose to attack said legend in defence of said CEO. Oh well.

I'm somewhat heartened at how the last few posts of this thread (which have spoken utter sense) are, not yet at least, being disseminated into a ludicrous discussion as to how a 45K stadium is on the horizon and the avenue to our future. If the self-titled intelligent posters could hold off for a bit more, that would be great.

Nah. He's earned his right to free speech. I'm sure they can find plenty of people to say nice things about Nicola if they want some balance.

Depends. If you're the CEO of Sainsbury and then end up as some IT monkey I'd say its a bit of a downgrade.

Good on him.

Its ok, nutjobs. Corp Ho has resurfaced on POL to continue the mirth, in a topic about Aston Villa and Randy Lerner. :lol:

Unbelievable response. The PDT spokesman advocates ripping off charities, schools and local businesses to the tune of £150M, just so long as it provides a nice day out at Wembley. Cretin.

I actually feel a bit sorry for Colin Fermery; he's coming across as completely deluded and entirely ignorant of the precise finances of the PDT's bid. Fratton park: £2.75M (best case) CVA: £850K Player deferrrals: £8.5M PKF fees: £2M bare minimum Where is the money coming from? "Reworking" the business plan is not an answer.

Schneiderlin's latest missive with the press:

Having read a lot of opinion about it, I'd suggest that a lot of people already see some logic of not sticking with NA. I certainly was not convinced that he was the right man to take us forwards if we truly are intent upon a shy at the top 6 and upwards. What seems to have irked the most is the timing of the event and the manner in which it has been handled, neither of which make much sense or show much class.

You're making this judgement after we just signed a new defender on the very same day we announced a new manager? I think its quite clear in this case that "the committee" minus the former manager put the Forren deal in motion. Perhaps with little input from the new manager. So it lends a hand as to what our future transfer strategy may be.