The Kraken

In which case Rodriguez should have been introduced gradually; not thrown straight into the side either out of position on the wing or in place of Lambert. But Beattie was only 20 years old when he came here, having barely played for Blackburn's first team. Rodriguez is 23 and should be fast approaching his prime. So I'm not sure its really a decent analogy in any case.

Calm down, petal. Wow. I know its Monday morning, but there's no need to get so upset about it.

I'd be amazed if this was even remotely accurate.

Good point Wes. The media should definitely speak to Doris as opposed to one of our greatest ever players, our most successful ever manager and one of our greatest servants of the past era.

The Club Lounge membership is in the Mike Channon suite, which was refurbed this summer. £999 I think for a season ticket (plus VAT), which doesn't actually give you anything extra other than a nice seat and access to a pay bar and pay cafe type food (croque monsieurs, chicken wraps and hot dogs are the only food on offer). Its all very low brow (despite the club describing it as a "high end bar type experience!!). The exec boxes have also seen a big increase in price of late; yet the free booze has been massively cutback upon to something like 1 bottle of beer and a glass of wine for free per person. Which kind of defeats the purpose of a corporate day out at the footy!

Unfortunately they seem to have taken the stance that they know what is best, and are providing a service that very few people actually see the benefit of paying extra for. Its not lack of effort on the club's behalf; the Mike channon Lounge has just had an expensive makeover; its just not a very good end product. The lounges and services offered have changed significantly since the takeover and the net effect is quite clear that the changes are not at all popular, with more empty seats and empty boxes than ever before (certainly in the top league). Having done corporate myself a few times (before and after takeover) its very easy to see why its so empty, its just a flawed product being offered for too much money. Yet the club continue to offer what they think people should have, rather than what they actually want. A little bit of listening to current and former customers would go a long way.

Not quite that many; some of the reduction is from segregation, of course. But yes, the corporate areas are still in dire need of a rethink.

No; because of the lack of takeup in the boxes and coporate lounges. Even if regular seats sell out we'll be at least 1,000 short of the stadium capacity.

When it was sung at Anton Ferdinand by other fans, was it meant as a racist insult? Apart from it being utterly moronic, I'm not even sure what the purpose of the chant is.

Can't see much there that suggests he was a target identified by Pardew, to be fair. Was it leftback on here (who clearly had direct links to the club) who claimed that the initial loan was just a ruse, and that Guly had been guaranteed a contract? In any case, Guly was signed permanantly by NA.

Good point, forgot about that one.

Pardew will have been influential in signing most if not all of his signings; Les Reed arrived at the aclub well after most of Pardew's signings were made. You'd suggest that Guly was the first signing that came by way of committee rather than the manager. How many since have been manager/transfer committee, who knows.

Alan Pardew Signings Dan Harding, Graeme Murty, Rickie Lambert, Dean Hammond, Radhi Jaidi, David Connolly, Aaron Martin, Jose Fonte, Dan Seaborne, Jon Otsemobor, Lee Barnard, Jason Puncheon, Ryan Dickson, Frazer Richardson, Danny Butterfield, Harlee Dean. Alan Pardew Loans Jacob Mellis, Neal Trotman, Papa Waigo, Michail Antonio. Nigel Adkins Signings Richard Chaplow, Guly do Prado, Jonathan Forte, Jack Stephens, Jack Cork, Steve de Ridder, Danny Fox, Jos Hooiveld, Tadanari Lee, Billy Sharp, Jay Rodriguez, Steven Davis, Nathaniel Clyne, Paulo Gazzaniga, Emmanuel Mayuka, Maya Yoshida, Gaston Ramirez, Cody Cropper, Artur Boruc. Nigel Adkins Loans Nicholas Bignall, Dany N'guessan, James Shea, Dale Stephens, Iago Falque.

I feel Pardew had a better percentage hit rate for his signings; most of them were a success. A less successful hit rate for Nige and Les Reed et al.

Really?? Always thought he had promoted himself as a Saints fan. He even wore a Saints shirt on stage once during a gig.

Or maybe people just aren't old enough to have seen them in action over any period of time and therefore have an informed opinion about how good a player they are?

What we do know that he is very heavily involved with scouting and player recruitment. And we know he is on the transfer committee. Just how qualified or suitable for that role he is, well there's the point I guess.

Manji still accusing others of having an agenda. :lol:

Talks about it in his autobiog; always has drunk it (and has always gotten ribbed for it, clearly).

Such as who?

Youtube and highlights DVDs; the very bastions of judging a player!! :lol:

I wonder where that leaves Uncle Les. His credibility must be at an all time low; particularly with Il Duce.

This revelation has ruined my Sunday.