The Kraken

He really is quite bizarre at times in that interview. Interviewer: "Portpin are claiming that the delay in all this is racking up extra fees for the administrators and taking away that funding from the club." Farmery: "Fumble stutter well, Portpin are making accusations, how they know that for a fact I'd be interested to know myself. Its a highly speculative statement designed only to worry supporters and try to knock the PST bid off track. Clearly. They would say that, wouldn't they?" Interviewer: "And what do you make to the accusation from Portpin that Pompey fans should be in no doubt they are being manipulated? That behind the PST bid are a number of property developers who appear to be becoming majority stakeholders and are trying to get their hands on the land around the ground. Farmery: "Fumble stumble well again its highly speculative allegations which at the end of the day I'd be interested to know what foundation of fact they're using to do this. I mean, to be frank, I think Portpin are simply making stuff up." Now, if I were a potential PST shareholder and posed that question and got that response, alarm bells would be ringing loud in my ears. Just because its speculative it doesn't mean that its incorrect, or indeed flagging up genuine concerns.

Perhaps best I outline my stance. I believe Cortese was given a budget to get Saints back to the Premier League; and that budget would be written off. He succeeded in that; questions over whether we got value for money are IMO irrelevant; we spent a lot of money, incurred a lot of debt, but got the desired job done. The next step is running the football club on an even keel. That has always been the stated aim; for the club to wash its own face, and not to be reliant upon debt or loans. We're not off to a good start on that one. I think the family funding has now been switched off so its hugely important we stabilise the club and asap stop being a massively loss-making company. I'm yet to see any signs of that heppening, and will continue to be cencerned until I do.

One thing I will say is that the Adkins appointment was inspired. He wasn't the popular choice at the time (never have I seen the term underwhelmed so often used) but he was quite clearly the right choice. I think he's brilliant, both as a manager and a man. I also think Pardew's appointment was equally instrumental in reversing our fortunes and giving us a solid base to build upon. Managerial appointments are certainly not something you can use to criticise Nik Nak for; IMO he got both spot on. Interesting to see what his next move will be (though hopefully Nige will take that decision out of his hands by overseeing a revival in fortunes).

It quite clearly is true. We overspent income on wages; hence why a huge amount of debt was turned into equity.

Yep, as I said it was very good. Leicester threw money at the situation and got nowhere. As I said though; it doesn't reference wages at all. And we all know the huge losses incurred by the club in our first couple of years of trading since takeover, so that £3M figure really doesn't tell the full story.

That's a very good figure, of course. But does not take in account wages; nor the fact that the £3M figure was offset by the sale of an asset that was at the club before the manager arrived.

On that, we will never know what Pardew would have done. What we do know is that the total points scored in his only full season with us would ordinarily have seen us reach the playoffs. And that he delivered our first silverware in more than 30 years. It will also show that his scouting network for us was first class. Rickie Lambert, Jose Fonte and Jason Puncheon amongst others a legacy from League 1; other players signed by Pardew that formed the foundation of a squad that rose through the league.

Strictly speaking it was an immediately negative move. We had no replacement lined up and instantly lost the next few games until we did identify a new manager and appoint him. And it came off the back of a 4-0 away victory; hardly getting shot of an underperforming manager. History will show that the end game proved successful. It will also show that same very manager is performing very successfully in this division, whereas his replacement (as yet) isn't.

How is is disingenuous, Frank? I was responding to a direct comment that we were being run better than ever before; which neatly sidestepped the fact we've been run at a loss and have just taken out a big loan. Did I get my facts wrong? I'm not sure why its so difficult to distinguish between the successes that Cortese has overseen as a chairman and the failures he's overseen as a businessman. Its an "everything's fine on the pitch so don't comment" type attitude. Odd.

Yes, the way its being run now is entirely spot on; debt having to be turned into equity and now a bloody great loan to provide cashflow. Consistently huge losses year on year since takeover and a corporate area about as empty as its ever been; yep, we're being run better than ever before.

Negative article alert. All of the Cult of Cortese will be along shortly to decry this piece of heresy. How sad that we have to have these stories come out in the first place. No point in examining much further; our own desperate souls on here will be quick to renounce this as awful journalism, and say that its not worth the paper it wasn't written on etc etc. What a terrible agenda. "The Daily Mail", I'm sure they'll shriek. For shame.

Nearly 2000 posts and you throw that out Terry :lol::lol::lol:

You're my new favourite poster. Superb stuff.

I think I prefer Matthew Le God to this idiot Matthew Le Tissier. Both complete f*cking nutjobs, mind.

Blinded by the lights.

F*ck off mate; that's a horrible thing to say. This dude knows what he's talking about FFS.

Indeed, Eggo. Indeed.

As WUMs go, he is far down on the spectrum. Lots of effort, little end result. The poor chap. He seems to think himself funny though; bless.

WHEN DID YOU SEE LUKE SHAW PLAY? HOW DID HE DO? WHO WAS IT AGAINST? I feel I'm repeating myself here.

I wasn't paying attention. MLT; when have you seen Shaw play?

Edit: I cant be arsed.

Just wow. You're super fun.