The Kraken

We don't have too many home grown players in our team because we've sold them; in original deals that totalled more than £30M. Had we been able to keep those players we would now have a formidable first team with a high proportion of home grown talent, including one player who is 18 years old. Just because we had to sell a player who came through the academy system, it doesn't for a minute suggest the youth system isn't working.

Top work. Apparently there are thousands of others just like you who are waiting to crawl out of the woodwork, stop supporting Man Utd, and come support the Saints instead. I for one can't wait to greet them in our new 50K stadium.

Just think of the thousands of fans that will come from Devon and Cornwall to see us; no need for them to go and see Man Utd anymore, there's a new sheriff in town.

Nonsense Turkey. We sold out a few times 10 years ago; so we quite obviously need a 50K stadium right now. To not build it is stupid.

Alpine Saint has got a new log in. Down negative boy, down.

Pah. Keepers don't count, everyone knows that......

Morgan Schneiderlin is 22, as are Jack Cork and Aaron Martin. And as you say Lallana is 23. Our oldest first teamers are Jos (29) and Hammond (29), which in footballing terms is not old at all. Yep, we've lost Bale, Walcott and Oxo. Its debatable whether they would have stayed if we were in the Prem anyway, but I think the sheer talent of those coming through has skewed expectations of when youth prospects will hit the first team. All 3 of those came through fantastically early in their careers, and the higher level you go the harder it is for under 21s to come through, if at all of course. Its true to say that there doesn't (yet) seem to be another player like that coming through, but that's a really high benchmark to set. Shaw is said to be potentially on the verge and attracting lots of interest, plus a couple of others too. We'd all prefer a team of Saints graduates but unfortunately its never going to happen. In the meantime our prospects still look very good, so I see no reason to declare the situation as "shocking".

Why is it shocking? As far as I can see, the likes of Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Spurs etc struggle to find an under 21 in their starting line up. Arsenal have Oxo in their squad but paid £15M for the privilege, plus injured Jack Wilshere, I can't think of too many others that are knocking on the door of the first team at the other top clubs.

They already do pay a premium for it. Renewal season tickets cost less than standard first-time buys. You're assuming everyone who wants an ST this season is a JCL, which is ridiculous. There are loads that aren't. Myself for instance; for each of the past 3 seasons I've lived abroad for more than 6 months each season, so there was no point in renewing the ST. This year, not the case, so it'll be season ticket time. And I'll pay a premium for it, rightly so. Nice to see that there are some that hope that cost will be through the roof though, cheers for that.

True, that would represent relative value for money. Saying that, with the reduction in games there's going to be a significant "price per game" increase whatever happens.

I bet you're a season-ticket waver, aren't you? F*ck me. Its almost as if the forum uber-fans don't want a regularly filled stadium.

When did we have sh*t times? Besides, as has been said, there is typically discount for those who had a season ticket in the previous year.

Christ. With no Saints games for the usual bed-wetters to get all hysterical about and distracted by, its clearly going to be one hell of a long summer. Roll on the "why haven't we signed anyone yet" thread.

I'm starting to think this whole thread is based on stuff in Dave's mind rather than actual reality. Still, to each their own.

I don't think so, but Swedish Dave has clearly got a bee in his bonnet about it.

I thought it was Lofty from EastEnders until I realised he (Tom Watt) is actually an Arsenal fan.

Yes, and that's kind of the point. Most of the Pompey fans I know (and plenty on their message boards) cringe at the amount TCWTB is on TV, as he is shown representing them as fans. They all respect that he's a dedicated supporter, and know that dressing up like a bell-end is his "thing", but it doesn't make it less cringeworthy that the cameras are magnetised to such an oaf all the time.

That wouldn't be a bad thing. At all.

Yes, you're right. Having an avatar on an internet mong board is exactly the same thing as wearing a similar costume to a football ground. My name is also T Kraken, hence my username being very similar. Forgive my mistake.

Erm, that's not a costume mate. Neither is it something I'd go dressed as to the football, silly.

Have you never worn a balloon? Pah. You clearly don't know how to have fun.

Well done for the assumption that you speak for the majority.