The Kraken

I agree with this. Back in the Premier League prices were much higher. It wasn't necessarily that I couldn't afford it, but I couldn't justify the expense to myself of going every single week. So I used to go anywhere between 5 and 10 times a season. The past 3 or 4 seasons I think the value has been much better, and so I've decided to go to games much more often. I've still followed Saints in all that time, but the amount of times I have attended has changed. That's the choice that I made, and that is available to everyone to make. Going to a game of football is a privilege, not a right of everyone.

Exactly this. This is the last place I'd want to come on a match day.

With the squad at present; I think we'll be between 13th and 10th. Add in a top quality centre back and centre forward, and keep AOC, and I think the playoffs are a real possibility, perhaps even a push for the top two.

I give you this utterly uninspiring effort:

There's a capacity of 150, so I'm going to guess its the old Terry Paine Ambassadors' Suite.

Being less fit than Jaidi and the goalkeepers is some achievement.

Well I think I'd be inclined to be perfectly honest, and tell them it's too much of a price hike, if that's how you feel.

I dread to think how bad Lambert's diet becomes in the close season.

I can't believe I'm actually replying to the insanity of all this, but there we go. In this league Messi would have far more time on the ball; simply because defenders wouldn't be able to get as close to him. He'd absolutely run riot; the suggestion that he wouldn't because it's a lower league is just laughable.

Read the clarification, genius.

Andoverian, apologies, I was perhaps harsh. However, I do stand by the sentiment of my statement. My point is this; if you don't want, or can't afford a season ticket, don't buy one. I don't understand the likes of those two characters in the Echo who made the point about parking charges and took their season tickets back. Fair enough if you want to do that; but why then make an issue of it in the local paper, putting on a ridiculous sad face for the headline picture? This forum (and others) sadly become an extention of that type of reaction, which is why I classify it as mock-outrage. I pay money to watch Saints; a lot of the time I don't particulrly agree with many of the business decisions made by the management, but I just feel to let that get in front of my enjoyment of a Saturday afternoon's football is a tad silly.

Yes, because the football club has never been run as a business before, with the fans identified as customers, have they? So what if the club gets sold in the future. Its been sold before, and will definitely be sold again at some point. Who cares? Do you support the club for the owners? Of course not; it's what happens on the pitch that counts. I find all of this mock-outrage at the way the club is run a bit ridiculous; if you don't want to go, don't go. And if you don't want to go, why ***** and moan to everyone about how unfair it all is.

Suck my fat one, I'm drunk

Start spreading the news He’s signing today He wants to be a part of it Jack Cork, Jack Cork In Southampton shoes He’s longing to stay Right to the Premier League Jack Cork, Jack Cork He wants to wake up, in a city, that never sleeps And find he’s king of the hill, top of the league These little club blues Are melting away He’s made abrand new start of it Jack Cork, Jack Cork If he can make it here He’ll make it anywhere Its up to you, Jack Cork, Jack Cork.

Weren't allowed? Get a grip, dear me.

Why not call the ticket office? They'll put you on to someone who knows.

Indeed, and well said. The aggressive tone in this page to someone being overly-optimistic about a football team is really quite staggering.

If you're basing your views on the musings of a pre-pubescent teenager then I'm going to start worrying about your state of mind. Cork is a good player; he could be very good. He is not the second coming.

Who is doubting it exactly?

Also it will be very interesting to see just how much effect Richardson/Butterfield and Harding/Dickson have in bombing forward and providing opportunities. Last season they almost had free reign to get forward at every opportunity; that will be much more restricted this year.

I'm well aware of that thank you, and I still disagree. And again, you're talking about 2 players in Lallana and AOC who have rarely/never played at this level, plus Guly is still a largely unknown quantity. Potentially they could be great, but it's a massive assumption to make surrounding 6 players, 4 of whom have played the majority of their football at a lower level. I think we have a good squad; but I just find the attitude by some people on this board to how good we actually are to be a little bit over the mark; I personally believe this division will be a lot harder than a lot of people imagine. We have a good squad, and a good basis to improve, but I don't concur with the OP as I've stated.

I think Cork is a good player, and I'm very glad we've got him, but it's a bit hysterical to claim him as the new messiah and seemingly the final link in the jigsaw. I think it sums up the antipathy shown by some board members to just how difficult this season is going to be; signing one player like this is not going to turn us into title favourites overnight. If we had done a Cardiff and signed Bellamy, or done a Wet Sham and got Nolan then I'd probably join in with Nick's little w*nkfest; those were/are incredible signings for this division. But as others have said I think we've signed a very solid Championship player, one who could very likely step up to the Premier League and hold his own. But no more than that.

No, sorry, just don't agree with that. We have two strikers in Lambert and Barnard who, despite their obvious qualities, have rarely/never played at this level. Connolly has proved he will score goals at this level, but not at a hugely prodigous rate (1 in 3). There's a very good reason NA is looking to shell out £3M plus on a striker, and IMO it really isn't because we already have the best strikeforce in the division.

I very much doubt we would spend a considerable amount of money on a makeshift centre half. A new striker, we know, is on the agenda. I hope a CB is too, but I get the feeling that will only be done if funds are available after Cork and the new striker (i.e. if we can still afford it). The new deals to Martin and Jaidi suggest that the CB is lower down on the most wanted list.

I think this is exactly right. For me its fair enough to normally charge for parking down there; 15 minutes for free as opposed to 30 minutes is a bit stingey, but whatever. But it would be so easy to validate tickets for people who are buying a season ticket; and it should be done just as a matter of good faith. Giving a season ticket back for having to pay an extra £1 is utterly ridiculous and petty, and in the context doesn't really punish anyone significantly except the customer who no longer has a season ticket. But its a bit of a marketing own goal for the club to look to make an additional £1 on the already significant price of a season ticket.