saint1977

The answer is to retain Martina as cover and a sign a quality RB. Soares clearly out of favour with RK. On paper has all the attributes to be a quality RB but Ron is seeing something in training, matches or around the club that he doesn't like.

Great win and performance. Will need to defend better at Spurs but their back 4 will not fancy our forward line one little bit - can see Long doing Toby for pace and Mane, Tadic and Long were superb today. Victor played very well as did Ryan, Fonte and VVD. Martina had a couple of shaky moments but also some quality and a developing player. Cedric should be part-exed for a new RB though. Only weak link was Clasie, much better once Romeu on. City were woeful bar one outstanding 19 year old. Sterling - £50m you have to be joking and the knee injuries have caught up with Nasri. Delph anonymous, another one who just moved for the money and seeing his England Euros hopes going down the swanney.

Good start today, very welcome top order ton by Carbs and Dawson approaching 50. Another low score for Adams though, Alsop back in once weather warms up and pitches dry out. Notts collapsed to Yorks, up against a strong attack although Willey conceded a few with the new ball. Hales got 36, but rivals have posted tons recently. Will be interesting to see if England selectors stick with him. Probably will with Taylor's sad retirement frees up a middle order slot.

Had forgotten Smith was on a short loan, hasn't he been scoring most of their goals recently? Bit of a blow for them in that case. Mind you, agree with the9, Cook getting his excuses in if Plymouth turn up in the play offs, if that's who the skates get. Just got a feeling they'll do what we did in 2007 and go out at the semi final stages on penalties.... Last night's disappointing result for Boro puts Brighton in a strong position to make it three south coast club in the top flight.

I see Paul Jones, their first XI keeper, is out for the rest of the season and the PO games. Anyone seen their back-up keeper play? According to Cook, the injuries are piling up. Plymouth need to sort their consistency out though (assuming that's who the skates end up with), losing 3-2 at home to relegated D&R doesn't bode well for them. That's more a pro-Devon than anti-Pompey thing as I want Torquay, Exeter and Plymouth to do well. Be interesting if Bristol or Stanley pip Oxford, Appy for the S-Fs. Bet he'd been keen to win those ties!

Astonishing result. Wycombe will no pushovers - literally, their game at Home Park ended in a brawl and an away victory. Their record at Wimbledon is not the best and Ardley has got them on a strong run of form. They should win at Hartlepool but if they can lose at York.....and Northampton won't want to finish on a low note and 100 points may still be on. Automatic definitely gone and if The9 is right, a home first leg play off game may leave them vulnerable with their tactics this season. There's also the pressure from the 'Bestest' to handle. The villain-ometer on Cook must into the red zone.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkadiusz_Milik Decent scoring record to date. On the downside, he's a Man U fan.

Brilliant effort from the guys last 2 days. Edwards injury is compounding problems though, will need at least 2 loans but where do we get decent bowlers from if they aren't being selected by their teams? Maybe Matthew Fisher from Yorks now they have Willey but haven't selected him for this game?

Whoops - and hope Wood's injury not serious, did wonder if him playing 4 day cricket was a good idea. Topley was unlucky - you can't predict impact injuries - but bowling now desperately thin. Looks like Giles White will be busy on the phone getting some bowlers in. Take your point WS about developing young players and I want to see that too but can't throw them all in, particularly the batters, on green seamers in April. Smith was well short of D1 class all of last season, Ervine was off form but at least contributes with the ball. With Adams and Tommo still on the books, I think supporters will question why some tough decisions weren't made to free up more cash to strengthen over the winter to give the youngsters space to be introduced as they are ready, supported by experienced players in some sort of form for a couple of seasons.

Pancake - what about Jack Payne? Seen him 2-3 times this season and not ready for PL yet but he reminded me of a certain number 20 we had in League when we were there - a bit of acceleration to get past a player without being express, quick feet, can make or score goals. Bradley Dack is an interesting rumour - Bristol City tried to buy him in January but he stayed put, could be that PL clubs interested as well. Might be one for the longer-term to develop but has had a fantastic season at Gillingham and could be a good late developer.

When has it been anything else, even in Division 2, in recent years? Club need to be active in the player market, if we go down this year Giles White needs to go this time, don't know what they were up to in the winter, obvious the squad needed major surgery. Top order batsman and a bowler on a Kolpak need to happen asap, especially with Topley probably out until June. Why weren't compromise agreements reached with Tomlinson and Adams? If they feature, it's only because the squad is already so weak. Both are great servants but D1 is the toughest ever this year and tough decisions have been kicked down the road. Last year should have been a catalyst for change over the winter as there were clearly big problems on and off the pitch last summer but unlike Saints in the modern era, Hants just plodded on like SFC did under Askham season after season on avoiding relegation.

Pelle has seemed set for a return to Italy for a while and RK, assuming he does sign some form of new deal, doesn't seem over-keen on Mane's level of application and focus at times. Sounds like similar problems brewing with Cedric as well so wouldn't be surprised at all if we move both players on. Right back is top priority, Martina has been better than expected as back up, although his position gives me the shivers at times but Cedric just hasn't consistently cut it despite seemingly having the attributes. The laziness at Leicester might have made the club's mind up. I'd like to see Pelle stay - think he has done well for us - but up to Ron and Les and the player. Victor I still think will go but sounds a bit like the Clyne situation - club talking to player, some interest to signing up again but options open and active agent. I genuinely don't think Victor is ready to go to Man U, Spurs, Arsenal etc as a first XI player and if he signs a new deal with us, why not have say a £20-25m release clause in there? Saints get a return on the new deal and a good sum for a high quality replacement and that's not prohibitive for a genuine big club buyer (e.g. not Levy and Spurs). It would also keep Victor on his toes.

One of Ralph's key tasks when he arrived in post was to improve the very low levels of commercial income. If the figures on another thread are credible then hats off to him and the commercial team at the club. Now await the shirt sponsorship - Veho deal has been beneficial for both the club and the company but I have a feeling that will be larger-scale too as the new TV deal kicks in. Helps the club's sustainability and profile and should open other doors. Nice to see that it is far more strategic as a partnership than just kit.

Quite - he could be a different proposition outside of the toxic atmosphere of Villa. I do agree with some of the other posters that I'd like us to aim higher as a Wanyama replacement and that should cost £15m at least, but if Ron and Les think he could be returned to form with us, then I'd back them. Seems from AVFC forums that he's been one a very small minority of players actually trying and putting in some displays this season - imagine having to shine somewhere where 95% of your colleagues don't give a toss? Also, if the club bring in a player from another league (e.g. like Clasie), you are often looking at a season of adjustment whereas this Gueye will have had a tough first PL season under his belt and Villa need to cut costs. PS - Did anyone see in the Telegraph yesterday that Shelvey doesn't have a relegation wage cut clause at Newcastle and he'll still be on £80k a week up there?

Rained off this morning - sunny here in the south west - but hopefully Hants can get over 200 and gain the first point of the season. 250 might be pushing it! Then we'll see what Hants bowlers will do with what should also be helpful conditions. Getting Bell early is essential, get him playing away from his body. McLaren has at least given us a bit of hope and good battling from Topley and Tommo. Bit concerned about Topley's broken hand but as it's not his left hand for bowling, he might be OK. In other news, Somerset getting hammered at Durham - definitely a side who will be with us in fighting the drop - and Surrey in trouble at Trent Bridge to a very good Nottinghamshire. Durham-Somerset was never going to be draw unless it rained all the time so probably a better result for Hants that Durham win with home advantage. Somerset missing the Overtons. Sussex not finding D2 easy - Duckett got his double ton at Northants and still going.

Unless I've misread it, isn't there 50% some of the team and training kit on the OS Club Shop at the moment? Not that fussed on the kits this season but the away would be OK for £25 and the polos aren't bad at all.

Apologies you are right, 2 down and 1 up! It's been like in the mid 90s when the PL was reduced to 20 clubs. Can see the logic though from an England perspective. Onto Hants - can't really judge until Warwicks have had a bat in the conditions tomorrow which I can't see improving hugely. However, it looks like the supporters were right yet again and the club wrong, screamingly obvious that top order needed a minimum of 2 quality signings, needed one more decent seamer after signing Topley as early pitches won't help Crane. Needed to reach severance agreements with some of the promotion side to free up cash and White couldn't get it done and wasn't proactive. That said, Warwicks are going to be the contenders along with Yorks and Notts, they are the Australia, England, SA and India of domestic cricket. Hampshire are underdogs so just have to pick up as many points as we can off those sides, try and keep it respectable. The key thing is to eke out wins over Lancs, Somerset, Durham and possibly Surrey with their injury list and stay up somehow.

It's a concern, Topley will develop and put on more pace but workload has to be watched. Berg was a blow as one of our few consistent players last term, all the more surprising that Hampshire weren't a lot more active in the market over the winter. Should have agreed terms to part with Adams and Tomlinson and freed up cash for more new faces. Puts a lot of pressure on the youngsters and the top order is very reliant on Carberry and Vince. With only one team going down and coming up this year, I wouldn't have spent all the money on Afridi/Sammy and concentrated on staying up and use the young players for the one day stuff. The D1 /D2 divide will get wider - ultimately good for English cricket but Hants needs to remain as part of that elite group with Test grounds. The best players will move every winter to get into England contention.

Mind you, Wood over Tomlinson on account of more pace is a bit like driving a Kia 1.0 on the grounds that it's faster than an artic. Anyway, isn't Wood's knee supposed to prevent him playing the 4 day stuff? A lot rides on Edwards's and McLaren's shoulders and Topley if he stays fit although not a stunning 4 day record at Essex. Top order still looks brittle, really needed a couple of quality signings in there. I'd pick Dawson for his batting and to hold an end up. Got to persevere with youngsters like Alsop and Weatherall even if they struggle initially. Lancs game is massive, got to finish above them and Durham to stay up. Somerset have a talented young attack but it could leak runs so that might be another side we can catch and Surrey have a lot of quicks injured. Yorks, Notts and Warwickshire are like test sides though and will be giving out some big hidings unless the elements intervene. They'll be much too strong early season for Hants. Beating Lancs, Durham and Somerset has to be the objective with the bits and pieces side we have and anything else we can pick during the season will help.

Great post Florida Marlin. I'm ITK from many years ago and have to be very careful what I post but you've hit the nail on the head. As with any organisation on that scale, public or private sector (and I've worked in both and Third Sector), there are good performing bits and not-so-good. The politicians from all parties are getting away scot-free, Brown made the taxman/woman's job a heck of a lot harder with the various measures to make the rules and collection of taxation so much more opaque and austerity has reduced their clout against some of the worst large-scale cheats. Mail is just another example of hypocritical non-doms. Trousers made a valid point that needs acknowledging but another that needs more discussion. We should celebrate far more businesses which create jobs in this country, pay their dues and contribute to the communities in which they are based e.g. using the regional development and honours systems properly. That's what helps underpin our economy and society. There's a risk that the discourse just focuses on the crooks avoiding tax on a large scale and not the majority creating and sharing prosperity. By paying their taxes, they are supporting tomorrow's generation of achievers and keeping their current workforces fit and well. Where I'm less sure about what he is saying is that 25% is potentially a high enough overall figure for the top 1% (if that's what he was saying). My own experiences tell me that taxation is applied on a national basis but each case needs to be judged on it's merits so I'd be reluctant to generalise that far. Some of the top 1% may/should pay less, some far more. That said, I'm also a pragmatist and where adjusting a tax band increases the overall take so we can help society more, governments should make their case more strongly. Our tax systems are some of the most lean in the world though, it's hardly like the bad old days under Harold Wilson for top earners.

You were asking for workers to be helped so I pointed out a way in which they had been taken further from being able to potentially access redress from the small but persistent minority of illegal employment behaviour. You are right on one thing though, even if you've provided zero evidence that vexatious claims have decreased since the fees were introduced, that it hasn't helped the government but it has helped their wealthy donors, not the hard working SMEs and other engine rooms of the economy. By the way, how's take up of that other ideological wheeze supposed to deregulate the labour market going? That's right, the Beecroft Review? Barely double figures took it up as both companies and employees knew it was garbage, that and it was designed by a loan shark.

Well said. I agree with Johnny B that the NHS isn't free but it would be a lot stronger with a mix of more investment from money reclaimed from tax dodgers and tough reforms of the non-clinical side of the organisation which could be delivered better for less cost. I completely agree that though the tabloid myth of all our taxes going on benefits, prisons and overseas aid (a whole different can of worms) is bunk, there's so many essential services we all rely on to educate, transport and keep ourselves well, including the super wealthy and everyone, regardless of ideology and status, should do their bit. I'd say judging by the public reaction to this and recent cases such as Google/Starbucks/Amazon that this is the majority view. Make political parties funded by lean, realistic public funding so politicians work for US, not corporates or trade unions and these organisations can be stakeholders in the system, not buying off individual key politicians.

RIP - remember her as a poster, very sad news.

Too right and same here. Pay proper tax on my salary and SA on my consultancy company and always have done. About time there was global coordinated action to shut every single tax haven internationally. Embarrassing for Cameron that his dad used the same firm to avoid tax as seemingly helped handle the Brinks Mat money. For a number of years - and Labour were just as culpable - tax avoidance almost became fashionable at dinner tables and a way of keeping up with the Joneses. I didn't agree with then and don't know. Whoever (correctly) posted that the UK papers will try and bury this; of course they will, most of them are run by non-doms who are probably amongst the worst offenders whilst they pour their twisted bile down a diminishing readership's throats. For those on the Conservative right who have excused it for years, look at the criminals your corporate friends have been in bed with. No wonder many decent, hard-working Conservatives find the scale of the evasion offensive. Hopefully one outcome is the state funding of UK parties - no more corporates or trade unions buying policies not in the wider public interest.