saint1977

Respect your view and fingers firmly crossed you are right. The coaching shake up was a decisive move we’ve not seen for a while, now onto player trading which where the big action will happen. No dispute that Semmens is better than Reed and Kreuger, but he’s tied himself to Ralph politically so imperative that he is backed this summer. Not silly Newcastle money but a decent net spend plus moving more of the players on who don’t fit the ways of playing. One positive the last 3 years has been the wage bill coming down.

Also likely to increase prices https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61683111 Still yet to see a tangible gain from Brexit

Bit more depth on him here https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/player-analysis-mattias-svanberg/ Could be a handy signing, some height and physicality, decent technically and athletically. 10m Euros seems low though, be interesting to see if the club goes back with a larger bid. Bologna were talking about 20m Euros, maybe 15m Euros and meet in the middle?

What a mess on this thread - the Tory Party doesn’t want to move on from party gate let alone anyone else. Not hard to understand when MP are getting swamped with correspondence from angry constituents. Also, the plan to freeze civil service fast track is barmy, the best service efficiencies will come from bringing in the latest digital skills from new graduates in quantitative disciplines. The headcount issue is largely the fault of Brexit and JRM is as responsible for anyone. Even Boris or Nadine Dorries are struggling to sell crazy distractions like imperial measures or privatising Channel 4 which at best might stop Chope or Conor Burns writing a letter to Brady and the 1922. Even fossils like Baker can see through it and can see his job disappearing in about 2 years as well as MP. If and when the vote is called, it’s having a viable alternative. Jeremy Hunt would be a vast improvement but been part of badly failing Tory governments as one of the few with a brain for a long time, might help shore up SE seats like Steve Baker’s but that’s pretty much the Red Wall red again and SW England yellow. And I’m not sure he’d get enough votes to topple the exploded haystack. Also a remainer and would be governing a party where the majority are Brexit ‘swivel eyed loons’ foaming at the mouth after the 2019 purge. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/may/31/government-travel-demand-covid-boris-johnson-conservatives-uk-politics-latest

Spurs forum now saying £15m as Spurs looking for quick sale to free up funds to buy, more interesting price but I still think with so many areas to improve in that a Sangare or Wanyama type DMC is what’s a priority. Lampard apparently likes him so now linked with Everton, I reckon he might go there, especially if he gets on with Alli.

Might be agent talk though, I just don’t see him as the increased power in the spine of the side RH was taking about. A Sangare type is what he wants.

I posted a string of them from Saints Extra via Dan Sheldon on Friday night, including one stating that the club were looking for new players in pretty much every position, and another saying that RH could be the only one left in SMS. Forster gone, Long going, Broja going Redmond and Bednarek and Djenepo linked away, Theo linked with a move to the MLS, Stephens future under doubt (Echo), AA seemingly unsettled, Ely with a year left and no new deal on the table. That’s eight or nine first team squad players without trying. Of course, the club may not shift all of the players it wants to but could be double figures easily plus the u23s etc you mention. Diallo could be an option to cash in on if the club gets its money back, he doesn’t suit RH’s system so as the manager is staying for now it might be in his interests to move on.

You make some valid points, there was a near miss earlier in the decade, I think when Spurs were there for their 81 semi possibly at the Leppings Lane end. It’s where the recent concerns about pitch invasions and violence come from, the fences in the 1980s were very dangerous. It wasn’t just a English issue - the Dutch, Belgians and Italians had major issues eg Anderlecht, Den Haag, Feyernoord, but England was the worst pre-Iron Curtain falling. The link to last night is the mistrust and fear of English supporters in large numbers and to a lesser extent Liverpool which may come out in the wash-up as to why gates were closed earlier, turnstiles restricted. It’s understandable given the historical context but annoying if you are law-abiding Liverpool fan with a valid ticket locked out an hour or more beforehand. For greater social context, Heysel came in the start of a run of large scale disasters - Bradford, Manchester airport, Kings Cross, Herald of Free Enterprise, Clapham Junction, Piper Alpha, Marchioness, Hillsborough - in very short order. Football was but one theatre where the health and well-being of people simply didn’t matter. Some wallies complain about ‘Elf and Safety’ (which is more about insurance anyway and public liability cover premiums) but they forget all of the above events and lives lost. At least from Manchester and Hillsborough key lessons were learned and innovations made in safety and design and understanding human behaviour in crisis situationd, although it shouldn’t have taken that. Ironically although the Dell was never the biggest ground of the era it was one of the most tidy. If you encountered the old Stamford Bridge, Ewood Park, Manor Ground, Plough Lane, Molineux etc you’ll know what I mean. Heysel was every bit as bad as those and never suitable for a European Cup Final.

Pretty decent summary. I was quite young when Heysel happened but I remember the scenes - game didn’t actually start until much later and was a subdued affair. What I do have a memory is of is whole bits of wall being ripped off and thrown by both sides so it wasn’t a surprise it gave way. Pamplemousse probably only remembers post-Taylor stadiums in the main but in the early and mid-80s grounds were often a safety issue waiting to happen. Around the same time you had a kid being killed where a wall collapsed at Birmingham v Leeds where fans surged at each other, St Andrew’s was another very decaying stadium. And of course this came just after the Bradford fire disaster, which wasn’t due to trouble but sheer neglect and disregard for human life. Rangers were the only British club at the time to have a modern spec major stadium after they’d rebuilt Ibrox, again after a disaster. Liverpool fans were badly behaved that evening and bar one banner at Liverpool v Juventus in the mid 2000s they’ve not really addressed that. It doesn’t mean however that their grievances about Hillsborough, the police, tabloids and government about the long-running cover up aren’t real because Duckenfield should be behind bars. Teenagers and other fans not involved in any trouble should be coming back from FA Cup Semi Finals alive. Klopp encouraging ticketless fans to travel was irresponsible IMHO. The five year ban was to cover UEFA’s arse a bit for selecting Heysel, and the domestic fan narrative and media identified this at the time. However, it did reflect about 15 years of dreadful behaviour by not only England club sides but also the national team, who they’d really like to have banned after appalling violence including Luxembourg who were hardly a rival ‘’firm’. Saints had qualified for the UEFA Cup 1984/5 and it was the end of our halycon days bar the revival under Markus and Cortese. People were angry at Liverpool fans but recognition that behaviour had been terrible for years. Things didn’t improve either, hence Thatcher proposing ID cards, Luton wouldn’t allow away fans after the Millwall riot etc live on BBC1, the West Ham v Man Utd ferry riot with both sides have continental friendlies the summer afterwards. It took Hillsborough to really tackle the state of stadia. I remember the Bert Milichip quote to the Prime Minister ‘please keep your thugs away from our football’ or words to that effect.

Agree with this although clearly the club are making noises that 12-15 players are going, probably more than that, and 9, 10, 11 coming in so one does wonder about the budget without a big sale. Although the wage bill is seriously falling and new players first contract in the PL tends to be lower until they prove themselves. The length of JWP’s contract is a deterrent though as I think clubs were hoping he’d go for £50m but SFC will want a lot more, and the player seems reasonably content. Romeu has made comments that changes will be made and if they carry on as they it’s curtains next year, so I reckon he will see his final year with us and positive if so. Add KWP, Tino, Salisu (if there is a sale it could him), Perraud, Lyanco (still as 4th CB), JWP, SA and Che…and I reckon that’s what staying. Maybe Tella and McCarthy as well. Theo looks MLS-bound for example and Bednarek has seemingly wanted out for a while, plus Redmond was cited by the Athletic as another probably moving on. So JWP has another key role with Romeu and KWP, maybe Stuart, in bringing together a new group. Oriel and James are also reminders of the Ronald and in JWP’s case Poch and Adkins eras where much higher standards of professionalism and application were expected. The calibre of players was higher too, but there is no excuse for the Villa game and why came after that. It’s imperative that a couple more experienced faces come in to supplement the senior group.

Nearly 23 in Tella’s case. I like his pace and attitude, type of player you want to see succeed, but bar the Fulham goal and penalty won at Sheffield Utd I’m struggling to think of obvious end product. Should follow the Obafemi route and move to Champ and make an impact. Smallbone I don’t think would get a buyer at this stage, probably a loan with a Champ/League One club that will bulk him out a bit and get exposure to sustained first team football to mature. If he does well, win win.

Cor - looks like by this selection of media linked articles by a range of papers and other outlets that some serious unrest was hitting the fan behind the scenes. TBF to the club they seem to be addressing a lot of our comments since March on a total squad and coaching staff overhaul. The performances on the pitch did really give away how bad it was. Post West Ham cup game and follow up Villa away game it all suddenly changed and performances fell of a cliff. Wonder what the catalyst was? Amongst the gems there: Club looking for new players in virtually every position Colwill and the City youngsters linked on loan again. Could only take on one of them from a single club 10s too similar and along with strikers the area where the club may pay more than before eg over £20m Ings record was my take Broja unhappy in second half of loan spell Bednarek and Stephens futures uncertain Jokes about RH being only one left in SMS Add that to AA seemingly known to be unsettled and this is going to be a very busy thread soon!

Cole Palmer linked with Ioan move from City. No guarantees u23 form translates but ripped up that level and at 20 either becomes a City regular or gets first team PL football experience in the short term elsewhere. Genuine 10 - bye bye Ely, Redmond and Walcott if the shake up there happens. Wonder if Pep said no Liam Delap?

Start of a little goalkeeper merry go round I suspect with Johnstone, who was linked to Saints and Spurs probably going back to Man U, with Forster to Spurs and Dragowski seemingly Southampton bound. Henderson to Newcastle next.

Especially if RH wanted to retain some of those staff and he walks, which other managers have done. Could claim constructive dismissal but not a strong case after the players have basically gone on strike for three months and the 9-0s, if I was representing the club at a tribunal I’d be confident of winning any case brought. He Is wealthy, very independent man and could pick up another good job in a different league. If other outlets start reporting it there may be mileage in it.

KWP is unlucky but his own lazy team mates take the blame there for downing tools for 3 months and leaving KWP, JWP and Fraser to do all of the work. He deserves team mates with a better work ethic, level of quality and professionalism like his own.

Post of the week and encapsulates exactly my thoughts as well. Some posters on here, who I respect a lot, have said about the debt but hence the rock bottom price of £100m. Semmens has always stated that debt servicing and transfer budgets aren’t linked so time that statement was delivered on. I don’t expect us to compete with Newcastle, Villa or W Ham but Brighton, Brentford, Palace, Fulham, Bournemouth, Forest as a minimum yes. A lot of the cart horses that Les and Ross squandered are gone, still in the PL, TV money and I suspect JWP might move on for a top 4 club (sadly). So a clean slate and time to give this squad a huge sort out, start with the spine and one 10, and then next 2-3 windows the Tino type prospects can be gradually added then.

Mail and MOS very obedient at present on most government policies as Boris and JRM been pushing out the ‘work from home is evil’ message to help save their advertising revenues on the Metro at the Major rail terminals which had been keeping them afloat.

No more hiding behind the muppets masquerading as manager and CEO, Semmens wanted you so let’s see what you are made of. The signs of standing behind a lame duck manager do not fill me with any hope whatsoever. It’s a worry if they are just relying on Martin Semmens for advice which appears to be the case. Some serious £££ needed even if JWP sold as well, and the recruitment has to be both quick and spot on. With the sheer volume of positions to recruit to it will be 24/7 until the end of August. Fanbase morale totally shot and STH renewals will be well down, needs to be very fast start on overhauling the squad if they won’t budge on Ralph and really licking a very complacent and lax organisation into shape off the pitch as well.

With Theo looking like he is going to the MLS (Crocker has gotten lucky there), and Fraser gone, looks like huge scope to completely remould the squad with the wages freed up. Bednarek and Ely almost certainly going as well, no talk of a new contract for the latter and Jan has looked and played like a smacked arse for some time, culmination the Man City debacle. Redmond very likely to be going and could be a squad option for another PL club, maybe Bournemouth or Fulham. Tella really needs to move on at 23 having not really established a solid place and follow Obafemi’s lead. Oriol only a year left although personally I’d let him see that out, Diallo at a similar age to Tella, needs to play and move on to do that. Could be a good player at a better club. AA seeemingly unsettled and unless Ralph resigns I think he is moving on. I don’t think Long has done enough to earn another deal. Willy may get another 12 months as third choice/ coach. Djenepo on his way, one year left. That leaves fit for August and in contract as McC, KWP, Stephens, Lyanco, Salisu (if not sold), Perraud, Small, JWP (if not sold), Romeu, Stuart Arm, Smallbone (sigh, loan please), Adams. Wow, can see the above happening quite easily so Crocker is looking for a lot more than a youth GK, MC and striker! Keeping Ralph will not the cheap option plus new back room team. Hope the club already has a few deals ready to announce at the end of the month as the free agent market will be a dogfight.

Well known for a long time. Probably Britain’s most dangerous building even without the idiots who inhabit it. Clearly a huge fire risk but the biggest issue I’m aware of is the sheer quantity of friable asbestos. Contractors and staff were exposed in a recent renovation project on the HoC to the extent the HSE was called in and catering staff are constantly put at risk through moving doors and basements full of the stuff pushing trollies out etc. I’ve seen close relatives who worked in Southampton docks die of asbestosis and it’s a horrific way to go. Look at the quote from JRM, what a twat https://www.politico.eu/article/dozens-warned-of-asbestos-exposure-after-incident-in-uk-parliament/

I had to listen to that twat talking on the radio on car journey yesterday teatime about cracking down on cocaine use at football matches. More irrelevant grandstanding and he got cut to ribbons by the following speakers. Er Kit, it’s been widespread at gigs, festivals, clubs/pubs, City of London Thursday night out as well as football matches for donkeys years. It’s hardly unique to one sport you tool. The reason it’s more prevalent is your party’s ludicrous austerity which slashed police numbers and caved morale, which has given the dealers, and county lines suppliers a field day. You’ve only got to see shows like Inside the Force 24/7 on C5 with the Lincolnshire Force to see the 9 or so single crewed units going out during the Euros last summer and trying to stem a tide of boozed up, coked up city centre. That’s on top of the DV calls etc and post lockdown social issues and suicides they have to contend with as well from the pandemic and the social damage from the failures of markets and cost of living which has got worse since. As a Lib Dem voter, I hated the Iraq War but I have to say Blair kicked this lots sorry arses on crime prevention and resourcing.

Bad couple of minutes there with Everton and Villa scoring.

What’s been missed here today - Ok I don’t like the bloke but he’s 100% correct as I’d heard similar - is that basically the Mail - mainly but not only - is running these ‘burn WFH people in the nearest town square’ front page rubbish pieces of sixth form garbage everyday because the Metro was going to bankrupt them without the advertising revenue from London commuters (of which I was one) picking up a copy on the way home. So fuck reporting on the cost of living crisis and government policies failing miserably - instead we have at best client journalism, at worst by shady deals/blackmail. Also explains the Glen Owen Mail on Sunday extreme behaviour. It’s no better than Russia and Putin. Make the Mail put the Conservative party logo across the top for 12 months to highlight the non independence for the stupid. Corrupt, even for this lot.

Sadly I suspect this is the reality, I’m not sure the new owners can see the depth of issues and that Semmens is effective at creating smokescreens. The run and extent of poor form should be obvious that adding a couple of 19 year Man City reserves earlier in the window without selling some more of our own tat isn’t the answer but I still don’t think the penny has dropped. 2014 was a near miracle window but the club had big receipts from player trading. FFP allows a hefty summer once for the club, but it’s whether they want to do it to stabilise the club and add future value to get the big sales going again to re-invest in the next crop aka Leicester. And even then it only takes a Vestergaard to fuck it up.