Minsk

HUGE difference. The article you linked states that the money from the winning bidders of an auction will GO TO charity. The Skates steal from charities.

Good post.

This. Certainly, many of my father's generation (as he did) would watch Saints one week and Pompey the next. My father honestly cannot understand why I so dislike them. Thankfully, Saints were his first team and the ones he took me to watch when I was a nipper. In addition to that which yorkie wrote, I believe that the rivalry really grew as we clearly became the best team in Hampshire. The Skates couldn't handle it and started hating us. I honestly don't think many Saints fans hated the Skates, they just didn't even think about them, but as the vitriol came from their end it was returned with interest. As for myself, I spent 25 years in the Royal Navy and about 2/3rd of that time was based in Pompey. This also meant that I lived in married quarters there (Hilsea) for a fair few years. Thereofre I was hated by most of the locals for 2 reasons: for being in the RN (strange, considering at the time it was the main source of income for the city and 2 out of 3 households earnt their crust from the dockyard or various shore bases, but the civillian element of there really disliked the matelots); as well, of course; as being a Saints fan. Although, to be honest, I rarely wore a Saints shirt around the city; only occasionly when out cycling. Having lived in that city, and worked with many people from there, I obviously know a lot of Skate fans. To be honest most of the ones I know are really decent blokes, but I also know a fair few a*seholes. As with everywhere, including Southampton, there are good and bad around. However, I do honestly think people are worse down that end. For example, try a wearing a Saints shirt in Pompey - at the very least you will get A LOT of abuse and more than likely physically attacked. Yet I have seen people wearing Skate shirts in Southampton and everyone just ignoring them. Which reaffirms my belief that it is/was them who hate(d) us and we have simply retaliated, but obviously doing things so much better.

Good post.

Nail. Head.

Of course we are each entitled to our own opinions, however just repeating these opinions with no reasoning or fact is not debating. Of course eeven when in a debate, or an arguement, you can always tell you have the upperhand when the other person has to resort to insults and name calling. As you have stated that you will not enter into dialog with me again, and have reverted to insults and name calling, I can confidently leave this thread now in full knowledge that I have out-debated you. Of course, this does mean that my opinion is more valid than yours - just that it is more likely to be the correct one. I am a mas(ter) debator - well, same thing as a tosser isn't it? Bye, bye Lardy.

Of course he is entitled to his opinion, as everyone is. However, he created this thread and asked for debate which is all Fowllyd and I have been trying to do. Unfortunately it would appear Saint Lard is unable to do so amd it is he who has reverted to name calling, not us. Which reminds me.........................................

Exactly! He asks for reasoned debate and noy just sh!t slinging yet when asked to explain why he believes something he just says that he believes it in a different way. No debating; no reasoned arguements; and then results to throwing insults himself when pulled on it! P.S. Apologies for spelling your name wrong earlier.

Do you HONESTLY believe that someone has to have been a manager in the premier league to have an opinion over whether or not a player is good enough to play in it? Strange! Anyway, to answer your question: Puncheon is not being played because he and the manager/coaching staff had a big falling out. When such a thing nhappens the manager is invariably the winner, as he simply refuses to pick the player. of course, should the player apologise, work hard, etc, etc, the manager might forgive him. However, instead of doing this Puncheon just continued to act like a spoilt child. In short, Puncheon has no future at Saints because of his attitude - not his ability (but then I have never been a manager of a prem club, so maybe it does have something to do with his ability )

Just for some diversity..... I think Gorkss will be an excellent partner for Fonte, and thus will be very happy if he comes here. WHEN we get to the prem we can worry about if our CBS are good enough or who they should be then; but I have no doubt that Gorkss is good enough to help us get there. (Not that I think his signing will mean it will happen this season. if he does sign I still think we will end up around 9th-12th).

Saint Lard does not think that either Lallana or Chamberlain are Championship standard. I do not know how highly he rates Puncheon, but I suspect he feels that JP is better than both AL and AOC.

But Fowlyyd is correct, you DO NOT answer the questions asked of you, you merely give your opinion whilst ignoring certain facts. You ask for debate yet when people (Fowlyyd and I) try to engage you in it you (seemingly) ignore questions that you do not want to answer. We fully understand that you not rate Adkins or most of our squad, but when we ask you to explain WHY you just get all shirty. There is nothing here for you directly answer, although I expect you will; these are the kinds of posts you like answering. we will then how well you answer the next post I make on this thread (I just don't have the time to write it at the moment but will do so later this evening).

Spot on!!!

I've already asked him this. He ignored me as well. People with agenda's often do such things.

Vidic is year older this season, have his legs gone? Terry is a year older this season, have his legs gone? Why do you think Gorkss' legs have gone? Especially given that he played, and scored, only a couple of days ago. Upon what, exactly, are you basing the assumption that Warnock 'cannot wait to get rid of him?' Was he also offered to Blackpool as part of the Campbell deal? Perhaps it was US who asked to have Gorkss in part exchange for Puncheon?

Please direct me to the quote where Adkins said we HAD signed Jemal. Many thanks.

The first question I asked was: 'Which of our players do you NOT think are championship standard?' You answer comprised the following list of players: Lambert, Guly, Hammond, Jaidi, Connolly, Richardson, Seaborne, Chamberlain, Forte, Lallana and de Ridder. Can you please clarify that you do not think these players are good enough to compete in the Championship? Or if this is not the case, could you please answer the question that I asked instead of sidestepping it, as a polititian might do? I agree that Big Sam and Eriksson have experience at a higher level than Adkins has, but please remind me what exactly either of them has WON. And, whilst we are here on the subject of them and their teams, would you feel more optimistic about this season had Southampton spent as they have done this close season? Adkins has also kept a team in the Championship, with far less money than Clotterill spent on transfers, loan fees and wages last season. Would you swap Adkins for Clotterill? And, I'll ask again, do you think the Skates are better prepared than us for the forthcoming season? Whilst on the subject of managers, one more question for you: How much Championship managerial experience did Paul Lambert have this time last year? Come to that, what do you think the majority of Norwich fans were expecting of their coming campaign at this time last year? As for signing players who have not played in the Championship, or even in England, before.... At some stage NONE of the players plying their trade in this division had played there. Of course it is never a given that anybody will be a success, and we are all entitled to our opinion as to who will or wont do well with a step up, or moving to another country. I can only imagine you are a 'doubting Thomas' kind of person who will never believe anything until is proven to them. That is certainly how you are coming across on here. Therefore, you would probably only be happy if Saints had players who have successfully played at this level before. Players such as, Kelvin, Butterfield, Harding, Fonte, Cork, Chaplow, Jaidi and Connolly (oh no, wait, you don't think the last two are good enough for this division, my mistake). Lambert signed a number of players from Div 1 for Norwich last summer. I suppose they weren't good enough to compete in the Championship? Do you think Sneijder would fail in the Premiership if manUre buy him? After all, he has never played in England before. There was also one other question I asked that you completely ignored, so I shall ask it again: Why do you think Adkins, or the players or coaching staff, will underestimate any opposition this season? I look forward to reading your thought out reply to these questions, but please ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THIS TIME. Many thanks.

Or then again perhaps this latest rumour is hairy dangly male appendages? Or perhaps the entire saga has been hairy dangly male appendages? Maybe we'll find out one day, and maybe not.

Exactly what I was thinking. I've always thought that the player gets something like 10% of the fee (if he has not submitted a transfer request). One of the reasons why they use agents.

Only if you're into that sort of thing. Personally, I usually fine my students in beers or shots of vodka!

Excepting them is okay, however some people have a problem with ACCEPTING them.

I am not apprehensive at all. As I mentioned on another thread, I believe we will finsh between 7th and 12th - which I will be happy with. Of course, I would be happier still if we got into the play-offs, and in 7th heaven should we get promoted. Perhaps you could answer a few questions: 1. Which of our players do you NOT think are championship standard? Where are our main faults? 2. Why do you think Adkins, or the players or coaching staff, will underestimate any opposition this season? 3. If championship experience in a manager is so important, how do you think West Ham and Leicester will get on this season? Afetr all, neither of their managers has as much experience of this division as Nigel. Similarly Clotterill has more experience than Nige, do you think this means the Skates are in a better place than us right now? Thanks.

However, Jemal has not been in any of YB's squads this season; which leads me to think that we do have him here, training, and tied up to a contract work permit dependant.

Good, at least he will be match fit when he arrives.

And he was training with us the entire time we were waiting for it, so I would expect the same to be true of Jemal.