Stattmeister

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2148505,00.html

Plausible.... Isn't he/wasn't he managing a Champions league/europa league team in Romania? That'd fit the criteria that FF suggests I guess..!

Complete rumour, from an unknown source to me, but what the heck, this is the "manager gossip" section, despite probably being lambasted here... have heard Dennis Bergkamp. No idea if he's even coaching - seems unlikely in terms of a lack of a track record in the UK (as a coach), but I guess fits the bill in terms of the "big name". There's got to be better candidates than him?

That watch story has just completely choked me in the office, how tragic.... what a loss - not just to Saints, the city, but to everyone who knew him... Cortese comes across as a ruthless business man, but my word, he seems to have been a terrifc friend to St Markus and touched him dearly. Thanks all for the details of today Wes et al, I too couldn't make it, but have been constantly distracted by it. If ever we needed an incentive for success, we have one. We owe it now to the Liebherr family to show Markus was right, and we were worthy of his albeit short tenureship. Let's win it for Markus.

Cheers fella, much appreciated...

I know... lump in the throat time....

Good shout on all counts, Alpine and Barry. I'm game. WIFM

Oh my... Rest in Peace St.Markus, from one of the many in your extended Saints family - a true Southampton legend. My thoughts are with his family now.

By the way, is Sarah Beeny always pregnant, or do I always seem to see the same Property Ladder repeats?

Well, ok - I am guilty of some assumption, but seeing as that chap had just interviewed the player, I reckon it's not far off what Rickie said, do you? I doubt it is the usual speculative, lazy journalism with no proper source that we have become accustomed to.

I can live with mind games!

http://twitter.com/JamesMawFFT Rickie very likely to be out tomorrow, fro the horses mouth...

In the words of Monty Python: "What have the Romans ever done for us...?" Oh yeah....

Sorry buddy - who do you think is/was the best left back in L1 in 09/10?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8447071.stm He is/was Brighton's, until July 01 according to the Beeb!

If its white, with red detailing, and umbro, I think they've missed a trick if they fail to get it out prior to the World Cup given the obvious England link (for us English that is!)

+1. Love it!!

I'm quite pleased with the haul of major gigs this year: Noel Gallagher. John Mayer. Crowded House. Paul McCartney. Muse. With a number of smaller bands in between. All goooooood!

Does that Crawley Town chap fit the "back up for Rickie" bill? Ademano? I remember there was talk of him in January. If hes a youngster that doesn't expect to get games, the odd appearance here and there may suit him, and us, if he has potential to bring him on. I don't know much about him, but may explain that rumoured interest. Only this season Austin and Morison (and a leser extent Martin) have proved there are young players to be had from outside the league to add to a squad, and even a first team. To try and get someone in, and tell them "your going to be second fiddle to Rickie" will be tough.

I'd have Surman back - however, as people have said, it's what Pards wants, and whether he'd fit in. It's dead easy to look back at players gone, as they are known entities to us. If you'd have asked me throughout the close season last yr, and subsequent windows, I'd have been "who?" about Antonio and Waigo for starters. The pleasant surprise of signing Connolly, Fonte, Harding, Rickie have all been excellent. People that I didn't think were on our radar, whether because we didn't think we could get them, or because frankly we've never heard of them. I don't think there's been a Pardew signing I've not been impressed with (Seabourne I think has bags of potential, Barny has a great record this year and will continue to be a threat), and most have come from leftfield. Happy to let him keep that coming. To sum up my waffle, I'm looking forward to seeing who we sign - if its Surman, great, but similarly, for me, Pards have already proved he can spot a player so I have faith in his decisions in the transfer market based on the last 10 months or so.

Oh no's! The lurkers are coming out of the woodwork (well, actually I decided to pay my fiver). Sorry for breaking the inner sanctum.... I thought we were all just meant to get along these days?!

We're not going to win any "groundsmen of the year" awards here are we?! Oh, the hayfever... my eyes are stinging at the thought of it!

Adomah: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/feb/17/steve-claridge-albert-adomah-scouting-report from 2009, but sounds tasty! Although, it is Claridge....

Strewth, one of Soares/Tonge/Harper would be bloomin' marvellous! I suspect though they'll stay in the Championship.

Oh, and Harding may well be the back up RB I guess?It depends on the success of the Calderon + 1 other at RB. We're doing an England here and loading the left and not the right at the minute!