thefuriousb

Tickets are still only avialble to those who qualify

As an aside, I see there are a number of people already offering out their customer numbers even though they have no intention of going. This policy of releasing tickets on a priority basis even though we are now in a new season needs to be reviewed. For some, who live around the country, going to away matches near them is their best chance of watching Saints, and they are reliant on, for want of a better term "scalpers" - who sometimes even making a hefty profit a la Arnhem.

This would suggest we finish with an away tie around my birthday. I would get excited but I have suffered adversely from the "collect in person" policy put in place for the Denmark trip as we have been unable to use friends' customer numbers who could not make/afford to go to Denmark. I am hoping this is a one off by Danish police because of the time, small allocation of tickets and likely number of fans travelling without tickets.

Looks like many who were hoping to use the customer numbers of friends who went to Vitesse, but not this round, are out of luck as the season ticket holder has to present ID on the day of the match to colelct the ticket in person.

I'm the opposite. I need the away leg first as I can't get time off work for the 2nd leg because lots already have the week before the bank holiday/long weekend off.

You know not to make a reasoned, sensible point is wasted here, right. You have made several and all will fall mainly on deaf ears.

Thanks! and "Arse"! :-)

Quick question for The9 (unless there is someone else that genuinely may know the answer) ...should we get through this tie, do we know which leg is played away in the next round? Does it depend if we are seeded? Eg Seeded sides play home game second. Or is it random. I need the away leg to be 1st otherwise I have to ask nicely if a colleague will kindly give up their days off (and the 27th leads into the bank holiday weekend)

Saw some twitter "rumour" earlier that we have been offered Illarramendi for £12m! Probably the ost laughable one I've ever read (but wouldn't mind having my cynicism thrown back at me)

They do not have the players of the same ilk as us. If they did, then the answer would be "yes, of course". BTW Swansea have sold every single one of their players who the big clubs decided they wanted (including their manager) - only exception is Williams but you could argue that he is our Fonte. Someone appreciated and respected but perhaps just short of 'top class'

These were just a few names off the top of my head, who are English and experienced in the premier league so come with a fair amount of "you know what you are getting". Any of those 4 would give us added depth to the squad more injuries, suspensions, Europe, cup runs given the apparent lack of confidence in Gardos and Steohens & Turnbull going on loan lat year to a L1 side

Scott Dann Shawcross Curtis Davis James Tomkins Not saying they are of Toby's level, but they are proven; would add depth; and be useful with the extra games this season.

There is an interesting point about the relations. Poch still professes to "love" saints and still does live locally (I think) - could he just decide to move on if Saints do have a legally binding deal to sign? Could Levy walk away feeling AM have made him look stupid for agreeing a deal to buy a player who has a legally binding contract with another - which happens to be a fellow member of their 'members' club'. The premier league do have their own self regulated rules on conduct and practise. Either way, this transfer has become very very messy and a sour taste in the mouth will be left long after it is resolved. Not a good PR exercise for the clubs and league This one has a way to play but honour could yet still play some part too

The 2 Sky games were due to take place on Sunday anyway (assuming we qualified for the group stages of the Euopa League/got through the 2nd qualifying round)

what do you propose we do to stop them being lured to the top 4 clubs in the country for decent transfer fees?

In the time it took me to type my response you appear to have said much the same. If I am "happy clappy" at least I am not alone

The players we have signed so far are no more untried at this level than those they are replacing when we signed them Lovren, Lallana, Lambert, Shaw, Chambers all had no previous premier league experience - in the case of Lovren he was very much down the pecking order at Lyon hence his willingness to move to us. Can we also stop talking of losing Toby. we had him on loan from another club for a specified period of time. That time has passed and he has returned to his parent club. I agree we over-achieved last season, and I am not certain we will maintain that. If we do it is likely to be becuase we have improved rather over-achieved once more - so lets see who else we bring in over the summer. There are big shoes to fill, but lets just see. As it stands, with the liklihood of losing Clyne & Morgan and perhaps not being able to agree a deal for Toby, I would think we will finish somwhere between 7-10th and you could probably throw a blanket over the sides finisihing as low as 13th. That is how tight (much of a muchness) the league is outside of the top 6 sides and is abut par for a club of our current size/stature. In a way, a perceived weaker side may benefit us again like it did last year when teams felt they could open a game up agaist us before finding we gave them a bloody nose. The latter half of the season saw sides learn not to do this and our results were not as spectacular as a consequence. May bealso with more riding on each game I might "enjoy" the adrenalin of the closing matches of the season rather than not be unduly worried by 1 point from our last 7/8 away matches.

How many matches did each miss and how did we fare? Genuine question. I certainly recall going into the Everton match before Christmas on the back of 5 defeats with no Morgan & Vic, yet ran out comfortable winners with Scrappy-do Reed attracting plaudits from all sides. Also, have to remember, Toby is not ours to begin with, and how we have kept Morgan all this time is beyoind me (he should be spoken about in the same bracket as the very best central midfielders in Europe - his stats back it up over 3 seasons)

Thanks - I didn't think the name was quite right, but if it had been that player....then what a defensive midfield player he is if he passes like Pirlo. We can still dream I guess? :-)

Was he the one wearing number 10 shirt? He looked very good Some of his passing was superb, esp one 30 yard pass with the outside of his boot which really should have led to an early goal I see we are also being linked with Giannelli Imbula of Marseilles too (along with Inter, AC, Arsenal & Spurs)

Mark Mackay now doing the deals now is he? His father, Willie, was the "agent" for nearly every one of Arry's meticulously-scouted transfers

That kind of depends on the seriousness of the offer ...again. Last year, Spurs were clearly not serious, yet it caused Morgan to feel he was being denied a move. If interested parties are equally derisory with their bids this year, we will probably get the same sour taste

Scarred from his disastrous spell with Fulham?? Hoping Big Dave has been doing his homework. PLeased with his last effort with Big Frase

Doctor - patient confdentiality.

I would be gutted to see him go. He has been my favourite player, ever since his first pinged 40 yard pass to feet on debut. On the other hand, the lad can play for one of the very top clubs and will add to them. I have heard that Bayern have taken an interest in his performances. Pep knows a midielf player when he see one, and given that Morgan picks out Busquets as the player to model his game on then Pep will definitely appreciate Morgan. I ask only that we get the right fee for him and he recognises that the club also have to look out for their own interests, and won't simply sell because of an understanding that he can more in the summer.