Gordon Mockles

And I still have the engineering drawings somewhere from when we did the design! (didn't see any extension plans though) Hasn't Solent got a listen again function like all BBC radio?

Agreed, a very shrewd and good signing along the lines of my current favourite (despite not having his best game) Harding. We've lacked leaders for some time. Claus took over from Svensson but didn't really cut it imho. Since then, we've lacked any leadership qualities. Pardew has indentified and added more than a couple which is great news. Jaidi, Hammond, Harding, Murty...all leaders with a few having had captaincies. We just now need to keep the ball on the ground and start attacking, creating and finishing off from open play. Saturday was poor imho. Teams like Yeovil we should be hammering 4-5 nil at home!

Yep. Progress indeed although I left the match disappointed. Pleased (obviously) with the 3 points & how our defence has improved but disappointed on the lack of supply & action in the final 3rd. Waigo looked good & a real prospect. I think the negative comments & thread criticising are totally OTT, unfair & pathetic. So what if he had a few tight off sides called. He's played in Italy his entire career & hasn't even started a full 90min game yet. I wish some of the sensationalist opinions shared on this forum got some bloody perspective!

Absolutely. People on this forum seem to be heavily influenced by this country's sensationalist tabloid agenda...ODD!! From reading between the lines (and from Cortese's statements and interview), Cortese simply wants someone to bridge the gap from the training ground/pitch-side (matches/training/coaching/managing the squad and such - i.e. Pardew and coaches) to the boardroom and administration side (i.e. Cortese/execs/DOF ultimately all reporting to Liebherr although the reigns and power seem firmly to have been entrusted to Nicola Cortese). Simple as that. No surreptitious agenda. That seems a logical and common sense ethos. I am confident Cortese has some sound knowledge and competency from his initial endeavours in sporting business (hence his appointment by Markus and reports about his background). However, The Swiss know little about British Football and they certainly don't come across as arrogant (unlike his predecessor). They're on a steep learning curve. I would assume they know better than to interfere with the football side of things, leaving that to Pardew. However, in big business (such as football), money stakes are high and I would certainly not entrust my personal fortunes to sports personnel with an objective to win. Instead, you marry up the two. You employ a manager to concentrate on the coaching and identify targets (transfers) he may need. You employ an intelligent and competent person with in depth knowledge of the game to act as in between (DOF) - to liase with agents, help acquire targets recommended by the manager (if authorised to do so by Cortese), work with the football structure, possibly manage budgets and implement plans in conjunction with the Chief executive/board and pass on relevant information in either direction. Essentially, acting as a go between and inter-linking (I avoided the word "seamlessly" for obvious reasons! LOL) the playing field to the boardroom...combined with good people skills and a diplomatic/level headed nature.

Thank you! I know everyone sees the game differently but to say Thompson is quick is just plain nonsense. Unless, you lent on the Sky control & hit +30 skip forward!! As Clifford said Mr 9 & Saint Stevo, he is slower than the Colchester left back, he knocked it past an off balanced Hearts winger & still couldn't even beat the guy to the ball (& this was a very average paced player). I've seen Thompson numerous times & I'd hope more vigilant fans would notice Thompson's obvious play (not a great dribbler & very obvious in his attempts to round his man) & his distinct lack of pace & fairly consistent failure to knock a ball past a defender & 1.) get knocked off the ball and/or 2.) fail to latch back onto the ball. Our squad has lacked pace for some time & most realise the importance of some pace as a winger. Thompson's style of play & distinct lack of pace highlights that fact because he doesn't have many other assets (IMHO), unlike Surman had, which seriously affects his performances. Nothing against the guy. He's just slow & not up to first team standard.

Says it all in the title. Whilst we are now League One, we are still the biggest club in the area (& with exciting new owners, a great coaching set up run by a solid first team manager offering the club the prospect of great times). I expect better coverage on my local television stations & certainly on the radio (esp. pre/post matches & reporting on reserve games). We are a football team with thousands supporting so why have all the media avenues dried up?! It's not as though there is no demand! Why do Radio Solent deem the most inane & boring news items like recycling granny's pants or removing stones from tyres (hypothetical examples which are probably more exciting than the usual dross that clogs the air waves) more news worthy than Saints?! Even Play Radio (formely Radio Hants with the likeable Stuart Dennis) report the bare minimum. I've had enough of wasting my time listening for non existent sports reports. Especially on a Monday, after a weekend of football & following the news reports on the hour & half hour...nothing! We hear more about the local hop scotch team than we do Saints. But, what other choice do we have? Does anyone know of any local radio still bothering about regular Saints updates (bar the occasional Solent & Play bulk standard Saints news than takes up all of 2 secs)??? I can't tolerate either station anymore. Radio Solent music & features were testing enough when they had more substantial sports news!! I liked Mark & Stuart Dennis but now all we have is Gemma 'nervous laughter' Mc Parland & that annoying kid who is, frankly, rubbish! WHERE'S OUR RELIABLE & REGULAR SAINTS NEWS UPDATES? We need them please...someone.

Having previously muddled up the plethora of youth forced into the first team by our clueless predecessor chairman, I can assure you, Jake Thompson is by no means pacey. Not in the slightest. In fact, he is very slow. His telegraphed runs often hit the full backs, while he runs into defenders & often bounces off. Or, he puts the ball past the full back but is too slow to round the defender and/or gets muscled off the ball. He is too slow for an effective winger IMHO. Whilst respecting the Saints coaching set up (academy, past & present) & believing they must see something in Thompson (maybe it's all mentality needing to be addressed on the big stage), maybe loan experience would serve him well, or a period in the reserves. We've always known the youth need nurturing & introducing to first team action gradually. I believe many of these youth/academy players who were thrust into first team action by the ignorant & arrogant non-football stupid gang board were not ready & have actually, in some individual cases (not all), taken a few steps back (as fore-warned by Jason Dodd). Too many players seem to have a relegation/losing mentality we have heard Pardew mention yet they don't have the experience under their belts to overcome it. I think AP & coaching staff have come to realise this hence the comments about loans, some squad not being good enough, excessive numbers & otherwise. FWIW, I'd instantly ship out Forecast, Pulis, Molyneaux, Lancashire (maybe loaned if he ever showed promise well away from the 1st team for now), White, Thompson & even Bart (who hasn't played much & looks rusty & always poorly positioned around the box). That frees up space to improve the quality. When you consider some of the poor additions Lowe sanctioned, as well as the total waste of the loan system with injured & essentially useless kids such as Gasmi, Peckhart (cart horse!), etc. (as well as wasted signings like Molyneaux, Pulis, esq.) it's no wonder it's taken Pardew this long to settle the squad. God knows he's been astute & proactive!! It always puzzled me how we discarded Safri & then loaned Dyer (even with a new contract) & all our leading goal scorers like Rasiak, John & Saga *cough* to the opposition while continually peddling the finances mantra, while signing Morgan Schneiderlin. Bizarre! Gobern & Mc Laggon look promising. Maybe Patterson too if he was kept back a bit more.

If they had decent beer, it would be a good idea - to extend the football talk and chat with like minded Saints fans. But, as it is, we'd need to gain access into another part of the ground (which may have problems with so many vacating/delayed access) if you're not in The Kingsland (it would be better if all bars stayed open but understand logistical problems for this) just for an extra hour drinking. Also, the prospect of any pub being open, serving much better beers (in glasses) seems a much better prospect but points to Saints for trying. Now, if they just served decent beer/cider, it would make a big difference...

12:40 on BBC1 I thought.

I think you'll find Jaidi's Nearer 6' 4" (or 6' 3.5" if I remember right ?!)

Haha I too think it's karma!

LMFAO Your comment "best of a bad bunch..." has to be classed as mental but amusing. If you truly think the most damaging man in the history of Southampton Football club, blindly (or deliberately) leading the club to the precipice of oblivion, is the "best of a bad bunch", I'd really hate to see the worst!! The tinternet really does attract crazy people!

Hardly surprising. He's not a liked man & shamelessly p*ssed off & continues to p*ss off many people in all walks of life whilst he did his best to decimate our beloved club. It's no wonder someone felt so emotional they couldn't even bare to have any mention of the club's darkest reign polluting the corridors of St Mary's any longer!

Fully deserved. He's a class above in this league and has become one of my favourite players with his committed, non-nonsence, tenancious approach to the game. An excellent acquisition, and for free. Superb bit of business. In many matches, he's been my Man of the Match so entirely apt and deserved. Well done Dan!

To be fair St Will (with the greatest respect), Golf is dull. I, amongst a few on here, prefer football & didn't open this thread to sieve through the plethora of throw away golf comments. There is a PM facility, The lounge or other areas of the forum to discuss golf. Sorry to be a stickler but I hear enough golf talk at work to send me to sleep. It bores me sh*tless! I don't wish to read hijacked threads going off topic & harping on about golf. Thanks! No offence. ;0)

A very wise appointment (if true) and another huge display of intent as well as an intelligent, well considered acquisition. Cortese has stated the requirement for this role to assist the first team manager. Pardew will know & I firmly believe ratify this appointment. One coaching, another running & overseeing the structure & dealing with suggested transfers, etc. Also, I don't think Pardew's arrogant enough to not turn to such a person on football matters & tactics, to bounce around some ideas on the odd, rare occasion. 2 heads are better than one. After all, it's all for the same objective. Success. It seems the Swiss are considered & wise. Not rushing, but gradually gaining momentum & harnassing a team of winners to deliver success. Just need a few more goal scorers to help achieve our...errrr, GOALS! ;0)

Side stepping that logic, your opnion is quintessentially wrong. If 2 people have differing opinions & there is only one right answer, technically, 1 person is right, the other wrong! Many subjects aren't so ambiguous that either opinion may be correct. HTH FWIW - I think Morgan has shown glimpses of talent but he still has much to prove. Like most of our youth thrown to the lions by Lowe, they need easing in to first team football. Nurtured to gain confidence. Then we can pass better judgement. Many of the comments on this site recently, like the criticism of Pardew & the demands to throw money at agents, are knee jerk, reactionary, sensationalist nonsense!! People need to relax & have more patience. We have 40 games left this season. We're barely round the first bend. Look at how much rebuilding AP has managed (& a newly set up team) in such a short time. I'm sure more changes are imminent, both in management/board room & playing (& possibly coaching) staff. We will get our much deserved win. The tide will change. Our fortunes will improve. Then, maybe, just maybe, our fans will stop moaning, slating everyone involved with our club & actually be grateful & thankful 4 what we have. I know I am. Saturday was frustrating but, to coin a well worn proverb, Rome wasn't built in a day!

Saga and Jaidi won't be playing but I'd heard Saints were waiting to hear about Waigo and his international clearance so he could, potentially, figure. Bloody hope so!

Very good signing, subject to permit being validated. Defending set pieces has always been a problem yet with Jaidi, Trotman, Thomas (if at RB) and Hammond and Lambert in the squad, we'll dominate the air better than coallition air forces over Iraq! I assume Jaidi's been brought it to assist then replace Trotman who leaves in January. I'm hoping the loan system is on the agenda and we bring in a decent forward and right winger (with pace). People need to stop moaning and consider how far we've come from the train wreck left by Lowe (thanks to the catalogue of idiotic decisions made during the club's darkest days - i.e The Lowe era). People need to realise the sheer damage that tyrant made of SFC but, thankfully, Mr Liebherr saved us. Rebuilding doesn't happen overnight (not helped by the mysterious Pinnacle charade!). The club mentioning 3 or so transfers may not have helped but maybe that's still on the radar through loans. I am confident we're moving in the right directions. Clearly, need the results. All good things.... Least Pardew's identifying and addressing the glaringly obvious problems that have been neglected for so long. He's building from the back, as it should be done. As someone else stated, he's no fool so give him time and he will turn us into a force to be reckoned with.

Yep, shocking. Wanting to play at a higher level for international prospects my a r s e! More like, turn down any decent career moves which don't better his inflated Saints wage and hang out until the money grabber can fleece a club for more money. F*ckin football mercenaries!! Best rid. T*sser!

T*SSERS! Not football fans. People saying they're not seen anything like it since the 70s. Disgraceful. I've got friends in the Met. and they've had to draught more in. Hundreds fighting. Shameful. Animals, ignorant animals.

Yeah, Skate one doesn't work. Someone grumpy & taken it off?

Davis James - Perry - Thomas - Harding Mellis - Schniederlin - Hammond - Gobern Saganowski - Lambert More probable, Pato instead of Saga. Hope Gillett can get a go. Think he'll be warming the bench as usual. Trotman & Rasiak also subs.

A good day for Saints really. Replacements for 2 of our worst players - Hammond for Wotton. I'm hoping Trotman is good or Pardew wouldn't have brought him in but he must be an improvement on Lancashire! 22 is young but he's a tall, strong looking lad. Let's hope we improve on Saturday. I'd love to see a midfield with Holmes (LEFT WING), Hammond & Gillett (or Morgan) CM. Mellis (RIGHT WING) Harding - Perry - Thomas - Murty Saga - Lambert Strong squad with a decent bench of Rasiak, Lallana, Trotman, Gobern, Morgan/Wotton

As I intimated on the Swindon reaction thread (page 5 I think). Good post & knee jerk, fickle fans really need to absorb the emotions a bit better. Look at the acquisitions we've made so far. Just need time to come to fruitition. Harding's been superb!!