derry

The runway at Galway is very sporty. downhill, about two thirds of the length of Southampton and the only way to turn the aircraft was to pass the runway light with the wheel on the edge of the concrete and do a max rate 180 turn without running over the runway light on the other side. Usually not a lot of runway left, they don't go there any more.

It looked a lot worse than it was, a Pakistan AW 747 did that to me at Manchester on 06L when I was about 1 mile and cleared to land. The Q400 has plenty of power it was close but no big deal more of a nuisance. The 747 got a scare and a big bollocking from ATC.

Pretty routine procedure, I can't remember it specifically, I've flown that a/c often also the MLT. Go arounds happen for loads of reasons, I seem to remember something about an runway inspection needed because the aircraft in front hit some birds causing us to be instructed to go around. I've got the Topgun US Navy cap somewhere.

After I retired I flew part time for a couple of years for Flybe. Their operation and engineering side are good. The training is very professional and no corners are cut. One of the major problems was the introduction of the dash 8-Q400, which because of it's French influence in design and extensive use of computers was initially a nightmare. The computers often diagnosed faults that didn't exist due to tight actuators etc. There were procedures, by taking power off systems and restoring, cleared the faults but often the only way was to take all the power off the aircraft then turn it back on to reboot the computers. If that didn't work the engineers had to be called in and as this often happened away from base it took time. The pilots could operate the diagnostic system, but were not allowed to, so an engineer had to be sent to wherever the aircraft was, then take 10 mins to reset the system. As time went by these faults got better, but the damage to their reputation had been done. It was amazing that 90% of the flights went on time or early. I used to do 6 flights a day and usually finished early.

No, because if he did reappear he would have to outbid serious investors. I wouldn't go again if he did come back. He needs to stay away which I think he will.

Wordwide financial services company advised by Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce. It appears that they are the current bidders, the Swiss need third party agreements (which could be the league but I think it's their end) and have gone back, leaving it in the hands of lawyers and advisors. It appears that they can't complete until early next week.

No, I understand you didn't see the paper. Your view looks pretty good at the moment.

I'd be surprised if the big push isn't on, they won't be waiting for the Swiss to complete early next week.

If he is he can have it. I won't be there along with a whole lot of others.

It's in the paper.

I can't see what all the argument is about. The Echo have been pretty comprehensive for once so it looks like they are talking to somebody. Their news: The Swiss have gone home leaving it in the hands of the lawyers and advisors as they need third party agreements and their timetable has slipped to early next week. The worldwide financial group using Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce look like they are the front runners and the 'current bidders'.

According to the Echo the Swiss time frame has slipped to early next week as they are awaiting third party agreements. They apparently have gone back and left the lawyers in charge. It appears the front runners are the financial company who are using Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce as an advisor.

I'm not sure it is the Swiss, it seems to be the group that is using Keith Harris.

Solent just said they expect a decision today, then it is Friday.

Strachan is back home again in Warsash, he would be a real catch if he could be persuaded.

I don't think Wotte is that flexible Si, good managers pick a team and make the loose system fit their abilities. Unsuccessful coaches tend to pick an inflexible system and shoehorn the players into it usually with poor results.

We didn't play with wingers because except for the odd occasion they weren't picked. The efficient team occupy the full width of the pitch attacking and are delighted when the opposition don't when defending. Secondly we didn't score enough goals because we didn't get any crosses in low or high. Thirdly we conceded far too many goals by allowing the opposition to counter attack us down our empty flanks. Not enough goals and too many easy goals conceded, the story of our season. Wotte and the diamond is not the way to go, it makes us far too limited, rigid and predictable. The players don't like it, understand how to make it work, and make it a inefficient system for us. That's not to say different intelligent fast and mobile players wouldn't make it work and provide proper width by anticipation and movement. Davis, Wotton, and Surman argued against it but were overruled. I have been told that he applied for the Watford job.

Interestingly two of the championship teams that used the width best, Wolves and Burnley are now in the Premier.

Mike, I think they both should just take a back seat for a while and let the present negotiations end. If there is no sale, then by all means, if they have definite backers come forward, but for now they are just a distraction.

You are spouting absolute rubbish, no coaching manual ever written suggests that width is not necessary. I presume you have formal football qualifications to talk with such authority.

Every team whatever the level to be successful whatever the formation uses the full width of the pitch. Barcelona have both their best players out wide for a lot of the game, they also move into the middle. The last 6 games were dire and incredibly narrow, against Burnley after being on top we were pulled apart down the flanks. Most of the season we had no width which left James picking up 2/3 players down his side with the centre backs being pulled out leaving the blindside open. We leaked a high percentage of our goals that way from both sides. Because of the lack of attacking width we were poor in attack, as the defence was allowed to compact, forced us to play in front of it and blocked virtually everything we threw at it. We hardly ever got to the byeline.

1963, v Forest div1 we were div 2, 0-3 13 mins to go drew 3-3 won replay at WHL 5-0, beaten 0-1 to a Denis Law off the knee scramble at Villa Park in SF by MU. George Kirby was the roughest, toughest sob on a football field I have ever seen inc Big Jake.

At a meeting I went to, Crouch said £2.4m each year.

I've had enough of watching Wotte's bloody narrow diamond underachieving. If he doesn't change that, I'm afraid we are just wasting another season of being pulled apart down the flanks and not many goals. All the best managers/teams no matter what level they play in rely on width. A Dutch coach with a pretty unimpressive club management career thinks he knows best. Despite him hanging on I don't want him as manager.

I went to a meeting about Saints two months ago, two representatives of the council plus Alan Whitehead were there. The council have regularly scheduled meetings and the issue could have been decided in about a month. The council saw themselves a purchaser of the stadium as a last resort only. As long as there are potential purchasers they won't come in. I suspect the final contingency plan is that Salz and co will buy the club leaving a third party (maybe the council) to buy the stadium.