derry

I went to Springhill school in 1947 opposite the Dell and supported them ever since. I really don't give a stuff about Portsmouth. I think I've lived in Southampton longer than almost anyone on this site. No tourist.

I really don't get the excitement playing a pretty average division one team. Over the last sixty five years we have hardly ever been in the same division for very long. when we have played them we have pretty much come out on top most of the time except for the period approaching our relegation and the cup game at St Mary's when they were too good for us. There never was much of a rivalry in the early years, this has only developed in later years. I see them for what they are, a club that took millions out of creditors pockets, should have been liquidated and really have just staggered along for the last eight years in the lower divisions. They are full of their own inflated importance. If we really wanted to take them down a peg it would be better to ignore them and treat it like a game against any poor opposition. Personally I expect a lot of huffing and puffing and a likely win unless Ralph has second thoughts and avoids risk, in the light of losing Redmond, Djenepo and Obefemi and sticks in most of the surplus to requirements who should still win. Winning in itself won't really mean anything, so what, we beat a mid table division one side, last round we beat a mid table Championship team. Some of the Carabao games are being streamed to ESPN channels in the US. If it's not on Sky we might be on one of those.

I lost count of the times we won the ball, made a couple of passes and promptly gave it away. We aren't Man City and playing it around at the back is getting us into trouble. Valery with a throw inside ball lost, how often did that happen. once it was crying out for a throw into the corner, inside it went, ball lost Liverpool break and nearly score. Liverpool, one of the best sides around had no compunction like other top teams in committing fouls to stop attacks or thumping the ball down the field or out if under pressure. We seem to do the opposite lose the ball in dangerous areas when a hefty clearance was called for. Vestergaard for him had a decent game but he is a glaring hole in the defence because of his slowness in turning and lack of pace together with not being that good in the air. JWP was decent enough but again his lack of pace lets him down. Armstrong was very lively. I'd like to see if we could play more of the pacey players, as many as practically possible. From Armstrong, Redmond, Adams, Djenepo, Danso (reported 21 mph), I can't help thinking that we work on certain aspects but ignore others. Throws, clearing danger rather than passing to players being closed down and most of all in the opponents box head the ball down if possible. Today Adrian saved a header but would have had no chance if the ball was headed into the ground in front of him as he dived.

Just to pick up on a few comments regarding Kevin Danso. By all accounts he is quick, 6' 3" and just 14 stones, he is no seven stone weakling. After watching yet again the cluster**** defending of the imposing figure of Vestergaard demonstrating the turning circle of a super tanker who struggles to jump three inches without a clue how to attack the ball decisively, coupled to the ball watching of Stephens we need to leave out and re-educate these two, in the meantime bring back Yoshida and get Danso up to speed as quickly as we can.

I think it was the first goal, Bertrand had the ball out on the left just inside our half, he was then closed down, rather than smash it down the line out of trouble he rolled it past the opponent down the line ten yards to an opponent who then started the move that led to I think the first goal. At Everton two seasons ago he did the same thing and Davies got the equaliser when we desperately needed the points. He is an experienced international full back who has played in a winning Champions League final for Chelsea but he has learned nothing from his stupidity at Everton. His wasn't the mistake that caused the goal but his stupidity just giving the ball away cheaply gave an opponent possession and the chance to mount the attack that ended in our net. Somebody in management needs to give him a verbal kicking. Once in the circumstances of our predicament is unforgiveable, twice is a carelessness that we are supposed from all the publicity to be working hard on. If Bertrand doesn't get this then he needs sorting quickly.

A player that played for himself, loads of cameos, players making runs while Lamina dribbled going nowhere, wouldn't pass, inevitably loses the ball dropping us in it leaving us light at the back. Spent large parts of every game out of the game and virtually invisible. Is nobody thinking why doesn't Hasenhuttl want a show pony in his evolving hard working team. No, neither would I. The sooner we unload him the better. In two years time he will be in the same situation somewhere else.

He had a pretty decent game, covered a lot of ground and for me it has to be noted he was playing alongside a team of back up players as opposed fitting into the first eleven. IMHO he would probably be a decent cover.

The actual flight times were approx. under an hour to AMS, about an hour to DUB, under forty mins to MAN on the Bombardier Q400. Quicker if by chartered Jet. About 20 mins to add either end on ground. Can be longer at AMS and MAN using the southern runway.

From Hasenhuttl's interview on BBC Solent he seems to think they have too much to do to displace those that were playing last season but he's saying he wouldn't say never.

Cedric is an absolute defensive liability because teams in the Premier target his inability to defend against crosses and tall strikers pull onto him to take advantage. He cost us too many important goals and in any case he was in poor form last season and his crosses hardly ever found a target. Not for me. He is in the same vulnerable category as Stephens and Hoedt. Valery is the future, the more he plays the better he will become.

Vokins

When I mentioned hard and ruthless it was more the attitude of mind rather than physical toughness. That's what lets us down. I think it's going to change and over time so are the culprits going to disappear.

I personally think we leaked last minute goals because the players weren't hard and ruthless enough. How often did Stephens for example trying to play like Beckenbauer tried a clever pass, straight to the opposition Cardiff, or Vestergaard back pass Cardiff again, Somebody block off Crouch a la John Terry against Burnley. Fall on their arse like Shane Long, trying to buy a free kick lose the ball, 20 secs later in our net. The first two instances instantly cured by sticking the ball into the back of the stand in the opponents half, Long was clear just needed to take it into the corner and then put it in the back of the stand. Bertrand v Everton pass it upfield in the fifth minute of injury time, back of the stand again, game over. Hojbjerg v Chelsea leave the ball to the opposition who moved it forward then scored. Keep the effin ball or give it to an opponent back forty yards away. Redmond v City, foul given by Moss, left the ball to City, keep the ball or put it in the stand, sod the yellow card. Many more like this. It shows a very poor level of intelligence. All these players need to wise up and make life impossible for opponents. It might sound like gamesmanship, it isn't it is just ruthless, hard application of the rules. I want us to be the team that nobody wants to play against not the soft touch we had become.

He was never one of my first choice players. As far as I am concerned he was another Boufal. He had bags of skill but no idea how to consistently apply it. He was also lazy, and disappeared from games for periods. He used to drive me mad dribbling down blind alleys and losing the ball after ignoring players making runs or finding space. Not for me I'm afraid, just get our money back and bring in a Hasenhuttl type replacement that gives everything. The money will be useful.

I never did hear whether he got his £500,000 (I think) deposit back either. I met him several times during that period and found him very straight forward.

Having been involved with many others trying to save the club at that dire time especially with the time wasting so called takeover that LeTissier backed very nearly burying us. I'm more than grateful. Thank goodness he waited out and bought us. He was the only one around with the finance and interest to save the club. Weeks before whilst the time wasters carried out due diligence on borrowed money Mike Osman told me a blue chip Swiss company was waiting in the wings. It is a crying shame that having bought us he didn't live to see the first ten years. RIP

One of our perennial complaints that the big clubs get the referees decisions is hopefully going to be sorted. I don't care how long it takes just get it right. It would help if the series of replays went up on the big screens to keep the spectators in the loop.

It could be Henderson but he is reported to be 60/61 not 64, The authorities are on the trail and I personally think that there will be more than one person picked up in due course. Owner, operator, charterer, registered owner, pilots, would all have been aware how this aircraft was operated.

He was charged years ago but acquitted???????

For the life of me I don't understand why it didn't come out before. I was involved in local football in the 60s and 70s, his name was out there with a question mark against it. I heard it mentioned periodically. I had nothing to do with Saints but a lot of people were aware of the suspicions. There were also others that were mentioned in the same vein, not with Saints though.

No conference today. I hope the other news was kosher.

That rings a bell but I don't remember the details just the general idea.

I was told a story by a friend who I think got it from a Saints director first hand. A Saints Chairman starting to negotiate for a player who the selling club valued at about £1m made the first offer, I'm not paying a penny more than £2m. I think he got his hand snapped off. I can't remember the details it was a long time ago. Better to start low. Maybe some of our for sale players such as Reed and Gallagher may be offered. Provided their transfer embargo is finished.

A promise is a promise. The other things we spoke about was Reed, Gallagher, Carillo available but Boufal still interesting Celta Vigo and could possibly stay there. Never mentioned Stephens to Leeds but that would be a good move for him. I think we have a long list of players that don't really fit and are available. I think some will be really difficult to shift without subsidising the cost.

I've heard rumours of a press conference in the next 24 hours, also an experienced 6'-4" international centre back from a Championship club. I know the name but my contact wouldn't tell me unless I guaranteed not to divulge it. He looks interesting if true. The source works at the club. The press conference could well be Djenepo.