CHAPEL END CHARLIE

As a point of order my I point out that there are only two 'T's in Trotman . http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10280~37009,00.html Failure to heed this warning in future will result in the boys being sent round to sort the offender out .

So true... but it's not just a matter of technique , keep an eye on him and it's as plain as the nose on your face that this lad works his socks off for the team as well - I sometimes think he needs to learn how to work less (like Wayne Rooney) so that he can keep something 'in the tank' as it were for the latter stages of a game . The combination of sublime natural talent and a superb work ethic make him a cert to play at a higher level once he reaches his prime in the next few years .

I notice there are many empty exec' box's this season - no doubt a sign of the recession and our reduced stature in the game . These box's are significant money earners so I'd imagine (to state the obvious) that selling them will be high on the agenda for Nicola Cortese and our commercial director (who he ?) next summer if not before .

No manager gets it right all the time , Alex Ferguson , Jose Mourinho.... etc have all signed duffers in their time but so far every player the club have signed recently seem to be a success to some degree - a remarkable achievement . Any fool can spend money , spending it wisely is the mark of a good scouting network and a management team that really know their business . Whether they can find good players at a higher (bigger money) level is a question for the future maybe .

They'd be wasting their time because we're not really a selling club anymore . Ultimately however the facts of football life tell us Adam Lallana will probably move on to a bigger club as his progress in the game will be faster than SFC's rise up the divisions , but it won't be before next summer and the buying club will have to pay - quite a lot I'd say .

According to the OS and this Murty is expected to return to training next month . http://www.sportinglife.com/football/nationwide2/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer_league_1_and_2/09/10/23/WIMBLEDON_STORY_WIMBLEDON_-_0020C.html

Football is such a simple game - signing players of Lambert's proven ability at this level represents almost no risk to the club and David Connolly (injury concerns aside) is a equally sure thing . Minimising risk is the key . To state the obvious : Wealthy owner + good management + quality players = ps -This the only VICTORY pompyites get to see these days

All that is true but I suspect Mr Liebherr coughing up for a hefty pay rise may have something to do with it as well .

You're still using a steam powered video recorder betamax by any chance ?

Rusty ? - the way he took his goal looked pretty sharp to me , if there's more to come then I can't wait . Thinking back on how we started the season with the ineffectual Paterson and Saganowski up front we've come a heck of a long way in a very short time .

Add me to the list of Needell spotters , he takes his boys along to the game and drives a surprisingly modest 3 series BMW .

I don't generally think the crowd can influence the game to a great extent but the stick we gave the keeper today did seem to get to him , it was great fun even if it didn't .

And why shouldn't they ? - the ref gave them a free kick every time .

Always kick to the Chapel second half

My ratings for Saints v MK Dons (3-1 home win) K Davis 6 - May have done a bit better with their (well taken) goal but the ball did 'move' on him a lot , otherwise unemployed almost . L James 6.5 - Good effort and no complains today . Personly I'd prefer to see Murty back there . N Trotman 8.5 MOTM - Rock solid Centre Back , I don't think he lost a header all game . Outstanding young defender . R Jaidi 7.5 -Marked down only because his needless foul led to MKD's goal , but still a dominate force in our defence . D Harding 7 - Fine game but I'd like to see him get forward more , when he does 'Dan the Man' can be a real handful for the opposition . P Wotton 6 - A reliable player within his limitations . Subbed early 2nd half . M Schneiderlin 7.5 - Talented and 'puts himself about' more now , if he could could score as his ability suggests he should he'd have it all . D Hammond 8.5 - Surely one of the best midfielders in L1 - and a real goal threat too . Captain material . A Lallana 8 - A rejuvenated player under Alan Pardew , enjoy him while he's still here . Papa WN 6.5 - Hard to rate but not great today , the opposition never know what he's about to do - I'm not sure he does . Subbed . R Lambert 8.5 - Top , top striker at this level and quite possible a higher one . The best striker we had since........ Beatty ? Substitutes : D Connolly 8 - So sharp it's not true - Mark my words he will score 25+ goals for us this season if he stays fit . Far too good for L1 . M Antonio 7.5 - Looks like yet another great find , quick bright winger always ready to chase a lost cause . Could be a real asset on this evidence . J Mills - Late sub . Conclusions : The first half was not the best although I though we easily had the best of it but a well taken free kick saw us one down at half time . Ten minutes into the second half with not much changing Alan Pardew decided to act decisively , with Connolly and Antonio added (4-4-2) we battered MKD (a pretty good team at this level) into submission . Some of our play today was a privilege to watch and bares close comparison to the best I've seen at St Marys for many years , keep it under your hat but I think we may be one of the very best teams in this division . We have good players all over the pitch but the basis of our success is built from the back of course , Jaidi and Trotman in particular - the Rock steady crew . Tonight we find ourselves still near the bottom of the table thanks to the points deduction , but to be frank we're far too potent a team for that to be a real concern anymore - indeed we can start to dream about the other end of the table methinks . Credit to Alan Pardew and the coaching staff for managing the team so well , credit to the many good players we have now in the squad , but above all credit to Markus Liebherr for making it all possible . ps - The standard of refereeing at this level is shocking :mad: , you may as well strategically shave a monkey , put him in a black shirt and let him officiate - he couldn't do much worse .

I see the club are predicting a busy day at the ticket office due to the postal strike , get there early if you can .

http://www.mkdonsforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5749&start=10 I had to laugh when a Ugly Inside member posting on this site admitted that Saintsweb is the main SFC forum but claimed we were 'a miserable lot' - shirly knot .

On the contrary , asking what would happen if he should 'fall under a bus' seems to me both in order and a matter of legitimate interest to all Saints fans . He may well tell us to go away and mind our own business of course .

Two new 'mystery investors' with cast iron plan to make money out of Pompey revealed - new club song announced . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNjPgE1muTM&feature=related

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A player of Dan Harding's age and ability for nowt - an outstanding piece of business surely .

It sure is .

Are you taking the 'P' out of me

Probably not - but when did that ever stop clubs 'taping up' others clubs managers ?

The (unaltered) painting is of course a vicious attack on the man and his values by the artist , I doubt somehow he's bright enough to realise . Southampton City Council should buy it .