CanadaSaint

Did anyone else e-mail customerservices@performgroup.com about Saints Player? I already have a stock reply but at least they've got the complaint.

This Saints Player bullcrap needs to be permanently resolved. Commence fire: customerservices@performgroup.com

I didn't (or didn't mean to) suggest there is. I was walking about the backlash that could happen if he fired Pardew, given the frustration about the previous merry-go-round.

It wouldn't surprise me if Cortese's first move, if he's not completely happy with AP, is to hire a Director of Football. I think Cortese is aware that he doesn't know enough about football yet, and he doesn't want to risk a fan backlash. I don't think he'll flat out fire AP at the end of the season unless things go poorly from here.

That's an excellent post. Please pay yer five quid and keep posting.

Based on the match commentaries, the online highlights and comments from people whose opinions I value, I think we have a team that could do quite well in the Championship but I'm far from sure that we have a manager or a team capable of getting out of this division. And there's little reason to believe that next year will be much different to this year. As I said on the post match thread, every year there are (tops) two teams like Norwich in this division and about 15 teams like Wycombe. We won't win promotion unless we can beat the Wycombes consistently - that's what the good teams do - and we haven't even come close. Playing on crap pitches and playing against teams raising their games for us - they're all part of the challenge. Millions of pounds later, our glaring omission is STILL the midfield leader who can pick the team up and carry it, and demand the best out of those around him.

Dead right. Every year there are (tops) two teams like Norwich in this division and about 15 teams like Wycombe. We won't win promotion unless we can beat the Wycombes consistently, and we haven't even come close.

Cortese is not going to be happy if things stay this way.

They have no choice but to push on. A point here, in our position, is next to useless.

Dave's doing his semi-whisper again. No usually a good sign.

That probably says it all, though.

Did Harding just get a yellow?

From the sound of the game I think it's a great move. There won't be much dipsy-doodling on that pitch. Roll the sleeves up, fight for central midfield, push the ball though the gaps and shoot on sight. Screw sophistication. We need these points.

You're right! Who is Stanley now, I wonder?

We talked about plants once last year, and Saints ended up scoring. Curry might loosen us up at the back.

Especially if we continue to accumulate stupid yellow cards - as we have all season. Pards needs to address this. It's one thing losing players to injuries but there's no need to compound the problem with avoidable suspensions. That only pees away the advantage we have over other contenders.

What a difference a week makes! Saints win and Pompey (with the news about Farton Park) are one step closer to oblivion.

And that sounds like they want the land but not the club. Oh boy, here we go.

Has anyone heard Dave say "clean sheet" yet?

But you're doing it on a discussion forum for Saints fans, which suggests that you might have a problem with hostility.

I think the "eighteen months" was - as it usually is - on the proviso that we're making satisfactory progress. After the expensive buying spree, I could understand it if Cortese is yet to be convinced. Another thought. If we had a DoF (someone who knows more about football than Cortese) I think AP's position might be a little dodgier than it is, because he has made some rather questionable line-up and tactical decisions. TBF I'd hoped we'd be a little farther forward in the league, but I do think that the cups took us away from the plan somewhat. That might be Cortese's point.

I whistle bullsh*t on that one. Nothing will ever "expunge the memory" of that goal will it? After all, you just brought it up again. It's one of our gifts to you that keeps on giving. But, if HMRC has their way, memories will soon be all that you have.

The old adage about a keeper needing to dominate his six-yard box is just that - old. The lively modern ball makes going for crosses a very risky proposition, so I'm not going to be hard on KD for that. For those who would leave him out because of that failing, list some keepers who consistently do "dominate their six-yard box". And BTW, Bart's not going to be on that list, is he?

Does anyone suppose that there might be some government influence in the background to HMRC's position in this - as in, "this whole football thing has been getting out of hand for years, and we need to rein it in and leave a clear lesson behind"?

He'll stay if he's happy, which he appears to be right now. However, I think he's ambitious, and we must be moving up - this year or next. We must also play to his skills. I'm not sure how happy he'll be if we continue to expect him to take attacking free kicks from the touchline, rather than wait for them in the middle. That's an experiment that needs to end. Now.