Leslie Charteris

It's interesting to hear that AP likens himself to Alex Ferguson. Is he asking for a similar amount of time as Fergie had at Man Ure? If memory serves correct, he had a lean first couple of years and was close to the sack. I get the feeling that the deal is now promotion next year and create a decent Championship team or else!

At the moment, we have a pile of flat-pack furniture with a few units to spare. Only AP has the instructions and the floor-plan, so let's see how good he is at screwing the whole lot together (I am an IKEA flat-pack champion, so I'll be a harsh judge!) ;-)

AP has assembled a good squad, now he has to put together a good team. 3 points and a clean sheet isn't a bad start - onwards and upwards!

This is now on his Wikipedia page "According to Sky Sports' sources on 26th January Plymouth FC had accepted a bid from Southampton for an undisclosed fee" Surely the undisclosed fee bit means it's a done deal...

Ten points from the next four games would be a real boost - anything away at Norwich would be great. I reckon that is the next big test and more important than either cup in the big scheme of things.

Yes and yes, unfortunately. We need someone in the middle of the park who can do a proper captain's job, as well.

I think he was only there as emergency cover in case Lallana or Lambert got crocked.

Hopefully, with him speaking Scouse, it will improve communications with the front line... RL has been looking a little lonely sometimes recently.

Look, even the OS is having a go at ITKers! :-) "With heightened media speculation surrounding Saints during this transfer window, we have again been able to complete a signing in a professional and discreet manner. We remind all Saints fans that news, rather than speculation, will appear first on our official website." http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1927537,00.html

Oh dear, I despair sometimes at the lack of focus of some people on here!

Elliott Ward's Wiki page now has him as No. 12 in the Saints squad - Trotman's old number. (Anyone here been editing Wikipedia lately?)

A win is all that matters in the Cup. We are nowhere near the finished article yet - PNE 7 - 0 Colchester just emphasises that. Still, I am sure AP has got things in hand and that we'll finish January stronger than we started it. Bring on Pompey in the next round!

What a difference a year makes. How refreshing it is not to doubt the sincerity of the bloke in charge. Merry Christmas NC.

Good, but not quite good enough. Never mind, is there a team better than Leeds in this division? Now give exeter a sound thrashing, get a good RB in and JPT final here we come!

If they play for the shirt like AP suggests on the OS and make us proud, then any result is bearable, but to come back undefeated would be Christmas come early.

Can't fault the bloke, he's talking the talk and walking the walk and whatever the result is, I am sure he will give an honest appraisal of the team's performance.

Yeah, I heard that on Five Live, too. But if you don't ask...

Damn! That's four points dropped on the Prediction League. Are we 15th?

How about Frannie Benali - he is a lifelong Saint and he did a pretty good job as a Sky Sports summariser recently, and I bet he could get us a discount at a well known local curry house!

I'm sure you're right, but it would be good to see someone like him brought in to help develop the youngsters in the team and to share his experience.

It seems Paul Scholes is in his way out of Manure soon. CHDAJFU for a couple of seasons? It wouldn't be the first time a veteran midfielder has extended his career with us.

The League and then what he said!

The League is the most important priority by a long way - though I'd love a trip to Wembley after Christmas sometime please team. :smt060

They don't get much better than Lallana's second! Even better than Connolly's last time out. Great stuff.

Brighton won it with three really well taken goals. Apart from that, the two teams did not seem very far apart. We need someone to boss the midfield. When I think about all the great midfielders we've had in the past, we seem rather lightewight in that department. Surely AP could find a Chris Marsden type player in January, or perhaps a Jimmy Case in the same way he found Connolly.