Badger

Simply not good enough. Muddled team selections, and substitutions, poor performances and results against teams we should be beating. In his defence though, he has like Puel been dealt a poor hand by Les in the transfer activity, and we don't know just how poisonous the atmosphere is due to the presence of VD in the dressing room. Tht said he should be doing better than results show with the squad at his disposal. He's had enough last chances of games "he has to win" to have a stay of execution, West Brom, Everton, Leicester, and now Huddersfield. Leicester should have been it for me. We can't afford to leave him in charge for the Palace game. But given Les Reed's tendency to dither, dither, and dither some more I don't expect any action soon.

Part of the trouble is the fact announcement of the line-up inspires little confidence, gone are the days when supporters feel total commitment to those taking to the pitch, as you know you won't be seeing a full blooded 100% commitment from those playing. I feel deflated on accepting FF is in goal, by the time Redmond is announced I realise this could be another frought 90 minutes.

Who are now considered heavyweights ? Ralph, Reed and... Ralph, and Reed.... ? Think we've already been told Gao wasn't at the game. Does video link count ?

Should sell him to City, anyone but Liverpool unless they are £15/20m above the asking price.

He must be if he's not even considered as a potential starter for us.

Still available in Block 3.

Wilshire would be our best sicknote signing since David Connolly, just that theres a massive difference in the context of their signings not to mention transfer fee and wages. Would be a 'no' from me, although bringing Walcott back - subject to wages - would be a good move.

No doubt Les will spend the first three weeks of the transfer window trying to secure a manager, leaving the last few days for the poor sod who comes in a few days to assemble "his" squad.

How may more matches do we need to have "where if he fails to beat...." before Les or Gao act ? I thought the Leicester match was his last chance to win a stay of execution really.

I expect that at some stage Gao will realise that his £200m is going down the toilet and act. Hope it's sooner rather than later.

B0llocks.

Ideally I'd like the new manager to have the cup run as a nice distraction in pursuit of glory rather than just the prospect of seeing out the season to an end.

Not saying my recollection is correct, just that its how I remember it.

Doubt the rebranding was too significant in bringing about it's ultimate demise, but agree it was ridiculous. Why was it deemed so fashionable at the time to do this?

It was certainly spread over front and rear pages, but my recollection was an introductory paragraph summarising the result (probably the last thing added to the report before going to press), and a fairly detailed report on the first half. The second half report was considerably condensed and probably finished with any detail at around 70 minutes to ensure it made it's print run. The 85th minute winner would either only feature briefly in the intro (without too much detail), or if in the second page text summarised with a passing comment such as "Saints then won it in the 85th minute from Channon". Photos would only feature from early in the first half during home games, and none from the away fixtures until the mid 70's, and then only rarely (semis and finals). Seems incredible how photos are now returned from fixtures the other side of the globe if required.

Fond memories of the Football or Sports Echo in the late 1960's-early 80's. Never understood why it changed it changed its name. When visiting relatives in the area it was always a chase to the newsagents for delivery of the Football Echo, and a chat with those waiting for arrival. I'd always wait around the area to buy one before returning home (living out of the area) on attending games.This was part of the day, and provided a good read including local leagues. By the early 2000's a relative posted them to me, but it was soon clear that it lagged behind other news sources, even Ceefax. Sad that both the Echo and Football Echo once provided an essential source of Saints news, but now inevitably can't keep up with other sources. No real surprise it's time has past, questionable how long the Daily Ech can last. In Gloucestershire the evening paper is no longer produced, but now sold as a weekly.

Agree that both are a bunch of mouthy c^nts, although Liverpool a little more entitled to a degree of arrogance for their glory years (but don't mention Heysel or Hillsborough of course...) Adrian Heath & Highbury 1984 for me.

Peter Bosz sacked by Dortmund over the weekend. Remember someone championing him earlier in the thread.

Staggers belief that a Chairman, or board member would openly criticise a player on their books at the time. For all the flak we have dished out over the years to Askham, Lowe (especially), Wilde, Cortese, and onwards I'm pleased none of our CEO's or others have acted in the way of Dildo Brothers who really are tacky barrow boys. Christ, I may even despise Levy at Tottenham, but credit where it's due, he does conduct himself with an element of dignity (pains me to say it), and I'd prefer him to the way West Ham are run. Perhaps Nelly will surprise us in an online video at Christmas, saying about the recruitment of the last two summers, "well, we wasted some f^cking money there didn't we?".

In fairness our owners would quite happily have bought players of that calibre for the amount Leicester paid for them at the time (in fact I think we were meant to be in for Gray but he chose Leicester), but our scouting simply hasn't been effective. As a sting in the tail to this though, the bloke credited with unearthing these gems built himself a big reputation, and has not had the same Midas touch at Everton, although has largely been overlooked in the fall out there.

Ditto. The fact we had no one better lined up when we finally sacked him is a testimony to bumbling by Les.

Eric

What would the work permit situation be though ?

Going to Brum really was a backwards step for him. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42239253 Shame as after last season I was hoping he'd make progress this season again in the Championship but perhaps that prospect was slim if relying on 'Arry, then Clotterill to mentor him.

Just read about him, aged 20, he might be one who falls into that catch all of being "one for the future". In terms of challenging FF or taking over from him the fact is that this bloke has yet to play in the league as I see it, and is currently on loan at Aldershot. I'd like to think we are looking at someone who has been tested at a higher level than Aldershot to step into the first team at the moment.