Badger

Yes, I too remember that. Department S wasn't it ?

Boy : Rupert. Girl : Nicola Or in commemoration of the German - Battenburg- connection, perhaps they'll call him Adolf.

Isn't that an insult too far ?

This would never have happened in the days of The Alehouse, Jim Steele or Mark Dennis. Disgrace. Even at our lowest ebb under Branfoot, you could rely on Hurlock, and Groves to get p!ssed, and someone to go berserk with a glass ashtray.

But Targett is also a left back.

Salisbury.

Perhaps a judgement that will be reserved until the end of the season.

I think David in Sweden has probably given as good an account of Mel Blyth as you will find, certainly on here. The thing about changing the back four though , reminds me how we started the season with a young CB Bill Beaney, a local lad of whom there were high hopes. I think he made his one and only league appearance in the first game at home to Hull which ended 3-3. The Pompey game was a bit special,no segregation, mass punch ups at regular intervals between the Milton and under the West Stand. Big Ron got a tremendous ovation, but then scored a penalty for them.A Saints fan ran on the pitch to attack the referee*. Jim Steele was sent off, so suspended for the next match meaning Blyth did not have long to wait for his debut. *Got a flash back the ref might have been Clive Thomas, if so, bloody good job the attacker didn't make contact as he ref'd the Cup final vMan U.

IF we spend the suggested £30-40m on those three, then I suspect Norwich will look at their signings at say, two-thirds of what we shell out, with a smug satisfaction.

I like the way Norwich conduct their transfer affairs, often good signings even if not headline making splashes, done sensibly, minimum of fuss. If they sign these two without a media circus first, then I'm envious.

Remember Blyth well, certainly turned our season and fortunes around over a couple of seasons. We had just been relegated, and were favourites to go back up. But..as often we were good going forward but a bit of a shambles in defence. Lawrie signed Mel Blyth (for £60,000) who helped organise the defence, and formed a good partnership with Jim Steele over the season 74/75, which of course was still in place 75/6. We had both Channon , and Osgood at Saints in Mel Blyth's first season but Blyth was voted Player of the Season (many said he ran away with it, but that was never revealed). He may even have been the first winner of the fans voted award. I had forgotten this bit but you've reminded me of the timing of the signing.

Why on earth would he not want to play for the same team as Brazilian legend Guly ?

And then we'll have the inquest as to why we didn't sign him.

Like it or not, Murray is now hot political property in the run up to the Jock's vote on independence, and the various parties will all want to be seen close to him. Alex Salmond in particular.

Agreeing the fee does not seem to be our problem, just concluding the deal for whatever (often good) reason.

I thought they had endorsed the franchise concept by allowing Lincoln's team to disband/re-locate as Notts County.

Indeed. Added to which, the current home shirt will not be appearing in our house for birthdays, or Christmas.

I assume you're talking about Yoshida, in which case I disagree as he is marginally behind Hooiveld in the 'error prone' stakes in my view.

Any good handling crosses ?

I think the same has been said of Damaio , and of course Wanyama doesn't really have to test himself week in, week out because of the standard of opposition (or so I keep reading). Perhaps none of them are good enough for us !! MLT also was inconsistent over much of his career. Of the three, I feel Banega might offer us more, attacking passing guile, dead balls, defensive duties. Although that is balanced by a gut feeling that he is also more likely to throw a strop.

probably due to the rape charge hanging over him.

And Dean and Gary ? Now they're likely to be called Kyle.

or Vokes, or Charlie Austin.

IF , we are prepared to shell out £17-£20m on one striker - not sure of that myself - but what about Lukaku ? Especially IF Chelsea buy in Cavanhi or similar.

That and a good cup run (win) would do me.