Badger

I also noticed that, but then I suppose NC now believes he has an even clearer mandate to change anything and everything at a whim. Look forward to a completely crap, or non-Saints style kit again this year

Dreadful, but not unexpected standard.

At what minute can we have a compulsory round of applause ?

Please no not another plain black kit, no matter how it is 'trimmed' and dressed up, its awful and uninspiring. Every team now must have had this strip, its becoming the new 'yellow and blue' for predictability. Also "gold", are we correct in assuming "gold", as opposed to an "old gold" or amber, with black ?

Jurgen Klopp, or Ian Branfoot. Not much to choose between them really. Failing that, Stuart Gray, his best mate David Platt, with Mick Wadsworth as head coach.

Not sure it is "where" he wants to take the club that is the issue, but perhaps the way of getting there, with just one person charting the waters, in whatever way he chooses What's to say, they haven't got one lined up, or won't make a good selection of one ? And if the ££ is still there to fuel the ambition, MP is likely to consider staying irrespective of the CEO.

Paul Sturrock ?

Is that Katarina Liebherr , or Helen Mirren behind NC ?

No Manager of the Season , or Chief Executive of the Season then ?

Yes, I don't suppose he has all the aces up his sleeve that he perhaps thinks he does.

Just remembered, like Bryan Robson, he was always "destined to manage England one day..."

No thanks, another of Rupert's nearly men !

Don't believe that to be honest. Paris Smith used to be SFC's solicitors probably until the buy out. They are a Southampton based firm. Had NC conducted this through solicitors it would be via a London Magic Circle firm, or one in Zurich or Geneva. No disrespect to Paris Smith, but these are the more likely markets NC would operate in, and less chance of a local leak !

If they have been keeping a watch on things, then it has crossed my mind that the Adkins sacking, and alienation of people around the club by the CEO might not sit comfortably with the way in which Marcus Liebherr, and his father are reported to have conducted their business affairs, in building their companies. As for the Benali courtcase, we read when ML came in about expecting all to pay for tickets etc., and yet it is rumoured that SFC were funding legal costs of an employee in this action. How does that sit with the owners ? No we don't know, but there may indeed be side issues between owner and Chief Executive here, as well as how much will you allow me to spend on a centre forward ?

In my view it is impossible to argue against the Liebherr's/Trust's position in either stance, irrespective of the implications it might have for us. It may of course be a combination of the two, ie investment into the club, but not wanting to give the CEO a free hand as to how it is spent etc, I find it remarkable that for a club and CEO who play cards so close to their chest normally,this has 'filtered' out , perhaps it is merely a negotiation tactic, but suspect there is a lot more beneath the surface here, that we don't know yet, and may never know about NC's working relationship with the Trust.

I also read it as the family wanting more involvement in the decision making, which is entirely reasonable if NC is looking to them to fund an extravagant phase of "his" project. Yes, NC has delivered, but no doubt Peter Ridsdale and God forbid, Peter Storrey , probably also saw themselves as football visionaries whilst spending in pursuit of glory.

Probably loaned back to Palace should they be promoted.

That sir, is the voice of reason. Completely agree.

Good point.

CB pairing looks a bit too shortarse against Stoke to be honest, but Forren alongside Fonte might be an experiment to make. Agree we should beat Stoke, but expect the retiring 'English Marian Pahars' to get a sentimental goal, probably giftwrapped by our defence. Add in a Jos og , and we'll just need three to win.

Said the other week that he hadn't trained the week before the game due to a knock. Wonder if perhaps he is nursing this through to the end of the season as well as being generally knackered. Talk of him and an England call up is badly timed in my view. If Woy was to select him for a trial,it would probably be for some end of season meaninlkess tour( so as not to upset the big four by taking their players), and RL would not get a rest. Ideally, RL should have a summer rest, then come back for a 25 goal season August onwards.

Why do people assume MP will be selecting players anymore that NA did, if there is such a widespread belief they are all signed by a Cortese-Reed combo ?

...to be balanced against the abject display at home to WBA.

Wigan Watford. Two out of three relegation places taken, only one to avoid.

I'll be the first to bite.(obviously I'm not). Spot on, Art, although I don't think "hate" is appropriate at all. Lallana is not captain material, as you say we need a Jimmy Case or Alan Ball type leading the team with drive, not a wet lettuce. Allow Lallana to concentrate on his own game, rather than trying and failing to lead the rest.