Badger

Just a bit of optimism on my part !

L1 Play Off Final is on my wedding anniversary in 2010.

okay,only kidding

At least Scotland can't complain of "being in the hardest group" as they used to.

I agree it would be good to have a respected figure in this role,which is an honorary and ambassadorial position. Obvious questions though would be criterea for the post,and who is available.If we are seeking someone with a longstanding and distinguished Saints connection,then really there are in my view only two realistic outstanding candidates,John Mortimore and,I know this will reopen heated debate, Lawrie Mac.As stated the other candidates are overseas or otherwise occupied. It is disappointing if they have been lost to Saints,but if their abscence is due to sulks etc then that is their choice and I see no reason for the new regime to chase after them. As krissyboy says though,this is probably a long way down the current list of priorities.

He was just trying to get a stiff to impress her with...

Agree,that does tend to put a different light on it.

..what is Kasey Keller doing these days anyway ?

I thought Ipswich had a skate GK on loan who was previously keeping Wright out. The FA's argument would be that if clubs can afford to retain 4 GK's then they should be prepared to play them.In our case we might have to contend with Forecast if BB is injured or fouls up in the next few weeks.

Good clip. You should now change your user name to sentimentaloldgit really !

Think it was stated when Papa arrived that Senegal had not qualified so he would not be disappearing for three weeks.

Didn't hear anything up here.

Not the only difference by any means,the will to find a backer is really just the tip of the iceberg. Madjeski took a club from,probably about where we are now, into the Premiership and delivered a stadium.RL on the other hand took an established premiership club and almost drove it into oblivion.

Problem is though that the FA ,not unreasonably, will want to see a tangible bid and proposal from the interested cities to make that decision.Unless we have quietly put something in front of them,which I doubt,then we are not even in contention. No amount of cyber stalking of Motson,Beckham or the FA will change that.

Remember when he joined us,he was lauded as a "dead ball specialist" ? Although his passing can be outstanding at times,I have seen little evidence of freekicks etc to back up the original claim. Then again that did come from the Lowe era (Part II) and a campaign of misinformation which likened Holmes to Dutch superstars etc.

Agree about goals and consistency.He seems to lose all composure when in front of goal, ie Bristol Rovers and Oldham. Sadly I suspect he will be in the Premiership a couple of seasons before us.I don't expect he will want to play at this level next season.

Whilst not wishing to get involved with their private grievances,this seemed pretty harsh and shows an incredibly short memory: "The tight old git of a Chairman" is the one who bought a floundering club in the old Division 3 or 4, moved them from Elm Park to a new stadium and...took them to the Premiership...

I remember that match quite well.Channon scored almost straight from kick off and we battered them for the rest of the second half but could not find that second goal. Ron returned that September and captained Pompey.He ran out to the centre circle,the remaining Pompey players held back and he received a tremendous welcome despite playing for the skates. Yes,even more gutting at the time. Probably still in my roofspace !

This was mooted at the time of his purchase.I'm sure a German speaker on here put it right and said that a more accurate translation would be "dear Mr " rather than "love Mr". An anglicised version of the surname is probably Goodman. As for Liebherr sponsorship,b0ll0cks to the rivals,I'd rather be sponsored by Liebherr than the likes of TY or jobsh!te for example.

Another traditional pub whilst travelling is The Bullingdon Cross at Sutton Scotney which used to sit on the A34/A303 junction;it now appears strangled by those roads. I have many recollections of that place en route to Southampton,frequently just sat in summer traffic not moving and not being able to get near to the place. In the summer months and early football season it would be heaving.It depresses me to see it boarded up now,a victim of the road planners and probably also social changes (no longer acceptable for the driver to break his journey to the West Country for a lunchtime 4 or 5 pints). We often used to travel back towards Reading via Basingstoke after a match and another favourite was Coach&Horses near Micheldever if memory serves me correct. Kingsclere was an alternative route involving pubs at either Whitchurch or Kingsclere itself.Walking into the pubs here it always seemed two or three of the locals,realising we had travelled from 'afar',were hoping we'd have news of whether Glenn Miller had been found yet. Oh happy days.The driver would have to settle for about 4/5 pints at lunchtime before the match,and just another 2 perhaps, on the way home whilst the others had another session.Drop the car off once home, and then the serious drinking could begin.

The Air Balloon is indeed on a roundabout.A bit of a nasty bastard of a roundabout really, at the top of Crickley Hill, which necessitates a hairpin bend to travel on to Cirencester once you reach the top. I think a coach might struggle to get in there now as I'm pretty sure theres a sign up banning football coaches etc.

Sorry but I disagree the current badge is anything but perfect,it is far too cluttered in my view,and with the ball and scarf in particular looks like something befitting a junior club. I tend to agree with the following comments: Not entirely sure about backing a graphic artist to have the final say with some of the creations they have produced,ie Arsenal.

Britain and Germany had been 'itching' to have a go at each other for some years to establish naval superiority in the world and protect their trade interests,so I'm sure you are right. The Balkans were also a powderkeg waiting to go off. Its a question then of where the first spark might have happened,and depending on this would so many countries have become embroiled in it ?

I suspect this will be on Cortese's long term plans,but probably more fundamental matters to take care of internally first. Or perhaps he and Markus have agreed it will be integrated into the new stand development in time for the 2018 World Cup.

Some fascinating speculation above which demonstrates some in depth reading and thought from many.Well done. As a further piece of conjecture, WHAT IF Archduke Ferdinand's car had not made a detour on that day in June 1914,or Gavrillo Princip not been so accurate in his shooting ?