Saint 76er

So, they loan him back to us for next season and we trouser the cash...

So they ARE revamping the beer supplies then ... thank gawd the important issues are being addressed first.

Pat, re your earlier post what value do you think would be placed on Joe Lewis and would Posh be prepared to sell him anyway? We could, of course, throw in Forecast to sweeten the deal (if you'd kindly mention that in the appropriate ears). Last year Kelvin could have just walked, but now has two years left on his contract so we could ask a decent fee if he did want to go. Any thoughts on how much that might be...

Sochaux are based in the town of Montbeliard, near the Swiss border. They were formed in some arrangement with the nearby Peugeot factory and still have the Peugeot lion as their badge. However, they are not a wealthy side as not a populous area and thus not big crowds. Their ground is 20,000 capacity quite nice fully enclosed two tier stadium. I would therefore be surprised if they could afford 2 million or so for Morgan. However, it may be worth noting that Sochaux had several young players of considerable promise playing for France at the same tournament that Morgan recently graced. It may be that our connection with Sochaux could possibly involve us signing a player from them, rather than the other way round...

Quick question for Granty/Baj... Will the new setup impact in any way (good or bad) on match threads (seems ages since we played a match) and can the server handle mass sign ins when said matches get exciting (which they will cos we're brilliant)? Thx... 76er

Happily, we are at last in a position to assist our near neighbours and dig them out of their self inflicted hole. All we have to do is to cancel Forecast's contract and then graciously offer him to the skates as an out of contract signing (on the obligatory five year contract obviously) and et voila the problem is solved. For us, of course, not them...

Greg Halford, Wolves, perhaps...

On the Echo site the comments section to this story have been debating Portuguese reports (a website was quoted) which state that Bart is signing for Braga, who have apparently lost their keeper. Report says something like.. 'the former Southampton player'. Dan Kerins has posted on Echo board to say Echo quotes are deffo direct from Bart that he intends to stay with us. Hope so...

You mean Yep, as you are agreeing with me that Jackson would NOT be the first Canuck we have signed! Correct that Jim Brennan was the other one. Think he was a left back though. We were only signing cheapies in them days though...

Well, AP is apparently friendly with the Gills chairman, I think they may be Pards local club to where he lives. Certainly Gills are talking down the Norwich interest and, who knows, something may have been arranged by us on the quiet. AP has long spoken glowingly of Jackson and if he has contacts at Gillingham we may find an announcement after 1st July. If so, strangely, I think Jacko will not be the first Canadian international we have signed in recent years...

Manipulating Blue Empathy... :mad:

We're in our sash and we're all smashed... :smt036

All pitches should be mown in the standard lines across the pitch style because it's easier to judge offside decisions, fact! Well, it's a lot easier to see offsides on tv with a reference line across the pitch, so presumably it would also help linos to get the occasional one right as well...

Of course, it did used to have four wheels but... Well, you know how it is in Portsmuff don't you? He probably left it outside his gaff overnight.

A sad day for the City of Southampton and a reminder that with all the dodgy characters involved with Saints in recent times and even MLT blotting his copybook a little, still the only person of unimpeachable integrity in Saints supporters eyes is Ted Bates... RIP Mary, give Ted a hug from all of us.

Last season ST's appear to have been pitched deliberately low, presumably to get people back on board after the takeover. Now they are reverting to a more realistic level, but still about average for this league apparently. Nuttin' aint cheap anymore guys. More baffling are the surcharges. They say they want people to book in advance so a match day surcharge, then slug them even more if they do actually book in advance. For most fans presumably still cheaper to walk up.. go figure! Surely a "booking fee" is just a price hike by another name? Every retail enterprise has to handle it's sales, but the costs are always included in the price along with all other overheads. You don't want to buy a kettle and then cop a few extra quid for a "handling fee", as if selling you the thing is just a nuisance they could do without. Why is it necessary here anyway, as ticket office already employ staff to handle phone sales and ST enquiries is just a part of their normal job. Charging for internet sales seems a bit rich, bearing in mind that once set up these systems are supposed to largely run themselves without incurring the costs of having a shop front. Most companies are overjoyed to direct customers to their website as they get sales at minimal costs, without charging them extra!

The Portuguese reports would appear to suggest this is a happening thing, not just scuttlebutt. The planets would still have to align I guess, especially regards a work permit, but then plenty of US players are at UK clubs (maybe more current US caps though). Looks like Benfica want out if they sent him on an 18 month loan, however Aris are a major Greek club from Thessaloniki which, I think, is the second city of Greece and they play in Europe regularly. Maybe Freddy has lost his way a little bit, but those video highlights are simply awesome! The pace, skill, running off the ball (check it out), finishing and vision to pick a pass are something to see (and indeed something you don't normally see in L1). He can actually take a decent corner as well (probably the reason Pards is interested!). Really hope this comes off now, or else we're all going to be very disappointed. Hey, a strike force of Rickie and Freddy sounds great, or maybe more like an entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest perhaps....

Well, one Shrimper fan thinks it's likely to be Brighton. Fair call really, since we are apparently taking their RB. LOL at another SUFC fan who says that Saints scout who watched Lee Barnard bang in the goals, must also have noticed who supplied all the crosses! If we do get Francis + Calderon then RB sorted and cheaply too. SUFC fan was suggesting 150K for Francis. Seems reasonable as he has a year left on his contract, but was player of the year for them.

Okay, so one pound two shillings and tuppence three farthings it is then...

In all of the thousands of words written on the subject, you have in only a few been able to sum up with exactitude what is currently happening in that darkly satanical place. Let's hope the powers that be, both judicial and football, can see this sham so openly paraded before them, and take action to rid the football world of this plague of a club and all those who have used it for their own ends (gun runners, money launderers, scam artists, charity diddlers, tax cheats etc). IMO it never could be either legally or morally right for the major creditor to announce he was appointing and financing the administrator, especially one with such a dodgy background, when an administration is supposed to be self financing and not paid for by the bloke who wants to get most out of it. You can hardly wonder that we may query what is going on behind the scenes down there, or under the carpet if you like. Brown paper bags (probably the only growth industry in Pmuff) anyone...

Why can't Hammond play DM, his main role has been to break up play and pass it on anyway, also we don't need Wootton then. Drew, Morgan and Adam could then be in front of him. However, agree a player like Stock is most needed to boss midfield and get forward. We don't seem to have midfielders who can take a game by the scruff of the neck and impose themselves. Bailey or Racon from Charlton might suit nicely as well. Of course, we have to fit Punch into the equation somewhere as well. Perhaps Drew would somewhat replicate his role and, on reflection, for whatever Wolves would want for him (probably Lallana) I suspect Pards might prefer to spend his money in other directions...

Perhaps she was working for Spain or Russia...? Also, shouldn't FIFA have a word with LT, just in case he knows something they don't?

What about cheaper tickets for less attractive fans? Oh, and bring back the Albion band...

LOL that NC has instructed Pards to play a more attractive style of football! Well, hopefully AP can now get on with signing some players to help him implement this executive instruction. Just out of interest, did not NC employ the same PR company that the unnameable one also used, when he (NC) arrived last year and wonder if those people still advise him? The manifesto from NC does mention improvements to SMS this summer. Does anybody know exactly what changes are going to be made to the stadium and will we still recognize it next August? One things for sure they have a lot of references (like seats) to Flybe to remove. Glad to hear the Staplewood work is due to commence shortly, though goodness knows when it will be finished now. Nice to hear NC and Pards are palling up now, see all that hugging at Wembley was for real. Suspect AP only just scrapped a pass mark on this season in NC's eyes though and a lot of ground rules seem to have been put in place for next season, so AP can have few illusions as to his fate if things don't go swimmingly from the off next time out...

If we're sticking with the basis of existing logo, then this is a really good effort. The gold outline really lifts it and brings it closer to the modern era, sort of. Not sure about the red nose, but I will live with it as, Yeah...!! that horrid football has been junked at last. Truly that cartoon football is the worst thing about the existing badge. I would like to see the 125 replaced by the word Saints maybe diagonally across the red circle in a swish written style, perhaps with each S outside the circle at each end. The 125 could go above the halo, but I agree it's not really necessary as we have the dates. Personally, I think the existing badge has had it's day (the 1970s) and I would love a modern or even futuristic style of badge for the following year. This should be simplified (not a travelogue of the area) and based on the theme that we are the Saints, IMO. If keeping the new logo after next season, then can the 125 and the shading below the circle and add the word Saints as per above and maybe replace the dates with ' Since 1885' or simply 18 - 85 either side of the shield. Do NOT go back to the existing badge as it is, it's far too Roy of the Rovers comic book and not cutting edge enough for Mr Cortese's brave new era...