spyinthesky

I guess they must be highly delighted with the exposure they are receiving Good luck to them as they spotted an opportunity and they are a local company run by Saints fans Having said that I guess the club will be looking at an higher profile sponsor with more cash on the back of this years increased media coverage

Another example of Pompeymyth Someone told me this morning that there is great excitement on one of their boards at the 'news' that we only took 257 supporters to Ipswich. Understand that the figure was 1,257. Nothing outstanding but reasonable for a mid week game, live on BBC and sandwiched between away trips to Manchester and Newcastle. I am sure this will soon become part of folklore down there

Liked the bit at the end where our old taxi driving friend Perry McMillan was sahring local football anecdotes with three lads from Upham FC Wonder if Perry ever had Rupert Lowe in his cab and if the old SISA crew still go to games?

I want Saints to win as many games as possible and should my wishes come to fruition the prospect of Europa League (and possibly Champions League) is a distinct possibility. I guess the upsides would be: 1. Increased profile of the club at home and abroad 2. Greater revenue 3. Ability to keep and attract better players Possible downsides would be: 4. Requirement to strengthen squad (would the cost exceed additional revenue?) 5. Increased wages/bonuses (would this impact on Financial Fair Play rules?) 6. Affect of travelling on our domestic form 7. Likelihood of additional match day/season ticket costs I heard a whisper before Xmas, from a well connected source, that the Board were willing to spend big in the January window if Champions league was a possibility. Champions League remains a reasonable prospect but, apart from a replacement for Mane, there doesn't appear to be much prospect of strengthening the squad apart from a possible reaction to Toby's injury. Presumably the Board are considering the pros and cons of further investment in the squad relative to possible benefits and wonder if Redslo or one of the other informative posters could provide a financial analysis of the likely considerations they may be looking at

Also met him in the past and share your view By all accounts takes after his Dad and some other minor royals who are brought up to expect fawning responses from the hoi polloi

Anyone old enough to remember the 1960's Cup Tie v Ipswich which we won 7-1 (after being 6-0 up at half time) As I recollect Ipswich were a higher placed side than us at the time so this was a decent win. Unusually for me I was stood on the players entrance side of the Milton Rd terrace and there was a bloke behind me continually denigrating Ray Crawford (the Ipswich No 9) I guess they both did National Service together as the Saints fan kept on about 'Jungle Boy' so assumed Crawford had been posted to the Far East Ipswich had a left winger at the time (Jimmy Leadbitter) who looked liked Albert Steptoe (spindly legs and dodgy teeth) but a useful player for his time

Very interesting read and well written I was born outside of Southampton with relatives who supported big city clubs. However my Dad was a keen Saints fans and we ended up living in Milton Rd for a while My Dad used to take me to sit on his knee in the East Stand This was a bit of a disaster at first as I used to get upset when the Albion Band finished and he had to take me home thereby missing the early part of the game I can vaguely remember queues stretching up past our house for the big all ticket games I soon became an avid Saints fan installed in the lower Chocolate Box in my youth and early adult stage Interestingly the first football shirt I ever had (probably as a 8-10 year old) was an Arsenal type kit which was the only red and white style shirt available at Toomers A few years later I got hold of a white tee shirt with red trimmings which had a Saint and Halo on the front. When I reflect back, Saints have moved from being a modest club in a modest ground to a team with an enviable reputation throughout Europe Who would have thought it. Just a shame my Dad isn't around to see the progress made. Poor quality but worn with pride until it fell apart!!

Interested to know what the consensus is regarding the 'value' of Toby and Bertrand? Original suggestions were £6m and £10m Reckon these figures may have to be reviewed and will possibly impact on the budget available for other players Would be great to keep both players if finances allow

Like you I have difficulty coming to terms with increasing 'value' put on players. Apparently Ipswich have turned down bids around the £8m mark for David McGoldrick (tidy player but unlikely to set the world alight in the Prem) Even more surprising, apparently Sunderland reckon they can get in excess of £6m for Altadore who really looks a donkey!! I suppose all this put the £12m we spent on Shane Long into some sort of perspective

As I understand it, once tickets have been paid for, the programme relating to season tickets will be adjusted so that can be used at the turnstile If that is not the case a number of us are in trouble. I have to say the speaker at the Ticket Office was so crackly it was difficult to understand what was being said and the lad in the Ticket Office was a mumbler

10/10 for me too Mind you I am of a certain age and went to most of the grounds before redevelopment Also having a few 'Then and Now' stadium books helped (and no I didn't cheat!!)

They did remember the 2-0 win at the Dell in 1987/8 as a Fanzine celebrating the win was created. At the time it was Pompey's first win over us in 11 games stretching back to 1963/4 so you could understand the outpouring of relief

Nice summary One additional comment. It is interesting to see that whenever we do well against 'bigger' teams, their fans forums bemoan the fact that it is their teams worst display of the season and they should never lose to 'inferior' teams like Southampton. The melt down on the Everton sites was quite interesting. Poor old Roberto Martinez!! Apparently we don't have one player that would get in the Everton line up, according to one poster!!

I agree Its a shame that despite having talent Gaston isn't up to the Prem Talking to a Hull City mate of mine Gaston is looked upon in the same way as Ben Arfur who joined Hull on loan but has been a waste of space during his time there. Apparently Gaston was pants against Swansea yesterday (Sunday Times rated him a 4/10) and was noticeably slow to react on the approach play to Swansea's goal on the MOTD clip He may well suit to Italian/Spanish Leagues Just hope we can recoup some money

No problems. The book is on regular re-print

Bit off topic but reminds me of when I started playing and we had ankle high real leather boots with heavy toe caps (ideal for toe ending the heavy footballs in rainy conditions) and studs which had to be nailed in. Vividly remember finishing games with bloodied soles on my feet and the heavy woollen footie socks shredded. It was a major progression onto the light weight moulded sole boots, probably early 60's First pair I had were Stanley Matthews specials from the Co-Op (in Woolston I think) Remember upsetting my Mum one day when I played in goal using her best pair of leather gloves. Glad to see things have moved on nowadays but wouldn't like to pay upwards of £200 or so for a pair of 'dancing pumps'

I go back to the Adam and Eve and the Metro plus the Pier, Top Rank and Skyways in the late 60's early 70's Seems to be a lot more choice nowadays

Plus two for this Myself and Brother In Law separately trying to buy 4 lots of tickets apiece. Neither of us can't fathom out system. We will persevere but many won't.

Would there be any Planning hoops to jump through IF a capacity hike was feasible?

Lunched in Oxford Street today Mrs Koeman in restaurant with seven of her family/friends so our Dutch supporter contingent will be significant tonight. Mrs K continually on phone. Think she may have been trying to check out team for tonight. Gok Wan also popped in. Think he may be designing next years kit or perhaps looking for a slot on the bench between Panto appearances!!

The Daily Mail report was edited as there were other references to 'C**k' Understand the missing bit was as follows: Many of those present here today may be aware of previous reports of the importance of my local lower league football club who apparently contribute millions of pounds to the local economy. It also appears that by offering very advantageous share purchase schemes, the club has also been able to pay off millions of pounds worth of debt to the Inland Revenue, local traders and all other those who suffered from the club's regular financial problems. However I am duty bound to point out that, like the story of the infamous Southampton Dock Strike, these are all 'C**k and Bull' stories. put about by a number of my 'C**k sure' constituents.

I am always amazed why such people like Shaun Goater, Steve Bull and the ex Pompey 'keeper Knight (and others of a similar ilk) get recognised with Honours and yet MLT gets nothing for all his profile and good works. Separately, apart form the late defensive errors, I thought Bayern were top class last night, managing to out possess an expensively assembled City side for all the game with only 10 men. it shows the level we would have to step up to IF we were to make the Champions League

Ironically I was only saying before the match that I thought FF did not attempt to play the 'sweeper' role that some keepers, particularly Lloris at Spurs, does so well. Shame that when he decides to come out of the penalty area he messes up big style. Still as mentioned on the Sky commentary he would have been sent off if the challenge had made contact with the player not the ball

Remember several years ago, before a derby game with Pompey, Robert Hardman, who had a column in the Telegraph at the time, sought to perpetuate the myth and also banged on about Pompey being a naval town and the navy boys referring to their merchant marine counterparts in Southampton as the scum that rises to the top of a wave, or something like that. It was a poorly researched article but quite prophetic in some ways as it turns out!!

My mistake Sam Charles was Bob's brother Have replied btw