spyinthesky

I went last year relatively optimistic as Saints were doing well and Man Utd were on a poor run with the crowd turning against Van Gaal, which we happily joined in with. This time I am fairly pessimistic with Man Utd regenerated under a new manager and a shed load of money spent on new players, whilst we are weaker. The real concern to me is the lack of height in our team compared to the opposition. Of the outfield players only VVD compares to the likes of Pogba, Smalling, Ibrahamovic, Pogba, Fellaini etc. Can see a bit of a tonking in prospect unfortunately

Nothing on either web sites yet

Interesting comment from Alan Curbishly last night on the Lower Division highlights programme in relation to Forrestieri, the Sheff Weds forward, who refuses to play for Weds after apparently being tapped up by another club. The Sheff Weds owner and his manager says the player is contracted and is going nowhere. Curbishly reckons (and was supported by, Gary Megson another well travelled manager who was on the programme) that there is generally only one winner in such dispute ie the player, ably supported by his agent, the latter looking for an additional pay day) Saints may want to keep Fonte but if another club has offered more money/longer term deal that Saints don't feel is worth their while to match, then Jose is offski. it is no point hanging on to a disgruntled player even though a contract should be a contract

I think it is good to ask the question in a sensible way Let's not forget that without the Leibherrs we would be owned by SISU, some other dodgy outfit of working our way back up through the lower leagues

I have a feeing that Fonte will go and that will be another real disappointment not only from the playing perspective, as I think he has improved in recent times and is an excellent reader of the game and a motivating captain, but another example of disloyalty to rival that shown by Ronald Koeman. There is some suggestion in the media that there was a 'gentleman's agreement' offered as part of Fonte's extended contract. Really? A contract is a contract and if the club decided not to honour any part of their obligation then Fonte's agent would be all over it like a rash. I have two hopes. First that if he is off then he b*ggars off aboard and we won't have to put up with the chance of him turning up at St Mary's in the future (Man Utd would be slightly more palatable than Everton I have to say) Second that, in such a scenario, we are able to replace him with another VVD (who is so classy and as a consequence is unlikely to be here next year!!) - or two, as we are already short of a central defender with Gardos permanently injured. All in all more turmoil when we appear to be short of a striker, a central defender, a taller RB, and possibly a Wanyama replacement, based on yesterday's performance.

I really hope not as it means we will be struggling. Having said that he hasn't impressed me with his on and off field performances. Mind you if I was managing a French football team my performance in front of the camera wouldn't be too inspiring

It would be interesting to know why the club made the decision to turn twelve of the boxes into what appears to be six double boxes Also in past days all the Executive Box companies had their details included within the match day programme as a way of advertising their support. No more it seems. I guess full credit should go to 'Mr Somers' who seems to have been an Exec Box member from the start. Going back to comments on Nicola Cortese, I remember back at the start of his regime he invited a number of 'Business People' into the main Lounge before an evening Div 1 game as a means of improving communication with the business community which in his view had suffered under the previous regime. All good stuff and a sense of anticipation ensued. Bubble burst when a clearly embarrassed Andy Oldknow came in with apologies that Mr Cortese was otherwise engaged. There was no repeat of the gathering

I agree. You cant blame Cortese for the current situation although he did tend to either **** off or ignore corporate activity at the game as well as alienating many of the staff. You can say what you like about Rupert (and I am no fan) but he used to pop into the Boxes on a fairly regular basis to say hello and check all was in order. Current prices need adjusting (downwards) Must also pick up on a point made by a previous poster. A mate of mine took a Box for his staff a year or so back and ended up next to some very unsavoury characters from West Ham. Not a nice experience and such occurrences seem to go against the Ground Rules of no opposition fans in with home supporters. I appreciate that this is difficult to regulate in the corporates where businesses will invite customers who support rival clubs but nevertheless their does seem to be a more 'relaxed' attitude as regards to who can get into boxes in recent times as well as the dress code. Probably a reaction to the poor sales.

Notice that one of the Warehouse stores in Whiteley is selling England Euro Competition Shirts at 'Up to 80%' discount. I wonder if they would actually struggle to give them away!!

Noodles I have some sympathy with Turks comments. Talking to an ex (long standing) Box holder after posting my initial comment, he advises that the product on offer has reduced year on year as the price increased. Rather surprisingly the current commercial team (which he feels do a relatively good job in general) were very unyielding when it came to price negotiations, which no doubt has contributed to the number of empty boxes. btw can confirm the comments from other posters regarding the product on offer at Chelsea. Miles ahead of St Marys, even had heaters in the stand roof!! Mind you lots of 'fans' who appear more interested in the refreshment their mobile phones rather than the footie

In our early years the 47 Corporate Boxes were sellouts at around £30k ish per season = £1.41 m revenue Looks like only 6 have been sold this year (and the possibility of some of these are tied in with commercial packages) I wonder is this due to incorrect pricing packages, pressure on company budgets or poor value for money? It seems that 12 of the boxes have been converted into 6 double boxes Wonder what the reason for this is? Poor catering? Bring back Rupert!!

David Interesting point you make about Ron's prowess with his feet I recollect (need to check though) that he hit a powerful right foot volley in the 6-2 win over Villa (last game of the season) which lodged in the stanchion at the Milton Road end. I wonder how Ron would have coped these days. At 6' he was a tall man in those days. Someone like VVD would probably have negated his aerial ability. Ironically one of the best defenders I saw play against Big Ron was Billy Baxter of Ipswich who was only about 5'9" tall but a great leaper. All that said those of us lucky enough to see Big Ron play will always remember very fondly his time at the Dell. I was also rather star struck some years later playing against Ron when he turned out as a centre half for Wessex Hotel in the Soton Sunday League

Still relish the fact that the County Academy side were totally outplayed by the next generation of Pompey stars but still managed a very lucky 2-2 draw. Pompey youngsters had 214 shots hit the post 173 times and County scored two lucky goals from breakaways which were both miles offside. Count yourself lucky!!

To put in context ...Bradford City 18,500

Verbal Interesting info and puts this into perspective. What was the source of the info?

Some interesting points here. Whilst I guess only really hardened fans will travel to Colchester for a mid week game there may be a couple of hundred or so who may travel from London or other outposts of Saints support. Whilst not disagreeing that our younger players may come up against hardened pros, the likes of McCarthy, Isgrove, Turnbull, Stephens, Seagar, McQeen have all been out on loan at Championship/Leagues 1 & 2 and seem to have acquitted themselves OK. Also teams such as Crewe have consistently played youngsters and done reasonably OK (although Crewe struggled last year) It will be interesting to see how we get on

Credit where credit is due if the figure of 12,000 + season ticket update is correct (and who verifies this?) then it is a splendid effort following a number of abysmal attempts to extradite themselves from Div 4 Bradford City did something similar on the back of enticing season ticket prices and they have followed this up again this year and have recorded 18,000 season ticket sales

Gardos was seen at David Lloyd a day or so again having a one to one session with one of the Saints medical/fitness team. Not sure the reason for this. Could be trying to catch up on fitness or continued remedial work post injury.

Steve Do you think it will sell out for a Friday night game on Sky? I want to take my lad who is a member so have to wait a few days down the line to see if there are any tickets left for the two of us to sit together

I wonder if the gentleman in question has any lady friends beyond those who he may have to attract by offering coin of the realm?

Duncan You and your fellow contributors do a great job, so my personal thanks to you all for this. I shall buy the book to add to my growing collection. Meantime good news about Kat Liebherr I guess the club must be worth over £200m if she decided to sell, set against the £25m or so she and her father have invested So quite a capital gain, on paper. Fair play to her that she doesn't seem to want to realise her capital asset at the moment.

Question is, when Scotland get independence and, bearing in mind all bar one of their MP's voted against renewal of Trident, where will the home base be located when Mrs Krankie kicks out the subs?

Wonder if the 'Fratton Faithful' realise that Paul Doswell, the Manager of Sutton Utd, is a big Saints fan Last time I saw him was in the St Marys Megastore where he was buying a load of flags and scarves etc for him and his family prior to the JPT final I wonder if the cry of 'Scummer' echoed round the Sutton Utd ground earlier this week?

Bearing in mind that at least 20% of spectators at St Marys stand throughout the game, it seems sensible to consider the safe standing option. However unless this increases capacity (which I think it may do based on the German model) the ticket price is likely to remain the same

I doubt if our U21's would beat a full mid/upper table L2 side but it would be really embarrassing if they did. Undoubtedly the game would be classed as a 'First Team Fixture' and potentially reduce our win ratio (the best of any English derby games) if we were to lose_ Could also imagine a decent sized away following turning up at SMS as a 'badge of honour' to make their presence felt in a sub 10,000 crowd I doubt if too many Saints fans would turn up at Fratton Park if the game was there