spyinthesky

Re the local company debate. Just to provide a little historical context, The Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was formed in 1837 by Arthur Anderson & Brodie McGhie (both of Scottish descent) and three years later the company merged with the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company (P&O). In 1840, the merged company started the first Deep Sea operation out of Southampton with freight & Passengers using the SS Tagus. Arthur Anderson has a road named after him in Southampton. So, to my mind, this means that the P&O company have strong links to the city, especially as the cruise side of P&O have used Southampton for their Office and Shipside business for decades. . There has been some confusion, expressed by one or two on here with P&O Ferries who are now owned by DPWorld. However P&O Ferries was originally part of the wider P&O Group back in the late 1960's and the company went onto to purchase European Ferries who owned Townsend Thoresen who many of us older members of this group will remember running services over to France from Southampton.

Romeu was indeed at the training ground last week so we can all speculate on the reason

Away from the actual game, it seemed rather odd that around 20-30 Brighton fans were in the Itchen Stand and had to be escorted to the away end in the first half. Seems rather strange that they were able to access this amount of tickets in the home section.

I think Wrexham will look for consolidation this season and maybe a crack at the play offs if things go well. Birmingham seem to be well fired up for a second promotion. It certainly is going to be an interesting season.

There is a good chance that Dibling could turn into a very decent player in the future if he can play against the ball as well as with it. However with a potential £40m+ in the bank and with Jay Robinson turning in arguably higher levels of performances than Dibling, albeit at a year or so older, then the transfer may be the best for all concerned, provided any money released to the transfer fund will be spent on decent players.

Sorry if this has been mentioned earlier but has there been any report on the morning game v Brighton, which I understand we lost 1-0 eg who played etc etc

Looks likes a second bid is likely from Everton. It seems fairly certain that a bid of around £30m would seal the deal. That said, it seems that Everton are also looking at Fellows from WBA to fill in their quest for a right sided attacker.

Looked Ok to me. All pitches are so much better than the standard when I started watching as a nipper.

I have it on fairly good authority that the club would prefer that Fernandes stays and would accept a decent offer for Dibling to provide funds for new players. However Fernandes and his advisors want him to move on to bigger and better things, which is a shame.

First half it was men against boys. We were totally outplayed and if Brighton had kept their first 11 on for the second half it could have been more. That said, Baz had a faultless game and did enough, hopefully, to mollify the criticism many people have placed upon him. Stephens was solid too. The change to a back three was down to Still and a big up to him for this. However playing Fraser as a false nine was a mistake first half and something that Still needs to forget. Jay Robinson put in another impressive performance when he came on. Quarshie is a work in progress but has a decent amount of raw material to work on. I thought Moses Sesay did Ok for a 18 year old making his first appearance at SMS. We appear to be fitter as a squad than last season. My team for Wrexham is: Bazunu Edwards Stephens Quarshie Sugawara ** Charles Downes Wellington Armstrong Downs Robinson ** I think we need an upgrade at right back

Will CB Fry be fit for the Wrexham game at the Antelope Ground?

News from Liverpool is that Saints have turned down Everton's £27m initial offer but there is indication that the club remain interested and are considering a higher offer. I had a good source tell me that TD had bought a house to the west of Southampton but I guess that doesnt mean too much as this be used by his family or rented out as he is likely to earn more than enough at Everton to cover the cost of purchase.

Centre Backs ..........Malcolm Waldron, Reuben Agboola perhaps??

Bob Charles, born in Bursledon, was an England Youth 'Keeper (I think) then played 26 games in the 1959/60 season, so a regular for one season. Gerry Gurr was another young 'keeper that came through the ranks after signing on from Guildford City. Both of these are quite tenuous and it does seem that the club can develop lots of talented outfield players but not a decent 'keeper.

Apparently there are 14 Sports were males and females can participate on equal terms. Sumo wrestling is one that is not included.

If he is Russian and does sign. will he refuse to play in away games when our strip is yellow & blue?

I went along with my uncle a couple of times to watch Saints Ladies when they were a top team in the female game but could only play on public pitches. Not being unfair to the team at the time, as they were the best in their field and, of course, they were amateurs but the standard was not great. The move to professionalism has increased the skill levels significantly particularly in the art of goalkeeping which was quite abysmal back in the day. If any one is interest in the history of ladies football have a look at Dick, Kerr Ladies who played in front of 30-40,000 crowds back in the 1920's until the FA put the mockers on female football.

You cant beat Guido Carrillo

The Police wouldnt want hordes of Pompey fans walking to the ground from the Central Station when there are 4 cruise ships in port that day as well as the Boat Show at Mayflower Park. Presumably there is sufficient room for 50-60 coaches to park up to accommodate the 2,700 Pompey fans? I wonder if the burger vans who normally park in that area will fancy turning up on the day?

In comparison to last year, our results have been rather disappointing. That said I recollect we were well beaten 2-0 by Oxford Utd in one pre season game last season.

Pleased for England. Spain the better team and their outstanding player missed a pen. That's football for you!!

Pompey won 4-0 at Reading today. Decent result. At this stage of pre season and our performances to date I couldnt see us replicating this scoreline, which is a bit of a concern going forward.

Commitment is great but it needs to be displayed in the right manner not too agressive which leads to a plethora of yellow and red cards.

There was an issue a few years back on derby day, when some Pompey supporters got off a train at St Denys and caused problems walking to the ground from there

Great bit of research!!