spyinthesky

Checkatrade is also a good place to find recommended tradesmen

Out of interest anyone know how much the lad (CD) at Bristol City was going to cost us? Have been keeping an eye on his appearances since returning from injury and he seems to have done well for City

Out of interest, since WW2, Brighton have recorded higher average home gates than Saints on the following seasons: 1952/3 1953/4 1955/6 1957/8 1958/9 1959/60 1964/5 1976/7 1977/8 1978/9 1979/80 So 11 out of the past 65 seasons

Out of interest anyone know how many contracted players are on Saints books? There are 34 on the programme list and there are probably 5 more unlisted ie: Andy Robinson Jack Savile Alberto Seidi Lloyd Isgrove Aaron Racine With the loss of regular Reserve team football, it is difficult to imagine how 20 or so players can be kept match fit and happy with only the occasional U 21 game Three or four of the players still turn out for the U18's and there are seven, either injured or out on loan but it seems quite a large squad. I know there are loads of technical aids available to help rate players but surely nothing can assist more than watching players in action. In this respect it must be difficult for the coaching staff to rate those players who, for the moment can only turn out for the U21 squad, as they have so few games. I read somewhere that Bill Shankly would only rate a player after he had seen him play twice at home and twice away as the challenges were quite different At least it is good to know that the club seems able to fund the costs of a relatively large playing and support staff (I think I counted seven tracksuited support staff at the U18 game yesterday)

It would be of interest to learn who wasnt available for Saints yesterday and why? Three of the better players ie Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Jack Stephens (all in the first team squad) were absent Not sure whether Ben Reeves, Sam Hoskins and Ryan Doble are still eligible for the U 18's but I guess even the inclusion of the first 3 mentioned would have made a considerable difference I guess the real test will be in FA Youth Cup games when most clubs field their strongest sides.

If Kelvin or Bart are injured for a FA Cup game, I wonder who goes on the bench, as our well respected 'Third Choice' keeper was presumably cup tied whilst playing for Bromley yesterday. Whilst getting in a loan keeper should be OK for League games, it may be more difficult for FA Cup games as other teams may not want to cup tie their own keepers. Maybe Nigel fancies dusting off the gloves!! btw has young Tommy still got a year and a half left on his 5 year deal?? What an inspired signing!!

I agree There ias quite a bit of physical difference between a lad who is nearly 18 at the start of season (which presumably is the benchmark enabling lads to play U18 football) and a first year scholar who could be 16. Pompey did seem more physically more mature especially at the back Jake Sinclair never stood a chance with high balls played continually played up to him

One thing it would be useful to know is how many of the Pompey team were second year Academy players compared to our team I reckon we only had 4 second year lads in our team which obvoiusly makes a difference Our keeper looked very assured and is only a depurty for Jack Dovey, who is on loan at Eastleigh, so a sign of strength in depth in this position Very disappointed with our (non existent) passing but this may be due to inexperience Ball was constantly hoofed up field to Jake Sinclair who was half the size of the Pompey back line

27,500 sold as of this morning Ticket Office perdicting sell out I'm nervous about this one but, to be fair, that is not unusual for me

Well beaten 1-0 today but hardly recognised any of the Saints team Where was Luke Shaw and Ward-Prowse for example?

If you like vinyl records pop into Kops Records at 229 Queen Street West Owned by a mate of mine Martin Koppel. Unfortunately he is a Leeds fan but has a soft spot for the Saints

Might wander along but the Saints site doesnt give a KO time which seems to vary between 11.30 and 12.00 Anyone know? Also last time I saw the U 18's they didnt play on the main (old Roadsea) pitch. Is that still the case? Finally will this be a 'bubble' game?!!!!!!

Another supporter of long standing Very difficult to compare different teams All I can say it is an awfully long time since I have enjoyed watching Saints play in such a fluent style and with the expectation of a decent result

During the summer 3 people I know were fleeced by itinerant driveway 'contractors'. Three were older people who were susceptible. The other, I thought was rather more savvy but still got 'done' ie the price initially quoted was per metre and then changed to per foot with the threat of violence against his family if the 'revised' rate wasn't paid. Tonight's news shows the Tomney family, of four, put away for 5 years apiece (2+ years in real money) for making £500k from vulnerable people in and around the Preston area I wonder if dear old Vanessa Redgrave and her 'activist' mates will be in front of the cameras protesting about oppressed minorities ie the old folk who were robbed and threatened? No maybe not!!

David For the record I didn't say Danny Fox was third choice, rather than he was a third left back when signed. At the time the signing surprised me as I thought Harding and Dickson were good enough for the Championship and we could have used the £1.8m to strength upfront or in central defence However Fox has proved to be the No 1 left backand well done to him and the scouting team for this. btw as a supporter of very long standing I am, perhaps, rather 'realistic' in my view of Saints. However I am very pleased to say that my sense of 'realism' has been rather misplaced so far this season, and long may this continue.

For the record, comment on Tommy was laced with irony!!

1. DAVIS 16 Has done very well. One of best keepers in league 2. RICHARDSON 14 Generally good. wonder if he will be good enough if we go up? 3. FOX 15 Wasnt sure about the need to spend £1.8m on a third left back. Now settling in well and first choice 4. MORGAN 15 Good player. Still young and improving, Shame he hasnt a bit more pace and goal scoring ability 5. FONTE 15 Off the pace a little bit recently but still an excellent ball playing defender 6. HOOIVELD 15 Wasn't sure at first but has improved significantly and becoming an integral part of the team 7. LAMBERT 17 Again wasnt sure he would be able to make the step up due to his lack of pace. However he is a class act and links up ever so well. 8. GULY 15 Bit frustrating at times but another player who has stepped up a gear and improving 9. CONNOLLY 14 Probably now second fiddle to Guly but useful to have off the bench. Unlikely to figure much/at all if we go up 10. CORK 16 Would have marked him a bit higher on his early season form. However a slight dip in form recently. Excellent buy though 11. HAMMOND 15 Another player who has surprised me arguably playing better than last year. All action 12. LALLANA 17 Wonderful talent. Only a niggly injury prevents a higher mark 13. De RIDDER 14 Worth a higher mark due to his influence as a sub. Not sure if he is yet the real deal from the off. 14. BUTTERFIELD 14 Very able deputy when he plays 15. HARDING 14 Ditto. Thought he was unlucky to see fox brought in but he doesnt offer quite what Fox does. 16. CHAPLOW 16 What a transformation. From 4th choice midfielder to a regular. Great value for £200k? 17. MARTIN 13 A very able and committed defender. Not sure he is as comfortable on the ball as he needs to be to make to step upwards 18. BART 12 Can only judge on Carling Cup games. Talented but not ready to replace Kelvin yet 19. HOLMES 12 Unfortunately continued injuries will be his down fall. Can't see a long term future for him here which is a shame. 20. DICKSON 12 Thought he looked very promising when he first arrived. Obviously third choice left back. Future in doubt 21. FORTE 9 Two tap ins against MK Dons masked the fact that apart from a bit of pace he offers very little. Can't see any future here 22. BARNARD N/R - A battler (!!) but I have real doubts he can cut the mustard in the Championship. His off the field problems may influence his future 23. JAIDI N/R Knee problems in an ageing player is always a challenge. Will be surprised to see him play again 24. SEABORNE 13 Never been a fan of Danny but, to be fair, he was playing OK when sidelined. Think he will probably struggle to get back in. 25. FORECAST N/R No idea why this supremely talented keeper is plying his trade with Bromley but unlikely to see him again!!!!!

Singing ...'there is only one Stanley Ogden' to Man City fans many years ago

Years ago i used to sit in the East Stand near to a youngish irish guy who used to moan every game about Mick Channon, arguably Saints best ever player

Think most people would agree that we need to strengthen in central defence whether by doing a deal for Hooivet or elsewhere Another big (and/or pacey) forward would be good too.

If he stays ...good If he goes.. so viet

Just reading through and 2 things came to my attention. 1. Last nights crowd was the season's lowest for a League game 2. James Ward-Prowse, in the young player profile, claims to have always supported Saints whereas the Echo did a piece on his family all being Pompey season ticket holders. All incidental, of course, as he is with us now but interesting to know who put the spin on their story.

Good piece about him in the Daily Record Consensus amongst the Celtic fans when he came here on loan was.... 'Good riddance' Now after his sound start here the view is...'How much over the £1.2m transfer cost can Celtic obtain from Southampton if he goes in January'.. He obviously would like to stay here. Question is will Nicola Cortese buy him a ticket for the bus!!

1,300 Pompey fans at Selhurst tonight for a first team fixture compared to the 2,500 away fans at last weeks Carling Cup reserve game

Are you saying that Gladys Knight was the cover or original version?