spyinthesky

No he didnt. I was sat down wind of him in the Itchen and he was singing 'Play Up England. England Play Up' until one of members of Turkish's mob confronted him and he had to move away for a 'comfort' break, which required the attendance of a plumber to unblock the pipes.

Nor does the River Test which meets the River Itchen at Dock Head and flows into Southampton Water thence onwards to the Solent. Next debating point. Could people go promenading or walk out to the sea on Wigan Pier????

As a card carrying pessimist, I am feeling a tad enthusiastic about the signings. However I have a noise in my head kindly placed there by fellow poster who reminded us that Boufal looked the business on You Tube as did Orsic to some extent and probably as McCann would have done before You Tube was invented. What you never see is talented players wandering back after losing the ball or other passages of play which dont do their profiles much good. I wonder how many transfers are made on the basis of video clips? Apparently Ted Bates would always want to see players he was interested in play both at home and away as there was often quite a difference in performance levels. Probably not so much nowadays as pitches and stadium facilities are generally similar not like back in the 'Good Old Days'.

Just a question for debate and feedback from those who might know. IF and its a biggish IF, the team get promoted this season, do the players get a bonus based on the 40%/50% of the expected reduction in their salary following relegation?

Meantime Sam Hoskins, one of our ex youngsters continues to be a hero at Northampton.

It seems that Scienza and Fellows will provide a decent amount of chances for whoever is in the opponents penalty area. Apart from Ross Stewart, who's fitness and sharpness has yet to be tested over a period of time, I cant see Archer, Armstrong or Downs having the aerial power to take full advantage. The last time us older fans would have seen flying wingers feeding a decent centre forward was in the 1960's when Messers Paine and Sydenham were providing crosses for Ron Davies, who then became the top scorer in the old First Division, mainly die to his unrivalled prowess in the air.

The feedback I have received from various sources was that KWP was on a low wage compared to the rest of the 1st team squad. If so it shows what relatively good value he was to the team throughout his time with us. I guess he, Fernandes and Dibling are seeing quite a bit more money in their respective piggy banks now.

More of a defensive midfielder perhaps?

But at least he had the pleasure of scoring against Pompey at Fratton Park😇

I am in the same sad group as Alex having suffered most of my long life as a Saints fan. Nothing can reach the excitement of Kevin Keegan's signing but after last years shit show, I am currently feeling a tad optimistic but feel it all disappearing after a 2-0 home defeat in our next home game🙄

Thats a sobering thought. Wonder what he is like against the ball?

Someone who came with great credentials and actually had a decent start at St Marys only to fall away very quickly. Hope our new signings dont follow his lead!!

Fair comment on If's But's and Maybe's. I have a mate who's son is a goal keeping coach at a high level club. In his opinion, Baz could not be directly faulted with any of the goals conceded this season. He also reckons that nearly all GK's improve with age and Baz is fairly young in comparison to the majority of keepers. Baz is not the tallest of 'keepers but has a decent 'spring' and is very quick off his line. He (and I) reckon that the criticism of Baz is rather unjustified compared to others playing in goal which my mate's son spends time analysing as part of his job. Hopefully Baz, and any of our players, doesnt follow fan's forums as criticism does little to inspire confidence just as booing opposition players generally increases their desire to play well.

I agree particularly about a 'proper' No 9. Also the squad is a tad lightweight and may be bullied by bigger, more direct, teams. All that said, I hope the excitement I'm feeling about the squad I see on paper will be translated onto performances on the pitch.

If it hadnt been for that save we would be on 2 points atm

Spot on quote. The new signings provide a sense of optimism but we wont see the real outcome for a few games when the players all get to know one another and Still gets the system right.

Just think, last summer Transfer Window we signed Maxwell Cornet. That went well!!!!!!

It would have been worse if the much maligned Bazunu hadnt made that important finger tip save v Wrexham. If it hadnt been for that we could be on 2 points and a big melt down on here.

Used to be Tubby Morton in goal when I used to get the comic. Roy Race at CF, his mate Blackie Gray at IR and Pierre Dupont, one of the very early foreign players, on the right wing.

According to the West Ham fans, Fernandes made a great impression on his debut and the initial view is that, if he continues to play like he did today, he will be snapped up by a bigger club, which would provide us with a decent sell on figure, if that happens. Seems the Hammers fans have taken to KWP too but dear old JWP, who started so well at the Dildo Dome, now seems to be well down the order of the favourites.

I reckon Johannsen at Stoke is a very decent 'keeper, however I can imagine the pelters Bazanu would have had to suffer from after Johannsen dropped the cross which led to Stoke's defeat yesterday.

A lot will depend on the impact our new players make. We definitely need a proper Centre Forward but unless Stewart is fit and is selected we dont have one

Some decent goals there. Allez Va!!

Reminds me of the 'desperate' signing of Stuart Williams (RB), Dave Burnside (IL) and George Kirby (CF) in Sept 1962 when Saints were struggling under Ted Bates in Division 2. All three had significant impacts on the Saints side and the team had a great cup run in the FA Cup and were only narrowly beat 1-0 in the Semi Final v Man Utd.

I am in an extremely good mood atm, and have cracked open a decent bottle of wine. This will drown out the little bit of my brain that warns me to accept a defeat tomorrow and a loss to Pompey.