bungle

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1762098,00.html On the OS.

3 quarters of negative growth for the economy should result in a reduction of subscription fee. We are all paupers now.

It is difficult to know how to reply to this thread, especially as the vast majority of replies are really stupid. We lost over half our pre-season, our current manager had a little over 3 weeks with the side before the season AND had to have a look at the squad to see where we were weak, and what players we might need AND then see which players were left available to purchase AND then try and sign them AND remain within budget AND try and figure out who he should sell. Teams in admins for 3/4 of the summer, and who change manager 3 weeks before the season rarely (if ever) start well. We'd probably have started better with Wotte in charge, merely due to consitency, and the fact he probably had some transfer targets, but Pardew has to be judged in the long run. The most annoying thing at Swindon was that when a change was made, he brought on Saganowski, who is a pile of cr*p. But I can already see signs that Pardew knows what he has to do - he has signed a good striker, he has signed Hammond who appears to be the type of player we need in the middle of the park, and it is obvious he is looking for a centre-half. Until he has the time to address the weaknesses (some of which he won't have been able to spot until we played a competitve game), then it is unfair to judge. It is also very, very stupid to say he got the "tactics" wrong at Swindon. Most people on this board don't know a tactic other than the thicko British 4-4-2, and fail to appreciate there are other ways to play football.

Yeh, damn those people from Brussels. What, you mean they didn't make us do it, and I am just making it up for no reason? Surely not.

Does anyone care?

416-4 at Lunch. Lumb up to 141.

Did anyone else spot Torres in the crowd? Also, I love all the negative comments on this thread. Brilliant.

Start delayed due to rain. I assume Sidebottom will be back to bowl for Notts today, which might change things! Edit: Just started!

England batting. Still not confident about how many runs we can get, I think we desperately need a good start.

In many ways I agree. It isn't even as if these new plastic bowl grounds have stands with any individual character, anyway. Although we should be a bit more careful than in the States, where a recent NASCAR race was called the "Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen" - bit of a mouthful!

3.25 York Tamarind

http://www.rosebowlplc.com/news/carberry_broken_finger/ Carberry officially out for the season. Very disappointing news. Lumb up to opener, and another chance for Benham?

Glue Pot was very good. Merlin crap.

According to a copy of the Manchester and NW CAMRA newsletter, which I picked up on the way back from Huddersfield, there is a pub called "The Railways" which has a beer festival on the weekend we are in Stockport.

Yup, a midfield based on Gillet. Oh, wait, he hasn't played this season. And Schneiderlin, when he's been given the ball, has been our best midfielder. The problem is the one "experienced" player, Paul Wotton. No doubt you think he's the best because he's "what we need at this level". Hopefully with Hammond coming in, we will actually have someone effective in the middle of the park.

Thought Lancashire did OK last night. Much better than I had expected after his 10 minute spell at Huddersfield. Still needs to improve and all that, but I'm more worried about Thomas and Perry than I am Lancashire.

Glue Pot was an excellent real ale pub. Fat Controller clearly does PR for the Merlin, what a crap pub.

Glue Pot. FACT.

This is very annoying. More annoying than my limited posts, which should be sorted soon as I have now bothered to pay again.

York 2.15 Elusive Pimpernel

The food & drink festival was indeed excellent. Had a good beer and two curries with rice for £3.90 after the game. A real bonus. Pork pie in the Grove was also superb (as were beers).

3.30 Kempton Son of The Cat

I am going to go to the Glue Pot I think. Certainly not going to a sh*tty Wetherspoons, especially if it going to be filled with people in colours.

All over. It was a game at Basingstoke last year that set us on our late charge at the title. Is it a game at Basingstoke this year which sets us up for relegation?

2.20 Newbury Guiseppe Verdi