*Halo*

It was originally suggested to be: Is this the way to liquidation... pompey's in administration... Andy's back at fratton station... cos the skates are f*cked again. But as Chainrai's old hand puppet has just had his ass handed to him by Justice Norris, we need a new third line. Here's a four minute audio of today: http://www.freefilehosting.net/shalalala-wtfiln (in .wav format). I'd never want to be accused of influencing anyone, but it could be a handy thing to carry around with you, on your phone's? You just never know when you may stumble upon an opportune time you may wish to play it. Maybe even, to someone you might know? Someone, perhaps, who likes to f*ck flatfish, and thinks he's one of "the bestest fans in the world"? Who the f*ck is laughing now!

A full house, at Fratton? Now you're just being silly. Ted Crouch is looking well

Hmm, let's try that again for full size...

How about a topical wallpaper, to mark this special occasion...

he commentated on them for their local radio station for a few years, so hardly surprising he has a soft spot for them. What an urban myth this has become that their fans are somehow more passionate or better than any others. I have a Bury supporting mate who is about as passionate about his side as any fan could possibly be. He has travelled up and down the country watching lower league promotions and relegations for the last 25 years. But you never hear commentators suggesting Bury fans are amongst the most passionate in the world. Why ever not? On The DCSB's wiki page, referring to Nottarf Krap, and their 'wonderful world class support', is this: I'm sure he did say that, (even though following link "48" makes no mention of it that I could find) I just expect that he was referring to the San Siro, rather than a ramshackle rusty eyesore at fratton. 'Best atmosphere in world football'. I suspect clubs with truly awesome atmospheres, such as Crvena Zvezda, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Paris St. Germain (before Laproux ruined it all anyway), Olympiakos, Wisła, (just for starters); would all have something to say about that particular title. As an aside, whilst on the skates wiki page, I happened to notice that the title section seemed rather appropriate. Not the only thing in portsmouth that could use cleaning up to meet quality standards.

More accurately, Moderator doing his job, and splitting irrelevant side discussion into a more appropriate topic. Topic in question was "Weekend's other Championship fixtures". As such, 'debating' the qualities of our Brazilian Striker seems just a little out of place in that topic, no? Or as the Moderator in question aptly responded: It wouldn't be, if you were posting such comments in a topic about said player, or other related 'Saints performance/reaction' type thread. Perhaps 'ruining' is a touch strong, but taking the thread off topic, certainly. I've been Administrating and Moderating Message/Discussion Boards for a very long time. Correct form in this case, is a topic split, and St. Chalet executed said split very cleanly. There is nothing personal against you in starting the new topic 'in your name' dune. It is simply the first post which takes a thread off topic that is used to begin the new one. In this case, it was yours. Clearly not, as St. Chalet kindly took the time to create a new (more appropriate) topic for you to express your views in, rather than just trash binning them. Yes. That is one of his responsibilities as a Moderator, and he's since offered you the opportunity to rename the topic as you choose, (within reason, I am sure ). No, you do not. But depending upon the manner in which those opinions are expressed, sometimes a ban may indeed be an appropriate measure to take. Baj and Steve as the site owners, laid out a set of terms and conditions which we are required to adhere to, when signing up to become members of their forum. They select a team of Moderators to enforce those terms and conditions, in an attempt to try and run the forum in a manner that makes it an appealing place to visit and post in, for the majority of its members. If some members choose to consistently, and intentionally conduct themselves in a manner out of line with those terms and conditions of membership (which they agreed to abide by when registering), despite numerous warnings, then banning them is an appropriate course of action to take. I could likely hazard some educated guesses. Or more accurately, St. Chalet saw the opportunity to use the tools he has at his disposal, to simply move the off topic side discussion to a more appropriate location; so that the original topic could be used for its intended purpose, without having to trawl through completely unrelated posts. Its called being a good Moderator. It is often a most thankless task, which requires a thick skin, accompanied by a lot of patience and mental stamina. You can never please all of the people, all of the time, but you just get on with the job, and do it the best you know how, often having to make decisions in the 'heat of the moment'. You certainly rarely get any respect for the work you do, so usually, you just do it because you care about the place, and are happy to volunteer your time to help keep it running as smoothly as possible.

Spot on. Top post sir. It is also haemorrhaging badly, and making a disgusting, bloody mess all over the place. Time for the appropriate authorities to help prevent another massive clean-up operation: Zip the slippery festering rotting carcass up tight in a body bag, and file it away as a deep frozen statistic.

I just don't have the words...

Davidoff Private Stock Number 7. An excellent smoke.

Carlsberg don't do Headline News... but if they did... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football...

Think I'll just have a little excavation of this Andronikou gem: So, they haven't even begun negotiating a contract. "Subject to that being ok..." I can just see how this one might go: AA: Hi there. Thanks for coming, and showing your interest in this *cough* - fantastic - *cough* football club. So, yes, basically, what we have here on offer to you, is an historic old club, with an, err, 'historic' old ground, (which we don't actually own anymore, so that's not part of the deal). We don't actually have a training ground of our own either, so you might want to invest some of your heard earned (or craftily embezzled - we don't really care which) cash into building one, if you felt so inclined. I should also make you aware that this *cough*- fantastic - *cough* football club, does come with some not insubstantial, err, 'liabilities'. The fans, for starters. I mean, yes, actually they are the best in the world, and you also get your very own CWAB included. "Interested Party": So, you were saying... the liabilities...??? AA: Ahh yes, those. Haha. Well, there is the small matter of a large (as yet unserviced) CVA to consider, amounting to somewhere in the region of £17M. Then there's another not insignificant amount owed in outstanding transfers. We don't actually know for sure exactly how much, as the paperwork accidentally fell into the shredder, but it's thought to be a 'few' million. Then, there's another 3 or 4 million to Alex G, it might be more actually, but we, err... "Interested Party": Lost it in the shredder? AA: You catch on quick, I think you'll do well here! Anyway, we also owe around £20-30 Mill (including his generous interest rate) to Balram, you already know old Chinny, right? Then there's the unsecured creditors owed under £2500 each that we're still trying to get out of paying off. Oh, and we also owe about £10.8 Million to the people of Lithuania, whom it appears we may have unintentionally stolen life savings from. There are a few more liabilities too, y'know just little things like the massive wage bill that needs paying again soon, taxes, but we don't tend to worry about them... probably another big points deduction on the way, which could lead to relegation, but perhaps we'll save all that for later, it can get quite confusing. So, is that all OK? "Interested Party": No. AA: Ohh. And back to the last part of the original quote: No question about it then. That is indeed after all, exactly the way the FAFPP test works. As has been proven time and again, it really is a very simple process. You put forward your application, and they give you the thumbs up! Cheers for clearing that up Andy.

Thanks for your replies; appreciate all of them, and will just use a few to reflect upon: And therein (bolded) lies the crucial key. The 'crux' of the matter, as it were. Unfortunately, for as long as the kind of behaviour highlighted in the OP is deemed to be "reasonable" enough to engage in (by some), the current status quo would seem destined to remain intact. Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I would tend to mostly agree with your statement, though I have also enjoyed the privilege of membership at certain forums where the general overall feeling (or 'mood') is more one of mutual respect. Disagreement is (of course) absolutely fine, (and a perfectly normal part of interaction within daily life). Being disrespectful in one's disagreement however, is not. It is eminently possible to even vehemently disagree with another's premise, and yet retain your personal dignity and composure whilst expressing your disagreement. Personally, I like to follow that old golden rule of debate: Kick the ball, not the player. (Brighton and Hove Albion, please take note. ) Ahh, you see; now is it really "the internet"'s fault? Or is it not more a case of the people using it, failing to take personal responsibility for their own actions and behaviour, whilst using said means of electronic communication. I think you know the answer to this most pivotal (and rhetorical) question my friend. Absolutely. And to a degree, we have been provided with these things called 'emoticons' to help us to get our 'body language' / 'intent' / 'expression' across. Though the impression I seem to get from many internet users, is that using them is not considered a "manly" thing to do, (except for in 'exceptional' circumstances); and therefore such 'body language' often remains absent, as you indicate. I would personally rather ensure that my meaning is not lost in translation, than appear 'manly' on the internet. So I use quite a few of them. Unless of course, you happened to be drinking in North Baddesley. Very good article. Thanks for adding it Jimmy. Thanks mate, nice of you to say that. I used to post a fair bit more, back in the S4E days; but even then, I still would not exactly have called myself prolific. I guess the fiver may play a part, but only in a very small way. And that mainly being, that I rarely even use my three posts a day anyway, so there just isn't really the need. I did pay for my own set of "Golden Balls" ( ) incidentally, back on S4E when I posted more, but it was a different, and much 'lighter' environment to contribute in back then. I think if I was paying a fiver to post, it may to some extent lead to a feeling of needing to post more, to "get my money's worth"; but then I'd just be posting for the sake of it, and not because I feel I have anything particular of any great value to contribute. I'm not really a particularly talkative person, on the net, or in 'real life'. I only tend to speak if I feel I can add something, perhaps (for example) a different perspective or understanding that has not until that point been offered. I enjoy reading, and I like to hear what everyone else has to say. I don't tend to feel the need to post if someone else has already covered my own views, even if maybe not quite in the same manner I may have chosen to express it myself. I'm not really a "yeah, me too" kind of person, you could say. So that's my main reasons for not posting much, yet, I may indeed feel a little more inclined to, in a, shall we say, 'less hostile' environment. I don't really do 'discord' very well.

Well, it's all seemingly calmed down a bit now since full time, so I left it for a few hours before deciding whether to post this or not. But the sentiments behind the message still apply, so it's going up anyway. This post is certainly not intended to cause any offence, but rather, for some to perhaps reflect upon, after the initial red mist has faded. What is it with internet message boards, eh? It's like a primary school playground on here sometimes. A lot of the time actually. Now, to be fair, if we do actually have a high proportion of 5-9 year olds posting here, then that would actually go a long way towards explaining a lot of the behaviour that I witness on a weekly basis. And if that is the case, stroppy little toy throwing temper tantrums are perhaps a little more acceptable, from those who lack the maturity to know better. I find it truly incredible at times, the infantile, puerile drivel that often gets spouted, in the name of 'defending' an 'opinion'. We're all Saint fans, and in our own ways, all supporting the same team, but I tell you, as a rare poster on the 'outside' looking in; you wouldn't know it most of the time. A fair proportion of you sit there behind your keyboards, verbally tearing each-other to pieces, launching all manner of utterly unnecessary spiteful attacks on one-another, and for what? Because someone is having the temerity to not happen to agree with your perspective? It is truly ridiculous at times. Like a pack of wild dogs, fighting over a scrap of meat. A playground free-for-all, b!tching and biting, clawing and scratching, squabbling, swearing and calling each other names. "Oh but he started it miss!" So, what, that means that you have to sink to the same level? Do we really have a bunch of little school kids posting here, or, do we just have a certain collection of supposedly grown men, who lack the collective maturity and basic self control to act in a fashion befitting of rational adults? That's almost an insult to some children actually on my part, as to be fair, my little nephews and nieces are generally better behaved than some of you lot after a Saints defeat. Sure, I'm sat here listening on Solent tonight, and I'm absolutely gutted at the outcome of today's result. Equally, I'm becoming increasingly concerned at the general pattern of mostly below par performances recently. But do you find me on the the match reaction thread, spitting bile and hurling around childish insults at my fellow Saints fans for having the audacity to see things differently than me? No, of course you don't. I'm an adult, with a measure of self control, enough self respect to not wish to present myself for all to see as a whining emotional wreck, and enough respect of others to have no desire to rip them a new one, simply for not sharing my opinion. If I was Admin, I would seriously consider locking the forum for 90 minutes following a Saints match, just to allow everyone the cool off time clearly required, to be responsible enough to come on and share a measured opinion, without the need to hurl abuse at your footballing kin. Apart from the odd trolling skate here or there, we're all Southampton. How about having a go at behaving like we actually support the same team; and next time a fellow Saint happens to say something you don't like, how about pausing for a moment before you start thrashing away at your keyboard, to remind yourself that you're actually not six years old anymore, and as such, should be perfectly capable of formulating an even tempered, rational and maybe even respectful reply? Or, having paused for consideration, if there's still no possibility of you retaining your composure, how about rising above the bait, and just not saying anything at all? If the comment you don't like is so bad, shouldn't you really be so far beyond it, that it doesn't even register a blip on your radar? To be fair, we are talking about a relatively small minority that start things kicking off, throwing in some inflammatory rhetoric, but time and again, otherwise mostly very good posters get suckered into responding, and allow yourselves to be dragged down to that same level. And yet another round of good old internet flame warfare ensues. It is quite sad to watch really, as for the most part, you're a good bunch of guys at heart, and you all absolutely no doubt, care passionately about Our Team. Some could just do with developing thicker skins, and learning not to react, is all. In drawing to a close, I would offer that, if for some reason, any of my words here give rise to any feelings of anger or resentment in you, that you're probably one of the ones they are intended for in the first place, so it will be interesting to gauge from the form any responses take on, whether or not they've hit home. Needless to say, should any of the kind of behaviour highlighted in the above text, be observed occurring in this topic, it will rightly be treated with the silence it deserves. Wishing you all a Happy New (hopefully Promotion Winning) Year, my fellow Saints. And by way of a "resolution"? Please try to remember that we're all on the same side. Or at least, we're meant to be anyway.

Ok, I'm hearing from a friend that the analysts on sky sports centre (watching match footage) are saying that El Abd was holding Lambert back on the floor, so he couldn't get up. Lambert (so they say) was just trying to shake himself free, and El Abd put in an oscar winning reaction. (Not Adam El Abd, surely! He wouldn't do a thing like that, would he?) So, fingers crossed, Rickies Red could be overturned on appeal. Also, apparently Lallana's shot was over the goal line too. All just what I heard from a friend, and passing it on.

I might not post much, but I do read a lot, so I'll still tender my offering: Thread of The Year: Pompey Takeover Saga Post of The Year: Crab Lungs (Vrs Bournemouth) Dressing Down / Ownage of The Year: anothersaintinsouthsea (Vrs Corp Ho) Writer of The Year: georgeweahscousin Favourite Poster of The Year: Trousers / Ohio / Pilchards - (1st/2nd/3rd) The Nigel Adkins Award for Relentless Positivity: dannysfc The Broken Record Award for Relentless Repetition: Dalek2003 The Victor Meldrew Award for Relentless Pessimism: alpine_saint Genuine ITK of The Year: THEVMAN Most Amusing Poster of The Year: Turkish Most Improved Poster of The Year: Thedelldays Fair Play Awards for Balance/Perspective: S-Clarke / Chez / Derry Skate of the Year: Merovingian Facepalm Award for Defence of the Indefensible: Corporate Ho And that concludes my submissions for 2011.

You're welcome. Indeed. I very much get the impression that all this "attention to detail" and "Together as One" lingo emanating from the Club, is far from just empty platitudes for the fans to lap up. Seems to me that the entire Club currently exudes a spirit of positivity and togetherness that could just well prove to be the 'competitive edge' that gets us over the finishing line to Automatic Promotion. I did hear this too to be fair, from someone I do "see socially every couple of weeks"; but then, he is full of sheet, so I tend to treat him with the contempt he deserves, and not take anything he says even remotely seriously. Well anyway, I'd better save my last post of the day, for the albeit extremely unlikely event, that I may find something else of any particular value or interest to contribute. So that's me signing off for the night.

It's not often that I personally get to hear any possibly useful snippits of 'inside information', but I was told something recently on the development front during a random chance conversation with someone employed at the Club, which you may be interested in. (I do not "see him socially every couple of weeks" though, so take the info with a pinch of pickled pepper). This gist of the conversation implied that it was decided to put further work on hold until the close-season. The reasons given for this decision were along the lines that we have done so well so far, to give ourselves the opportunity of gaining Promotion this season, that the Club do not want to take the risk of any unnecessary forms of distraction affecting our performance on the pitch. "We don't want there to be any available excuses for failure", it was phrased. Another sentence I recall from the brief conversation was: "Right now, Staplewood is a proper little hive of intensive focussed endeavour. Maybe turning up to work at a 'building site' everyday would not be considered conducive of the best environment for our team of players and staff to excel under". (maybe not exactly 'word for word', but pretty much what I can remember) The general thrust of the message though, was that right now, everything going on at the Club is highly focussed on promotion, and they do not even want to take the slightest risk that could lead to distraction. I don't know with any particular assurance that this information is "FACT", but seeing that you asked, thought I'd offer what I'd heard. Makes sense to me though, and I have no particular reason to doubt the source either. It was just a few 'on the spot' remarks in response to a question I asked similar to your OP. The source was someone who I would deem respectable, and can't see why he would feel the need to make that up, when he could have simply just told me he was unable to comment. Anyway, hope it was of some interest to you.

What a fantastic quote from Andronikou in the previously linked Guardian article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/15/portsmouth-players-pay-andrew-andronikou) Who knows? No, no, really; there's no problem at all!

A couple I came up with... To the tune of "Video Killed the Radio Star" [video=youtube_share;W8r-tXRLazs] (start at 0:33) They're out of credit and they trade insolvently evading taxes, stolen money laundery And we all understand the problems you can't see Bankrupt! Pompey's insolvent! Bankrupt! Pompey's insolvent! (chorus) Antonov killed the dirty skate cheats... Antonov killed the dirty skate cheats... Interpol came, and broke your hearts... [or maybe leave this verse out and just repeat chorus] (back to here) Bankrupt! Pompey's insolvent! Bankrupt! Pompey's insolvent! Antonov killed the dirty skate cheats... Antonov killed the dirty skate cheats... (repeat to fade) And then, there is this: (to "All That She Wants") [video=youtube_share;WewhSwe3pnw] ("All Pompey Wants") They lead a cheating life They lead a cheating life So you heard the news, that your owner's gone and the thief is on the run... you opened up your bank account "Oh f*ck it's empty"... It's not a day for working cos the wages won't get paid just waiting for the coming SOCA raid... they're gonna getcha! All pompey wants, is another owner he's gone already, and all pompey wants, is yet another owner. All pompey wants, is another owner cos Vlad's arrested, and all pompey wants, is yet another owner. Hopefully, both catchy, and easy to pick up.

Hey, thanks for all the nice replies guys. Certainly wasn't expecting that. Must still be some pessimism left within me that needs stamping out. Yeah, totally understand where you're coming from, and have felt the same myself. But just because a thing is hard, doesn't mean that we should not do it. It's true that I really do generally prefer to just read than post, but there's also an element in there, that I've felt so empty of enthusiasm for our great club until more recent times, that I've often felt it best I say nothing at all, rather than fan the seemingly endless flames of negativity surrounding the club by adding to it myself. Fighting fire with fire has never really seemed to work out all that well for me. But you know what? It suddenly hit me like a plank of wood in the face, that I just wasn't having any fun anymore. And for a pretty fun-loving guy, that kind of defeats the object. So I drew your "line in the sand", 'mentally' dragged my 'inner cynic' outside, and shot the m*ther-f*cker in the head. In all seriousness though, loving and supporting Saints always has been, and quite probably always will be, an emotional roller-coaster. But the exhilarating highs and stomach churning lows, are all part of the ride, and it's harder to fully appreciate the former without having experienced the contrast of the latter. Yeah, you open yourself up to being "hurt" again, but to truly love something, is to be vulnerable. All that's left to do, is enter the building, jump aboard the bus, trust in the direction and route the operator has planned for us, and have faith that our enthusiastic driver will get us safely to our desired destination in one piece. And that is quite enough metaphors, analogies and "Adkinsisms" (™) out of me for the time being.

I don't tend to post much, usually just like to stay in the background and read the thoughts of my fellow Saints fans; but there's been a lot going on of late, and this seems like a good (and appropriate) topic to put some thoughts down on page. (Sorry for the long post - lots to cover) Firstly, yes, I do feel the same sense of frustration as some of you, at the negative 'defeatist' vibe that appears to emanate from a fairly large number of opinions on the forum, whilst there is so much to be positive about right now. Yet, at the same time, I do also empathise with those who hold such feelings of distrust, as it was not so long ago I also shared similar sentiments. I can't speak for everyone, but for me personally, it's easy to trace those negative feelings back to their roots. The year that I was born, Peter Rodrigues lifted the F.A. Cup for us at Wembley. The first season my Dad started regularly taking me to The Dell, we finished runners up to Liverpool in the top flight of English Football. Most of my life, Southampton have had a relatively successful football team, at the very least, one I could be justifiably proud of. A team who I felt no shame to support, amongst all my sneering plastic, glory-hunting, Liverpool and Manchester United following school-friends. Twenty Seven unbroken years, of Southampton FC; the Pride of the South Coast, representing our City in the highest echelons of our national game, a record only bettered at that time, (I think) by Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United. Then, in the space of a few short years, we had to watch it all torn away from us; and just to really rub it in, our spectacular demise had to coincide with the corrupt "rise" of our sworn enemies from the Isle of Skates. We've seen the very heart and soul ripped out of the Club we love, the famed "Spirit of Southampton" crushed beneath the feet of the brutal "Lowe regime(s)". The wishy-washy false promises of Michael "Saints Go" Wilde, and the ultimately empty platitudes of Tony Lynham and the Fialka Fiasco. We've watched the Club's financial security evaporate at an alarming rate, from a position of relative strength and solidity; to coming within a matter of nerve shedding hours from going to the wall; and a dramatic fall from grace -- established Premier League Club and F.A. Cup Finalists, to languishing in the murky depths of League One obscurity. A once proud Club with a rich heritage, used to dining at the top table; to the butt of jokes, and condescending looks, as we desperately try to claw our way out of a division host to a mostly rather dismal standard of "football". God, and how many false dawns have we gone though the last years? How many times have we dared to hope for the best, only to once again see our dreams shattered, and our hope thrown back in our faces. There's only so many times a man can withstand such a gut-wrenching emotional onslaught, without something breaking inside. Let's be honest with ourselves my friends, when we look at how far we've fallen, and the sheer unbridled levels of sh*t we've been through together over the last few years at this club; it hurts like f*ckin' hell, doesn't it? So yeah, can I understand and emphasise with a fellow fan who just dare not let himself get his hopes up again, only to risk seeing them dashed across the rocks once more? Yeah, absolutely right I can. I've been in that place, and I've felt just like that. "Everything is f*cked, and it's never gonna get any better, so just get used to it, and learn to take the punches". Seeing the negative outlook in everything, has just become a habit that has, slowly but surely, ingrained itself at a deep subconscious level in so many of us, such that we've given up on the possibility that good things can really actually happen to us any-more. The amount of sh*t we've waded through is a fertile enough breeding ground to foment cynicism in even the most optimistic of souls. Just that this time, I feel it really is different. There is so much good, happening in and around our Football Club again right now. We've had the joy of seeing our beloved Saints saved, by the most honourable, principled, genuine and lovable gentleman we could have ever wished to grace us with his presence, albeit unavoidably tinged with the enduring sadness of his loss. But he has left us in the capable hands of a chairman who, whilst his communication skills could have been better at times, and he has felt the need to make some unpopular decisions; his heart seems to be in the right place, and so far, in the promises he has made, he has been true to his word. A man who, whilst aspects of his personality may not endear him to some; has not only the drive and ambition to set the kind of goals for our club that we too as devoted supporters all aspire to, but also seemingly the dedication to the cause and the financial backing necessary to actually achieve them. I think it is fair to say, that at the start of the month, a majority of our fan-base, if asked, would have come to a general consensus that the perfect transfer window for us to truly make a statement of the Club's ambition and intent, would have been something along the lines, of: - Keep Adam Lallana, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. - Sign Richard Chaplow permanently (after some important displays for us). - Sign Guly permanently (who after a slow start whilst settling in, has been superb for us at times). - Ship out anyone who didn't want to be here and threatened to disrupt the harmony and spirit of the squad). - Add some pace and strength on the wings and up top (replace Antonio / Waigo). I also think it's fair to say that we have accomplished all of that. And with our Chairman's commitment to the ongoing development of our (soon-to-be state of the art) training facilities and youth programme, and the very encouraging performance of our Under 18's Squad this season, the future really is looking bright for us. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is far from the last talent that will be emerging from the Southampton Academy over the next few years. We have some bright prospects indeed amongst our ranks, to look forward to savour flourishing in our first team; safe in the knowledge that our Chairman will be doing everything he can, to ensure they remain at our Club, for as long as possible. That we're no longer running a conveyor belt of cherries for the "bigger clubs" to pick off; but instead, producing quality young footballers, to play for Southampton. Surely it's time, to give the man a chance to deliver on the rest of his ambitions for our club, with the full support and backing of a united fan-base? Wow, when was the last time we can truly say we've had that at our Club? And what is more, in Nigel Adkins, we have landed ourselves with a really promising young manager, who seems to have a real passion and motivation for the job, and an infectious enthusiasm for our Club and it's success, which has seemingly spread through the squad, fostering an obvious spirit of togetherness that has been missing here for far too long. A man who's got us playing some of the best football we've seen in ages, and who seems to be becoming a bit of a 'cult-figure' who we can unite behind. He deserves our full backing and support. On the evidence so far, I trust Nicola and Nigel to deliver on their plans for the Club. I just also hope for a return to the kind of atmosphere of general optimism, good natured banter, and camaraderie among the regular forum members here, that we often had in the S4E days, which made this such an enjoyable place to come. Lately, all many here seem to do is tear each other apart, from their side of the 'great divide'. It often feels like all the 'fun' has just fizzled out of it. We've become so weighed down (as a fan-base), with the cloud of depression that has hung over our Club in recent years, and that has naturally spread to the forums with us. Our Club sure seems to be stepping out from under that cloud though, in its ambition and the positive attitude it's projecting from the top down. I hope we'll see that increasingly spreading onto our forums and messages boards too. It's one thing to be a passenger on the bus, wearied and burdened by previous experience, ever fearful of possible dangers along the journey; but, it's another experience entirely, to let go of the past, allow yourself to feel hope for and trust in the future again, and be free to fully enjoy the ride. Having experienced both methods of travel, I recommend trying the latter. It's so refreshing.

Managed to get hold of a Leicester supporting friend tonight, and from our exchange, he had this to say about Dany: Asked him what are the best and worst aspects of his game: The bit that concerns me slightly (knowing what a small section of our fanbase can be like) is in the last quote:

Didn't seem to show too much pace in that video either. Check this one out, seems a lot quicker and more effective in this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szCE6CSEqT8 Seems to be able to put in a decent cross with both feet, good individual trickery, and seems not a bad team player also. Hopefully could be a good signing.

Exactly. He was never going to leave (at this point in time), just like he was never going to come to St. Mary's (even though he wasn't offered a job here in the first place). Just him and his Club using the media to increase his reputation at the Club even further, enhance their already strong siege mentality, and galvanise his playing staff and supporters in testing times, where they hope for promotion against the odds. Create scare scaremongering story of potential doom where none existed, give emotional radio interview, leave supporters to stew over the weekend - then commit future to Club and come out looking like the Loyal Hero. Quite clever really, but he's played this card twice now, and I expect any further attempts will be seen for the transparent gestures that they really are.