shurlock

Because in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the benefit of doubt should go to NC. He's made clear public statements about where he wants the club to go and what he's willing to do to get us there. They allow us to scrutinise the difference between words and actions. If there's any inconsistency, we will then be able to hold him to account. To date NC has lived up to his word -investment in players and infrastructure and attempts (albeit sometimes clumsy ones) to listen to fans - hence various charters and polls. Of course, its still early days and that should temper any happy-clappy exuberance but the idea that you should be naturally suspicious when the only evidence we have is positive borders on presuming an innocent man guilty. If there is evidence, happy to listen to it and make my own mind up; put up or shut up. The spat between the Echo and the club only reinforces this position: at worst, NC may have overreacted, misreading the media culture in the country that goodwill in terms of access doesn't necessarily give rise to any more gratitude or sense of reciprocal responsibility. In turn the Echo has revealed its colours by the lurid and disingenuous stories its run - today is stunning proof. But ultimately all this is a storm in a teacup and die over time -possibly why NC hasn't felt the need to go on the record or a PR offensive (today's OS story was possibly only run because fans might be worried). It certainly doesnt support why some here are talking in dark, hushed tones and implying that this incident forms some larger, more unsavoury picture - especially as it irresponsibly feeds on the raw nerves and anxieties caused by all the turmoil and politicking of the last few years.

saw we kicked into the northam for the 2nd half on saturday. first time for a while - was it ipswich's idea or our ours?

Good if it happens - been block 4 for the last few seasons, having survived the purge and always slightly miffed when they open up blocs 1,2 and 3 only for it to be filled by indifferent types.

True well pointed out.

True- but primarily works when you give away fans a complete end and accept they'll be empty seats - also need to shut off parts of the sides around the away end. If you give them a corner or half an away end and don't shut off the sides-thinking of Oldham this season or Preston last season- the orchestra will converge on the away fans. Only exception is probably Leeds but that's due to historical reasons.

Or the Itchen North. Whats more practical?

Agree, the orchestra always gravitates to the away fans. the only way you can get the best of both worlds is by sticking away fans on the side, say, in the Itchen North like we did at the Dell when we reclaimed the Archers.

Any chance of bringing another striker in as part of the one-in one-out policy? Paterson most recently made way for Barnard.

Am a Ravens fan - the old man lives there. We could use a bit of their mentality at the back and in the middle of the park.

Leeds drew nil nil there.

and boycott has two t s. lets not stoop to the Echo's level.

Not necessarily - doesn't explain how the Grauniad got its story.

Christ sake - is some consistency between stories "Italian job for Cortese? ‘Nicola who?’" and "AC Milan wanted Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese" less than 4 hour hours apart too much to ask for Obviously AC Milan knows who Cortese is. Echo, you backtracking c**ts.

To Kerrins, Murray and the rest of the second-to-the-ball churnalists at the Echo: Nice copy and paste job - the Guardian story went up at midnight yours at 11 am- and you didn't know it was AC Milan - otherwise you would have announced it - i believe that's called a scoop in the profession. Like a 50-year-old virgin, its a pleasure you know nothing about. Yesterday's story was a simply another cut and paste job from a vague report Solent thrown in with the not so unpublic knowledge that Papa is on loan from Fiorentina.

To Kerrins, Murray and the rest of the second-to-the-ball churnalists at the Echo: Nice copy and paste job - the Guardian story went up at midnight yours at 11 am- and you didn't know it was AC Milan - otherwise you would have announced it - i believe that's called a scoop in the profession. Like a 50-year-old virgin, its a pleasure you know nothing about. Yesterday's story was a simply another cut and paste job from a vague report Solent thrown in with the not so unpublic knowledge that Papa is on loan from Fiorentina.

Mug. So all the other chairmen in the history of the game who have the ability to set strategy (youth first and then flog it), appoint and sack managers (pearson), get or not get funding (sisu) have had zero ability to influence or in some cases inflict damage on a club. You know where Im going with this one....

At least, the rumours weren't denied or ignored -and its not the usual defensive BS you hear - the chairman's kiss of death/vote of confidence for a struggling manager, a wantaway player who can only blandly say that "I love it down here" etc. Maybe im naive but there aren't many things that can surpass the challenge and satisfaction of rebuilding a team/club/organisation from scratch and see it grow - its easy to join an organisation at the, or near to the top. Certainly doesn't distinguish you as a person of talent from the rest of the crowd. My only hope is that his family can settle down here - that is still a concern.

Jeez, this is worse than a coterie of Commies trying to massage the steel and grain numbers. Stats are like a streetwise, unscrupulous prossie - can perform whatever f**king task you like.

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1945835,00.html good to hear

By Pards own admission, we've got lots of games coming up and will need to rotate players - there's potentially no better time to play Papa. Then we'll know if Pards really rates him. My hunch is that he'll start against Stockport.

copied and pasted from the thread (didn't see this one) Pretty clear that midfield has been a problem for a while - even brought up while we were winning. To this extent, worth considering Pards signings. Defense Jaidi Seaborne Fonte Murty Harding Semi Midfield Hammond Attack Waigo (could be termed a midfielder but hardly going put in a shift) Antonio (could be termed a midfielder but hardly going put in a shift) Connolly Lambert Barnard The lack of balance, especially the neglect of the midfield is blindingly clear. Without wanting to obvious, the fact that we've conceded goals or at other times not scored enough shouldnt just be seen as the problem of the defense and attack but also reflects the protection and service the midfield provides. Now worth considering what Pards inherited: we lost Surman, probably our most cultured midfielder and one of the club's prized assets. Gillett who featured prominently last season can’t get a look in this one, so that's one less option in the middle. Wotton who was himself brought in to shore up the massive exodus of midfielders at the end of the 2007/8 season -Viafara, Safri, Idiakez, Licka etc- hence Portloo/Wotte's first signing- has not quite lived up his midfield general moniker while we never really replaced Cork who was a class act and ended up playing lots of games (more so than Schneiderlin). All of which is to say that we've done the least in the area we've been most decimated over the past few seasons. Of course, there's an argument for saying we were also hit in other areas -say upfront (Rasiak, John, BWP etc) but at least we went out of our way to secure somebody like Lambert. Can't say the same thing about our midfield.

Pretty clear that midfield has been a problem for a while - even brought up while we were winning. To this extent, worth considering Pards signings. Defense Jaidi Seaborne Fonte Murty Harding Semi Midfield Hammond Attack Waigo (could be termed a midfielder but hardly going put in a shift) Antonio (could be termed a midfielder but hardly going put in a shift) Connolly Lambert Barnard The lack of balance, especially the neglect of the midfield is blindingly clear. Without wanting to obvious, the fact that we've conceded goals or at other times not scored enough shouldnt just be seen as the problem of the defense and attack but also reflects the protection and service the midfield provides. Now worth considering what Pards inherited: we lost Surman, probably our most cultured midfielder and one of the club's prized assets. Gillett who featured prominently last season can’t get a look in this one, so that's one less option in the middle. Wotton who was himself brought in to shore up the massive exodus of midfielders at the end of the 2007/8 season -Viafara, Safri, Idiakez, Licka etc- hence Portloo/Wotte's first signing- has not quite lived up his midfield general moniker while we never really replaced Cork who was a class act and ended up playing lots of games (more so than Schneiderlin). All of which is to say that we've done the least in the area we've been most decimated over the past few seasons. Of course, there's an argument for saying we were also hit in other areas -say upfront (Rasiak, John, BWP etc) but at least we went out of our way to secure somebody like Lambert. Can't say the same thing about our midfield.

Tonight's goal was not the same as Milwall and Ipswich. It had been coming and would have come alot earlier had it not been for the woodwork and kelvin...

Papa's pace and awareness would allow us to play 4-4-2 in a way we can't at the moment. Rather than going to RM should start up top with Lambert.

When Brentford have players like Weston, can see why don't need the likes of Bostock. Turning it on in the reserves or in the youth team is easy.