Saint Fan CaM

Oh yes - you are probably right!

Saints have had 58% of possession BTW.

Swindon sub - double change. Pericard off - gotta be good?

Butterfield getting caught a few too many times.

We've nearly scored about three times in as many seconds!

Swindon getting back on top.

Only two shots on target for both teams it seems.

Somebody needs to crock Pericard...who's our hardman?

Another Saints corner - good stuff.

PS: Good afternoon all.

Sounds like Schneiderlin is having a great game...pin point distribution.

Corner - COYS!

As I predicted before the season started, it would appear that there will be no run-away winners of the auto places this season. We have many, many games to go and so everything is achievable (except the JPT and Carling cups!). The big question that will decide the fate of this season will be the appointment of the new Manager and the manner in which and the timing of how this person bonds with the 1st team. If that works well, then we'll be at the top of the league by Christmas IMO.

I like it.

As you say, the options are not great. I don't think Mills or Dickson have got the necessary speed. I understand what you're saying about Lallana and Puncheon and while this appears to be our best options (other than Alex O-C), I'm not convinced they've shown the speed and skill to do the job (although I concede that they might have been following Managers instructions to cut inside to match other competencies?). My opinion on our general play is that we take the ball out the wings TOO MUCH - we're SO predictable. There is not enough variability in our play and in particular there are very few driving runs through the centre of the opposition penalty area. We play out to the wings and then always cut back in, with the result being that we take 10 more passes than necessary to get into a position to score (or the ball has been lost on the way). We need to get to the byline to cross OR start making more direct central runs into the box - scare the big immobile CB's in this league into making some mistakes.

I only knew The Dell in the early 70's from going to reserve team matches because that's all I could afford. Wind on umpteen years and being able to afford to go to SMS was when the team was probably just starting the decline. So for me I think I would have to say I am enjoying this period in Saints history immensely because we are on the rise - the struggle back to the top - and that is really exciting having seen the previous decline. I have a great ST seat and I've not enjoyed going to footie more than now, especially when I get to go with my Sons. I'm going to be a Grandad in November for the first time and as it's a boy I am extremely excited about the prospect of taking him along to SMS too! I suppose it's all about perspective.

That would suggest it's no longer going to happen...dare I say it? Source?

I find it quite interesting that in the dark days of Lowe, many fans would complain bitterly about how much limelight Lowe would take up and when you think back, the OS had as much propaganda from Lowe as information about the Manager and his team. IMO this has been reversed with NC - it's all about results and the people that make things tick at SMS and I applaude this. I think it's forgotten that we're just one year-ish into NC being here and as he puts it, the club was a wreck which will take 5 years to properly re-build as a true force. I am thoroughly encouraged by the information provided in the link from the dinner meeting (wish it was me!) and even more than before, I completely believe if anyone can get the club back to the Prem, NC is the man to do that. This is also true of the managerial appointment - if he think NA is the man to do this, then I believe him frankly.

I think he'd be a good England manager and I wouldn't care one iota if it were the case and we won the World Cup again (or some other title worth having). All hail England...blah blah.

I'm on my way to help sort her out. Can you tell her to move well away from the sick though?

Err, have you met him? Sincere question, however if the answer is no, how can you defend such a statement?

Mmm, I have got to say after reading the transcript of his interview Adkins has gone up considerably in my estimation of him. He seems to be a likeable, intelligent and principled bloke who clearly has got a huge desire to manage Saints. For that and the fact that it looks pretty odds-on certain he'll be joining us, he's gonna get my full and unconditional support from this point on. Unless it's MoN...then all bet's are off. (;

FFS, I for one am completely relieved that he 'turned us down'. Let him go back to being a big fish in a very small pond. Full of pond life. We need a bigger man of a manager - not a boy just cutting his milk-teeth in management. Am I the only one who will be SO glad to be out of this division so Pimpley and Boremouth can then squabble over who's the bigger club in L1?

False economy = ?

BBC Humberside just reported that it's still likely to happen. Negotiating compo. Wharton said it was a small amount, so I expect it will still go through which is a shame, as now it looks like NA and his Chairman are bit desperate for a change.