Saint Fan CaM

I think you will find that for a 23 yr old, the prospect of being at Saints in a promotion to CCC year will be enough of an incentive, especially if he gets a better salary deal. Being understudy to Harding will not be a problem to a professional IMO. Add to this the fact that IF Calderon signs, but gets injured at some stage, then Harding can move to RB and Dickson can go LB. Mills is understudy. Options looking very good across the back four. Looking at it another way, if he's to play LM what's going to happen to Lallana and Puncheon - will they both be dropped? I don't think so, although this might be an indicator that AP wants Lallana on the right and Antonio is not coming back to us.

I think you'll find Huddersfield could well be the thorn in our side this year - again. We do not need to fear any of the relegated teams. Notts County might have something about them as they were on a roll at the end of the season, but then again the step-up might be a step too far. I think the key will be not to be complacent against any side...win everything...and attempt to maintain consistency of line-up wherever possible. Focus on the league - leave the cup competitions to the reserves.

His friends call him Mark. Exclamation Mark. [sorry]

RIP Mary Bates - you and Ted were key to Saints history and I feel sure your memory will live long alongside that of Ted's. A plaque on Ted's statue plinth might be appropriate to recognise the dual role you both played perhaps.

Ordered mine on-line today no problems whatsoever. Fantastic - can't wait for season to start - it's gonna be a cracker. What is there to moan about? Nothing IMHO. With a bit of luck the chavs and neanderthals will not be able to afford a ticket leaving just civilised decent supporters to cheer on the team and management.

Instead of getting all lathered up over this, why not check out Pompey's pricing structure? If it's cheaper and they have a payment plan, then you have an option right? If however, you wish to support a well run, financially sound football club that's going places then I would suggest Saints is the club for you. Which in turn means you've really got little cause to complain fella. Get with the program.

What he said, with one exception. I believe we are starting a journey that will see this club rise to heights NEVER previously seen both in terms of success on the pitch AND in terms of professional, long-term investment in infrastructure. In 10 years I believe Saints will be competing in the top 6 of the Prem consistently, will be the envy of even the 'top' clubs and we will have been lucky enough to have witnessed the re-birth. Stick with the program. Keep your patience people - there are some very good times ahead.

Don't know if anyone else has noticed, but the list of games shown when you buy your ST on-line shows a play-off game is included in the deal!!! Before anyone gets excited however, it would appear this is an error as there are still only 23 games listed, so this must be in place of a regular league game???

Yes - how laughable was that!? Some people think the world will be handed to them on a plate.

The on-line booking fee is an absolute joke! In every other business I can think of, using the internet to book means cutting out the labour at the box office, thus making it cheaper NOT dearer!!! NC / Luker - you really need to sort this out - the policy is stupidity at its best. Although I am disappointed at the lack of payment plan, frankly I cannot for the life of me understand the whingers on here saying they'll not buy a ticket. Sorry, but the club is not a bank! If you want an easy payment plan, take out a short-term credit card agreement with 0% interest. It's pretty straightforward if you have an income and you're not already in debt (if you are then you shouldn't expect anyone to fund more debt TBF). The actual cost of an ST at £393 is about right I would say in relation to other clubs. I do hope however that AP is allowed to do some pretty amazing things in the transfer market, because for that money I do not expect to see the likes of Wotton, Gillet, Holmes or other fringe players, near the 1st team. I also expect to see auto-promotion this season, so I trust the entire squad is going to be as ready to fight and scrap for a win in every game, as the club will be ready to take my money early doors.

Hope this is true = incredible signing and massive statement of intent for future.

Care to illuminate us on why you might think this???

Erm, yes. It's late...then there's the wine. :oops:

OK, this is likely to be a little contraversial, but I was wondering which one of these two you would rather have up front with Rickie? Personally, I do not think there's much difference in their style atall or indeed their ability. I would be hard pressed to decide who my pick would be TBH, however instinctively I think I would vote for Barnie. I have this gut feeling that when we go up next season, he will shine in the CCC.

Got a bit of a lump in the throat around the time Markus took over and they played that video of Saints history on the screens. It really drove it home how much passion there is for the club, what a massive gesture Markus made in rescuing the club from oblivion and what a debt of gratitude we owe NC for putting Saints on Markus' radar.

Mmm, underwhelmed in a way if it's us. Let's face it, should we make a habit of signing players that have contributed to the failure of another club? Don't know - he might be the one shining light in SUFC's squad - he might be the best RB in the division when playing alongside our other players in defence. It will be a gamble though taking a player like this - he'll not be a Fonte for example - and we cannot afford to gamble next season surely?

Perhaps that's because he was working under a regime that didn't do enough with the players fitness levels? I remember hearing about a number of players leaving Saints around that time who were found out by their new club to be someway off full fitness. Kenwyne Jones was one if I remember correctly. Personally I think Surman coming to us would be a win-win situation and many would be surprised at how good he seems in comparison with some of our current players (as good as they might be).

Agree with this.

This...

Why not put on a tour in France? Never understood why this is not done more given the proximity to us.

£12 to see the new look team take on a pretty good CCC promotion candidate side? Not bad really considering what you have to pay to go to the cinema nowadays (for example). It will be good to see whether the squad is anywhere near capable of taking on the CCC - if not, then there's still time to patch a few things up as necessary.

Was not aware of Reading having big financial problems - not sure why as they have Madjeski. Antonio will not be coming to Saints if the valuation is too high - there are other options out there and as good as the lad has been for Saints he's still only two seasons out of non-league. It's not as if they can really claim he's a CCC player, so anything more than £400,000 is taking the michael (sic). I agree that he could improve on his stamina over the summer.

No surprises atall really except Semi - I really thought AP would keep him as cover. I think a large fee has stopped Antonio signing - I heard Reading were looking for close to £1m for him which is mental! Anyhow - onwards and upwards - this is going to be a busy old summer.

For the record, I've just sent the Mail Online a broadside for this rubbish... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1278237/Take-Southampton-season-job-safe-Alan-Pardew-told.html?ITO=1490

The Echo is a joke. If it were to start reporting fact rather than fiction I might take it seriously, but frankly it has gone from bad to worse lately.