Saint Fan CaM

Have not read it all yet but from what I have seen this is an excellent article/response to all the doubters. Fantastic and well done NC for your continued professionalism.

Wow - post of the season, right here. Well said that man. The key bit I guess is the highlighted passage. I think you meant the timetable from this point on, however perhaps ML/NC's clocks started ticking last summer and they are currently just metaphorically looking at AP tapping their watches to remind him of the time?

Sounds likely. Mind you, that wouldn't fit in with the anti-AP lobbyists. Let's hope we do a bit of business - I would imagine AP has the ear of a few agents and will be well known to the likes of 'Arry and Ancelloti, so you never know.

I like that quite a bit actually. Subtle changes rather than a complete alteration and as someone else has said, I'm sure it will look great on the new kits! It looks like this is the first step in a series of exciting announcements from the club. Let's hope that trend continues through the next week and there's nothing to detract from the feel good factor.

My favourite will always be the Paul Allen one. Boat seen in Solent etc etc. Absolutely hilarious how that one played out - especially the PM's that were flying around at the time. Cast iron assurances from certain ITK'ers that it WAS going to happen. Can't remember, but I think that even new SMS redevelopment plans were produced from somewhere! LOL.

this!

Big rumour around here is that 'Arry is going back to his 'spiritual home'.

I think if Surman had been given the coaching and managerial guidance that Lallana has received under Pardew, he would be a very good player indeed. In fact I would say that he and Schneiderlin would make an awesome central midfield pairing. He has enough about him when he was here to have eventually made Captain too IMO. My impression was he loved it here and his move was as much the club's desire to fill the coffers as his to move back to the Prem. I would have him back on loan in a heartbeat.

Actions speak louder than words. NC is not one to be manipulated by the media. Come Thursday we'll know a bit more I suspect.

Try the thread that has been open for a week+ ? http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=22294

OK - well it looks like the away fans are not being moved. So perhaps now there'll be some movement on ST's? http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/8157759.Saints__Kop_plan_shelved/?ref=rss

Unfortunately, as much as I don't want this little connection to be true, I can see some legs in this. Hopefully, he'll keep his job.

Perhaps it's not about AP getting sacked atall. Perhaps it is the case that AP has been approached by West Ham about the possibility of him going if talks with Zola break-down? And AP has told NC that if the call comes, he will have to go. So, the meeting on Weds. could be to either ratify AP's departure to WH or to ratify the conditions of his continued management of Saints through the course of next season. AND/OR it could be that all of this is complete carp and the NC/AP meeting on Weds. is to ratify the players AP wants to release versus those he wants to buy....i.e. a detailed strategy meeting.

Possibly not as cut and dried as all that. Saints probably entered into talks with the Police about plans and options were discussed. When it came down to the conditions of each option in terms of money needed to alter the infrastructure in and around SMS, I suspect there are more pressing budgetary priorities. Also, there's the fact that Cortese has already mentioned that when the time is right, a new stadium could well be on the shopping list, so what's the point of investing too much in SMS now?

Sorry, but that arguement is flawed.... a. You cannot isolate Norwich and Saints because of the -10 pt deduction alone - the reason Saints didn't get into the play-offs actually was because 6 other teams had VERY good seasons. AP could do NOTHING about that, because we beat most of those teams anyway! b. We started the season with a poor, poor squad. AP has had to spend significant money to persuade decent players to come here to get us into a mentality and league position that MIGHT be able to gain promotion at the first attempt. The squad was SERIOUSLY damaged goods when he arrived on the scene and without the significant changes he's made we would not be anywhere near the play-offs - in fact we would quite likely be relegated again.

Great post - completely agree. The addition of Inigo C may be an inspired choice by the scouts - let's face it they will be tracking the guy in games we will not have seen and reporting back that he's got potential to improve the squad. I have no doubt that he will make a difference, however I've felt that Semi could develop into a good player like Harding has (let's face it, DH faced some flak on here when he first joined).

There is one huge reason why AP should be given more time - MOMENTUM. No matter who the manager might be, he will need time to build up momentum in tactics, team mentality, coaching disciplines etc etc. AP has done that - ticked all the boxes - and to discard that for the sake of 6 months when we're one year into a 5 year plan would IMO be incredibly short-sighted and foolhardy at best. I just cannot believe NC would contemplate this scenario at this stage of the big plan unless there is something personal going on with AP - not out of the question I suppose, but I suspect it's all rumour mill nonsense.

This. Nothing more.

Yes, they do and I agree it should only mean good things for the squad. But I don't think Semi has been that bad TBF to be dropped to the bench.

I was talking in terms of how early we've started to make a move to get the squad sorted for next season already. It's been a LONG time since we've been linked with signing a decent player BEFORE the close season even starts. Nothing wrong with setting a high bar and communicating that level of intent with actions rather than words surely?!

Fixed it for you.

Cannot see Hughes taking over TBF. Director of football perhaps?

Great signing if true and quite a stunning statement of intent from the club. I think this signals the end of Murtys career and a wave goodbye to James too perhaps. Not sure what Semi's going to think playing 2nd fiddle to the new signing though - could it break team spirit?

I think most people thought that it was a bit much and in some way ruined the atmosphere, however in a strange way it woke the crowd up and the team started looking like it might win the game! And yes, I hope the complete morons who ran on got some satisfaction. Juvenile delinquents the lot of 'em!

I hope Leeds stay down...(a) because I don't like what they've become, (b) can't stand cheating, diving Beckford, and most importantly © if Leeds go up to the CCC they will have a good chance of strengthening there with the gates they get, making it harder for us when we go up.