Saint Fan CaM

Dickson. Deal probably done, but they're waiting on World cup/release of kit etc, before announcing details. In fact it makes me wonder whether there are other deals done already that they're holding back on (e.g. Adu?).

Well after thinking I could wait it out, we went into town yesterday and just happened by the SMS Megastore, so had to have a look at the new kit. I bought one there and then AND the missus bought a nice T AND she bought me one of those half England half Saints T's for my birthday which I reckon look very nice indeed. I posted earlier that I was a bit concerned that the new shirt was 100% polyester, but I have to say it's probably the most comfortable footie shirt I have ever worn - MUCH better quality than the old shirts. The overall look is fantastic IMO including the badge, the collar....right down to the little triangle detail on the bottom side of the shirt with the text on the rear side which is a sign of how much thought has gone into this product. For once in terms of buying a footie shirt, I actually feel like my £40 was money well spent.

And in other news - there is no news on Saints summer signings. Now the new kit is released, how long before we see a name or two appear? Even the rumours have dried up!

In terms of points it was a remarkable season to see so many teams on so many points in the top 8 and I agree that we will not see that again in all likelihood next season. However, if anyone thinks its going to be an easy season and we're going to sail through to auto is going to have a big shock. The signings in the next few weeks will be crucial to determining whether we do a Leeds or not IMO. We'll miss Antonio and to a lesser extent Papa - the replacement for Semi will be key also. If we don't sign 1 or 2 decent alternatives to Schneiderlin and Hammond we could be on dodgy ground.

100% polyester usually means 100% sweaty - hope it's not like the cheapo shirts that don't breath. :cool: It does look fantastic though I think I can wait just a little bit longer before forking out my £40.

Coid, Dickson, Surman and Adu. Great signings if all true. Not entirely sure whether Danns is all he's cracked up to be TBH, but could be THE man if he came here.

Mmm, was a little concerned until I saw the source. Need to keep the nerve and be patient with regards new players I think. Difficult when you see the oppposition teams snapping up players you thought might come to us. But AP/NC know best and we'll have a top team to support next season I'm sure.

Sorry Steve you misunderstood what I meant there I think. I was not for minute suggesting that the forum should be driven by the club, but rather the output from the forum could potentially contribute to the decision making at the club in a constructive and positive manner. At the moment, I think most forum users could only guess at the reality of how much the Board look at forum output such as the results of polls on here for example. It is all largely hearsay. It might be more transparent and open to all forum users if specific polls were clearly designated as 'club polls' in a formal way to provide fans input. I repeat, this would not be the club influencing TSF - quite the opposite. Lastly and the main thrust of my post, was that this would also mean that not just one 'spokesperson' would be in the spotlight with all the nonsense that attracts. The forum itself might be seen in an even more professional light and attract a higher membership - surely not a bad thing?

Absolutely love the shirt and love the manner in which the club has portrayed the release - "A kit from yesterday for the team of tomorrow"!!! Says everything about the strategy - very positive indeed. I will be buying one as soon as I can lay my hands on one and I'm not a footie shirt kinda bloke.

While the idea that this forum is a more valid representation of views is correct IMO. However, there is absolutely no need for a single representative to be pushed forward as "the voice of TSF". It is abundantly clear that the site is able to publish sensible polls to enable fans to express an opinion. The missing component is that TSF has no formal link to the club and the OS. If that aspect was in place, the club could request the criteria for a poll to TSF MODs - they put the poll in place and any paying member (of TSF or indeed perhaps even any ST holder) who wishes to express an opinion could do so. The results could then be published via the OS and used as consultative notes in Board meetings. It would be so easy to set-up at little or no cost and wouldn't involve some trumpted up individual turning up on TV screens claiming to be the "voice of the fans". Open, transparent, truly reflective of fans views.

I cannot see a permanent switch myself. However, I think that due to the rigours of a L1 season, AP knows that flexibility across the back four and particularly on the flanks, will provide the best chance of a succesful campaign.

I agree to an extent - I always used the free credit option, however there are other options. And anyway, those who rely entirely on credit facilities to fund anything, do not automatically have the right to those funds. Credit is an advantage yes, but it is not a God given right. The club has a responsibility to provide a good footballing squad that wins games and provides a good degree of entertainment - nothing more, nothing less. Lastly, there is a credit crunch going on - people are losing their jobs and houses - people are sleeping rough on the streets and going hungry. And there are infantile whingers kicking up a stink because a football club has withdrawn a credit facility?!? I think a little perspective and humility could be put to good use.

I would love it to be that simple. And black for away kit is the biz.

Good point - I agree.

Great post. For years we've waited for the moment the club was run in a professional way and there was hope at the beginning of the season - not of steering clear of relegation, but of real, determined and lasting success.

I think StuRS has put more people on the ignore step than there are posters on his (somewhat pointless) thread! lol Or to put it another way, soon he'll be talking to himself, everyone will be laughing at his threads and he'll be oblivious. Mmm, not a bad idea that.

Nothing about regulating the salaries of a given squad though, which would have sorted out a lot of issues in the game and possibly assisted in making football matches more accessible to the lower paid and thus increasing gates.

Can't honestly see this happening. We're still L1 - we'll be lucky to attract Antonio back to the club. But hey, who knows - we got Keegan once upon a time.

Well having read one page of retort's to Alpine's post, I think I can risk not reading the remainder of the thread to say simply - NAH.

I guess thats why one of the 1st decisions made by the new regime was to ensure all 'freeloaders' (from the corporate area) had to pay to see a game?

Can anyone be sure that it is actually Cortese that has made this decision? Perhaps in an advanced grown-up management sort of way, he has given one of his senior managers ultimate responsibility for the deployment of ticketing policy and practice. Perhaps he is just being a strong Executive by standing by his managers decision? Have we seen any direct quotes from Cortese in terms of the decision? Not excusing the decision, but why is it that there are some people seemingly intent on bringing Cortese (our best CEO in decades) into disrepute for a relatively small matter in the grander scheme?

Please do not tell me what I do or do not think. Can we see the list that shows four figure numbers of Saints fans that have been affected to the point that they cannot purchase their ticket at no extra cost to published prices please? I'll not be holding my breath. Not seen any lies - just poor communication in the light of the Charter not applying beyond last season. Mountain and molehill spring to mind TBH.

Well one persons tedium is anothers persons valid viewpoint I suppose. Balanced views are what makes for a rich and diverse world. It's the abuse that generates that is difficult to stomach - wouldn't you agree? :cool:

I do agree with this in fairness. I was not aware the Charter had effectively been amended and this is the biggest disappointment for me with regards to on-going supporter relations. However, in the grand scheme of things, do I care about this more than I do about the players signed and the results next season? Simple answer is "no".

At last we agree Stu. There are plenty of other options which do not carry cost to the club, but which require individuals to arrange. There is no excuse!