Saint Fan CaM

We don't know what kind of shopping list AP gave to NC do we? All I know is that 7 months after being very close to not having a club to support, we now have an owner and CEO who act in the best interests of the club and deliver....for the Manager. The Manager speaks to us about the football and he talks sense. The team look like they give a damn. And there's loads more to be extremely happy with. It is fun watching Saints now and being a part of a club on the rise. As I've said above, the difference between the Lowe regime and the current one is like chalk and cheese in my opinion.

You have misinterpreted what I wrote. In context with the opening post, the comparison was to our current set-up and Lowe tried to be everything - i.e. Share-owner, Chairman, Scout, MD, Director of football...the list goes on...but let's face it, as a PLC Chairman, he should not have got so involved with the direct running of the club (remember all HIS ramblings on the OS?). His grasp of how important the supporters and continual improvement of the 1st team was shockingly shallow. Whereas our new regime is stellar by comparison...chalk and cheese shall we say.

Hehe - well, I suppose I could come on for a 5 minute cameo aka a Burley special appearance (;. Somewhen in the dim and distant I played CM. Will depend on where and when though as much on at present. Got me thinking whether there's any more 45+ old crocked players on the forum that fancy a slow and leisurely knock about sometime? When the weather warms up a bit perhaps?!

Great post(s). Succinct and to the point. Simple fact is Rupes didn't deliver success for the fans. NC is doing this time and time again - all his decisions so far are the right ones. And anyway, he is not the only key player in all this. Markus is providing the resources and AP is delivering the results where it counts - on the pitch. Lowe tried to be everything to everyone and failed spectularly on all counts.

I am extremely envious. At 50, unfit with a half-knackered calf I would still love to play as in my mind I'm still 25...but you youthful types go ahead and have fun. :smt089

LOL - you beat me to it.

Got to say I switched over before the Palarse goals went in - Wolves were absolutely garbage and big threat to pushing Pimpley off the bottom of the Prem table I would think.

If the Chapel was reserved for the family section and the Chapel/Kingsland corner for away fans, I would put money on the Northam eventually attracting a large vocal crowd and filling to almost capacity within say a year. Many supporters in the Kingsland north and Itchen north wings would move around into the Northam I would expect. Only the yoof with something to prove would move closer to the away fans, but then would have to sit in the Kingsland (not cool) or the family enclosure with their Dads (not cool).

Even so, it's an interesting question. With Flybe-night gone, will we see a replacement of the seats that spell their name?

Haha - I thought I was seeing things when I first caught sight of those trucks too! Glad I'm not the only one.

Depending on how AP plays Punch, I think we will be pleasantly surprised by how our midfield will be transformed. I just hope all our other players will be able to keep up with Punch and Antonio when they break forward at pace!

Replied to this today and said yes, move 'em. And move 'em to the Chapel / Chapel-Kingsland corner, thus largely nullifying their support. As someone else said this is a good idea to... (a) Create a SMS 'Kop' (b) Enhance Saints home advantage © Degrade away fans experience and support The Chapel/Kingsland corner is the best bet in terms of controlling away supporters as their coaches can be parked on the industrial estate. Alternatively, close the Northam to home fans entirely and put the away fans across the stand, but close most of the upper tiers.

Yes, that's exactly what I thinking. Shame, he really did a proper job at RB.

Sounds to me like the actual shirt will be without sponsor as it says they will not be renewing the Flybe deal. This is an incredible gesture once again showing us how much Markus and NC value our support. I will be buying a shirt for sure.

Just wondering whether we will see him in a Saints shirt again if he's now busy trying to make it as a TV personality. Perhaps the injury was worse than we've been led to believe?

That's pretty spectacular by L1 standards really. Thanks to Markus and NC for supporting AP to the hilt.

We had our 2nd bid accepted, however Danns did not accept his terms offered by the club and NC would not budge. Pity, but it's good to see we're standing tall and tough when it comes to player negotiations. Players need to WANT to come here for all the right reasons, not just to pick up a fat pay packet. His loss.

Congratulations Alpine. Don't know you personally, but congrats to you and yours from a fellow Saints supporter. RE the OP and AP: Based on what I have seen of NC and his pro outlook on the running of the business, I think AP will be given a good chance to succeed even if we don't make auto's next season, providing it is clear we are (a) improving and (b) there were good reasons for not performing better...e.g. like a massive injury list. I think AP is probably the best manager match this club could possibly have and I will not be best pleased if he leaves before the 5 year plan has been delivered.

Surely we have cause to complain to the FA anyway as Poopey have a squad they just cannot afford which makes a mockery of the rules AND provides them with an unfair competetive advantage?

Bit of a leap of faith saying it's Markus' money surely!?

This is fairly recent - sorry if it's been put up already...not seen it. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_5903676,00.html Looks like Warnock (I detest that guy) is boo-hooing about Saints putting in an offer and their Administrator taking the money. Frankly, he'll not be able to influence the deal if it's to be done as the money will talk in this case. So it looks to me like there's still some legs in the Danns transfer - could still be on for a last minute signing. And that would mean that we would see Punch out on the left most of the time - a perfect compliment to Antonio on the right...oppo defences will be completely battered!

Do we enjoy our football at our football club? Are we glad we have a club that is now well run and able to support the Manager (a proper Manager)? Of course we do and that surely in itself is positive. We may all have different views on how the team should be selected, the tactics, have a view on our chances of reaching the playoffs etc. That's banter and that's part of footie - it's not negative. Calling someone a numpty or whatever on here for holding a view - now that's negative. So to answer the OP, I don't think there are actually too many negative posters on here atall. Can't really think of anyone who thinks we will be relegated this season. Is there ANYONE who actually now believes this?!

Antonio is a no-brainer yes...he's got better since he arrived and will continue to grow, he's settled here now getting a good number of starts, he's taking his chance and playing well and he's free in the summer. Cannot see AP sending him packing now. Waigo is a bit of a strange one. He's worth between £2m-£4m supposedly on paper and he does have skill and pace. On balance he provides something different to any other striker and he is a striker...not a winger. I think if he wants to stay he will get a contract but only if we go up and so can justify the fee.

He may be irreplaceable in the sense we have no other target man like him, however with Waigo, Barnard and Connolly on call, not to mention Lallana, Antonio AND now Puncheon, I think that our goal threat would not be seriously under threat if Rickie was out for a spell. Might even be better if we were at full strength in the midfield. As a last thought, I would suggest you check out who has scored the goals in the last 10 games...I think you will see that Rickie is far from the only goal scorer.

That is a very harsh assessment - he made a decent contribution. However, he will be understudy to Puncheon as soon as he's available.