Saint Fan CaM

Apologies as I was clearly mis-informed about this (and cannot ever recall seeing any explanation on here - I don't read everything though ). In that case then, it has nothing to do with the football club now and should be consigned to history. Move on.

Perhaps it should go back to the family that donated it to Saints in the first place all those years ago? Would be a nice gesture by ML perhaps?

But you were chuffed as you thought of her so tender-ly. Or are we getting our lines crossed and acting above our station? (I could go on)...

Probably not true, however he is exactly the type of player AP would favour - I think he would shadow Connolly perfectly if fit.

Yeh, but interested doesn't mean signed, sealed and delivered. Far from it and I would have thought that his would be one deal that went through quicker if was going to happen atall (he is a league above us - what is there to talk about?).

Fantastic news - once again - for Saints fans. The infrastructure is slowly yet surely being re-built - hang on, no... it's not only being re-built it's being professionally improved upon beyond the imagination of past regimes. Makes Lowe/Woodwards efforts look a bit naff to be fair. Onwards and upwards with the only football team in Hampshire worthy of the terms "professional" and "world-class".

Still can't see this one happening.

Didn't think we would land Ward TBH - still hopeful we might get Stock, BUT AP did say Fonte, one other and a striker, so perhaps all the talk of Stock is just that...talk?

Will give the lad the benefit of the doubt as I think he may have looked poor against us due our better attack. The biggest issue I might have with him is the number of red cards he's accumulated - this could prove to be a big problem for our progression up the table if he continues doing that kind of stuff.

I have to admit to being somewhat confused by the supposed transfers we're meant to be signing. All of sudden we've got umpteen defenders on the books and most them are CB's. And no-one's gone out the door yet. The only explanation if any of this is true is that AP is preparing for what will be a very tough run-in with 2-3 months of games coming at us at 2/week. And a potential play-off run where our best players need to be at the top of their game. You don't do what we're trying to do on a lean squad I guess?

Gotta agree with that.

Cannot for one minute believe we will sign that lot. One possibly from that lot - probably Danns or Stock - and then a striker...that'll be it.

I would add Thomas - too expensive at this level unless the club can re-negotiate. I would keep Wotten and Holmes as squad utility players - good enough for that - and we will need to have experienced players to step in if injury strikes...not just youngsters.

From what I've seen of Tyson, he's a little bit better than Dyer in that he actually gets past his marker.

He might be funding the acquisition of infrastructure, but that is investment in the future growth of the Company. It has nothing to do with operational expenditure and NC has already stated that the club will fund itself. Unless I see concrete evidence to disprove this why should anyone doubt it now? It's fundamentally loopy to worry about something that there is no proof of, especially when we have good evidence that these guys know how to run a healthy business and then some! Simple fact is we've got the ownership we desired - we're getting players in that are going to be good for us for a little while, but we've got a very long way to go yet. This stuff is the least of our worries for the foreseeable future - we have a small matter of getting out of L1 to contend with - not easy whatever anyone says. Not only that, but I would take issue with the moaners/worryers who don't turn up and contribute to the coffers (because frankly in terms of support that's close to all we can/need do to influence the future fortunes of the club now).

No idea where you get that from - got any hard facts? My guess (based on AP's words) is that we've got room for another two players at least before that is the case. Then we've got some deadwood to shift including at least one bench sitter and very high earner in Thomas (possibly).

That is because (a) the best academy players were hardly ever given the chance to mature at Saints but sold on by Lowe as a commodity to 'bigger' clubs (because we could not afford to compete...and (b) the academy has suffered due to the running down of essential club functions such as the scouting team to bring in new talent. There is so much repair work to be done on the whole infrastructure of the club still and in the case of young talent it will take even longer to sort out. The big test of our new regime will be when the best of the CURRENT youth team are ready to step up - will they be sold or gradually drafted into the 1st team in a manner similar to Walcott here (a little) and then at Arsenal?

Don't agree. Any sensible and successful business person will know that in times of depressed demand it is best to invest in new design and improved infrastructure ready for when a market picks-up. In football terms and particularly Saints, it is clear that Markus and Nicola consider now is a good time to invest in their business to reap the rewards of the future (and on behalf of the supporters also). It is THEIR money - their risk - so why not? While I appreciate your concern, I think it is completely misplaced and somewhat daft also. We've spent 10 years bleating on about a lack of investment in the club and now we have it, something is wrong?! It's our turn in the sunshine - why not enjoy it while we can without all the navel gazing?

Weston as usual (well mostly :wink:) is spot on with his analysis. However, I would be slightly more forgiving and say James is an adequate RB at this level playing the lower half teams.

Whatever it's about it's b*ll*x - largely because of the bit highlighted above.

I really do not think it's Ward for one reason - we don't need another CB at this level and AP said nothing on Solent that indicated we were in for another CB. I reckon the Ward interest was in case they didn't get the Fonte deal sorted. Who else it might be I have no idea (apart from Stock? He has been injured and therefore not featured so much).

Superb signing which shows fantastic intent by the club. I think this guy could be our next Claus (or better). Big question for me would whether he is intended to replace Jaidi or play alongside him? And will they compliment each other? On both counts I feel we'll need to give him some time to settle in L1.

Or to put it another way, that is the obvious contender for most rubbish transfer 'story' for many a year!

I think he has much to prove here and he strikes me as a man of principle. Never say never, but I would be very surprised to see him go until he can do no more at the club. And I truly hope I am right in that belief as I consider him to be an excellent manager.

Well I've got to say I'm somewhat disappointed so far in the lack of news. There's a way to go yet in this window, but I kind of expected a little more movement in and indeed out by now. Oh well, patience is needed I guess - let's hope tomorrow brings some good news.