Saint Fan CaM

Possibly the worst player ever to don a Saints shirt IMO. Shockingly out of his depth and I don't usually slate Saints players but for this lad I make an exception - he really is dross. He came onto the pitch with about 20 minutes to play yesterday and he touched the ball THREE times, one of which was a 'shot' that he shanked so badly the pigeons in the roof were disturbed. OK, perhaps me and my Nephew blinked and missed a kick...so perhaps it was four times he touched the ball. But he fannies around in midfield doing a kind of poor Wotton impression while the game completely passes him by. He runs like he's (still) got something stuck his @rse. How he get's his name onto the 1st team roster is beyond me - someone is doing somebody a HUGE favour - must be, there's no other rational explanation.

In terms of transfers (or not), this week could be extremely significant for Saints. If we do not sign a couple of good cover men (CM particularly) we could be staring at another L1 season before we even start this one IMO. Replacing Hammond and Morgan with Wotton or indeed Pulis will ruin any chance of promotion - we need central midfield cover urgently - (Jeez where have I heard that before) - and while Waigo would be welcome, he ain't the answer 'cos he's a striker.

Well me and the Missus are going. Nephew might be going too. Hoping for an entertaining match and one where we will look equal to Reading TBH. However I suspect Rasiak and Antonio will do us - it's the law.

Wow that lad looks really handy - break play up skillfully, can cross the ball and can distribute really well too. Sign him Pards!

He is exactly what we need at the heart of our midfield. Passion for the club and the City and a damned good creative midfielder who is at the peak of his game at 27. I would love it if we were to sign him, but it isn't going to happen IMO.

How the hell do you know that AP has not identified all the targets he wants, but for a variety of contractual reasons NC can't do the deals? These types of comment are completely over-the-top and unfounded - wait until the season starts and if we're still lightweight then perhaps we can all have a coronary, but until then chill FFS.

Absolutely fantastic post.

We could do a lot worse than get this guy, however I don't think he fits in with AP's plans - not the type of player AP would sign IMO.

I would suggest that AP really is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to talking about new squad additions. Clearly there are targets, but he's not got hold of the purse strings and so really its a case of expectation management. He cannot say "we're looking to spend a whole pot of money to get the players we want" - he has to be quite cagey. Let's not get concerned...I fully expect us to get 2-3 players in, but it sounds like we may have to wait a bit longer and perhaps even right up until the season starts, to get the man/men AP wants.

As NC has taken much time and trouble to state, if its not on the OS don't believe a word. (:

What goes around comes around. Disband the Trust and get used to not being some kind of trumpted up minor celeb (in his own mind perhaps) without a mandate.

I've got the Insignia 2.0 diesel 160bhp with satnav. Great car - no complaints.

I sympathise with you - sounds like your situation was not as straight-forward as mine, although like I said it pays to act quickly. It doesn't take long for the lines of demarkation to be drawn up and as any dedicated estranged Dad will know, it's the woman who has the trump hand. And almost every estranged Dad I've talked to has experienced some form of emotional torture from the ex-wife playing the kids against him. This alone should be made a criminal offence in my opinion - it's truly disgusting. Keep it together SOG - if they're anything like mine, your kids will respect you for it one day f'sure.

This.

Sorry - meant on squad news - what with Lallana probably not featuring, new faces etc.

That's not good news for Adam or Saints. Knee injuries tend to be significant and will require careful treatment or permanent damage can occur which would be terrible for a young guy like Adam. I wish him all the best in his recovery and will keep everything crossed that it's a full one. ):

It's 23:23 and no word on the OS. Must be bull. (:

Update anyone?

Wow, there's a lot of common issues here - incredible that so many suffer the same misfortune when it comes to care of their children in particular, however this I am sure is the tip of the iceburg. It is true to say that many men will not speak out about the problem because they are too embarrassed to talk about the subject, particularly if the situation has come about from their partner having an affair (more and more common nowadays and a subject in its own right). I was 'fortunate' as my ex-wife had an affair - that's never been easy to disclose, however it gave me 'leverage'. I did what many guys in that situation fail to do - I kept my calm and kept my own council. When I found out I started putting things in place - manipulating the situation to ensure that I would not lose out. The first step was to ensure I had financial control of MY finances. I politely made sure that it was understood that I would not 'go away quietly' (i.e. give up my claim to the house, it's contents and indeed custody of the kids) unless certain conditions were observed. I drew up a Seperation Agreement which we both signed and which was witnessed by a Solicitor. I made sure all of this was done at no expense to myself. My maintenance payments were agreed and set in stone - how? - because they were linked with every other condition of the Seperation Agreement, including issues that were beneficial to her (e.g. giving up any rights to her private pension). Indeed when two of my kids came to live with me, the Seperation Agreement included the provision for a reduction of my payments to her. Needless to say, I have continued to support my children way beyond the requirements of the Seperation Agreement (still have one at Uni), however I have remained in control throughout without a sniff from the CSA. Unfortunately, the whole system is set-up to work against responsible Dads. So you need to be supercool and make sure you think things through logically - act as swiftly as possible - don't let issues drag on and fester because they'll not get any easier to sort out. There's so much advice to give to younger guys but would start with, (a) don't create a child unless you are 110% sure you are prepared to stand by it at all costs - i.e. take full responsibility for birth control (b) if you have one or more kids don't play away from home - it could cost you more than you think, © keep your cool - try at all costs to work things out with the ex without having to involve a Solicitor because there's only one person who will benefit from that game, (d) try not to blame yourself for not getting access to the kids - one day they will find out the truth (i.e. you're the good guy) and you'll be vindicated IF and only IF you've not done anything stupid. Good luck SOG and all others currently going through the trauma...

Pulis would struggle to get into the ladies side. FACT.

Strange. I didn't think Lallana was that delicate - the start of the season is still a way off, so to say he will not feature is quite some statement. Hope he recovers well.

Strange isn't it - a quite original theme to a thread and it has almost entirely transformed into an 'Alpine slagging moment', thanks largely to Alpine. After reading through that diatribe I can't find the enthusiasm to respond to the OP. Probably why many don't bother posting here anymore.

Jubilant!

We paid £1m for Lambert and £250k for Barnard I think. So £700k for an established CCC level striker at his age I think is about right. Do the deal - he will get better in our team also IMO.

Benjani is not the type of player AP would sign IMO so I don't believe that one. Tyson is a possibility, although like Pilchards I cannot see him coming here to warm the bench. He might be a good alternative to Lambo and might strike up a great partnership with Connolly or Barnie, but frankly I would be concerned with upsetting the status quo. Having said that, competition is not a bad thing even for the likes of Lambo who might find himself having a bit of a slow season.