Saint Fan CaM

I agree with the comments on the Kingsland release. The majority of this stand is filled with loyal ST holders who deserve better frankly. I have bought two tickets in block 33, but would much prefer to have had the option to buy my own seat in block 30. Not happy with the manner in which the club are dealing with the stand restrictions - a policy re-think is needed please Mr Cortese.

The only thing wrong with SMS is it's proximity to some pretty ugly industry (e.g. the ballast/cement works). If that area could be redeveloped into waterside bars/restaurants/shops/hotel for example, the development would be complete and be quite impressive. A big problem for leisure business development in the area is the area itself. Friends of mine unsuccessfully tried opening a live music bar near to SMS a year or so back, however one big factor in the failure of that venture was that there was no passing trade in the evening - it is a no-go zone thanks to violence, drugs and unsavoury individuals. Could the reputation of the area be turned around? Possibly not. There would also need to be significant flood defence work also if I remember rightly, there are significant issues in that area (although it didn't stop the building of the new accomodation apartments just down the road).

Yeah, this is pretty much on the money for me. The 'big' clubs will not be affected - in fact if the club is bouncing between the CCC and the Prem there will not be a problem financially. Newcastle will go up, collect £60m and their problems will go away for awhile. Look at Birmingham - now sitting comfortable in the Prem without spending massive amounts of money like Spurs to push them into the top six. Most clubs are now happy not to compete with the 'big clubs' and survive in the Prem between positions 8th to 18th. Still get good gates - don't pay stupid salaries on foreign imports - keep the Sky money rolling in etc etc. I think most fans are savvy to all this too - expectations have levelled out and now it's less of a disgrace to drop into the CCC to re-group providing the club has been run in a financially sound way and can maintain a decent team to mount a promotion push immediately.

As others have mentioned, this really has nothing to do with ML and NC as the efforts were in place to secure the clubs future before they were involved, therefore they have no moral duty to comment. What Markus has done for the club has said it all IMO. However, the organisation behind the collection SHOULD be held accountable and tell supporters where the money went (even though I suspect it was to pay player salaries including players that are now getting paid even more at other higher league clubs.

First reaction would be "oh no". However, he could be the cover we need for Lambert and who knows, he might hit it off big time with Connolly as a strike partner. Funny how these things work out sometimes.

There will be more games like this one until AP sorts the squad out completely. Hopefully that will happen in January. Key issues are poor defence make-up and an unbalanced midfield. In short we need a RB, CB, CAM, LW, RW and a large mobile striker. Trouble is we also have OK players that are a bit of a luxury as they take up a squad place yet they not good enough or not suitable to do a basic job. I refer to James, Waigo, Wotton, Antonio, Thomas for example. Even Lallana is a bit of an enigma - is he a winger, central mid, striker? He is a great player but who do you sacrifice to allow him a place? For me this is significant issue for AP - what is his first choice midfield four/five?

There will be more games like this one until AP sorts the squad out completely. Hopefully that will happen in January. Key issues are poor defence make-up and an unbalanced midfield. In short we need a RB, CB, CAM, LW, RW and a large mobile striker. Trouble is we also have OK players that are a bit of a luxury as they take up a squad place yet they not good enough to do a basic job. I refer to James, Waigo, Wotton, Antonio, Thomas for example. Even Lallana is a bit of an enigma - is he a winger, central mid, striker? He is a great player but who do you sacrifice to allow him a place? For me this is significant issue for AP - what is his first choice midfield four/five? I am still of the opinion that this season is all about sorting out the squad and anything else is a bonus. January was always going to be a bit too late to sort things for a play off place, but it's still possible if AP is very severe in his squad surgery.

Err, so what? If he's not doing what AP wants then he'll not last long. I have to say I have not seen enough from him to convince me that he's good enough at LM frankly as he adds little to the play and we cannot afford to carry players that are not up to the mark. A player like Jason Puncheon (left side midfielder at MK Dons) is far better in all departments and would be fantastic for us either as a starter or coming off the bench.

I think there's a chance either Fish will be consigned to the reserves for sometime, or he'll go entirely. If he's unable to act out AP's wishes on the pitch then he'll not survive here much longer. Winners cannot be sentimental and cannot carry people who are not shaping up.

Only problem is - where would he fit in? He's a left side player I think, so would Lallana move to the right?

Jason Puncheon from MK Dons would be a great midfield signing, however he's on season long loan from Plymouth so probably not available until the summer. Could probably snap him up for £500k.

Lampard - great player. Gerrard - great player. Together in an England squad they don't compliment each other. Never have and never will. I get the feeling (on less grand scale perhaps) that Hammond and Schneiderlin are similar to the above two. Their sum is not greater than the two equal parts. For those comparing the two and suggesting that MS is better than Hammond, it should be noted that Hammond provides Morgan with much guidance during a game in terms of positioning etc. The problem IMO actually lies with the coaching team - they need to work with the pair of them and attempt to work out a system that ensures that one of them plays less deep when defending thus leaving a gaping hole in midfield.

Exactly - if you're going to replace Lallana with someone then why Fish? Holmes would be a better choice IMO.

Fine performance as we won, however in reality that was a shocking 2nd display against 10 men....it looked like it was us with 10! Thought Trotts and Perry were good. Hammond and Scheiderlin both OK, but as I've said before, they're too similar and hang back together too much leaving a hole at CM. Antonio is not going to do the business for us unfortunately - didn't really achieve enough, although he did work quite hard in the 1st half. I can see why Lambert cannot get out of this division - he can't run.

Holmes is a better player than Mills.

If truth be known there's probably little to chose between Schneiderlin, Hammond and Quashie actually. Our problem is that Scheiderlin and Hammond are just too similar in style and play. They both sit back far too much when the opposition attack and allow them sweep across the field almost without being challenged. As a consequence they invite another attack which ends up usually in a sloppy goal being conceded. Morgan should be a back-up for Hammond and AP should buy a more attack-minded dominant strong CM able to distribute the ball well.

Saw that and was pretty amazed to be honest as I had no idea about this chap. Makes you realise even more what a rich history SFC has. Will be buying the programme for sure.

Thanks to the forum boys for keeping the whole ticking over. Would be nice to see a few more of the old posters come back without fear of being abused in 2010 now we're in a new era. And good if the 'usual click' could be a little more inclusive in their discussions so everyone gets noticed. Anyways, a great bid Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year wishes to all Saints fans everywhere in the World.

Put simply - no. Far better to play as many regulars in the first team as often as possible IMO. Each and every game is another learning exercise and a chance for the lads to bond on the pitch in front of a home crowd. Even at this level they're supposed to be pro's with some stamina - also Colchester may even be off due to weather. There is a much bigger threat IMO to the team from the crowd going silent if we go one down to a sloppy goal. All the stay-aways returning for the family Boxing day out will be thinking "ah, so nothing has changed then". The Northam crowd need to get behind the team the whole game and show the rest of the stadium how its done - conversely if the Northam is silent and biting their nails, the rest of the stadium follows suit.

Really strange I was thinking about this very subject last night. These guys were put in place for a cause that is no longer an issue. Nicola's Supporter Charter and the commitment to converse with ST holders is by far the most appropriate way forward now I would suggest.

Is that deal only for a specific section of the ground though - i.e. Chapel? If so, then it will perhaps not be so much of an issue. Having said that it would appear that (a) someone at the club made a gaff on pricing policy and (b) there could be some kids (future supporters) who will not be able to get a cheap seat if there's a "sell-out", which would be a shame. Actually, how do you know that this applies to "a lot of people"? It would be interesting to know factually how many have done this.

Good news on Lambo and Hammond. Stupid article on Lallana - he's worth more than £1.5m to Saints - price tag would be at least £3m I would think. Interestingly, what nobody has mentioned yet in relation to the OP is whether the FIFA ruling might actually affect potential targets for AP in January. It could cut down the number of signings on his wish-list somewhat?

Really looking forward to the day. Have moved my ticket further up the Kingsland towards the Northam so I can sit with my two sons and daughters fiance. We'll be having a few drinks on the way through and then some on the way home too that's for sure. If we win - not banking on it TBH - it will make it a sweet day indeed. Score will most likely be 2-1 Saints, BUT I feel we are due to hand out a complete drubbing to some poor unsuspecting team - it might be Exeter.

What a fantastic contrast Nicola and Markus are able to bring to the club and City - poles apart from the aggravated, confrontational, idiocy Lowe and his regime foisted upon us. Thank you Nicola for an uplifting and positive message at this special time of year, whether you have religion or faith or something else. And the very best wishes to you and yours for a splendid festive season and a successful 2010.

Don't think Beckford is the right type of signing for us. If Connolly keeps fit then we have more than enough in the strikers. What we really need is a tough attacking central midfielder with excellent distribution skills. Someone to compliment Hammond - I am still not fully convinced we have a man to do that, even in Spiderman. We also need a new RB to cover for Murty. AP also needs to decide who will partner Jaidi regularly - another man-mountain but with a bit of pace needed there.