david in sweden

I'd go with that Dibden, I thought he showed up very loyal and positive when things were at their darkest (pre-Liebherr) ....good luck to him.

.surely you means " Scots " ? Scotch is a drink, and I'm sure they won't train on that .

well ...that would solve a number of problems wouldn't it ? Jonno obviously isn't going to get much playing time at SMS(and thats where it counts)...I think most people would admit that (despite NOT signing an extra striker in the summer) we do need an extra "front man " - and Forte " just 'aint it ! ". Cue for Nigel's well-worded farewell speech...along the lines of ... " Jonno's a great lad, but he knows he'll have limited chances here. He came to us when we needed help the most and got us some valuable goals which helped us win promotion. I'm sure he'll do well at Preston and we all wish him good luck in the future " ...or something of the sort. ...and they all lived happily ever after.

No... I know you didn't, and I can't remember if you were one of those who went on record as saying that he was overpriced / a waste of space, but quite a few others did ...some of them even before he'd played a game ..and then weren't happy ..not realising that it takes time for players to settle into a new team. Bringing in a new player is not like changing a light bulb. A similar reaction from some, as I recall, when we signed " that Celtic reject " on loan a couple of months ago...and he's certainly put a few people straight and looks like a real find - wouldn't you say?. Obviously, NA was out to get Fox and wasn't 100% sold on the alternatives and so for my money it was an excellent deal. I'm still glad we've got Harding and it's up to them to prove to NA who's best.

...you're probably right in that case. Somebody said the " interest " was only because he was local ( So'ton ) and a former junior. However, I did note that he has scored ..as many / more than.. the other two individuals so far, and I think I was not alone in wondering why we paid out about £1 million for Ricky Lambert - until we saw him in action, but I'd not seen Lukas in action which was my question in the first place.

rashly suggested I might have guessed that I'd see a contribution from you CB. With regard to my original statement about our future success, it was something I noted from a number of others on this site who refuse to accept the possibility that we might go up to a short-lived life of mediocrity in the Premiership and those who would prefer to stay " safe " in the top half of CCC instead. (The difference between those who wanted " success", and those who were " afraid " of failure.) I have noted your well-constructed contributions to various threads, perhaps I should try to curb my enthusiasm (and choice of words) in future, but part of me still retains the same fervour I had when I watched my first Saints game at the Dell...52 years ago ! I also do not believe (contrary to a number of others here ) that the Liebherrs are only in this for a " quick killing " and intend to sell out as soon as the club goes into the black. If we are to believe Nicola Cortese's statements about enlarging SMS, and presumably " buying better quality players " in order to sustain life in the Prem. ..and attain Euro football (his words) then money will have to be spent..although obviously not in three months time-frame ..as I rashly suggested in my first thread, but I think that such conversations must have taken place and planning is in progress - pending promotion. I can only refer back to the title of THIS thread ... When do we start to believe.?. - I have never doubted...but only time will tell.

I thought it was out of 100...you don't seem to be convinced that any of them are worthy of a place when we get to the Prem.! (NOTE.) Chaplow , of course cost only £50 K, maybe that's why Preston sacked Darren F...what a stupid deal for PNE ..a real steal for us !)

you say Danny Fox was third (choice?) left back...it took time to get him...maybe he's best of the lot and the other two were just... DAJFU ?

...could it be ...as simple as ...we are playing him in his best position ...at last ?

O ye ..of short memory ....

now that's a good suggestion....NIGEL !

I certainly agree with that, but it depends on whether they can meet their debts with some other form of currency, instead? Drachmas maybe..? .....if not they will certainly have to sell him to someone...

whoa ..careful Sperm John, when I asked a similar question a while ago.. if fans were afraid of success, there were loads of no-believers out there, I hope things have changed since. personally..I was already of that opinion in April, and haven't wavered a bit since then.

nOT nEceSSarilY - jUst dePendS On mY arTHritic fiNgerS....ANd emPHaSIS aT tHe TiMe oF WriTiNg.

...as the extra striker that we DIDN'T get in the summer? He has netted SIX times so far this season, and would certainly cost less than the other candidates we DIDN'T sign, and being a local lad wouldn't need much encouragement to sign for Saints, I'm sure. What was the view of those who saw him today (or have him play seen this season) ? OK ...WORTH signing (of course)

and.....two assists and one goal from Guly

.....if that attitude transfers itself to the team ..no wonder they are at the bottom of the table...

Of course, the whole Academy concept was a bit experimental in the beginning, and it took time to develop but it has to be said that if you want to get to the top in any profession (or sport) you have to be dedicated. Sounds like it was hard on your mate, but if he had a good family home and circle of friends that was more important to him. Nothing wrong with that. To stories that underline this... Harry Redknapp quoted .." the young Frank Lampard (then at West Ham) was first to show up in the mornings before training and stayed on after the end of the day ..to practice ..some more " Bjorn Borg is still a legendary figure in Sweden (30 years after he won the Wimbledon tennis title 5 times in a row). He was renowned for his long, daily training sessions and they used to keep the sports hall open after hours -just for him to train. After he decided to " retire " from top tennis (aged 25) he was asked how his life would change.."oh I shall train less now, he said ...maybe only 3-4 hours a day!" IF you want to make it - you have to be dedicated. Football isn't just a few hours daily training and a game on Saturdays. It's (your) whole life..while you can.

Er... Brian Howard ? Mark Peters ? ...Ian Baird ?...(all " star " players as juniors but had an "attitude")

....that's surely nothing new - is it ?. You don't need a crystal ball to see that. He's surely one of the worst moaners in the Football League, (must be a family trait) !

well, of course we can say that ANY season is a good season to get promotion but looking at some of the " tame " opposition we've met so far, it seems that those CCC teams who (a) don't have big money problems (no funds /big debts), or (b) aren't living upto expectations; Brighton, Peterboro, Leeds, Ipswich amongst others)or © have dumped / lost a manager already; Pomp*ey, Leicester, Bristol C. means that the really serious opposition is much less than anyone might have expected. Obviously, we have to hold our present excellent form in order to go up, but looking UPWARDS to the Premiership ..we see that the three Lancashire clubs at the bottom (Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan) aren't going to be a walk-over despite being in the "drop-zone ", and would surely be favourites for a quick return. Getting promoted this season maybe a " God send ", as I'd not want to also compete against those three for a promotion place next season, - should they all be relegated.

Obviously... someone with talent...who hadn't found the right club ..until now. ..or is he actually (now) playing in a striker's role that suits him best.... Do Saints play like ANYTHING... slightly resembling Brazilian football ?

so that's it then. If you are top of the League, you're EXPECTED to beat everyone else - so no special award..... Next months award will go to ..MILLWALL, who seem to have found form recently and dragged themselves out of the relegation zone...

Maybe - if they were both fit and in competition for the place, but Barnard has been " unfit " for the best part of the last six months, Connolly on the other hand has scored 5 goals this season and the latest as recent as last Saturday. If I were bringing back a top CCC striker, I'd want to see him score a hat-trick in a Reserve game (or U21 or whatever you want to call them)...before declaring him " fit enough" to play in a full League match. Yes I'd like to see him back, too - but surely not yet !